The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-11-30
ARLooprHIRsrY LOT.
How a Bloody Band of Robbers
Killed and Robbed Their Vic

How Bloody Band or Robp9rS
Killed and Robbed Their Vic
tins.
Comparatively few persons who
speak lightly OF "Thugs"--supposing
the term to be Synonymous with
trough" tough or "foot-pad"-are
acquainted with the true Specification
of the word, or who know that at one
time the mere mention of it caused u
panic among the law-abiding citizens
of India, who were fully cognizant of
the horrible atrocities committed by
these constituencies murderers.
1t will not be amiss therefore to give
brief history of these robbers, who,
up to 1887, overran every district of
India, committing the most detestable
crimes chronicled in modern history.
They We're known variously as
Thugs" or "Phansigars,n but the lat
ter appellation seems the. more appro-
pirate, as it fully expresses the pecul-
lar manner in which they carried out
their atrocious schemes.
'Phansigar'' takes its origin from
the Instrument with which the menu
bers of these outlawed bands accom-
plished their double crime Of murder
and robbery. 1t signifies "a strang-
ler," from the word phansi, Il moose,
which was suddenly thrown over the
head of each victim, and then by
dextrous twist drawn about his neck,
resulting in almost immediate strangu-
lation. As matter of course tho
moose prevented the slightest cutlery.
The Phansigars, says L. I. Peale in
the Detroit Free Press, belonged to no
particular caste, being recruited from
the Hindoos, Mohammedans, pariahs,
Or outcasts, and even the Brahmins.
They travelled in bands varying from
twelve to sixty, or even 800 in number.
and invariably carried on their bloody
work at distance from any thickly
settled community.
Each company had a chief, or juna-
dar, TO whom was yielded the most inn
plicit obedience, and who directed all
their movements. Like the modern
leaders of strikes, however, the chief
seldom placed himself in any actual
danger. Usually he acted as a spy up
on the movements OF the intended VIC
Tins, and then from a safe vantage
ground planned their destruction, with
out actively participating in the result
ant murder.
When in active service each band
was generally separated into parties
consisting OF eight or ten members.
who, in turn divided into twos and
threes, closely following each other, in
order to render immediate assistance.
Generally speaking their mode of
iperpetrating the murder was rs fol-
lows; When the victim was lulled in.
to perfect obscurity by tho means
already described, one of the parties
quickly passed a moose, formed OF %
twisted handkerchief or strip OF thin
muslin, over his head, and drawing it
deity about his neck instantly tight
ened it. This being done. an accom-
plice struck the struggling victim on
the joint of his knees behind, which
caused him to fall forward, thus accel-
Grating this process Of strang ula-S
ton.
After collecting their plumber
division was made, the best OF all be-
ing offered to Kali; then double
share was allotted to the chief. Having
provided for these two most important
characters, the remainder was par
celed among them in certain propor-
lions, thus: To the person who cast
the moose and strangled the victim and
the one who mutilated the body o
share and a half was awarded, and to
oil the members who we're present, but
not actively engaged, share each.
The absent members were rewarded
with half a share.
Returning home with the proceeds
they would spend their time in revelry
and debauchery until the in-gotten
money was exhausted, when each band
would again take to the road in search
OF fresh victims.
By intermarriage the bond of union
between the members was more deep
ly cemented. The wives we're fully
aware of the nature of the avocation of
their husbands, and, although they
never assisted them, enjoyed the pro-
ceeds without expressing the slightest
repugnance for the manner in which
they were gained.