The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-10-08
A DRUG IN
THE BEER
And II Knocked Out StOrukaapar
Gropp.
NONE? AND WATCH STOLEN
Strangers Dragged Crops Beer
While He Changed Their
Money-Police Have no
Clue to the Crooks:

John NJ. Crop Is a saloon keeper who
His place is frequented daily by men who
are unknown to him, but II two fellows
who were among the strangers of Tuesday
night again visit the place, he Will recog.
nize them. They poured ''knock out"
drop, Into his glass Of beer and when no
recovered, about Il in cash and silver
watch aud gold chain were missing More
property would have been taken had not
Mrs Crop ordered one Of the strangers
out Of tho house,
It. was s o clock IL the evening when
short stout man wearing sandy mus.
tache and Of light complexion entered the
saloon md lntrodu ced himself as u cigar
salesman, who had sold the proprietor
cigars only short time before. Mr. Crop
recognized tho man and they entered Into
q conversation as to the quality or the
cigar. The stranger said he had friends in
the city who was also handling cigars and
when the present stranger desired 70 mike
acquainted with the proprietor. II bring
him around later In the evening 'sald he
after drinking beer left the saloon at II
o'clock both men returned,
The second fellow was tall, stout and OF
light complexion. He was supposed to be
drummer from New York The three
chat; ed about tho trade, and finally the
big fellow ordered drinks 1t was beer.
They insisted that Mr.. Crop should join
them and he did drinking the same as did
the strangers After the glasses had been
partly emptied, the big fellow laid ono
bill on thu bar, which Mr., Crop picked
up. The cash drawer Is on shelf back of
the bar and while MIR Crop had his back
turned making the change the short man
poured tho drug into his glass, The change
was made and the coin puckcted, when all
three men picked up their glasses. They
only tool; n mouthful.
That has been gotten strong ina very
short time" said Mr. Gropp, And so has
mine" spoke the fellows.
IL cannot understand IT. returned
Gropp. Probably he couldn't but the
strangers could. Tho glasses were emp
fellow giving the proprietor quarter be-
fore they drank, Then while he was
making the change again the drug was
poured into (tropp's glass again, The
strangers drank but Mr.. Crop did not
He said the beer was bad.
Then he went from behind the bar into
the yard followed by tho big man, They
returned together, but as soon as the pro-
prietor reached the bar again he sank to
the floor. Tho two strangers muttercd
something and left the place. The little
man had looted the cash.drawcr while
his partner and Crop were in the yard.
Mr. Crop says he realized all that oc.
cured, but could not speak. He remained
In that condition for four hours and was
not found until his wite went down into
the saloon to learn why he had not closed
up.
Then II dawned upon her that the fC'.
lows who had dragged her husband had
planned to rob tho house as short man
had entered her room, but lad been uric-
ed ont. Az they kept dodgers she thought
no,h,ne.ol the affair.
Mr. Crop says if he had drank both
glasses OF beer tho drug would have
rendered him Unconscious in a minute.
The police wcro given descriptions
of the men and watch and have been since
working on tue case but received no clew
TO the crooks.