Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-09-08
THE PARIS APAcHEs.
How They Deal with ThoiP On
lucky Victims.

lucky Victims.
The floods in Paris afforded golden
opportunities to the thieves and hooli'
gans-the dreaded "Apaches"-of the
French capital. A Paris correspond
ent sends an interesting account OF
these reckless men and their methods
and weapons.
"The desperate criminals who make
q speciality of night attacks are a
bloodthfrsty, cowardly set of rufians,
and as they are always armed to the
teeth and hold human life cheap. a
solitary citizen going home late, or a
policeman ON a lonely beat has very
little chance against them.
when they have once made up their
minds to rob a passerby-which one
does not matter much-it is more than
likely they will decide to begin opera
tions at once That means that three
Apaches will take up position on the
pavement and pretend to be engaged
in innocent gossip. The street is de-
serted. A solitary pedestrian comes
into sight. In moment he is meas
ured up by the three scoundrels on
the lookout for their prey. There is
not policeman in sight. The moment
is favorable.
He has gold chain says one.
He'll do says the chief Of the
criminal trio. Get ready
They continue to converse until the
stranger reaches them. Involuntarily
he glances at them as he passes. That
Is sufficient.
What do you mean by looking at
US like that?' asks the chief in an In
solent tone. Then. turning to his COM
panions, he remarks. Hasn't he got an
ugly mug?
"The pedestrian, however little he
may be inclined to quarrel with the
evil-looking rufians who have accosted
him. is unlikely to take their insults
in silence. But at his first word of
protest one Of the group advances ON
him with a menacing air.
What he exclaims, I'll show you
who you've got to deal with
"The stranger stands on his guard
but Immediately another member OF |
the trio bounds upon him from behind,
seizes him around the neck with his
arm and lifts him off the ground. HE
cries for help are stif1ed In his throat
and If he succeeds in making sound
the arm which presses against his
throat IS tightened and he loses con
sciousness.
While this is going on another of
he accomplices goes through the vic
inns pockets. while the third keeps
watch for the police. Then, when
worth taking has been ap-
the wretch who has al
most strangled the victim releases his
Irm, gives him a violent push and
ends him headlong to the pavement
where he will lie senseless for half an
lour at least.
But things do not. always pass so
asily. Sometimes the victim shows
nore resistance than was expected.
nd then the Apaches have to modify
heir plans. He must either be stunned
nth a blow from a mutton-bone or
iven a stab with a knife or dagger
he mutton-bone used by the Paris
.pache is a terrible weapon. In ap 9
1t resembles a small hatchet
ithout a handle. is about six inches 9
ing, and comes from the shoulder of =
le sheep. This and the knife and the
are the favorite weapons
the Paris hooligan. They are ef- .
'ctive and noiseless, whereas the use
the revolver is likely to attract the
)lice.
Among the more recent methods in. j..
'nted by the Paris Apache for rem. ;
sring the passing citizen incapable
resistance is the lasso. At the "a j..
'rable moment cord from 15 to 20
ct in length and ending in a run. =
ng knot is thrown by an expert
Ind. As 1t falls over the victims
al 1t is jerked tight, and, half stran.
ed, he is thrown to the ground. The
st is easy" G