KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The Minneapolis Tribune, March 2, 1902, p. 7

LUMBERJACK GIVEN KNOCKOUT DROPS

John Schmeling, a youth of 19, slept off the effects of knock-out drops at the Central police station last night. The dose was administered by assailants, to facilitate their robbery.

The young man hails from Waltham, Mower county, Minnesota. He has been working in the woods in Northern Wisconsin, and arrived in Minneapolis Friday afternoon on his way home. He had $58, out of which he purchased an outfit of clothing.

Yesterday afternoon Schmeling was enticed into a saloon, the location of which he does not know. He met several genial fellows, with whom he remained for a time. They induced him to take a few drinks of whiskey, and then he was led into an alley, where they knocked him down and took $20 away from him, the last of his hard earned savings.

"I asked them to leave me enough to take me home, but they would not," Schmeling said tearfully.

Schmeling sought help at police headquarters. He was so mixed about the details that the police told him to wait until he had recovered from the effects of the dope.

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