The Case Of The Disappearing Passenger
One July evening in 1864, two men stepping into a first-class train compartment in Hackney, England, stumbled upon a scene of carnage. Blood on the seats and on the door but nobody within—more specifically, no body within. Women in the next carriage even reported having been spattered with red droplets through an open window.
The eerily empty compartment was replete with clues as well as gore. Those included a leather bag, walking stick, and beaver hat. Eventually, the battered body of a still-breathing, 70-year-old banker named Thomas Briggs was found along the tracks, but he died shortly thereafter.
Acting on tips from a jeweler and cabbie, Inspector Richard Tanner pursued a suspect named Franz Muller to New York. Besides leaving his own beaver hat at the crime scene, Muller apparently had been dim-witted enough to keep the silk top hat and gold watch he’d stolen from the victim. His hanging turned into such a spectacle that public executions were banned shortly thereafter.
Somehow I don't think the killer was very smart. In fact, he was about one sandwich shy of a picnic
Coffee inside this morning. More rain coming in.
If seen on tv different clips of "dumb criminals". Sounds like this guy might have been one of the first. The kitchen is always nice too. Save me a seat:))
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story! I had to look it up...
ReplyDeleteThe killer went to America on a sailing ship and the detective (& the 2 witnesses) took a steamer and were waiting on the dock in the US when the sailing ship arrived.
Then there was the execution with 50,000 spectators....
That was a good one Mr Hermit!
A Sherlock mystery for sure.
ReplyDeleteHey Mamahen...
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't too bright, it seems. But then, he was a criminal
Thanks for stopping by this morning!
Hey Rob...
Glad that you liked it, sir.
Thanks for coming over this morning!
Hey Momlady...
Yeah, I thought so as well.
Thanks for the visit today!
I agree this was a good one. Criminals usually are quite dumb.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm so late slept in and then had some chores to do right away. I sure am ready for some coffee now. Rain on the way for us too.
Good one, Hermit. Yep, I think that was more than one sandwich short of a picnic. . . at least two or three.
ReplyDeleteIt helps if you remember that a synonym for" criminals" is " politicians" good one😅
ReplyDelete