Peter Sawyer (fl. 1850-1866) was an American thief and robber in New York City during the 1860s. A native of California, Sawyer appeared in New York's Forth Ward and the waterfront in the years following the American Civil War. He is credited as being the first criminal to drug victims for the purposes of mugging them. Although sailors' homes and crimp houses had previously been using "knock-out drops" and "slipping mickeys" to shanghai sailors, Sawyer was the first to make effective use for armed robbery. At first, Sawyer used simple snuff which he dropped into the victim's alcohol but perfected the practice later on with chloral hydrate. This was the drug of choice, with exception to the occasional use of morphine, preferred by those who followed Sawyer in similar robberies. Indeed, the practice became so common in the city that these men were referred to as "Peter Players" by the police and underworld alike.[1][2]
California-born thief active in New York's Fourth Ward during the 1860s; credited as the first criminal to use drugs for the purposes of armed robbery.
Referencesedit
^Asbury, Herbert. The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the New York Underworld. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1928. (pg. 181) ISBN1-56025-275-8
^Sante, Lucy. "These Are The Good Old Days (Saloon Life)". New York Magazine. 24.31 (14 Aug. 1991): 26+
November 28, 2023
peter, sawyer, british, historian, historian, 1850, 1866, american, thief, robber, york, city, during, 1860s, native, california, sawyer, appeared, york, forth, ward, waterfront, years, following, american, civil, credited, being, first, criminal, drug, victim. For the British historian see Peter Sawyer historian Peter Sawyer fl 1850 1866 was an American thief and robber in New York City during the 1860s A native of California Sawyer appeared in New York s Forth Ward and the waterfront in the years following the American Civil War He is credited as being the first criminal to drug victims for the purposes of mugging them Although sailors homes and crimp houses had previously been using knock out drops and slipping mickeys to shanghai sailors Sawyer was the first to make effective use for armed robbery At first Sawyer used simple snuff which he dropped into the victim s alcohol but perfected the practice later on with chloral hydrate This was the drug of choice with exception to the occasional use of morphine preferred by those who followed Sawyer in similar robberies Indeed the practice became so common in the city that these men were referred to as Peter Players by the police and underworld alike 1 2 Peter SawyerNationalityAmericanOccupationCriminalKnown forCalifornia born thief active in New York s Fourth Ward during the 1860s credited as the first criminal to use drugs for the purposes of armed robbery References edit Asbury Herbert The Gangs of New York An Informal History of the New York Underworld New York Alfred A Knopf 1928 pg 181 ISBN 1 56025 275 8 Sante Lucy These Are The Good Old Days Saloon Life New York Magazine 24 31 14 Aug 1991 26 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Peter Sawyer amp oldid 1185571305, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
