Mattoon Journal-Gazette, Sept 2

MRS. KEARNEY AND DAUGHTER FIRST VICTIMS
Both Recover; Robber Fails to Get Into Home

A prowler who used some kind of anesthetic or gas to knock out his intended victims was on the loose in Mattoon Friday night.

Mrs. Bert Kearney and her three-year-old daughter, Dorothy Ellen, were victims of the anesthetic Friday night as they slept in bed at their home, 1408 Marshall avenue. Both had recovered today, although Mrs. Kearney said that her mouth and throat remained parched and her lips burned from the effects of whatever was used by the prowler who was unsuccessful in getting into the house.

Here's What Happened.

Mrs. Kearney told the following story:

"It was shortly after 11 o'clock Friday night when I went to bed, taking with me, my daughter, Dorothy. My sister, Mrs. Edgar Reedy was in the living room of the home, and my daughter carol, 2, and Mrs. Reedy's son, Roger, 2, were in another part of the house.

"I first noticed a sickening, sweet odor in the bedroom, but at the time thought that it might be from flowers outside the window. However, the odor grew stronger and I began to feel a paralysis of my legs and lower body.

"I grew frightened and screamed for Martha (Mrs. Reedy). She came into the bedroom, to which the door had been closed, and asked me what was the matter. I told her of the sensation I had, but I was unable then to move from bed.

"Mrs. Reedy at once noticed the odor which seemed to come in an open window. She summoned a next door neighbor, Mrs. Karl P. Robertson, 1412 Marshall avenue, who called police."

Mr. Robertson went to the Kearney home and searched the yard and neighborhood, but could find no trace of the prowler. Police also searched without success.

Seen by Kearney.

The prowler returned to the house about 12:30 o'clock, and was seen at the bedroom window again by Mr. Kearney, a taxicab driver, as he came home after word had been sent to him concerning the earlier events.

Mr. Kearney said that as he arrived in front of the house he saw a man at the window. He gave chase but the prowler escaped. The prowler was tall, dressed in dark clothing and wore a tight fitting cap, Mr. Kearney said.

Police were called a second time, but another more thorough search of the neighborhood also was fruitless.

Mrs. Kearney said that she recovered the use of her legs and arms completely within 30 minutes after the paralysis had set in. Her daughter Dorothy became ill from the odor, but had recovered this morning.

Opinions differed as to the type of anesthetic used. However, because of its odor, it was believed to have been chloroform or ether, or a combination of both. The ingredients could have been sprayed into the room in a fine mist and if used at a distance not too far from the sleepers would have proved effective, it was said. Both chloroform and ether would have accounted for the parched throat and mouth burns of Mrs. Kearney, as well as the sickness which her daughter suffered afterward.

Mrs. Kearney and Mrs. Reedy had considerable sums of money at the house and said that they counted it shortly before Mrs. Kearney went to bed. They could have been seen counting the money from the street, they said.

After the prowler was discovered at the house the second time, Mrs. Kearney, Mrs. Reedy and their children were taken to the home of a relative in another part of the city to spend the night.