Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1896 — MAKES THIEVES CONFESS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MAKES THIEVES CONFESS.

Frightened by a Sknll Worked by Electrical Contrivances. A hideous grinning, illuminated human sknll is one of the accessories of the eleventh precinct police station in Chicago, and it is said to hold a better record as a criminal “spotter” than any detective on the Windy City force. The

skull, which is that of a male negro, was found on top of a shed in 4Sth street last October. Lieut. Samuel C. Rank is a frugal ahd an Inman. Maiiy of the more troublesome residents of the precinct, especially around 50th and State streets,' art

superstitious negroes who are deathly afraid of anything apparently supernatural. It was as a means of dealing with this class of citizens that the Lieutenant hit upon the scheme of Illuminating the skull. He had blood-red pains of glass fitted in the eye sockets, gnd an electrical connection makes them flash fire, while at the same time the Jaws open and shut with a snapping sound. The effect of the “death's head” is marvelous. It Is claimed that it has never failed to make a criminal give a correct account of his doings when brought before it. Eighty stolen tylcyeles have beenf-he-covered since December, Jjy means of tlie skull’s flashing eyes and g'rinn'fiig, snapping Jaws, ; »o$ a jaipt^aAnttty of clothing, of which been lost, was also fonnd3sd|tts S 'confession brought forth by rheskull.' The most notable confession caused by the “death’s head” was that of John H. Farver, alias “Viper.” He confessed to having stolen, thirty-five bicycles, and told where they could all be found.— New York World.

THE SKULL.