Peter Sawyer
Encyclopedia
Peter Sawyer 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 victims 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.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
during the 1860s. A native of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Sawyer appeared in New York's Forth Ward and the waterfront in the years following the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He is credited as being the first criminal to drug victims for the purposes of mugging
Robbery
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
them. Although sailors' homes and crimp houses had previously been using "knock-out drops" and "slipping mickeys
Mickey Finn (drugs)
A Mickey Finn, is a slang term for a drink laced with a drug given to someone without his knowledge in order to incapacitate him...
" to shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
sailors, Sawyer was the first to make effective use for armed robbery. At first, Sawyer used simple snuff
Snuff
Snuff is a product made from ground or pulverised tobacco leaves. It is an example of smokeless tobacco. It originated in the Americas and was in common use in Europe by the 17th century...
which he dropped into the victims alcohol but perfected the practice later on with chloral hydrate
Chloral hydrate
Chloral hydrate is a sedative and hypnotic drug as well as a chemical reagent and precursor. The name chloral hydrate indicates that it is formed from chloral by the addition of one molecule of water. Its chemical formula is C2H3Cl3O2....
. This was the drug of choice, with exception to the occasional use of morphine
Morphine
Morphine is a potent opiate analgesic medication and is considered to be the prototypical opioid. It was first isolated in 1804 by Friedrich Sertürner, first distributed by same in 1817, and first commercially sold by Merck in 1827, which at the time was a single small chemists' shop. It was more...
, 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.