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The Man Who Had His Ear Stolen At A Cigar Store
In 1888, a shocking and unexpected assault played out at a Chicago shop
Talented thieves can abscond with practically anything you can imagine. All it takes is their superior powers of observation and sometimes a sleight of hand. One of the most unusual thefts that could ever be imagined occurred in 1888 when a young man lounging around in a cigar shop had his ear sliced off with a knife by someone who simply walked away with it.
The bizarre crime scene unfolded on June 1, 1888 in a Chicago cigar shop where a young man named John Stevens was hanging out. Witnesses observed that he was fashionably dressed and leaning against a showcase, smoking a cigarette and intently writing a note to his lawyer as he lightly laughed to himself.
The calm scene was interrupted when an unknown man entered the store dressed in the clothing typical of a businessman. He stepped up to the counter next to Stevens, pulled out a pen knife and suddenly sliced off one of the young customer’s ears with near surgical precision.
Without saying a word, the assailant swung around and strode for the door, tucking the severed ear into his jacket pocket along with his knife.
