This Day in History: The Mad Gasser of Mattoon struck for the first time on this day in 1944.
The Mad Gasser of Mattoon (also known as the "Anesthetic Prowler," the "Phantom Anesthetist," or simply the "Mad Gasser") was the name given to the person or people believed to be responsible for a series of apparent gas attacks that occurred in Mattoon, Illinois, during the mid-1940s. More than two dozen separate cases of gassings were reported to police over the span of two weeks, in addition to many more reported sightings of the suspected assailant. The gasser's supposed victims reported smelling strange odors in their homes which were soon followed by symptoms such as paralysis of the legs, coughing, nausea and vomiting. No one died or had serious medical consequences.
There are three primary theories about the Mattoon Mad Gasser incident: mass hysteria, industrial pollution, or an actual physical assailant. The events have also been written about by authors on the paranormal.
"While the phenomenon of mass hysteria is most likely in this case, some researchers disagree with this theory and instead assert that an actual assailant was responsible for the attacks. One writer/researcher who is a resident of Mattoon has gone as far as naming a suspect. The lack of concrete evidence may make discovering the truth of this incident impossible. However, regardless of the exact cause of the event, it remains an exciting chapter of history in the small town of Mattoon, Illinois." Source
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