The Mad Gasser of Mattoon

The Mad Gasser of Mattoon was a mysterious figure blamed for a wave of gas attacks in Illinois during 1944. Whether real criminal or mass hysteria, the case remains debated.

The Attacks

According to documented accounts:

Starting August 31, 1944:

• Residents reported someone spraying gas through windows
• Victims experienced paralysis, nausea, and dizziness
• A sweet, flower-like smell was noted
• Over two weeks, dozens reported attacks
• The town was in panic

Typical Report

A common account:

1. Victim awakens to a strange sweet smell
2. Paralysis of legs or entire body
3. Burning sensation in throat or lips
4. Sometimes sees a shadowy figure
5. Symptoms fade within hours

The Descriptions

Witnesses described:

• A tall, thin figure in dark clothes
• Sometimes wearing a tight cap
• Seen fleeing the scene
• Possibly carrying a spray device
• Always escaped

Police Response

Authorities:

• Patrolled extensively
• Found no evidence of gas
• Made no arrests
• Eventually dismissed reports as hysteria
• Some officers were reportedly gassed themselves

Mass Hysteria Theory

The favored explanation:

• Initial report triggered copycat claims
• Fear spread through the community
• Physical symptoms can be psychosomatic
• War-time anxiety contributed
• Media coverage amplified panic

Evidence Against Hysteria

Some argue the gasser was real:

• Physical evidence (cloth with odor) was found
• Symptoms were consistent
• Some victims had no prior knowledge of other attacks
• A similar attacker operated in Virginia (1933-34)

The Virginia Connection

Before Mattoon:

• A “Mad Gasser of Botetourt” operated in Virginia
• Similar attacks in 1933-34
• Same symptoms reported
• Also never caught

What Was the Gas?

Proposed substances:

• Chloroform
• Ether
• Chloropicrin
• Carbon tetrachloride
• If real, it was likely homemade

The End

The attacks stopped:

• After police and media declared it hysteria
• No arrests were made
• The gasser, if real, was never identified
• The town moved on

Cultural Impact

The case:

• Is studied in psychology courses
• Represents mass hysteria potential
• Remains genuinely ambiguous
• Influenced later “phantom attacker” theories

Sources

• Mad Gasser of Mattoon - Wikipedia