To plunder thoroughly.
1867. He told them his business, but they took him to be an impostor and spy; and, acting upon that supposition, they went through him.—J. M. Crawford, ‘Mosby and his Men,’ p. 190.
1869. Whenever they did come upon a man who was alone, they said, Behold, this person hath the wherewithal—let us go through him. And they went through him.—Mark Twain, ‘The Innocents Abroad,’ chap. xl.
1887. To add to the interest of the trip, it was expected that we should be stopped by cow-boys. These gentlemen had lately “gone through” the coaches with great regularity, and, in anticipation of trouble, our whip and second whip were armed to the teeth.—F. Francis, Jun., ‘Saddle and Mocassin,’ p. 71. (N.E.D.)
1888. [They] went through him before the police could reach the spot.—Baltimore Sun, n.d. (Farmer).
