The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-09-26
A distinguished Counterfeiter

A distinguished C0unterIeiter
A Columbus correspondent of the
Boston Transcript gives the following
account of the notorious counterfelter,
Jim Brown:--
Brown has been engaged in coun-
terfeiting for nearly forty years, and al
though he has never been known to
flee from criminal prosecution, he new
er before was by one cloven down, and
he undoubtedly felt he was invincible.
1t is generally understood that he nev-
er, at any period, of his life, passed any
counterfeit for genuine money, but was
a manufacturer and wholesale dealer
in the article.
"He was at one period, though not
a millionaire, quite wealthy; but he
has so often been compelled to contend
with the State and the United States,
(mostly, however, with the former, tor
his transactions were, until recently,
mainly confined to the paper currency
that he became reduced in circumstan-
ces. His farm, situated nine or ten
miles from Akron, consists OF about
three hundred acres of the most fertile
bottom land on the Cuyahoga river,
and his mansion is said to be the most
splendid in that part ofthe Stale, being
superbIy furnished with costly side
boards, sofas, couches, divans. otto.
mans, mirrors, and other ornamental
articles of the same description.
"The farm and the mansion nominal
ly belong to his son Dan, who is now
fugitive from justice, being suspected
OF having been connected with a DO.
Gus machine, or something of that kind
in Michigan. His son James, who is
said to be an honest man, and has new
er followed in the footsteps of his tath'
ler now .scarries on" the farm. III:
onlv daughter, young lady Of nine
teen or twenty, is, am told. a highl.
accomplished and beautiful girl, ant
| is famed, all the country round about
!, for her remarkable chirographical at
tainment, being able to initiate any per
sons signature so closely that the co
nv will look more like the original thar
the original looks like itself! The
Christian name of this lovely creature
, is that in which Petrarch's adored re
ioiced Laura. Browns good old wifi
who feels keenIy the fate of her hus
band, also resides on the farm; but wo
man.like, would rejoice, could she b.
allowed to share his just, but laborlou
captivity.
slim Brown is physically, as noble
speciman OF humanity as ever gazet
upon, being over six feet high, witt
broad shoulders, ample chest, smal
waist and elegant limbs. His head
now whitened by the SHOWS of nearl.
sixty winters, is as perfect as was eve
modelled by sculptor, and his face, (ratf
! er Grecian) as expressive as was eve
, bv painter transferred to canvass. iii
, dark eagle eye, in his sterner moments
appears ato threaten and command;
, but when in mTthful mood, las nc
ticed him several times during the tr
; aD that same eye, which but momer
/, before seemed to look into rather tina
!. al, a person, was as radiant and full
sunshine as that of gleesome youn
!. girl. He is. indeed, in outward po
!. and bearing, one Of Natures nobemel
PITY it is, that man for whom natur
!. has done so much, should, by shame
iless perversion OF his talents, hav
, transformed himself into moral pest
Ience. He is now encased in that zebr
\ costume, fthe convicts of Ohio wear
' circular stribed garb, which. gives the
: zebra-like appearance) which ne hi
:, caused to be by hundreds OF sma
/, ler rogues than himself.
n "OLp JIM BhowN."-Every boo
: knows "Old Jim" He has been pra
: ticing "Sly jimmy" "tinkering wi
: the currency" &c., tor many years.
% He had reduced villainy almost to
N science, and had brought up nume
a Gus school OF younglings to be adeE
: under his teaching. He lived near A
/, ron, was man Of noble demeanor,
tn ways dressed well, and nature had e
X dowed him with talents of a high ords
!. His superior segacity enabled hlm
ID outwit most Others with whom ne h
s. 10 do, and his repeated successes e.
boldened him to go beyond the boun
" of prudence. 8asig y' ~
8 3 aBut "Old Jim" is no more. he
oo. dead 10 all the world, save 10 Inns
,. and his prison inmates. Upwards
Il. sixty years Of age, with sentence y
d. on him of ten years confinement
ne lbard labor, will more than finish out ,,
i. remnant Of an ill-spent life. Witl
ed spirit that never could be subdueds a
rv with a courage thatknew no fear ne
"a, hibited The poman when his keep
!. =. me- ~ change his ,dress--taking