The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-04-11
Arrest of the Noted COunterfeitcr
Nelson briggs.

The Cincinnati Commercial contains an
account of the arrest of Nelson briggs,
somewhat noted in the West as the lead
ing spirit of an extensive gang of counter
feiters. briggs at one time resided in
this county, and has number of con.
nexions here, who are among the most up
right and useful citizens of the county
Every effort on their part to turn him
from his dangerous path has been una
vailing.
By the following it will be seen that his
bond has fixed at $1,000. We are in.
clined to think that he will forfeit his bond
and not risk trial. It is but few years
since he was tefo.e arrested, and the evi
depee seemed to be conclusive against him;
but the next we heard of him he was at
large; and it is not probable that so skill
full and experienced genius will ever be
made acquainted with the internal or
rangements of the penitentiary," as the
Commercial predicts. The following is
the CONNER ciaps report.
briggs. in company with others, con-
federates of his, came to this city about
ten days ago, bringing with him two car.
pet sacks, containg about $1,000 in bogus
gold dollars, and bills on the Canal Bank
of New Orleans, Citizens Bank of New
Orleans, and Ohio ones. One of the pars
ty undertook to steal the DOODLE carpet
sack and coin) and in the nauss, it fell in.
to the hands of the police, who went to
work to catch briggs, the master.spirit of
the gang. But having friends who put
him on the alert, he lodged the police, and
managed to get out of the city, concealing
himself back of Newport His runners
were exceedingly active, and narrowly
watched the movements of the police, and
discovering officers Heany. Riggs and
Anderson had obtained some clue to the
whereabouts of their principal, soon post
him; and while the officers were awaiting
a good opportunity to make seizure of
his person certain, he and one of his pals
took skif and padded their canoe down
the river.
Officers Reany and Anderson, finding
he had escaped, disguised their persons,
and took the cars for Aurora, where they
procured buggy and went to Rising Sun,
where they received the gratifying lnfor.
nation that two men answering the des-
cription of briggs and his companion,
had stopped during the night, but had
again departed, no one knew whither.-
Finding themselves warm On the trail, the
officers Immediately proceeded to Patriot,
another river town, some eight or ten
miles below. On their arrival they had
the satisfaction of seeing one of the party
looking out of the door of the hotel.--
They were now elate with confidence of
success; nor were they kept long in sus.
pense, as briggs came cut soon after, with
several letters in his hand, which he was
going to send off by mail As soon as
he had entered the postofice, officer Rea.
ny followed. Removing pair of gresn
goggles, Reany informed briggs that he
wanted him. briggs stepped back and
told the officer to keep his hands of, as
he would not be taken alive. Reany re-
piled that it was with himself as to Ao,c
he would be taken. briggs ran behind
the counter, and seizing large augur,
told the officer to stand back. Reany,
nothing daunted, mounted the counter,
presented document that would out.
reach the auger, though its bore might not
be SO extensive. Anderson produced q
similar document and kept back the out.
siders. A DR.. - stepped forward
when briggs called upon the crowd to
rescue him-and told the officers to take
their man, and he would assist. Several
other citizens came forward then, and prof.
fered their aid to the officers, who, after q
severe struggle, put the 'ruffles' on briggs
placed him on board the packet, and bro'l
him to the city, where was held 10 bail in
the sum of $1,000. briggs, if he has moi
already been made acquainted with the in.
ternal arrangement of the Psnitentiary, i.
in fair Way for it now, and will find tha,