The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-07

must be artists, engravers, chemists and excellent
penmen, while in fact the most dangerous counter
feits in circulation are produced without any of
these supposed necessary accomplishments The
explanation is simple enough to be comprehended
by the dullest intellect, and is briefly this: The
system Of bank note engraving in vogue in all parts
OF this country is such that the counterfeiters
adrsity employ the best engravers to unconscious
ly execute the best counterfeits, and numbers Of
cases are upon record where engrayers of the
highest responsibility, who engraved the original
plates were employed by the countcrfeiters to exc
cute the counterfeit. This fact explains the excel
lent workmanship on the best counterfeits and the
frequency with which banks accept fraudulent
limitations Of their own notes. The patchwork
plan Of constructing the notes enables the counter
feiter TO obtain the different portions from different
engravers, leaving for himself only the mechanical
duty of combining and printing them. Or, the
peculiar construction of the notes enables
the counterfeiter to alter the denomination
oi the bill with facility In addition these induce
nients there are the loose laws with reference to the
issue and passage OF bogus notes. that ia proper
zion to the trouble and risk OF the business the crime
OF bank note coun,erfeitng is the most lucrative.
The crime of coin unerfejting is more danger
GUS and less successful aud except in the branches
metal tor the interior Of the coin, is seldom reward
ed with great success The counterfeters, however,
are said to have an extensive organization, known
as circles Of alchemy" which number among their
members many prominent men, opposed to be hon.
est, who really lend their influence to screen the
cuprits The association 10 said to number between
SIX and eight thousand members. There are one or
more circles In this city one in Troy in Albany
and others scattered through the States. Through
the aid of these societies confederates are frequent
~ rescued from difficulty. They have also issued
circulars containing fuH directions tor the maauac
tnre OF counterfeit coin and paper money, giving
the preparations of metals for base coin and other
information to aid in their nefarious business.
JERRY cowspEN, THE KING OF coUSTERFErTERs.
No. 43S is the portrait of the notorious Jerry
Cowsden, who is, or ought to be, known to all the
prominent members Of the old police force, and
some of the new. He has pursued the business Of
counterfeiting bank notes for many years, has
served number of terms of imprisonment for
counterieiting, and escaped any quantity of times
when his heightened incarceration seemed inevita-
BILE. He is known we'll TO about every bank note
engraVer IN the Country, so Often and persstenIy
has he applied to them for the purpose of pro-
curing their aid to his nefarious operations His
plan Of procedure was to pretend to the en-
gravers that he wanted plates for legitimate pur.
poses, such as the printing of Checks notes, Bills
OF exchange, labels, &c. After procuring the diff.
ferent devices required for his purpose by these
II
finished note executed by the best artists, and
often liable to be taken by the banks themselves.
Jerry has been often arrested with the materials
for counterfeiting on his person; but. as stated
above. has frequently avoided conviction.
The last time he was arrested in New
York he broke out Of the cells at the,
Metropolitan Police Headquarters. 1t would
seem strange. that Jerry should have been
able to do this when confined in the building
where there were fifty policemen, supposed to be
the best in the force. Rumor has suggested that
Jerry got out with 0 golden key; but the idea may
be malicious: Jerry is about 36 years of age, Of
sallow complexion, sunken chest dark hair, slim
legs; about i've feet log inches high with general
appearance resembling an alderman, whose name
We refrain from mentioning for fear he might think
with another historic individual, that Comparisons
are odorous." Jerry is said to have gone to Troy.
He is well known there and In the West
No. % is James f. Watson, alias Leonard Barker,
notorious counterfeiter, recently sent up to Sing
Sing for four years from White Plains. He for.
merly kept place in this city, which was the resort
OF many doubtful characters
No. 226 is Fred Cowles alias Warner, German
passer Of counterfeit money commonly called a
"shover." He was caught with two bills in his
Possession, and to escape conviction swallowed
them. prompt emetic, however, caused him to
bring them TO light, and out OF his Svc ns,ch he
was CO.. Rather 81 0pe'auon all
20.