Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-12-16

THE NEW YORK BOUNTY LOAN FRAUDS.
The great financial topic in New York city
now Is the last depredati0ns OF the "Wall-street
COrsairs" and their frauds In New York bounty
loan stock, in which the firm Of w. 4. GRAY &
Co. are reported as figuring so extensively. This
firm consists Of GRAY and T. HI. Pratt. Gray as
we have already stated, was formerly a resident
of this city. A New York letter says:-"Gray
commenced operations in Wall street in October
last, when he opened an account with the Bank
Of the Commonwealth and the Mechanics Bank
at the same time, presenting recommenda-
tions of the highest moral character from
various parties. These recommendations in
Guided letters from the Bank Superinten-
dent, Mr.. Calender, and some prominent
congressman from the New England States.
On Friday last the Commonwealth Bank dis
covered that they had three altered bounty loan
when the bank was made good. The officers OF
the bank, however, considered it their duty to
notify the Manhattan Company, and the officers
OF that company and MIR. Gray were brought
face TO face. Mr.. Gray stated that he bought the
bounty loan certificates through man by the
name OF Pratt, and that he believed the party
altering them was named Blackwell, and also
that he had detective on his track. The con-
ference between the officers of the Manhattan
Company and the Bank of the Commonwealth
and Mr.. Gray lasted until p. m. on Friday. No
steps, however, were taken to have Gray ar
rested, as he protested his innocence, and threw
the whole thing on Mr. Blackwell, whoever that
individual may be. On Saturday Mr.. Gray
again made his appearance on the street, and
DOITOWeu SOME auulC1Onal amounts OF -mOney on
some more altered certificates, including $50 600
from the Mechanics Bank"
The New York Sun says: The $50, 900 worth of
bonds in possession Of the Mechanics Bank are
prOyed to have been altered from the 81 900 is
sues, and these issues are also said to have been
the same which were stolen from the Office of K.
j. WoOlsey, Broad street, about one year ago,
and for which the State has given new bonds
So far as yet examined, all the bounty loan
bonds are altered from lesser amounts which
had previously been stolen. Gray's Office books
indicate that he had previously worked with
stolen bonds and securities of various mining
comranies, among them Cumberland Coal Com
pany's per cent. gold-bearing bonds and the
Ruby Silver Mining Company of Nevada, 9,7OO
shares OF which were hypOthecated. So far as
ascertained, the firms which have made loans to
Gray are sufferers to the extent of S3IO 900. On
Gray's private desk was found the following
letter, without signature, yet in his handwrit.
ing, addressed to young lady in the Treasury
Department:
Dear Birdie:-Do not write to me until YOU see
me- will be in Washington Tuesday or Wed
nesday, and have insured my life for S5 900 for
your benefit .
A dispatch from New York last night saws -
The detectives have not yet discovered the
whereabouts of either Gray or Pratt. Eugene
Fink, who negotiated some loans made by GRAY
G8i m 5hs altsgsa ebSHas IL
the Stock Exchange. Jay Cooke & ca. DENY the
bonds from Gray. 4