The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-16
A DESPERATE CHARACTER.
The Champion Counterfeiter Of America Pete
Mccartney Interviewsd-He Tells
Some Strange storis.
correspondence OF the Chicago Republican,

SPRINGFIELD. Dec IL, 1870.
Among the prisoners now confined In Iail here and
awaiting trial at the approaching term OF the United
States Court Is the notorious John p. Mccartney,
known as the King OF American counterfeiters,
whose arrest by the officers Of the Secret Service
Division was only chronlcled In the Repu0, can two
weeks ago. II is not every day that our jail Is
graced with the presence OF SO distinguished a
criminal, and the fact that on Ike occasion tour
years ago Mccartney forsook its hospitalitics in
very abrupt ana mysterious renders the at
tenion OF the present authorities more pointed In
his regard than II otherwise might be.
HISTORY.
Mccartney Is native OF Illinois, but of Irish
descent, Is now about forty-1ye years Of age, ana
Sas n snn
aud yet. during all these years. has never been
". 81 s.y. ss s wsss ess. wss
organixel force TO look alter frauds OF this kind,
there comparatively little risk In counerfeitng.
HIS coNFREREs
among whom may be numbered Perry Rapdoph,
Fred Bieburch, Leo Slclght, John Il. Turet, Piper
the Johns0ns Pierce and Others, drove "A thriving
business. With the Issue or United States notes
came more stringent laws relating 10 countcrelting,
and 1t was found necessary To employ officers ol tho
Treasury Department, whose special duty it was to
detect and bring 10 punishment the makers OF ana
dealers in spurious money.
AN ARREST AND ESCAPE.
In 1863 mccartney was arrested in Indanopcs,
and large quantity OF counterfeit money, as well
as several plates for printing II, fell into the hands
law and the prisoner was ordered to be taken to
Washington under guard OF soldiers, to be cvnlncd
III the Old Capitol Prison. Pcte's mild manner and
quiet acquleScence III all arrangements for his safety
SO won upon his cusodians as to ul their vigilance,
although they kept him heavily iconed. Wnilc pas
sing over Horse shoe Bend, on the Pennsylvania
Central Railroad, he threw himself from the car
wmdow-bemg ironed hand and foot at the time
and escaped. He was severely injured, and was OBJ
lged to remain hid in the vicinity for days beng
unable TO travel. Yet ne eluded ali search ana SIX
weeks later was working his printing press South
AGAIN ARRESTED
In 1866 ne was again arrested, this time in South
efn Illinois, on winch occasion another load OF plates
ana counterfeit money lcll INTO the hands OF the
GERS. This time ne was brought to Springfield and
Put IN jail, his cousin. Lew Mccartney, beng ncar-
ceraed at the same Time aud on similar charge.
MYSTERIOUS FITTING.
inst before the opening OF the term OF cour at
which they should be tried the two McCaltneys
mysteriously disappeared. There no rescue, no
stolen keys, no drugged jailer. no broken bars
nothing to show the amer OF their gong yet they
were gone. vigorous chase resulted Iii tile cap
lure OF Lew, who-probaDy to avenge himself Tor
being brought back--swore that the Sheriff mad
opened the doors FOR consideration and let them
ia consequence sieriIr Croft lost caste With Ma
constituents, and, indeed, narrowly escaped convic.
llon Of malieasance IN Office. Pete Mccartney hav-
ing after The lapse OF four years returned to his cid
quarters, does the eX-Sherin the tardy Justice OF
saying that he was guiltless Of the crime charged
ana IL Is more than minated that the money was
PAD 10 one OF WOODS moot trusted disciples, then
III charge at Chicago. OF the
OF the noted counterfeter which was effected on
me 2oti ult. by ellcers Lonergan, Eagan and APP
already published fun account. Through the
Kindess OF Jaller Underwood your correspondent
Was enabled TO interview Mccartney on Yesterday
anu 20 obtain his own statement Of iaets connected
win MS career, some OF which, II rue, throw new
hgnt on me manner In which the government has
peen served by lis Officials as well as Illustrate the
aiinchtes attending the attempted reformation Of
q criminal
PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
mccartney, alias Woods, alias Ward, alias Carter
he has dozen names at least -ls Of medium height
ana Dulld, BLACK eyes, black harhnd mustachc, lib
eraiy sprinkel with gray, and looks his age-forty-
i've. lie Is a fluent conversatonalist is animated
III eestie ana manner, and gives the impression Of
q man OF great uerve and energy.
he answered ' an que stlons readily and, indeed
pressing his opinions freely. After the usual greet
Ings your correspondent asked him II he would nave
any objection TO answering a few questions rea-
tive to ms career which had been in many respects
notable one and concerning Which the public were
more or less curious?
MCCARrNEy-Not ut all.
CORRESPONDENTS this your first arrest on
charge OF counereiting
MCCAKrEEY-Ao; / nave been arrested several
times but have never been convicted Of any offence.
IoKREsPoNDEHT-Were you ever trcd9
hcCAkThEY-l never put the government to the
expense OF rying me.
CoRREsPoSDESf-nav You any objections TO tell
ing how you escaped on these dinerent occasions
MCCARTNEY-Wel got away from Bill Wood, in
49, by jumping on the train white the soldiers were
asleep. | mad handouts and leg-irons at the
time and the fail neary Killed nle-but got away
CoRREspoSDESr-How did you get away from this
McCARrNEY-l don't want to answer that cues.
ten, though will say this-he people here accused
sne , Hrol 81 emg ne QUIZ now ne ha no more
nor oflered INN cent l pad money to get out OF
here, but paid II ~ another party.
CoRREspoADENr-Wh uld Levi swear that You
bribed Croft to let you OUT
MCCARTNEY-Lev1 didn't know anything about it.
] managed the whole affair, and he dldnl know how
II was done.
CoRREsroNDENr-How long have you been in the
counteilelting business?
MCCARTNEY never touched coney until was
more than TWENTY-FIVE years cd; and nave been
Trying 10 get out Of u tor four years, but couldn't do
II, was so hunted down.
CoRaEsroNDENr-Wha steps did you take to get
out fit!
MCCARTNEY--In 1866 I met Bill Wood, and he told
me If would turn up what plates ana concy
could he would square me with the government;
and he got me to write a letter TO the Solicitor
OF The Treasury, telling what | could do. went
to work among my friends ana gathered up all the
stuIi could, and When had them all IN Wood had
me arrested.
CoRREspoNDENr-Wh did you do thenp
MCCARrNEY-tWIt peculiar snnlel-I got out.
CORES PoNDENr-Tnen where aid you goy
MCCARrNEY-Well couldn't live IN this country,
Rolla, and after while | opened a livery stable
there. But didn't stay very long
CORRESPONDENCE
MoCARrNEY-Cne day he porter from the hotel
brought stranger TO my stable who wanted tea m
TO 60 out In the country. AS soon as saw the fei-
low knew him as man from Springfield who
Knew all about my case here, ana knew That he
knew me, though ] had been introduced az Lr
ward. Wen, told MIN I'd bring che team around
to the hotel IN few minutes and inc Went away and
went back into The barn and out through the back
door to the woods. That finished my business in
Kolla.
CoRaEsPoNDEST-wher you dealing IN .coun,er
felt money Wnc you were III Rola?
MoCARrNEY-No SIR! | Was honestly trying to
gel OUT u t . business INST as was trylng when
give him every thing OF that kinl had and live any.
where he sad, aud pay the expenses OF one or his
men 10 watch me for year, that H. could satisfy
himself was really out OF tie business. But don't
think they wanted me 10 go out.