The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-23
"QUEER" AND QUEER PEOPLE.
Brooklyn tho Homo of Counterfelters-A
myHterIoun liOx and TrunE.

Mysterious Box ana Trunk.
Inc latest couuterfeiting case, upon which
the Brookl lyn police and United States authori-
ties nave been working very diligently for the
past two or three years, furnishes an additional
chapter TO the many interesting ones which
have been given heretofore by that city.
Inc story in this case hinges upon n myste-
rious trunk which had been left by some party
in house on Underhill avenue which had been
rented by x-Alderman Tierran, and which the
curiosity of the occupant, in whose charge the
trunk had been left, led him to open. 1t appears
mat ABOUT two years since man named j. b.
Doyle rented the house on Underhill avenue
from Alderman Tiernan, aud as he appeared to
be very worthy man, the alderman left o por-
ton OF his furniture with him for safe keeping
Subsequently Mr.. Doyle left the premises
and requested Mr.. Dumphy, the gentleman
who took the house, to allow him to leave
box and trunk which 1t was not convenient for
him to remove at that time. Mr.. Dumphy pro-
missed to do 80, and these remained in the house
Tor long time, when the curiosity of Mr.. DUN
ply was attracted towards them, as there ap-
peared to be no signs of the owner ever turning
up again. The house, 1t should have been stated
stands on the Prospect Park property. Mr.
Curtin, who is agent for the commissioners, had
occasion to go to the house to collect the rent
from Mr.. Dumphy, and during one of his visits
Mr.. Dumphy related the circumstances of the
former occupant leaving mysterious trunk and
box in his care. On a consultation they decided to
open them, and on doing so were greatly sur
pTlSeu IO Uuu bUdb JuSy contained property
which might not be considered altogether safe
for man to claim. Mr. Curtin reported the
matter TO the Prospect Park Commissioners
and they had the trunk and box removed to
their office, ut the corner of Livingston and
Court streets They then informed the United
States Marshal, and he in turn transmitted the
facts to Washington. Colonel Whitley, of the
Secret Service, visited Brooklyn and made an
investigation into the affair. He said that he
believed, from the description which had been
given him of MIR DOVp he bp the Uantln-
man the United States authorities had been
looking for about five years.
The first box contained the following pro-
perty:-One hand press, one box of suiphuric
acid, one box of muriatic acid, one box of shelac
one jewellers eyeglass, two metallic plates, one
steel roller No. L, one inch diameter; one do.
two inch diameter, one bowl of black lead, five
pounds of sulphate of iron, one brass conduct
ing rod for batteries, five rods with wire attached
small soldering iron, five glass jars which had
evidently been used for battery Jars, a flve-gal-
lon stone jar, jewellers bench vise three jars
with lead caps, saw pair of pliers, lot of
polishing stones, tin box containing engravers
plates, two pairs of compasses an engraver's
burnisher, scraper, tracing point, punch, paper
of rosin, rotten stone, charcoal lot of burnish-
ing stones, two cans printers ink five batteries,
eight zinc plates, one fourteen tracing-plate,
bottle Of quicksilver, II plate plastic wax. The
second box contained one press, two steel
presses, three to four inches square and three
quarters thick; been used for patterns, copper
sheet 4XS to a X7 or polished on one side, a
large axe and a screwdriver
Not little to the surprise of Mr.. Dumphy, he
received call from Mr.. Doyle about two months
since, when that gentleman stated he was ready
to relieve him of his charge. Mr.. Dumphy told
him that he supposed he would never call for
them again, and added that he had handed them
over to the Prospect Park Commissioners, where
he might get them. Mr.. Doyle prosecuted his
inquiries there, when he was informed by one
of the clerks, who was familiar with the case
that the boxes were locked up and the gentle
man who had the key was out He said he
would call again, and yesterday he again made
his appearance at the Office of the Commission
ers TO get the boxes. Then boy was despatched
for the detectives, who had been on the look out
for him. Mr.. Doyle left the Office and was pro-
ceeding through Court street when he was taken
into custody On searching him at Police
Headquarters two receipts for the rent of
house No. 7S9 Lafayette avenue and $500 in
greenbacks were found In his possession He
says they have got hold of the wrong man, that
he has no connection with any counterfeiters,
and that he has not been guilty of anything
which rendered him liable to arrest. He says
he rented the premises No. 7S9 Lafayette ave-
nue. for friend of his, who was coming from
the West to occupy them. He gave them the
keys of the house in Lafayette avenue, and told
them they were welcome to search the place.
They did so, and found a quantity of ladies'
apparel which he claimed was his wife's. He
also says that he is respectable farmer and his
arrest is a mistake.
Colonel Whitley has been telegraphed for, and
in the meantime the prisoner will be held by the
police.-N. Y. Herald today,