The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-22
A NOTABLE ARREST.

A Mississippi Forgex and COunterfeiteH
Incarcerated at Police HeadquarteEs-
The state swindled Out OF Hundreds or
Thousands Of Dolars-A New Scheme
for Countcrfetters and What IL Amounts
To. "a ~'-.''a- -
On Tuesday superintendent Kelso received from
Jackson. Miss, request by telegraph to accom-
plish the arrest OF James Cunningham. The re-
quest was referred to the Chief Of Police, and
1t was stated that the reasons for the
arrest would be telegraphed subsequently. With
such meagre details 1t was impossible to accom-
plish much until second telegram arrived stating
that James Cunningham, the man mentioned in the
first despatch, had committed numerous forgerfes
and counterfeits Of the Auditors warrant
Of the State Of Mississippi, and that
In this manner large sums had been
found to be distracted from the State treasury.
1t was stated also that, in conjunction with the
man Cunningham, who was the principal In the
afrair, there was another who had done the en-
craving OF the AUDITORS warrants. This mans
name was not definitely known, though It was said
the principal matter was the arrest Of Cunningham
ifhe could be found. Some Indications were given
by which he might be traced up and 1t was added
that II the arrest could be effected to observe as
much
SECRECY IN THE MATTER
superintendent Keso put the case into the hands
Of Captain Irving, and it was agreed from the be.
ginning to keep the matter as secret as possible,
and above all keep it out Of the newspapers.
Captain Irving improved his time exceedingly
well and by dint of following up the clew gwen
him, succeeded on Tuesday night In arresting
James Cunningham. The man made no
resistance and was completely astounded
at his arrest. He has been locked up at
capture, but everybody in the building has been
kept in complete ignorance of the fact. Cunning
hams present place Of abode is the private cell
where secret prisoners are generally ncarcerated
for the time being until their cases are worked
up"
CUNNINGHAM HAS THUS FAR REFUSED TO DIvULGE
any fact In regard to the business he is connected
with II is understood, however, that the raodus
operdndt OF his stupendOus confidence game has
state capital Of Mississippi land and employed
is said, was formerly clerk in that de-
partment, where he became acquainted thor
since that time he has attempted in several cities
Of the Northwest to find men to cooperate with
him in the swndle. He failed, however, to meet
to carry on his nefarlous practices. From that
severely. Forged and counterfeit warrants have
been constantly presented at the Treasury and
and it Is supposed the pas in jackson were ar
rested. 1t is no doubt through their confession
that suf1cient clue was found 1or the arrest OF
Cunningham here.
Last night Captain Irving started ont to eject
the arrest of the engraver, whose name has not
had not met with any success, though no doubt the
man Will be arrested to-day. 1t is hoped that
through his testimony clear case may be made
out against CUNNINGHAM, whose arrest IN fact is
thus far, strictly speaking, Illegal This is the
reason why so much secrecy has been observed re-
garding the case, as 1t Is feared that were the
whereabouts of Cunningham found out his friends
may be able to procure
HABEAs CORPUS
wherewith to effect his release. In the absence of
any legal excuse for his detention this would be
an easy matter. 1t Is certain, however that Cum
bingham is the right man, and his arrest Is per.
fecty justified by the facts 1t is only hoped chat
ne may be me t until demand for his extradtsn
In an interview yesterday betweenACaptain
Irving and the HERALD reporter, he refused to give
any Information regarding the case yet, stating
that he did not think It sufficiently mature for pub
LEGATION, though by this morning he hoped to have
all the threads OF the case in his hands He is not
aware himself how much the forgeries committed
by Cunningham amount to- 1t is understood they
reach hundreds Of thousands Of dollars.