New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-09
iOIII -IIlG NtW UTk sun 7
A Detective Story.

In 1865 Inspector Walling was captain Of
the detective police. lie had been inspector
Of stages under Chief Matsell, and in that
capacity made the acquaintance of all the
stacc-drivers. On the BOwcry and Grand
street line was a driver who from his hercu-
lean proportions and striking resemblance to
that famous puGilist, was known as Tom
lIyer. Tom hailed the inspector Oae dav
and told him that man who had ridden with
him on the box said he could sell counterfeit
gold dollars of an excellent quality at a price
that would make it an iuducement to buy.
He invited Tom to call at his house, near
the Dry Dock. Spurious coins had been cir
culated freely, and the sharpest detectives,
so long batlled in their efforts to find the
counterteiters, had nearly given up the
search in despair. TO an officer of Inspec-
tor Walling experience the drivers inform
alton was the clue that was needed. He told
Tom to 90 to the house, and what to do
there. The officer knew that to follow his
agent would result in nothing. His approach
would be watched, and il detectives followed
him they would fail TO find the cOunterfeters
or their machinery and tools. Tom obeyed
his instructions, and bargained to buy 500
worth OF the spurious money for which he
was TO pay $50. They were to meet at p.
M. OF n certain day in Chatham square, on
the east side near Ro )sevelt street, to COM
pic;c the transaction. Detective McCord,
having been introduced to the driver, fol-
lowed him 10 the place, where the men made
the exchange without speaking while they
were passing each other. McCord witnessed
the act and started in the counterfeiter's
wake. For six hours the man walked hither
and thlther, seemingly restless as the Wan
derns jew, lodging in and out of LIQUOR
stores and other public places, and not until
10 o'clock that night did he feel satisfied that
he had eluded pursuit Then he entered a
house OF bad rcpute and remained until sun
rise, when he went to n store in the Second
ward where oroidc was sold. From there he
went to the Fulton ferry, by which he crossed
taking a seat in Myrtle avenue car. After
hurriedly explaining his business to a cab
man the detective borrowed his slouched hat,
put him inside the carriage, pulled of his
own coat, aud rolling up his white shirt
sleeves so as to expose the red flannel be-
meath, mounted the box, and for the nopce
was tull-fedgcd cab-drver.
In this disguze he followed the car. Near
Fort Greene the man quit it and went into a
drug store, but he came out in few minutes
and entered another going in the same direc-
/ ton. That was his last attcnpt TO eyade
watchers and he evidently felt secure. for at
the end OF the car route he proceeded directly
about half mile 10 one of several cottages
that were standing IN secluded spot, aud
went in without the precaution Of even look
Ing around. McCord dismissed the driver.
and secre,ing himself il some bushes behind
a stone wall in an orchard near by, watched
the house until evening, when his man came
out and went away. lie had been on duty
thirty hours without feed or sleep when his
report was made 10 the inspector that night.
but before da,brcaE the next morning he
and Detective Elder were hidden in the place
that he had occupied on the ,,av rreyiou.
and for two weeks, day and night. thew staid
there. neither abscnting himself but to sval.
low hasty meal. They slept on the ground
alternating the guard for this purpose a few
hours each night
On the fourteenth day the detective. re-.
united their watch. Bat three persons la d
been seen TO enter or leave the house the
man McCord followed, who wen, in every
morning and left every night All old maj,
VINO sometimes went out for short time
only, and an elderly woman who inyariably
answered the calls at the door There was
q chain across the door that was never taken
down unless 10 allow the passage Of the in.
mates To the milkman, butcher aud grocer
an opening was made so far as the length oil
} the Cham permitted, through which the wo.
man received whatever they brought. The