New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-19
Detective samuson a P,daler.

Detective Sampson a Poddler.
In 1858 Inspector Walling was captain o
the detective police. He had been inspectO
of stages under Chief Matsell, and in tina
capacity made the acquaintance of all tn
stage drivers. On the Bowery and Gran.
street line was a driver who, from his her
culean proportions and striking resem
blance to that famous pugilist, was knewI
as Tom Hyer Tom hailed the inspector
one day, and told him that man who hat
ridden with him on the box said he cOult
sell counterfeit gold dollars of an excellen
quality at a price that would make 1t an in
ducement to buy. He invited Tom to cal
at his house. near the dry dock. Spurious
coins had been circulated freely, and the
sharpest detectives, SO long baffled in thei,
efforts to find the cOuDterfeiters, bad nearl J
| given up the search in despair. To an Off
Ger of Inspector WalliDg's experience the
| drivers information was all the clue thai
| was needed. He told Tom to 60 to the house
| and what to do there The officer knew tina,
to follow his agent would result in nothing.
| His approach would be watched, and ii de-
tectives followed him they would fail
! TO find the counterfeiters or their machinery
and tools. Tom obeyed his instructions
and bargained to buy 500 worth of the
| spurious money, tor which he was TO pay
| $50. They were to meet at 4 p. NJ. ON a
certain day IN Chatham square, on the east
side, near Roosevelt street, to complete the
transaction. Detective McCord, having
| been introduced to the driver, followed him
| to the place, where the men made the ex-
| change without speaking while they were
| passing each other. McCord witnessed the
| act, and started in the counterfeiters wake.
| For six hours the man walked hither and
| tnlther, seemingly restless as the Wander
| ing jew, lodging in and ont of liquor stores
| and other public places, and not until ten
o'clock that night did he feel that he had
eluded pursuit Then he entered house
of bad repute in the fifth ward and re-
NAMED until sunrise, when he went to a
store in the second ward where oroide was
sold. From there he went to the Fulton
ferry, by which he crossed, taking a seat in
Myrtle avenue car. After hurriedIy ex-
planning his business to cabman, the de-
tective borrowed his slouched hat, put him
inside the carriage, pulled off his own coat,
and rolling up his white shirt sleeves so as
to expose the red flannel beneath, mounted
the box, and for the nonce was full-hedged
cab driver.
In this disguise he followed the car Near
Fort Greene the man quit it aud went into
drug store, but he came out in few min
utes, and entered another going in the
same direction. That was his last attempt
to evade watchers, and he evidently felt
secure, for at the end Of the car route he
proceeded directly about half mile to one
of several cottages that were standing in
a secluded spot, and went in without the
precaution of even looking around. NcCord
dismissed the driver, and secreting himself
IN some bushes behind stone wall in an
orchard near by, watched tho house until
evening. when his man came out and went
away. He had been on duty thirty hours,
without food or sleep, when his report was
made to the inspector that night, but at
daybreak the next morning he and Detect
i've Elder were hidden in the place that he
had occupied on the day previous, and for
Two weeks. day and night, they stayed
there. neither absenting himself but to
swallow hasty meal. They slept on the
ground. alternating the guard for this pur-
pose few hours each night.
On the fourteenth day the detectives re.
mltted their watch. But three persons had
been seen TO enter or leave the house; the
man McCOra followed, who went in every
morning and quit at night; an old man who |
sometimes went out fox a short time only, |
and an elderly woman who invariably an
swered calls at the door. There was a chain
across the door which was never taken |
down unless TO allow the passage of the in
mates. To the mlkman, butcher and gro
Ger an opening was made SO far az the |
length OF the chain permitted, through |
brought. The summary of these observa- |
tons convinced the inspector that they had |
found the counterfeiters' lair, and he de- |
clded to make descent upon it, but he !
knew that to force his way in was impru-
dent, as it would afford time to destroy the |
press and dies. The services of Detective
were required to s.rmount this
difficulty.
A. day break the next morning NcCord
was alone at his old post in the orchard.
and VIXEN the inspector and Elder arrived
be reported there was nothing new, except I
that stranger had gone in.
The role assigned to Sampson was played
TO perfection. He waited until the woman
had eaten her breakfast. and then gently
raped at the door. He was dressed as an
lsraelitish peddler, and carried pack con-
tanning the usual wares Of these vendors.
The door was cautiously opened and his
business demanded
II sells you Something's :" was the query.
ing response.
Il don't want any thing," she replied, but
her eyes had longing look as the goods
we're displayed.
u sells sheep, Sleeper dan any vur in de
let me come in and / shows YOU"
mo; l guess you amt got anything
want"
Here the pseudo peddler brought to light
IN elegant cashmere shawl, worth at least
$500. Its fine texture and rich colors
aroused all the woman in her nature, and
he Toasted upon its beauty.
"How much is that shawl y she asked.
II almost gifts you dat at vun hundred
oilars," he answered.
1T won't be much of gift at that price"
he said. and began to close the door.
At this instant Sampson famed himself
With MS lat, which was the signal for his
lines to gradually approach, as he knew
ne woman would become his victim. Then |
Ie held the shawl out again, and said:
We'll, wants monish: make me yum |
fer"
She tried strategy. and asked: "Ain't
hese stolen goods T.
The peddier seemed frightened. and
ooked around as though in tear of arrest.
lie saw his friends close by, concealed from
er by board fence"
"'Sh, lady," he whispered, Il no shteal;
e shawl is struggled. / sells it for feetty
Ollars."
Still she haggled, and ne kept falling in
is price until $50 was the sum named. ii
$50 help mine Got gifts it you no less; I
hust put it on und see how pootiful j. ,
,ok,' and he gain held it up before her.
The annoying chain ratified, the door flew
pen, and Sampson, waving another signal.
topped across the threshold quickly fol-
owed by the other officers. In the parlor I
hey found three men, the two whose faces
ad become familiar to the detectives, and (
ne stranger whom McCord saw 90 in that =,
forming. Before the search was begun the
len tried to bribe the officers to forego it.
ffering $500. They had $500 in cash,
nd showed their bank book containing T
redit for the remainder.
In different rooms were found dies, a !
lilling machine and metals, and in the t
ack cellar was a press. There were also r
fetal plates, showing that nearly $4,000
spurious coins had been cut out. A small i
lumber of counterfeit coins were found | f