The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-05
THE FORGERY FEVER.
A Startling Theory as to Those
$500 C0unterfeitS.
WHERE WILLIAMSON HAS GONE.
The Alleged Forgery on the Bank of Ha-
vana-The Johnson Forgery Case
Another Adjournment.

The excitement in Wall street over the discovery
OF forged securities and counterfeit Treasury notes
| is far from subsding.
reporter of the HERALD called upon the teller
| OF the Bank of America yesterday This gentleman
| said That many bankers on the street were in
doubt as TO whether they held any of the counter
felt bills or not. 1t required the closest scrutiny
with powerful glass, to detect any DIFF
ference in the mechanical execution of the
genuine and bogus bills. This, he said,
had given rise TO rumor which was worth inves-
tigatng. 1t was asserted that many differences as
to the impression given by the printing press from
the plates A B c and were readily dscoverable.
Was 1t not then, Just possible that one OF the
uine plates had sustained slight injury which,
unnoticed at the time, transferred its naccuracy
to the bills ?
'Then," said the reporter, ut is barely possible,
on that hypothesis, that the bills are
NOT COUNTERFEIT AT ALL"
at is only barely possible The worst feature on
the suspicious notes is the blurred appearance on
the back of the bills. The commonly circulated
directions to the method OF distinguishing the
two bills is of no practical value. 1t is impossible
for a bank teller to distinguish with the naked eye
whether there are five or six lines under the word
Washington 70 subject everyone 10 the scrutiny
OF a strong glass would greatly impede business.
This whole fuss about counterfeit $500 notes will
such denominations from any but customers. 1t
would not be surprising II $500 treasury notes
ceased for time at least to circulate"
The teller here showed the reporter number OF
$500 bills, and pointed out slight differences as to
the printing OF several. There was no question
but these were genuine but there was no way of
proving II The teller laughed and did not appear
to be anXlous about 1t.
AT THE sUBTREAsURY.
The cashier OF the SuD-Treasury w. G. White,
icits up to the hour OF closing 1t was not believed
that the banks had all overhauled their reserve
might yet be found.
The paying teller of Duncan Sherman d
Of the spurious bills. HE said that in
the ,e clear green appearance OF the back Of the
genuine bill and the yellowishgreen. blurred ap-
ter he regarded as one evidence OF spurlousness,
although he had found many genuine national bank
notes having the same appearance
STARTLING FOR THE DETECTIVES.
HERALD reporter learned last night rom Q
gentleman. VINO can at any time be produced, that
Williamson, the alleged notorious bond iorger, mas
not left for Canada rs Is generally supposed by the
detectives. The gentleman who IS wanted is now
en- route for Mexico and left this city on saturday
last The reporter learned this fact from gentle
man who has personal knowledge that certain
pressed for the present, saw Williamson on for
spastures fresh'' in Mexico where detectives do
not abound. The telegraph can yet stop him, and
this clew may put the detectives on the right
| track. The gentleman VINO saw Williamson on, 1t
! may be remarked, Is intimately acquainted with
! him. Since the exposure he has become himself SO
much AFRAID OF falling into the hands OF the Phis-
tines that he mas shaved on pair of flowing whis-
kers.
COLONEL WHITLEY IN PURSUIT.
The reporter called last night ut the ONCE OF Col
Onel Whitley, the Chief OF the Secret Service divi-
sion, at No. so Blocker street The bureau seemed
deserted, and in reply to the reporters question
| the only answer was
| "You cannot find him In this State"
] ais he alter the $500 counterfeiters?"
l olaf tuo tn,
| definite"
it is safe to say that Colonel Whitley means to
| get those counterfeters.
The johnson Bond Forgery Case.
The case OF James w. Johnson, charged with the
negotiation OF spurious and forged bonds, came up
for hearing yesterday afternoon, before Justice
STANDBY, at the Essex Market Police Court Mr..
w. +. Howe appeared for the defendant; Assistant
District Attorney Russell appeared for the prose.
cution.
The defendant, as has been already
stated, is lawyer doing business on
broadway, Williamsburg For some time
| past the police OF Williamsburg and New FORK have
suspected him OF being Implicated In the negota-
ton OF spurious and counterfeit bonds. and recent
disclosures in Wall street put the authorities on
| the track OF Johnson. New York detective paid
q visit to Williamsburg few days since and 'sliad-
| owed" the accused until he came to this CITY,
! He took a boat and followed him across
to New York and arrested him. ON being brought
|
| fao, New York and Erie Railroad Company we're
| found in the custody OF Johnson, together with
| about 1000 In cash, the ownership OF which he
| was unable satisfactorily to account for
At the request of Assistant District Attorney
| Russell, who SAID he expected additional and
stronger evidence forthcoming. the case was ad-
journed until three O'Clock this afternoon.
The Alleged FOrEeries on the Bank Of
Havana.
Yesterday afternoon reporter paid visit to
the banking house of Messrs. Taylor Co.. OF II
Wall street, with reference to alleged orgeres on
the bills OF the Spanish Bank OF Havana One
OF the firm stated, ave are now refusing
to purchase Tor the present that is,
until we know IL there are lorgeries
anoa) any OF the bills OF the bank Just mentioned,
and which Of the following DENOMINATIONS
ST. 49, S. So s25, $780, 500, $500, $500 ana 600.
The bills were engraved in this 0ty By the Ameri.
can or the NatOna! Bank Note Company, | an not
certain which, for we have none on hand at the
present moment, having sent all of those which wa
had TO Havana to-day.
Gold Certificates.
Among the wild rumors Wall street yesterday
was one to the effect that forged gold certificates
have been uttered. Upon inquiry at the Gold Ex
change and az the Sub-Treasury the statemen. was
discredlted and stIgmatized as "a hoax.
GENERAL BUTLER AND JUDGE HOARiS LIT