The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-14


McGhee. ]. Davis, Orvle Cummings. Ann Adams,
Eliza Ballard, John Sampson and two brothers Of
sen and ron baiard VINO arr s s heen c1ossIs
watched for more than year past: more I'M
portant arrest than thai OF the Baiards anu tneir
accomplices has not been made IN THIS country FOR
some time ana 1t Is 30 considered by the depart
ment at Washington.
CONTEMPORARIES AS A SCIENCE.
win desire to present all tue points In the
case case, HERALD reporter, through the klndness o.
Tom is confined ana interviewed him. The points
gaine en are OF considerable interest and no doubt
vii snrow new light on the cOunterfeiting busi-
successfully conducted.
Ballard 10 man q thirty.eight forty years Of
and mustache. In conversation he Is very viva.
clio eoqs and y evidently wen read and posted on al
disposition to conceal anything relating TO hia
past career, and although not very communities
house in Ferry street. still the reporter succeeded
IN gaining many points. and we herewith give tue
RxPoRrsR-Your name Is Tom Ballard. believei
BALLARp-Weli, tnays what they cali me, butt
no use denying it. They ali know me anyhow.
REPoRTER-Wno were In the house ON Ferry
street at the time OF your arrestS
BALLARD-Two women.
RKPoETER-where were you at the timer
BALLARD Oocoseiy)-On the top OF the house.
REPoRTER-You evidently expected to be ar.
rested, did you not
BAIiARD-Yes, did. I'VE been hunted about
four years, and it seemed as II old Whitey's gang
were always on my track; turn which way I
reward suppose. Any Of Wnitsy's men .V Would uIs
sell his soul for 81 more than S., 900.
REpoRTEE-Where have you been during the
BAILARD--Ihave worked In different places. juss
wherever could get work my trade Is carriage
REPoRrRR-In what places have you workedt
BALLARD-In Rome. down In Oneida county,
and several other Places could not stay long In
any one place, however. Tor just as soon az
would fairy get to WORK some 9, Inc detective
REPoRrER-For what purpose were they follow.
ing you?
BALLARp-WelI IN tell you the whole story as
Ing about him as If suspecting interruption he be-
GAM Threeyears ago was in New York, and as
snas e there gooa asd q nsr wa
arrested for counterieltiDg. and plate was found
In his possession. was Suspected Of working
that plate, as Miner and were chums; still they
could not prove tnasrI had anything to do with IL
beyond the nero tact that was seen in his com.
detective force, came and wanted me to lead him
on to the ''lay." saving that II would "blow" on
me, and swore BY all there was in heaven
that he would not prosecute me. He
begged ior days; used to come around after me
would only tell him. / took hin at his word and
showed up the whole business. took him 10 tho
room where the boys used to meet and there he
found presses dies, plates ana everything thoy
be the best satisfied man on earth. A few days
after that was arrested by some OF 'od Wits"
s 70 a ss and nave
since been trying to lead decent life.
REPORTER-What became OF Miner
BALLARD-He was tried before Judge Benedict.
The jury were out eleven hours, but they could noe
agree and in the end he got on, believe.
Working at your trade OF carriage paintings
PURELY IN THE INTEREST OF SCIENCE.
have do To ook n pSas
and have discovered something that expected
would give me competence TOR life, and which -
the same time hoped would In part atone for my
past career. 1t for the purpose OF testing this
that came TO Buffalo, and was working at u all
REPoRTER-How long were you in Buffalo prevl-
Gus to your arrests
BALLARD-Not quite two weeks
REPoRrER-Do you know anything concerning
the number Of bills found Ia that house. and where
they were manufactured
REPoRTER-Wno did the engraving for the gangs
BALLARD-Why the plate used was an electro
Which is now locked up IN the treasury depart.
ment at Washington. fhe place where the nafno
81 me ne. ea Tss Is II Sa SS. sS me
name Of any bank desired. That's how the thing
RRPoRTER-where do you get the paper upon
which TO print the bills
BALLARD-it can be got from Crane, the manu-
facurer for the Treasury OF the United States ana
is the only place In America where 1t can be OBJ
tanned. ISIHl.,
E.ssarMxwnsfe is crane Iocaseds
BALLARD-In Dalton, near Pittsfeld, Mass.
REPORTBR-Is the paper identically the same a.
that sold the governments
BALLARD-It is with one exception. That which
lowish tinge while that sold to counterfeiters Is
plain white. This latter class OF paper is used for
when orders are sent for it. Any one possessing
the secret can use the proper chemicals which win
give It the same appearance as that provided for
No q n man Tn al hA
REpoRTsR-well, Ballard, what do you expect
wiz be the result OF your arrest
BALLARD-l suppose they'n shove me up. You
see the mere fact OF my being in the house at the
REPRESENTATION claim to have made Q valuable
discovery. What Is III
BALLARD--I have discovered q process whereby
the Treasury Department could work on the frac-
tiona currency and bills SO they could not DO
initiated and alone possess the secret. IL would
be OF the greatest value 70 the United States
Treasury Department and would sweep counter
soaa be 1oe wo Ways ~
readily convince any engraver connected with the
Treasury. Department OF The truth OF my asser-
ton, or will not say word II they push me 10
REPoErEH-Do you propose to put the govern.
ment IN possession OF this secret
BALLARD-Upon certain conditions, DO.
REPoRTER-Whas are theyY
accept my osr guess but IN case eO tney should
VIII never give 1t away"-rd sooner die frst.
was intending TO present the matter TO the proper
authorities at Washington, and would have done
50 had they not arrested me- ~
REPORTER-What do you think will be done with
the rest Of the gang7
BALLARD--l don't know any 'rest' OF the gangn
Us you call IT. and am not gotng to say anything
about them-l only LOOK out for NO. ii
THE FBMALR 'sCLOAKS."
REPORTER-Dld the women arrested have any.
thing TO do with the busnessY
BALLARD-Did you ever hear OF woman being
counterfeiter They simply kept house and
acted as ''cleakS.n
RRPoRrRR-Baisrd. as you have already told me
considerable about the business, suppose you
would have no objection 70 answering ew more
questions. would ike TO know the denomthA-
ton OF bills usually counterfeited.
BALLARD-That depends on the capital OF tho
counterieiter.
REPQRTER-HQH sol
BALLARb--WelL you see nnd ne spoke very
earnestly, n counterieiter wishes to make bills
OF ST. 600 denomination he must have two good
bills, and THAT'S $4,000 Without the good bills to