Wilmington journal., 1874-01-09
A FAIR FEMALE COUNfERFEITER
From the New Orleans Plea yUne.

Ihiii IiiHUH UUUNl Iii LII Ait.
From the New Orleans Plea yEne.
Tor some time past, extending NJ
most over the space of 4 couple Of
years, it has been known to the detec-
tives and United States secret service
police, that there existed in portions cf
the South and West O large and per-
fectly organized band Of counterfeiters
who were almost unparalleled in the
success and daring with which they
prosecuted their enterprise. Beyond
the bare fact that there were numer-
our counterfeit notes-ffties, twenties,
ten and fives-afioat, 10 discoveries
have been made; and though OCCASION
al arrests were effected,
30 CONVICTIONS
were ever had, owing to the influence
and money used TO hush up ali eases
in which such were concerned. Last
winter, however, by q successful move,
detective Fitzpatrick. of the Southern
secret service, effected the arrest of Il
woman, Mrs. Smith alias johnson,
who was taken il one of the St Louis
cemeteries with G lot of dies and tools
in her possession. Through some sort
of management she was taken out of
the hands Of that officer, and in time
was placed under bonds and vanish
ed, her bondsman never being held to
account.
DURING THE FAST SUMNER
the number of counterfeit bills III this
section visibiy decreased, though rs
the fall SEASON advanced it became ap-
parent from the large number in circu-
lation that desperate members OF the
same gang were doubtless at work in
the city. Who these were became the
question. Some bills came from the
hands of the italian lugger-men on the
lower and upper coast, though large
numbers were passed in the city. This
was oil the more apparent, owing 20
the shortness Of the money market;
and large number ot bills having
been withdrawn, the number OF spu-
rious notes afoat attracted the more
attention.
could. however, be obtained until, q
few days ago, prominent Canal street
merchant called at the. office Of the
Chief of Police and stated that a coun-
terfeit fifty dollar bill had been passed
on him by young and handsome lady,
whom he described as n blonde ci
really great beauty. The full descrip-
tion having been given, detectives
Pearson and Pecora undertook the
case, and after carefully unwindne
their clues, &: dayhreal1 this morning
arrested
VIOLA Dl-MONrt, ALIAS MAKIE,
young and beautiful brunette,
charged with passing the money. She
was conveyed to the office Of the Chief
Of Police and placed in cell for safe
keeping, but was about noon to day
turned over to Detective Fitzpat-
rick, of the United States secret
service, who had aided materially
in working up the case. The girl,
for she is hardly more than twenty,
is really strikingly beautiful, with
regular Madonna features, black
sparkling eyes, and black hair. She
was elegantly and tastefully dressed
in the latest fashion, and when placed
in her cell burst into tears.
The detectives. however, state this
IS only 80 dodge" to excite sympathy,
as she has been often before in iait
and possesses
= >foST .-VENTFUL HISTORY.
Viola Dumont. alias Marie, is the
SISTER OF the ctleDratCu HorSiar ana
counterfeiter Angelo Marie. now ser =
ing term OF seven years i'll the Nash
vile Penitentiarv for robbiug the safe
Of Captain Cnttv, Chief OF Police Of
Memphis. She. possessing remark
able beauty, has, though often arrest
ei, been cleared Oh account Of pity
for her condition. Her known skill
and daring are, However, unequnied in
various diSg1liscs, each perfect in it
self, she having on many occasions
eluded the police. On Saturday last
she was on Canal street beautiful
blonde, attracting universal attention:
to-day she is 4 splendid brunette, and
ethoSa WHO saw her then wpu!l not
recognize her a. the saline.
Her first appearance III this city was
when she Was scarcely sixteen, :,5 the
principal witness II q celebrated tlur-
der case. and her next or the charge
OF rohbing prominent ciIiti.l and ez-
Aliitor o1lt Of larE. srln ii inoncy.
She wlS. however, navcr convicted.
and wantared c;T nut;i THIS winter,
when she appeared in the city again,
bold, heartless, and Was only in the
midst Of daring career when Sc slI :
denly checked by the majesty O. the
Inv