The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-14
Seizure Of Presses, Plates, Dies and $ll5,00O
in Spurious Bills.
AN IMPORTANT EXPOSE.
Billiards. Statement as to the Frauds
on the Government.
Nearly Quarter of Million Of
"Queer" Bills in Circulation.

Elizabeth Ballard, and Ann Adams who were
arrested here last week LOT having in their pos
session a large amount OF counterfeit currency,
TOOLS dies. presses, etc.. and Tor manufacturing
the same. were brought before United states CON-
missioner Scroggs to day, ana IN default OF $4,000
hail EACH fully committed for trial at the term OF
the United States Court, to be held In Cayuga
county in November next The prisoners will he
removed to the Cayuoa county jail at an early day.
An Interview with the Chief OF Amerf-
can Counterfeiters-Details OF the NAM
ufacture, the Purchase OF Paper,
Presses and Machinory-O Operation
Extending to 100000.
BUFFALO, Oct. 10, 1874.
1t has long been known that among the MOST
successful OF the many counterfeiters were parties
who made their headquarters IN this city and
vicinity. the convenience OF the Canadian hiding
place being OF special advantage to men who
run such constant danger Of detection, the punish
ment OF which is very heavy. Notwithstanding
every EFFORT OF the special detectives, however
the sharp operators OF our section managed to
eude discovery until q few weeks since, when old
Chief OF Police, and now Inspector OF Customs,
David s. Reynolds obtained ciew, upon which he
called for special assistance from headquarters.
This was furnished In the person OF Gilbert b.
Perkins, OF the Secret service, who reached the
city about the middle OF September, and in con-
junction with Mr.. Reynolds, Specials Henderson
and Curtin, bent his energies to the work Of un-
earthing the rascals. 1t Ia unnecessary to follow
the initiatory movements by which the shrewd
operators were beaten at the game Of hide-and-
SEEK and It Is sunlcient to state that once under
surveillance they did not suspect II was but
question OF time for their detection In an overt
act and this time occurred on the evening OF tue
80Jh ult, at Trenton, Mich, seventeen miles this
side OF Detroit when Reynolds and Perkins put
the collarn on
THB NOTORIOUS BEN BALLARD,
alias Charles Marshall, alias - Pun, and Lucas
McGlue, alias -- Jones. alias John Frink. Five
hundred dollars In counterfeit $40 bills on the
Farmers ana Manufacturers' Bank OF Bufralo were
found on them. The prisoners were conveyed to
Detroit and locked up over night. the next morn
ing they were taken before United states Commits
sioner Davidson and held to bail in the sum OF
$1,000 each. Not being able to furnish the requt-
site security they were committed to prison,
where they are now.
THE BEST or THE GANG.
The oficers returned to Buffalo and snadowed
with persistent vigilance the conndants OF the
Gagged pair until Thursday night last. when 1t
was found that the time was right Tor
decisive blow. The headquarters OF the gang
was q small frame cottage on Ferry street,
Iusr = est Of the avenue. and about the dawn OF
Friday morning this was surrounded BY strong
force OF of1icers. Oss q them knocked az tue
door and demanded sdmisso a voice rom tne
inside inquired, "Who's there s' XRS q9ol vas
not opened and, after knocking again, notlce Vas
given that unless the door was Enclosed within q
specified period, which was very brief one, IL
would be forced open. Just as the threat was
emerge from window in the attic and, with the
agility OF cat, to climb upon the roof He was
ss tine nosorG 2H Tom
expert counterfeiter in this country. Instead OF
obeying the summons to descend he started to
run upon the root OF the house, but on
nearing the report OF the onicer's revolver, he
consented to surrender, climbed down and was
faSias tSeir Drisoner with tnep they Proceeded
to search the premises. and the results which io-
ali concerned excepting the prisoners. The place
proved to be complete counterieiting establish
menr In the attic were discovered printing
oils, chemicals, plates stamp press, paper upon
which 70 print the bills, and fact, all the para
business on large scale. Nor was this all. In
boxes and scattered about the place was the
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN
COUNTERPART BILLS,
nortlon OF Wnicn was nhished and ready ior cir
culation and the balance IN process Of completion.
The bills were OF the denomination OF tens and Of
the following banks:-
Farmers and Manufacturers National Bank OF
Buffalo.
National Bank OF Syracuse.
National Bank OIL watkins N. Y.
The bulls were SO finely executed that 1t would
be almost an impossibihty. one would think, TO dis
tinguisn them from the genuine. In room down
stairs. the windows OF which were lifted with
white curtains, so rs to screen those within from
the sight OF those without and, AZ the same time,
anord sunlclent light to the operators, was found
large quantity OF chemicals, . quantity OF fibre
paper. some finely finished engraving tools and
table upon which the work was done. Among the
engraved plates found were those Tor the produc.
ton Of bills OF the following hanks
Westchester County National Bank, Peekskii,
twos
First National Bank OF Palmyra tvos and nities.
Etrst National Bank OF Watkins tens.
First National Bank OF the city OF New York
twos
Farmers and Manufacturers National Bank Of
syracuse National Bank, tens
The amount OF spurious national currency put
into circulation by the notorious Tom Ballard and
his gang will, IL Is estimated, reach 5000 UOO
Among other bills found was q good limitation OF
q IS bill Of the Bank Of British North america,
The house also contained several other articles.
such.as masks, acc which were, no doubt. used By
Ballard, the only persona found in the house
were two women, one OF whoiS Is Ann Adams,
aged sxty-nve years, an aunt OF the Billiards. and
name as Eliza Ballard, aud VINO claims 10 be the
wife OF Ben. They have been acting In the ca
experienced In the business. The party were Con.
veyed TO JAIL and locked up 10 await al examina.
ton before United states Commissioner Scroggs.
HOW THR "QUEERu WAS DIsposYp on,
None OF the spurious bills Manufactured here
was showed" 70 this city. They were taken TO
Fort Erie and there SOLD TO prominent parties,
who passed them through agents into the interior
OF the Dominion. Montreal and Toronto is said to
be Iul OF counterfeit United states money, and
merchants ana others have been 70 vlctilnlZed OF
iate that they totally refuse To accept our money
at any rate OF discount.
The authorities are on the alert, and should any
or these iellows engaged IN this business, living
al Foft E.ie, put ioot in Buffalo they viii be
nabDed very quick.
TOM BALLARD.
AS above stated Tom Ballard is the most expert
engraver and most clever unerteter In The
United states. He is desperate character and mas
py MS remarkable snlits and cunning devices man.
aged TO elude and escape from justice Tor q mum.
Der OF years past. In 1870 he was arrested in New
YORK oy II. q. Whitley the then CHIEF OF the Sc
cret service Division, for Manufacturing plates Tor
printing counl erfeit money, and lodged In Ludlow
Street Jan. lie escaped, however. by breaking the
pars, and since That time has wandered about
rom place 20 place, hunted al every step BY she