The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-07-15
Showing the Queer.

A reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirel
has interviewed an ex-convict "whO ha
repented," and obtained some interesting
particulars as to the making and altering
of counterfeit notes.
The cOunterfeiter states that he hal
been sentenced to the penitentiary ter
| different times, the terms aggregatine
seventy-one years, but by behavior, tern
shortcomings and pardOnings he only
served twenty-seven years, having left
prison last June-a year ago.
He goes on to say that counterfeitine
is done by three classes-the mechanics
who make the money, the wholesale
dealers for whom the money is made
and the shower" or one who passes il
off upon the community.
The engravers who make the plates
are generally men of the trade who,
having fallen into dissolute habits, are
picked up by the second class, and, by
extremely great cunning, made to com.
nit some little act, after which they are
held in bondage which never ceases
except with death.
remember one case in particular
young Howard, bright young fellow,
raised in Cincinnati, who learned the
engraving trade, and in short time was
one of the most expert wOrkmen in the
country; but, unfortunately for him
self, became addicted to excessive drink
ing.
While under the influence of liquor,
he was picked up by Jerry Cowden, and,
without hardly knowing what he was
doing, went to work upon plate. When
too late, he endeavOred to quit; but
Jerry COwden said "NO," and Howard,
finding no retreat, after few moments
ended earth's troubles and his life at the
same time by taking poison.
The same may be said of persons who
deal in counterfeit money; the same
fatality follows, and after they have
once commenced, they rarely, if ever,
entirely give up the business, excepting
when, like myself, they are used up.
The engravers of plate rent an OBJ
scure room in large city, or else 60 out
into the mountainous country, away
from railroads and other lines of COM
municatiOn, where there are not many
people, and there they quietly work,
almost free from possible interruption.
Sometimes different parts of the bank
note plate are made in different sections
of the country, so that in case one man
with his work is captured, the balance
will be safe. This is very necessary from
the fact that a complete plate costs n
good round sum.
When the work on the plate is finished
it is taken in charge by the one for whom
it is made, and given to the printer, who
runs them off. The printing is done on
sheets, half dozen bills being struck
off at single impression. These sheets
are then cut up, and the notes placed in
packages of one hundred to twenty-five
thousand dollars each, the amount vary
ing according to the size of the bills
Very frequently the printing is done on
a fatboat or trading boat, which leis-
urely floats down the river while the work
is going on.
When the packages are ready for Use,
they are taken and sold to the leaders of
the gangs, who do the showing" who
in turn again divide with the leaders Of
sub-gangs.
The process of passing is very finely
arranged, generally five going in a gang,
arranging beforehand what streets they
will travel through in day. The first
of the gang is known as the BANKER"
and carries the bulk of the stuff. She
for it is usually wOman-never comes
within mile of those who do the passing.
A woman is generally picked as the
banker, as she is less liable to be known
to the "cops," as the detectives are
called. The next one is called the sub
banker, and strolls along a parallel street
about semi-distance between the banker
and the operator. The third carries a
smaller sum than the second, and, rs re-
quired, supplies the stuff to the operator.
No. 4 acts as watch; lettering along the
street taken by the passer, he keeps a
close eye upon everything going on, es-
pecially watching the stores where the
money has been passed to see if any sus-
piciOn has been aroused us to the char
acter of the money. Through system
of signs and signals the shower is almost
instantly notified of any real or appre-
hended danger, so as to enable him to get
out of the way, and by circuitous way
meet ut some designated point, where the
danger can be discussed and proper pre-
cautionary measures adopted. The man
or woman doing the passing never car
ries more than about three counterfeits
with them at time, preferring to go Oft
ener to the supply banker. One of the
bills is carried in the pocketbook, along
with lot of good bills while the bal
ance of the stuff is wadded up into
tight little ball and placed in the joint
of the little finger nearest the hand and
the finger closed tightly over it. In case
a bill is found to be counterfeit and an
officer is called in, the shower modestly
declares his innocence of any knowledge
of the bill, and proposes at once being
searched, at the same time throwing out
the arms at full length, and in the move
ment opening the little finger and drop
ping the wad, either behind the counter
on the floor, or If on the sidewalk, in the
gutter or street. The movement Is a
very quick and natural one, and not
likely to attract the attention of anybody
but detective. This method in nine
ty-nine cases out of hundred succeeds.
Sometimes when man is detected pass
ing counterfeit money, No. 4, or the
lookout" comes up suddenly, and, as
suming the character of an officer, arrests
the offender and hastens away with him,
and in case crowd follows takes street
cur or some other conveyance, and when
this is not practicable has some excuse
for entering house or some out-of-the-
way place, thereby afiording a pretty easy
means of escape.
Red In Denmark.
Red is the national color of Denmark,