The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-20
..-aREsT OF A CoUNTERFE1TER
ANOTHER PHASE OF THE SECRET SERVICE DrvI-
SION TACTICs-A "REMINISCENCES OF ANDY
JOHNSON'S TINE.

ANOTHER PHASE OF THE SECRET SERVICE DIvI-
SION TACTICs-A "REMINISCENCES OF ANDY
JoHNsoNs TME
The occupation OF the Chief OF the Secret Ser
vice Division and his assistants 1t would seem is
not yet gone. They have succeeded in tracing to
this city an alleged old odender-an extensive
dealer in and manufacturer OF the "queer" the
accused. whose name ia George Albert Mason, was
Thursday night last. arrested In the Park Hotel
by Colonel Washourne, Chief Of the Secret Ser.
vice. The present cnarge against him Is having,
alleged, passed $500 Of counterfeit bills Of
denomination OF SIS, purporting to be OF the legal
issue Of the Traders National Bank Of Chicago,
upon . merchant OF the city OF Rochester, named
Albert Ensor, In purchase OF a quantity
OF lace. When Ensor, as the detec-
tve's story goes, discovered the fraud,
he communicated the fact to tne Secret Service
Division, with description Of the party. Suspl-
cion was at once aroused that this person was an
old offender, the detectives Identifying him as one
who had been formerly Confederate spy, arrested
by the government and sentenced to be imprls-
Oned for life, but which sentence was aiterward
reunited TO deportation from the United States.
counterieiier aroused tho professional zeal OF the
detectives, anu, like sleuth hounds, they starred
For upward OF week Colonel Wasnburne
Aud trustee assistants have been following
up the tracks OF Mason and on MT Th S1
ct the PARK Hotel The arrest was made
in advance Of the original plan. wnlcn was, when
once sighted, to keep HIM under constant sur.
velllance till he had committed himself unoer
their own eyes. This plan was not adhered TO Tor
seen to send up a card TO ex-Chief Detective
Wood. VINO was also stopping at the Park Hotel.
Mason was at once arrested. On his person was
found a revover and pair OF handouts. Yester-
day ne was brought before Commissioner Shields
and held lor examination in $4,000. He was sub
sequently lodged IN Ludlow street jail.
MAsONs STORY.
In the prison and received the following version
Of the affair.
Rpy, that he was arrested and sentenced TO I'M
prIsOnment Tor lie, but which President Johnson
Canada, wners i he met and was Employed by the
then Cher OF the Secret service DIVISION. Colonel
Wood, to whom he made himself very useful IN
arrestng noted COunterfeiterS, fugltives from the
United States. subsequently he was summoned
to Washington by the solicitor OF the treasury,
arrest a notorious counterfelter at ot. Louis, In
his attempt at which he was severely stabbed and
Wnitley:s detectives but the two wor.
tines could not pull together" and Mason
na wien esn exercise a a
qualities as detective. he again turns up IN tile
detective service OIL American Consul shaw at
Toronto. He subsequently returned to the United
States and py one bold stroke ne secured some
$4,000 IN counterfeit bills-national currency.
This haul ne claims to have sold to Colonel Wash.
the 'Rocnester merchant" Albert Ensor. wnom
he states Is fugitive from English law. rms
Ensor, he says, brought quantity lnto this
port, the duty Oh which lie was unable to pay
amounting to $220. This sum he advanced to
Ensor, who soon after went to Rochester, where
Ensor and Colonel Washburne, as he alleges, nave
trumped up the present charge against MIN.
Mason claims to be still In the detective service OF
the government, ana thus accounts Tor HIS Carrying
about with aim q revolver and handouts. As nrst
stated, he was the act OF visiting Colonel Wood
IN the latter's room IN the hotel when he was ar
reste. and hudd,ed on to the Beekman street po-
lice station, wnere he was closely guarded all
night and yesterday Drought before tile United
states Commissioner and held In heavy bonds to
await examination.
eddy Tor washington, whether In the interest or
Mason not remains to be seen.
Mason will be brought up to-day for examina-