The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-27
GCTTLIEB ENGEL'S CAREER.

larry fame deraud the United States Treasury TO the
tune Of $3.50, 600 by utilizing cancelled government
bonds brings light other 'crooked' transactions OF
Engel which, II authentic show him to DO the most
fortunate we'll as the most expert imator OF other
peoples handwriting that visited these shores.
The of his arrest astonshed The detec-
Of this city. but upon reflection the older mem.
bers regard in the light of farce, judging from his
past successful career "They won't hold him long"
said well known officer yesterday, she's too
slippery Brooks Netlleship, and IN wager new
hat that he viii not DO indicted" "It's safe bet"
added another. sEngc is too old bird to be caught
mapping and II any person goes up In this business
you'll ind that it will be Somervc. The set
don't live that able TO get that man dead
TO rights. We've tried here In Brooklyn and else
where but Pm BANKED II We could ever fetch him on
direct evidence the courts; for could Il nd
witnesses testify his torgeries, for the simple
reason that he is lone worker'-or, In other words
he never allows any person. not even excepting his
bosom friends and pals to be present when he does
the work. That part is executed In in some
place known only himself, but at the proper tmo
the stun placed the market finds It's way into
proper hands,
ESGEL's HISTORY.
As nearly as be learned IRON parties convorsant
with Engel's career 1t appears that no emigraed TO
this country from Prussia with his parents when lad
Williamsburg was chosen his future home, the
Nineteenth ward OF that city selected the most
feasible spot which TO win fortune and fame. Gotleb
was early school, and by dnt OF perseverance,
and natural shrewdness managed to secure go9d
common school education, his remarkable penman-
ship exciting the envy Of his less fortunate companions
ana winning the admiration OF his tutors When about
twenty or twenty-five years OF age he formed
copartncrshp with Mr.. Leopold Pulaski in
tho botting of imitation wines, tho headquar-
ters OF the firm being at No. Ill Broadway,
this CITY, The business conducted fairly, and the
old Polish gentleman was greatly pleased with his
young partner. About 1859 thoy dissolved their bus
ness relations and Engel established naval store in
Williamsburg. For awhile he mado money rapidly and
became popular that he nominated for the AS
scmbiy, but owing to the detection OF some of his
trusted friends he defeated. This, coupled with
failure Of the naval store venture, which followed
closely afterward, was the beginning OF his downfall
HIS FIRST 'cRooKED" WORK.
In 1862 1913 Eagle came III contact with the Solo,
mon brothers, three individuals whom many OF the
older merchants oil this city remember we'll to their
With these men he established wine store
at No. GO Pine street. which in time became
and thieves Under the cloak Of dong Il
legitimate business tho Solomon brothers bought
Pine house, where they were taken in charge by
Engel, and, per agreement, were sent to auction
stores, aud sold or were scnt out OF the city 10
agents tor the purpose. The merchants, after
being "bit" repeatedly, had the members OF the firm
arrested for fraud aud Engel was Tor the first time
placed behind prison bars Tho partners were prose-
cued civy and crlmnally but, as has characterized
good fortune ever since Ergoi got out on ball. but
his "pas'' were convicted and sent up" Thc ico
once broken, )he continued in the same business
sometimes making plenty OF money and AT other times
losing all by gambling and PRODUCTIVITY About this
time he formed Of the then
Spence Petus, Andy Roberts and Frank Gleason.
Between him and Pcttas the warmest attachment
sprang up.
In 1869 or whereabouts Eugc made his FIRST venture
In thn nt chn0E prDa n mr. nj
wholesale liquor dealers down town at that date was
H. b. Bunster Engel and his pals discovered that ho
deposited with the Ocean Bank, and secured check
OF that institution One drawn Tor 81 400 and bearing
Mr.. Bunsters signature, was presented by Engel to
jeweler OF Maiden lane IN payment tor bill oil goods.
The jewcIler examined tho check he expressed
doubt to It's being regular Enge coolly told HIM
paying teller, who sent back word that IL was q. X
The jewcler, however, had his suspicious aroused,
aud determined to satisfy himself that every
thing correct before he would permit the stranger
to remove the goods When he suggested that Tho
check 10 Mr.. Bunster Enge urnesitatiney uc-
quiesccd remained the store until the messcn
ger returned The latter informed his employer that
Sir. Bunster In his Office but his head clerk
had examined the check and pronounced it genuine.
This did not satisfy the obstinate jewccr put
his hat and visited Mr. Bunster's Office in person.
When that gentleman saw ms name attached 10 tue
was cleverly executed that he could scarcely dis
tinguish the difference between the spurious and tho
genuine, As he had drawn u check Tor that
amount, however, he concluded that 1t was u fraud,
and the jewelier departed EngeI arrested by De-
cinc, in tho Western Hotel, together with accom-
pcc They pleaded guilty when arraigned Tor trial aud
Engcl liberated on bail, but his pail was sent 10
Sing Sing tor two years ana halt The indictment
for this crime was pending against HIM until 1873,
when 1t was quashed.
THE BANK OF ENGLAND FoRGERIEs.
After getting out OF this scrape Engel sill continued
with Gleason and other noted characters.
Once ne arrested by Chief OF Police New Villains,
Jersey CITY, Tor forgery, and at another time he
was .coilarea'' by tho Brooklyn detectives but on
each occasion he succeeded in getting out of the
scrap oil
the Impossiby Of convictug bim, so closely had he
covered his tracks. He is also alleged to have mad
iorgcrios with George and Austin Bidwe, George Nc
Donald and Edward Noys Hills Engel, however, II Is
believed, drew out Of the ncfarous venture and re.
turned this country. short time aerward tho
stupendous fraud discovered. In spite of the be-
lief OF the detectives that he was involved tho
affair, they dare TO lay their hands upon HIM,
and he escaped, Willie the others now Iangush for
life in the Pentonvile, Mbank and Portland PRISONS
OTHER PORGERIEs.
The excitement attendant upon this unheard of
criminal transaction had barely ceased TO be matter
OF gossip when all street was III iutter on the dis
covcry that forged bonds TO the amount OF $500 000 of
the New York Central, the Buffalo, New York and
Ere the Chicago and Northwestern the Central
Pacific Union Pacific aud the New Jersey Central
railroads had been thrown tho market Suspicion
at oucc attached TO Enge. Charles J. W ,amson. Tom
C,ssidy. Andrew Roberts. Frank Gleason, alias
canada Frank and Walter Sheridan, alias G. Raston
and all save Engo were convicted alter trial. Roberts
and Gleason, as Is well known, in tho Ludlow
Jan default OF BAIL and the others arc serving
various terms IN Sing Sing, Auburn and Clinton
PRISONS.
which they attribute to Engel, but despite their
shrewdest calculations, watCiuness, the traps that
have been laid catch HIM, he has proved ~ DO their
MASTER European detectives have watched his case
with no incoIsIdcrabo solicitudc, ana all who have
venlured To express an opinion pronounce him mar
vel OF cunning and very dangerous man to be let
loose on any community. Hc and spence Pettus, IN
the estimation oi the detectives, take rank the
most expert pcnsmon the world. Engel said 10
pussess concerning certain chemical Tor re-
moving INK from paper that is known to no other man
Inn Pat L. ~
erasures OF names ON bonds.
lie married and Is tho father OF i've 81 children
Ho Is represented TO be a KIND husband and alice
tonate father, and u liked by his associates He IS
about forty years OF age, and Is reported 10 be
very poor although he stu runs faro bank In tho
Bowery which Is said DO good investment
There TO be settled conviction among govern
men officers that he has put his loot III IT,
this time and that clear Will be proved against
him although Ncttlcships connection with the mat