Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-29
A sWNpLN uN..ARTHED
Thousands of "Suokers" wnrs ~ anted
to Buy Counterfeit Money.
fronl a NasAaIle AMerLeaN.

FROM me lfUNVctttc dfHefftdNs
HUNTsvILLE, ALA, April 26.-rhe his
tory of the detection and capture of the
Jackson county swindlers by District
Attorney Geo. II. Craig and Post Onlce
Inspector W. G. Baird, proves an inter-
esting piece of detective work, Last
week District Attorney Craig received
letter from Silas Smith, Postmaster
at Laugston, Ala, stating that man
named W. w. Fondren,' near that place
on Sand Mountain, was probably
making or selling counterfeit money,
and that he (Smith) had received letters
from a distance asking about FOndren
and enclosing letters they had received
from him offering TO sell them counterfeit
greenbacks at $40 per hundred. many OF
the victims stating that they had sent
their money but had received nothing in
return. Postmaster Smith was immedi-
ately summoned before the grand jury by
the District Attorney, and it was found
that Fondren was in receipt daily Of large
numbers Of letters from all portions Of
the United States and Canada. No wit
ness had seen the counterfeit bills, and
so no case could be made for
cOunterfeting but the grand jury, un-
der the advice OF the District Attorney,
for fraudulent use of the mails. The
brother, John B. Fondren, was not in-
dicted, as there was no evidence against
him at the time. On Wednesday last In
spector W. &. Baird reached Huntsville,
and, after consulting with the District
Attorney, they set TO work ut once TO cap
ture the parties, A warrant Of arrest was
forthWi Ia issued for John B Foudren and
Capias for William w. FOndren under
the Indictment. Baird then wrote Fondren
letter enclosing ten dollar BILL up0r
which he placed q private mark, for 800
OF greenbacks, and signed the name
Of III. B. Allen" and had the
postmark of LeesVile, Fla, stamped
upon the envelope. Baird, in company
with DePuty Marshal John J. Kinds, left
Huntsville and reached Langston after
dark. The letter was delivered to the
postmaster with instructions TO put it
into FOndren's mail. The next day Baird
went around the village Of LangstOn as a
cigar drummer, all the time keeping III
sight Of the post Office until he saw Fond
rem get his mail. Then with the Marshal
and guide they proceeded to scale the
mountain side until they reached
the Fondren residence, which
they found to be a double log
cabin with hail. between which had been
inclosed with boards. The guide rushed
to the window and the marshal and Baird
to the door. John b. Fondren jumped
through the window. and was caught by
the guide, while William FOndren rushed
to the door in the arms of the Marshal
Baird secured the mail and found the let
ter he had written, with the $40 inclOsed,
and other letters with various sums, one
| from Canada inclOeing S5. There
were over 1,500 other letters found
| in the room, which had all contained
various sums, and 1t is estimated
| that the parties have realized several
thousand dollars out of their swindle. AS
soon as the excitement of the arrest was
over, William FOndren said to Baird
"WhO are you, anyhowP' Baird replied,
EMy name is Allen, from Florida" FOn-
dren replied, "Come for your goods, did
you? Well, pard, / guess you've caught
me and I'll have TO give it up" The
prisoners were then handcuffed and car
ried to Langston, where they remained
all night, and were brought
to Huntsville yesterday and
lodged in jail. The parties
look like ordinary country farmers, but
are remarkably shrewd. One Of them is
about 10 and the other about 81 years Of
age. There are other parties implicated
in the swindle in several adjoining States,
and their early arrest is anticipated. FOn-
dren advertised his lswindle in numerous
papers throughout the country as follows
~ REENBACKs-SlOO Of the hest ever made
" fOr$5. w. W. FONDREN, LangstOn, Ala.
They have been doing thriving bust
ness, and the letters received from some
Of their victims are extremely amusing.