Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-10-01
QUEER cHARLeWs WIFE.
An Incident from Life Related by n secrcb-
Service Detective.

SERVICE DetcctlVc'
One of the most successful counter
fciters in this country up to the spring
of 1864, when he was nabbcd and placed
behind the bars for long time was u
former cmployc of the bureau of en-
craving and printing named Charles
Atscll. While still an empioyc of the
bureau he married girl named Will
liams, cof Providence, R. |. She had
been brought up to regard herself as an
he ress, educated abroad and was one OF
the proudest young ladies in the land.
In 1862 her possessions were swept away
by fire and embezzlement and in De-
cember of that year she married Atsell.
The match, | believe, grew out of some
romantic incident People who knew
her best doubted II she had any love in
her heart. Her pride did not 90 with
her money. Notwithstanding moder-
ate salary, she came to Washington
with her nose high in the air, and her
arrogant manner and style of dress was
generally remarked. 1t was, indeed,
her extravaganza which led her husband
into crime.
Twice in the spring of 1868 sums of
money We're lost in Atsell's department,
md while he was both times the object
of suspicion there were no proofs to
convict him. One sum amounted TO
Sl75, and the other to $500. After
the last affair he resigned his position,
and, MS was aficrward learned, allied
himself with n gang of countcrfeiters
who had their headquarters in New
York. Two or three treasury notes
were put ont by them which Circulated
extensively, and for months the whole
secret-servic1 force was working in
vain to turn up the criminals Atsell
was not suspected of being a counter.
feiter, He left Washington for New
York, and through the influences ol
relatives, it-was said, secured certain
profitable army contracts He could
have been found any day had we wanted
him.
Along in June, 1864, having at length
satisfied ourselves that the gang was
located in New York, the circle began
to narrow down. One night stran,, i
from Missouri was arrested in drunk
en- condit on, and on his person were
found two or three letters duplicating
him rs n shower of the queer and fur
fishing straight clews TO work the gang.
Aided by local detectives, we raidcd Il
residence on Twcnty-sccond street and
captured Atsell, a man named Coffin, q
shower named Green, nd the entire out.
fit of press, tools and pate.
Wemade the raid about three o'clock
in the afternoon, and Mrs. A.sell was
driving in Central Park. | was left ia
ava her return and take her into Gus.
tody. She returned about five o'clock,
dressed in richest attire and us AFRO.
giant as queen. | broke the news n:
gently rs possible, but she was not d
bit agitatcd Without the least sign oI
embarrassment she replied tome
Very well, sir. You will allow me to
change my attircP'
Certainly"
She passed up stairs and followed.
She entered her bedroom, locked the
door, and sat down 10 await her re
appearance. Al the end of twenty min.
utes tapped on the door No answer
waited five minutes aud raped again
AS she did not respond | f,lt it my duty
to make Il move, aud after one NOR,
effort to induce her to open the door,
burst 1t open. She was lying on {
lounge, dead for the last quarter of al
hour, having, as n doctor afterwart
testified, imbibed some swift poison
She was not too proud to be counter
fcter's wife, but too proud to be tricC
as counterfeiter' accomplice. Whel
carried the news to her husband h,
was for q moment stunned, then he raj
lied and carelessly said:
"Well, she'd have died in prison in
side OF month. She is better of. "
| Detroit Free Press.