The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-28
FRANCIS HuNGERFoRD.
An Aged Counterfeiter Who Spent Half His
Life i'm Indiana.

Life in Indiana.
Little Rock (Ark. Special.
To day had an interview with Francis Hun
gerford, who is confined in the Arkansas penl-
Tertiary charged with making and passing spu-
rious silver coin. He was arrested on the 9Th
inst, was bound over at preliminary examina-
ton in the sum of $1,000 and was computed to
prison upon failing to secure bond. He is said
to be the oldest counterfeter in the United
States. He is in all respects a remarkable char
acter. He is seventy-fve years old. His ap-
pearance is patsiarchal Tall and straight with
blue eyes, and with white hair and beard, he
looks anything but criminal. lie is lntelli-
gent and good conversationalist, his talk being
characterized by discretion rather than garru-
lity. Pending his trial or release on bond he Is
allowed the utmost freedom, and rambles about
the prison Enclosure when and where he pleases.
II was born in Oneida county, New York,
said he Tin 1911. My parentsa were reputable
and excellent people My father was farmer,
and the early part of my life was spent on farm.
/ often recall the past in memory, and without
bitterness, too; for there Is nothing in my early
years for me to regret. dream sometimes OF
the old farmhouse. 1t was a queer-looking
building, made of wood and unpainted with
porch in front, and with big stone chimneys on
each side The land around it was rough and
stony, and it took hard work to get living from
it. I remained here until was grown, when
went to Michigan, where married. Afterward
/ removed to Indiana, settling near Plymouth.
lived near that town for forty years l am
well-known all through that section of
country Ask any, farmer or business
in or around Plymouth about my
record, and gness the answer will be
that my record Is straight l am certain never
wronged any of them in any way. In 1880
was arrested charged with counterfeiting
Through the malice of enemies was made the
scapegoat of others, and was railroaded into the
penitentiary, where l staid nearly two years
After my discharge | came to Arkansas with my
wife. have been twice married. l bought
farm and settled in Lawrence county, near the
town of Walnut Ridge. / hoped to end life in
this secluded retreat in peace and cOntentment
But it was not to be. Ill-luck followed me.
was again arrested some three weeks ago on the
charge of making and passing counterfeit
money, and this is the reason for my being in
prison today. Well, / expect to give bond very
soon. The bond was sent to my wife weeks
since, and know she will not rest until she gets
bondsmen for me and gets me out. | have only
few years yet to live, according to the laws of
nature and it seems strange that / should be
bounded to death in my old age"
Hungerford claims that when tried he can prove
his innocence. His statements have aroused
sympathy for him, and he is regarded by many
as another Jean Vatican. On the other hand,
the detectives claim he is a subtle criminal, and
that his career, as traced by them from point to
point forms chain of dupfcity and lawlessness
seldom equaled in the annals of crime. Letters
from the secretservice division of the Treasury
Department at Washington disclose the fact that
he and his son. Andrew j. Hungerford, were
rested near Walkerton, Ind, April 6, 1880, the
charge against them being counterfeiting; that
each pleaded guilty" aud that they were sent
to the Indiana State prison for term of two
years. 1t is stated that Hungerford is undoubted-
ly acting with a gang of counterfeiters that is
operating in the Southwest, and that he has been
directly indirectly engaged in the business for
sixty years In fact, he said to an officer that
the first bogus money he had ever seen was some
sixty years since.
When arrested the last time he was found by
Deputy United States Marshal Faulkenberg on
his farm rear Walnut Ridge The land consists
o. 100 acres 1t is laid of in fields, inclosed with
stake and -rider.fences. The house is rough, but
comfortable, and is half hidden In trees and
shrubbery. Everything about the place is neat
and clean. Hungerford was in one of the fields.
He was tending some stock. He turned pale
when thu officer confronted him and explained
way to the house. When he and the
marshal entered Hungerford's wife ran
into another room. Her husband called
for his coat The wife instantly re-
appeared with the garment thrown across her
left arm and with the right hand in one of the
pockets The marshal stepped forward and
seized her hand just as she drew forth six
shooter She struggled hard, but be wrenched
the weapon from her. She made no further re-
sistance, submitting in grim silence to her hus
bands arrest. There was an affecting farewell
weeping bitterly; then, rallying, she babe him
be Of good courage as she would speedily effect
his deliverance Hungerford was deeply affect
ed. He trembled violently, and when he left the
house the officer supported him. his steps being
unsteady He will be tried at the October term
of the United States court, which will be held in
this city.