The morning call., 1890-04-03
SPURIOUS DOLLARS.
Arrest of. Two Men Wanted by
the Government.
They Are 0vsrhauled in South San Francisco
by Police 0ficers-Bad Money Found
on Their Persons.

During the past few months the city has
been flooded with counterfeits of dollars
and half-dollars, and the Secret Service
Agent OF the Government assisted by the
Police Department, has been assiduousIy
working to ferret out the parties RESPONSE
BILE for the circulation of the imitation.
The counterfeit Of money is q poor
semblance of the genuine article. being
light in weight, dull in color, lacking the
true ring and greasy to the touch. Several
persons who had been victimized reported
their grievances to Secret Service Agent
harris. and very accurate description of
two men who had passed the counterfeits
was obtained.
A printed circular with description of
the men was furnished Chief of Police
Crowley and he had them distributed among
the members of the department. The re-
suit is that the men have been landed in
jail and from certain evidence gathered
against them 1t is more than probable that
the right ones have been secured. In fact
the police stats positively that the prisoners
are the parties who are implicated in the
wholesale spreading of the counterfeit cash.
Yesterday afternoon word was received
at the police station in South San Francisco
that two men had passed imitation of money
In Chris Johnson's saloon, in the neighbor-
hood OF the station. The bartender had
accepted the counterfeit in payment for
drinks, and Immediately discovered its
quality. He gave back such change as was
due without making comment, but quietly
dispatched messenger for the police.
SEARCHED BY THE POLICE.
Officers Bennett and Mcconnell pro-
ceeded to the saloon and placed both men
under arrest. They were searched and
sufficient p1oof was found in the process of
emptying their pockets to hold them on
charge OF felony: Last night the pris-
Prison and registered on the the d Elty
nue. book for passing and having
counterfeit of money in their possession.
The men gave the names of James Casey
and James birmingham. Both are middle
aged and the latter is we'll dressed, while
Casey looks something like cowboy. AS
part Of the evidence against them are three
limitations of dollars bearing the date of
1884 and number of dollars that had been
split in half and the metal scooped out.
The shells of the silver pieces were neatly
glued or pressed together and the fraud
could only be detected by weighing the
money in the hand.
When interviewed the accused strongly
protested their innocence. Birmingham
says he is teamster, and has been but
short time in this city, having recently
come from Modesto. He claims to have
recently been employed by a drayman
named Charles. Warren. He also Stated
that on Tuesday night he took part in
a poker game on Third street, and quit
the table winner. Yesterday morning he
visited coffee saloon on the same street
and received silver in change for a So
piece. He believes he received some of the
counterfeit money either in the game or in
the coffee saloon.
THEIR STATEMENTS CORRESPOND.
Casey told almost the same story as re-
lated by his tellOW-Drisoner He had haao
working in several places in the interior,
he said, and was but few days in town.
Casey could not account for a counterfeit
of dollar found on him. The prisoners
stoutly denied having been acquainted with
one another before yesterday, but detect
ives will be sent out to-day to trace up their
antecedents and if possible to discover
their headquarters. Birmingham and Casey
declared that they had no settled place of
residence, but moved about from one lodg-
lng-hOuse to another
Officer Bennett stated that he is positive
that the prisoners are the men who were
arrested IN South San Francisco about five
years ago while preparing to engage in a
burglary. At that time word was received
late one night at the station that two men
were acting in suspicious manner about
the Office and barn of a grandmother named
Stuntz. An officer and several citizens ap-
preached the place, and behind the barn
found two men with masks and revolYers
They were arrested ana one, whom Ben
nett is almost positive is Casey, was SEN
fenced to the House of Correction for six
months Tor carrying weapon concealed,
that being the only charge on which he
could be prosecuted. The other man.
whom Bennett believes is Birmingham, for
1elted his bail, amounting to $50, and left
town.
Secret Service Officer Harris could not be
seen last night about the matter, as ne had
gone to San Jose.