The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-04-30
Counterfeiters Caught.
Six Residents of ouemahoning Ar
rested for Manufacturing the
Queer"
Brom DE Pll..burg TIInes q saluIday.

Brom the Pittsburs Times Of Saturday.
United States Marshal Harrah and Depu-
ties Mcsweeney and CARRIER last night bad
lodged in Jail John H. Bisoing. Sr., J. H.
Bisbine, Jr., Edward Bisbine. Jerry Wilt and
John Sipe. of Somerset county, charged with
counterfeiting. Wilt was brought down in
the morning. and the elder Bisbing, a man
of fifty years, over six feet tall and dressed
like backwoodsman, was brought in by De-
tective McSweeney about O'Clock p. NJ On
bis person were found three counterfeit half
dollars. The other prisoners were taken 10
the Jail afier midnight
The circumstances surrounding the arrest
Of the counterfeiiers were most exciting.
Marshal Harrah had learned that in Stoyes-
town large amounts Of spurious coins wer,
being circulated, and the farmers wen being
everywhere imposed on. Detective Me
Sweeney began to work up the case, and,
disguised in rough suit, high boots and a
slouch hst, wandered into Stoyestown sever
al weeks ago, and soon learned that an or
ganized gang of counterfeiters had made
Stoyestown their basis for operations, and
were working the entire county. The local
authorities claimed to be terrorized by the
gang aud had made no endeavor TO secure
their arrest McSweeney gained the conf
dence of the counterfeiters, and in hopes of
finding their dies. offered TO join the gang
The men, however became suspicious, and,
while not dreaming who he was, were very
reticent in giving information. The detect
i've, however, secured sufficient evidence TO
warrant the arrest of the men, and Thurs
day. with Marshal Harrah and Deputy Gar
ben, proceeded to make the arrests.
THE DIE FOUND.
They went first to the Bisbing house. and,
bursting in the door, about 5 clock in the
morning, arrested the three men, who were
in bed. The younger Bisbing. a giant in
strength and size, showed fight, but the
muzzle of revolver in his face quieted him.
The Bisbings were placed in the wooden
lookup of the town and their house search
ed In it were found a mould for half dol
lars and some counterfeit money.
Scarce had the Government Officers COM
pleted their search when Wilt and Sipe, two
accompices of the Bisbings, arrived, and,
taken by surprise were hand cuffed before
they could offer any resistance
As the Jail was rather weak and the coun-
terfeiters had many friends Marshal Harrah
determined to bring the men to Pittsburg at
once. They accordingly started TO the b. &
o. depot.
A FIGHT AT THE STATION,
The entire town was excited by this time,
and when the station was reached there was
ly taken into the little station, while the
officers stood guard over them.
Captain Sarber, veteran of the late war
and friend of Sipe, started in TO ask him a !
question Under the impression that he was |
coming to Sipes rescue, Marshal Harrah !
pushed him roughly out of the door. The
Captain retalated by knocking one of the |
deputies across the railroad track The crowd |
grew angry and surged threateningly about |
the Officers. The latter drew their revolvers |
and Marshal Harrah sternly said
The first man who starts toward our
prisoners will die
There was a dull, angry roar from the
hardy mountaineers and for a minute it
seemed AS though the grim United States
officials were going to have to fight for their
prisoners and their lives At this critical |
juncture venerable Justice Gardner arrived
and at his command the villagers dispersed, |
but many threatening look was bestowed
on the officers which augured i'll for their
safety had they remained over night.
Captain Sorber was greatly incensed at the
treatment he had received and made iufor-
nation against Marshal Harrah and his
deputies.
The latter took the first train and left with
their prisoners.