davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
DECLINE OF BUNC0.
GREEN GOODS AND SAWDUST AS THEY WERE
AND AS THEY ARE.
How "a Great American Industry Was Evolved and
How It Has RerOgradsd-Quser Stories Of
Shrewd Men Who Made FORTUNES
ICnPYRIGHTED.

The time has come when it is possible
To write the history of the decline ana
fall of a great American industry. 1t
has made men rich: il still furnishes
support to some; but its glory is de-
parted. 1t will soon be forgotten by the
public, unless its record is written while
memories are fresh.
I refer TO the green-goods industry,
and | shall try TO point out what such
history as | have suggested ought to IN
clude. 1t would be interesting morally
because it would contain a warning
against covetOuSneSS, and proof OF the
of riches: it would be val
liable scientifically as showing that some
men are descended from sharks rather
than monkeys. 1t would also show how
perfectly the laws of evolution work in
business affairs.
1t would begin with Tunbridge. Like
Shakespeare he is too great man to
have more than one name IN common
use. The interesting portion OF his ca
reer began shortly after the war. l
heard the story from Lawyer Ambrose
II. Purdv. who was Assistant United
States District Attorney AT the time.
Everybody knows about the green goods
business, but most people are as lgno-
rant of its origin as was before my
talk with Mr.. Purdy.
about the close OF the war, he said,
''counterfeiting was almost as common
as lying. People were ignorant OF the
currency. and the queer went almost
as well as the genuine. The counter
feiterS kept improving their work all
the time, until at last, you remember,
they initiated the United States 80
bonds so perfectly that Jay Cook ~ Co.
and Vermilyc ~ Co. got about $500, 600
worth of them. which were so good that
they went clear to the redemption de-
partment In Washington before they
were detected rs fraudulent. Then
came the famous Government suits
against the firms mentioned; and, in
short. the counterfciting business was
pretty well advertised.
"About this time came Tunbrldge
with d big idea. He got out circular
saving that he could produce exact fac
SMILES of the currency of the United
States. The letter was skillfully word
ed so that every reader would expect
counterfeit money. He sent his price
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25

work their game openly as they used
to- Now they meet their victims at
some suburban hotel and bring them in
closed carriages. Altogether, the more
stringent law and the better enforce
ment of it are the means by which this
bad business has been reduced TO its
present. comparatively meager proper
tions."
BY the way, Mr.. ComStock also told
me a curious fact which might be of in
terest to students of psychology. IL was
this The den of the sawduSt gang is
always an opium joint. What is the
connection between opium and bunco?
and does the Eastern drug account for
the flights of poetic Imagination fire.
quently noticeable in green-gOods circu-
lars. HOWARD FIELDING.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25

were gullble and then used the names
over and over again. It's curious fact
that the man who has been fooled once
is the easiest man to fool again. The
green-goods man would work his list
out, and then turn it over TO the gold
watch Swindler, who would cheat the
same people once more, and then give
the names to some other sort of sharks.
These long lists used to sell for dollar
a name from one swindler to another.
"Whcn the green-goodS operator dis
covered man of some intelligence and
courage who really wanted to buy
counterfeit money, but was wary and
shrewd, he had trick which combined
mechanical ingenuity with knowledge
of human nature. Do you know that IA
bill can be split lengthwiSe, so that the
front and back will be two separate
pieces"
| wouldn't have thought il possible.
"Well, ii can be done by Il machine.
The green-g6ods man works his game
this way: He takes good bill, splits it,
and pastes the face upon a piece of
paper He sends this to his sinful cor
respondent who is looking for the
queer and writes note to the effect
that the back plate isn't done, but he
sends the front as a sample. The cor
respondent, especially If he has any
knowledge of engraving, is struck by
the excellence of the work. BY and
by he gets the back Of the same bill
pasted upon paper. He sees that the
work is equally good. With it comes
the query: How much do you want?
In a good proportion Of cases he wants
all that he can get, and he comes TO
New York after il with the usual re-
suit.
"In the old days, and. even now, for
that matter, the greater part Of the
victims were from the South. They
naturally hadn't the same delcacy Of
conscience about cheating Uncle Sam,
for the war feeling still survived. |
went through the South in 1871, and at
many railroad stations ! saw placards
with the advice: Don't send to New
York for counterfeit money. 1t IS all a
Yankee swindle' In those days there
was fortune in the business. The
leader of almost every New York gang
has made himself rich. The game was
worked openly, compared to what is
possible now. These green-goodS men
were not devoid Of humor, either, and
there are many funny incidents mingled
with the tragic.
For instance-and it illustrates what
said before about the permanent guilt
bilty of men.-I defended the hand
shaker of gang which swindled SYN
dicate of three men from Havre de
Grace. The 'hand-Shaker, you know,
is the man who meets the victim when
he arrives in the city. The man who
finally does the trick is usually young
fellow disguised to look about sixty
years old. In this case he sat right be-
hind me in court while the witnesses
were telling about the old fellow Of
sixty who had Swindled them, and he
was not recognized.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
PROVIDENCE IN WAR.
INSTANCES OF DIVINE INTERFERENCE IN BAT
TIE.
How General 0. 0. Towards Prayer Was An
swersd a. Bull Run-Gsnsral Grant
Firm Believer in Pr0yitsnlll
interference.



WASHINGTON, January pa short
time ago the writer of this paper was
walking with an intelligent young man
through the crowded street Of New
York: we were couverSing upon Ordi-
nary topics as suggested by our con
facts and surrounding. when he without
any apparent connection slac6ened his
gait and asked; DO YOU think that
Divine Providence iuterpOSeS in events,
in war for example2"
The writer answered; surely. God
Is everywhere and in every thing
He replied. 1t may be So. but with
my daily associations and adverse in
fuences it is hard TO believe in any Di-
vine Presence.
Within AN hour after that time and
conversation a paper was solicited upon
the subject: Providence in War"
To Israelitcs and Christians the Ola
Testament Scriptures furnish abundant
material of the direct and indirect i'm
terpoSition of the hand of God. from
the times when Abraham. under Divine
favor and blessing. sent out his trained
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25

lows to be in his possession is counter
felt bill. Finding that in his place OF
business would mean conviction. Well,
In examining the bundles of money
which Elias dupps had sent him, we
discovered, by good luck, just one
counterfeit five dollar bill. 1t was an
accident all around, no doubt. You
never saw man so chagrined as Elias
was, to think that he had been caught
with counterfeit mouey. We had him
indicted on the strength of that bill and
could have convicted him-the jury
would have found him guilty on general
principles-but we thought it wasn't
quite square.
The next game which the green
goods men got up was TO send for lists
of names to postmaSters. They got hold
of these addresses; learned what men
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
Young Art in Chicago.
Chicago Tri6u0A

Il must tell you good story on
young student in my place, said an
artist whose studio is on State street.
"You mustn't use my name, for don I
want TO iniure the young man. lie had
expressed wish TO make some Scrip
tural paintings. and | told him to go
ahead. He selected for his subject the
killing of Abel by Cain. On the whole
it was creditable, except for some limo
yations. For instance, he had put a
sandbag in the hand of Cain and in the
background he had a patrol wagon com
ing to the scene full tilt. drawn by
camel l would have given money to
retain that painting, but the young
artist destroyed it in spite OF my re-
monStranceS and offers"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
Feels Better.

Are you happier since your second
MARRIAGE" he asked of his friend. as
they rode down town on Broadway
car.
"Oh, much happier"
Then it was a case of love-"
Exactly, the same as with my first,
but there is the difference feel more
settled"
In your mind?'
Yes, and in other ways, 1t was
never quite clear in my first venture
who ran the house, but in this case
everything is plain sailing and no occa-
sion for dispute"
''She knuckled, eh?"
"Oh, no, she's boss"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
CAUGHT.

Il. T. Barry in Photographic Times.
They were sitting bv the iire,ide
On very frosty night.
And their heads were close together
As they talked of-wcll-the weather.
Or, perhaps-the "lnjun fight.
rs their chat grew more engrossinc
Near and nearer yet he drew
Till her fair hair brushed hi shoulder.
And in trembling tones he told her
or the-sOrrows Of the Sioux.
Then he put his arms about her
In the dimly lighted room.
And they saw naught but each other.
Never heard her small bad brother
Stealing softly through the gloom.
Till fash dispelled the darkness.
And a shrll voice cried with glee:
Caught YOUR photo-you and sister
Pa will like 10 know YOU kissed her
Buy the negative from me-
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
Humor on the witness stand.

Some of the peculiaritleS OF witnesses
are described in an article which is going
the rounds OF the legal papers, says the
New York Tribune. Some of the mis-
takes and retortS of witnesses are conf
cal.
One, when asked whether her husband
struck her with impunity, said: YES.
sometimes, but generally with his fist. "
Another spoke of the existence of Il
family fuel, evidently meaning 'feud. "
A policeman. who is credited to New
York, said in speaking of his use of a
club: Il am wiling TO be let up on, your
honor. but not altogether. The law
must be dedicated; give him justice tenn
pered with mercy
A boy, who had, perhaps, heard of
police trials before the commissioners,
was examined as TO his knowledge of the
nature of an oath, and in answer TO a
question aS to what was done to persons
who Swore falsely. said: They makes
policemen out of EN-"
woman. who certainly appeared
older, told the magistrate in a French
ceurt that she was twenty-five years
old. A young man who was called as
the next witness acknowledged twenty
seven years. Are you related to the
previous witneSS?' was the first queS-
ton. "IeS, am her son, " was the re-
ply. All" muttered the magistrate,
'.your mother must have married very
young"
An English Judge had an experience
which is not frequently repeated in
courts in this country. The witness in
relating conversation would give the
substance, rather than the words, and
the Judge, Baron Martin, started TO
teach him the proper method of testify
ing. He said to the witness: my man,
tell me just what was said. Yes, my
lord | said that would rot have the
pig" And what was his answer?-
He said he had been keeping it for me
and that he" NO, no, he could not
have used those words, he spoke in the
first person" No, my lord, was the
first person who spoke"
Il mean don't bring in the third per-
son; repeat the exact words used. 8"
There was no third person. my lord
only him and me-" Now. my good
man, he did not say that he had been
keeping the pig; he said, 1 have been
keeping the pig. Il assure you, my
lord, there was no mention of your lord
ship at all. We are on different stories.
There was no third person there; and if
there had been anything said about your
iordShip'S keeping the pig, must have
heard il. The witness was allowed TO
finish his story in his own way.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
Husband and Wife

Have more than once been saved by the
timely use of Kemp's Balsam for the throat
and lungs, after all other remedies have
been tried in vain. The Balsam stops de-
cay of the lungs and cures influenza and
acute and chronic coughs. There is no
other medicine in the world that acts so
promptly, certainly none that does itswork
so thoroughly as kemp's Balsam. All drug
gists sell it, Large bottles SOC. and 81
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25

The three men from Havre de Grace
had pooled their resources: had come up
to this city, and had been steered into
the deu of the green-goods men. They
sat on one side of the table and the
operator on the other. The goods were
exhibited; the bargain made, and the
money planked down. The operator
ran through it rapidly. He paused at a
twenty dollar bill. Where did you get
that?' he said. From the bank at
Havre de Grace, he replied. We'll, it's
no good" said the operator, throwing it
upon the floor. 4 made it myself. He
actually made one Of the men 60 out and
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25

upon his cause, and he lived 10 see the
Union restored and the blot of human
slavery wiped forever from the land; 80
TO the pleading soul it is often darkest
Just before the dawn.
In some similar way the Lord heareth
and answereth every faithful servant
under His Providential Sky.
O. O. HOWARD.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
Mark the Perfect Man.

Miss Elderly during Mr.. CleYerton' 5
New Years calD-Won't you take
glass of wine, Mr.. Cleverton?
Cleverton-ThankS, but I've sworn
Off
Miss Elderby-Then, perhaps, l can
tempt you with cigar?
Cleverton-No, thanks. I've sworn
off smoking, too.
Miss Elderby-Indeed. Then don't
know what | can do for you. Wouldn |
you like to step into the other room
and look at our Christmas mStletoe?
Cleverton Cblushing I'm very sorry,
but I've sworn off everything.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
WILL MAKE YOU SMILE.
A Moment of Terror.
Chicago Times.

"AlgernOn, dear, you silly Ieiio"'
what made you turn so pale when you
proposed? Were you so awfully AFRAID
that | would say no."
mo, dearest, il was not that which
alarmed me. | heard your father call
ing in the dog"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
Don't Worry Me

with your complaints about your teeth, :"
said an annoyed father 10 his 'sweet six
teener." Il told you TO buy the 5000
DON'T and use il. but you didn't and you
deserve 10 suffer" And so she did, and all
other sweet-sixteeners who act like her.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25

DR.. +. c. VESTS NERVE ASD BRAiN f
nEST, a guaranteed specific Tor ht,'.''
ness. Commissions, Fits, Nervous '.-
Headache, Nervous Prostitution. cause
use OF alcohol or tobacco, Ndsri.inr--
Depression. Softening Of the Bran. '''
In sanity and leading 20 mi-ery.a'r.t
Premature Old Age, BaTrennes, L.,,
In either sex. Involuntary Losses ana
torrhg caused by oyer-eXerticI ~ it
Self Abuse or Over-lndulgcnce. Zach
tains one months treatment. q ''a '"
boxes FOR 500, sent by mail prepaid 90
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
MoLAIN BROTHERS

Druggists. Sole Agents, McL-.n b
Market and Twelfth streets, Wteelir-
ial0ed&gc
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-25
. Guarantee Six Boxes

To cure any case. With each order -
u for six boxes. accompanied ~.'h 81
send the purchaser "a written ruafaH.
fund the money II the-reatmcr' does
a cure Gnnrnniees issued nn.E -l--l--
, 1891-02-15

PIERRE, S. D., Feb. I4.-The thirty
ninth senatorial ballot was taken today,
without material change. The fusionists
seem to think that results will be had
from the lllInois-South Dakota confer
ence.
After the announcement of the death
Of Gen. Sherman, resolutions OF respect
were adopted and the legislature ad-
journed. d.
PIERRE. Feb. l4.-lt is learned tonight
thai an understanding has virtually been
reached between the Democrats and indie,
pendents whereby they expect to unite
and elect Kyle United States senator not
later, probably, than "Wednesday. Trip
has released the Democratic caucus. Kyle
is understood to be in accord with the
Democrats on the tariff and other national
issues. 1t is reported that a telegram has
been received from Illinois that Palmer
refuses to c~ountenance the proposed Hi
nois-South Dakota deal.
HURoN, s. D., Feb. IA Senator
Moody was here this afternoon on his
way to Washington. He leaves the field
to.other asDirants-
, 1891-02-15

PAXTON, Neb., Feb. l4.-There is
great Indignation here over a report which
is said to have emanated from Ogallala
that over 100 persons were assembled
here for the purpose OF holding up trains,
a great many OF whom were armed with
revolvers and shotguns, their object being
to supply themselves with coal and other
property, and hat the sheriff had no lied
the gang to disperse. otherwise he would
call upon Governor Boyd for sufficient
assistance to suppress them. The only
excuse for this sensational news is that
about fifteen persons have been around
the Union Pacific depot and it was believed
that their object was to rustic up" a
little coal. There has been no violence
attempted and none of the parties
suspected of wanting coal are around.
, 1891-02-15

LONDON, Feb. IA little girl, Violet
Neviu, who has been dragged about two
continents by relatives struggling "a to
whether she should be educated as a
Protestant or a Catholic, has been finally
turned over by the courts TO a Protestant
relative, Miss Martin, who promises to
settle fl00 a year on her. Her father
and mother are both dead. The father
was a Protestant and the mother a
Catholic. The father bound himself, be-
fore marriage, that the children should
be brought up as Catholics. The little
girl, however. was left with Miss Martin,
from whose possession she was violently
taken after the death of her parents by
another relative, one Connolly. shipped
of to California by way OF Cape Horn
and placed in a convent in San Francisco.
Vigorous legal proceedings compelled
Connolly to bring the child back within
British jurisdiction. and, pending n
decision, she has been kept IN a convent
at Chelsea, 1t now goes back to Miss
Martin and Protestant training on the
ground that the father had selected that
lady as "a guardian before his death.
, 1891-02-15

ST. LOUIS, Feb. IA The announce
ment OF Gen. Sherman's death caused the
deepest sorrow among his thousands OF
friends in this city. Ransom Post, G. A.
R., of which Gen. Sherman was the first
commander. feels the loss more, probably,
than any order 10 the country. The gen
eral had refused innumerable times to be-
come an active member of posts in other
cities, saying he loved his comrades of
Ransom post; had been one of its charter
members and would remain with it to his
dying day. Ii is expected that the funeral
arrangements will be, to n certain extent,
made by Ransom Post, as Gen. Sherman,
in his letter OF Feb. 9, 1890, expressly
desired to be laid at rest by his old COM
rades. Commander Ripley sent a tele-
gram to the generals SOL this Afternoon,
rendering the services of the post and an
nOuncing that an escort and a guard of
honor would be sent to New York. At a
mass meeting of leading citizens this after
noon a message of coincidence and sym
patty was sent to the family. As soon as
the news of his death was received the
fire bells tolled out the intelligence in all
parts of the CITY and the flags on all the
principal buildings were halI-masted.
Those on federal structures were already
at half-mast in respect to the memory Of
Admiral Porter.
, 1891-02-15

ST. PAUL, MINI, Feb. 1.-THE testi.
nony given before the special senatorial
prison investigating committee this after,
noon proved most sensational in charac,
ter. Il. II. Hart. secretary OF the board
OF corrections and charities, made an in,
spection of the prison and testified that
Convict Munger, in charge of the war,
den's stables, furnished convicts with
liquor, and on numerous occasions intoxi-
Gated prisoners were found about the
prison premises at Saltwater. Convicts
were allowed to run loose together in the
cell room every Sunday morning after
service in the chapel. They were permit
ted to hsYe money. and in several in
stances gambling had been carried on.
Ball playing, quoit- pitching, and other
games were often going on, and in the
blacksmith shops convicts made coffee,
molasses candy and lemonade during
working hours. Matron Walker said she
had lots OF trouble with the women be,
cause of the men throwing kisses and
passing signals to them. She finally had
to give orders that the women should be
closely watched. 1t was also shown that
it cost nearly 500 more per year to keen
a prisoner at Saltwater than at Joliet.
, 1891-02-15
Made to Marry an Adventurer,

PTTTsBURG, Pa, Feb. l4.-There is a
sensational sequel to the %elopenent of an
alleged New York merchant, who gave
his name as Walter Eaton, and Miss Maud
Lillienthal. OF Yonkers, n. Y. 1t APP
pears that Eaton has another name, that
oil Sidney Lascelles. and that he is an ad,
venturer who met Mrs. Lillientbal and
her daughter while enroute to Europe in
the fall of 1889. He followed them over
the continent. and being POLISHED and re
fined 500 captured the young lady ;
heart. The engagement was broken off
by the mother when she learned
that Lascelles' claims of ancestry
and fortune were bogus. A month
ago he turned up in New York aud
the affriRhted mother brought her
daughter to the home of friends in
Sewickley. a fashionable suburb Of Pitts
burg. Lascelles followed and held secret
communications with the young lady.
On the day ofthe elopement he prevented
any further heIitatioa by brandishing a
revolver and threatening to kill the girl
and himself. Then held the mother
while the daughter ran to the carriage in
waiting. They were married in Beaver
and returned 70 Sewickley for a recon
citation which was refused. Mrs. Las
celles being disinherited by her mother,
who returned to New York, followed by
the clippers a day later.