Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-01-25
MADE AGREAT FIND
Wonderful Machine Unearthed
by the Police.
IT TURNS OUT DOLLAR BILLS
The Most Clever Counterfeiting Device On
Record Sets the Entire Police
Force in Commotion~

Police Detective barr accldently un-
earthed one of the most remarkable
machines in existence last Saturday.
Ii MAS nothing more or less tnan
device for grinding out dollar eerti-
fieates, crisp and new, OF the latest
series. so perfect IN every detail that
the banks ia the city readily took them
and gave IN return hard coin, either
gold or silver. The paper used bears
the well-known kenesaw water-mark.
In appearance the contrIvance Is simple
and does not disclose It's wonderful
block of wood about SIX inches in cir
conference, with two posts on each
side. aud strip OF nickle plated brass
on the top attaching one to the other.
just below this are two small rollers
covered on the outside with black
cloth. Through the right hand post
protrudes two pieces OF steel, to either
OF Which q crank or key can be
attached. The white paper is fed IN
the front and slowly the astonlshed eye
observes q dollar bill emerge, printed q
dark green on one side and light gray
on the other, with the brown stamp, or
government seal, standing out IN bold
relief. 1t was some time before the
workings OF TINS innocent patent was
learned, but once known, dollar after
dollar was turned out ike washing out
Of a wriuger. Like magic the anticipa-
tons and ambitions of the officers
arose.
Entire Force Put on the Case
The next thing to be accom-.
plished was the apprehension OF the
inventor, person or persons in whose
possession the dyes and machine had
been, and to detect some one circulat-
| ing the spurious, but apparently genu-
Inc substitutes for silver dollar certiti-
| Gates.
Apprehendipg that unless instantane-
Gus and combined action was taken
there WAS possibility of the smooth
counterfeiter making his escape. all
the officers on the force, one by one,
| from the superintendent down, was
taken into the private Office and full
explanations made. The first was De-
| tective Smith. He could not Iepress
his admiration for the unknown man
who had turned out such master
pass of two small rollers could be placed
dyes 60 absolutely correct in every de-
| .ail was more than he could under
stard. The artist who cut them must
have been u genius, and the printing of
| five dIstlct colOrs at one impression
| oh, it was great and no mistake. Joe
resolved to work out the mystery and
cover himself with glory. He was al
q 81 Of
| cradle merit-but wait. Detective Cast
and Jackeway, then Sergeants Webb
and Conlan, as fast as they
reported. took their turns. Each
lett the private office with
the parting injunction to observe the
| strictest secrecy. They we're cautioned
| against imparting what they had heard
| and seen even to their fellow officers.
but to keep their eyes open and capture
the sick individual. The police re-
polters were perplexed when they wit
messed so many guardians Of the peace
leaving headquarters with stealthy
| tread and mysterious look. "What was
In the wind?' was the question they
| asked one another.
Sergeant Conlan's Futile Chase.
Sergeant Conlan was seen to call Cap
tain Johnson aside and whisper. 'If l
can be of any assistance will net 60
home today" That settled it. Ser
geant Conlan was Swallowed. but the
reporter was frozen out after the SER
geant had watched one block four
mortal hours without any sensational
developments. Every policeman on
the beat was accosted, but positively
| refused to divulge the slightest linking
# t.r T. -, 4. -,
| the entire police department. Then,
probably thinking thatthc newsgathers
| might te of material assistance, Lieu
tenant Hurley called them IN.
Reporters sworn to Secrecy.
"Before say word" said the lieu
| tenant. Edo you solemnly promise that
you will not publish what is told you
until the thing IS ripe"
1--WE do, we do" he was answered
| with one accord.
| After few explanatory remarks,
! and the assurance that the doors and
windows were closed and every crevice
| plugged. Detective barr ground out
| several dollars while the eyes OF MS
spectators stuck out like peeled Ver-
muds onions.
That's our latest find" he re-
| marked, when sufficient time had been
gwen for the surprise created to wear
away, sand We expect you fellows to
help us catch the owner of this device
for the manufacture of bogus money"
Each agreed, and, like the officers TO
whom the revelations had been previ-
ously made, started out on still hunt.
No one slept that night. All dreamed
| OF encounters with desperate men and
the fame into which success would pre-
cipitate them.
Imagine their chagrin and disap-
pointment when they learn that the
wonderful machine is but loaded
| reel. The new bulls are obtained at the
bank and put IN on the top roller.
When the slip of paper is put in it