Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-21
QUEER MONEY MAKERS
Caught in Clever Way by q Couple
of Detectives in Cincinnati.
THEY GAVE THEMSELVES AWAY,
An Honest Man Taken Into Their Conf
dence Betrays Them.
A BAD GANG IN THE LAWS CLUTCHES

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArcH.1
CINCINNATI, Feb. 20.-Just without the
shadow of the Government building this
morning one well-dressed man handed an
envelope to another. 1t was the signal for
an arrest that led to the breaking up of the
neatest little gang of swell counterfeiters
that the Secret Service officers ever stum-
bled over.
1t was Ralph Wishon who rendered the
sealed packet, and . moment later he was
on his way to Uncle Sans quarters, in
charge of United States Detectives Bauer
and Williams. The confederate whom
Wishon had trusted proved to be an honest
man, and he baited the trap into which the
leader fell. He was soon Joined by W. G.
Hera, one of his companions in crime, and
later on William T. Brown, an engraver,
was captured. The CONSERVATION was great,
and when Hera realized that his secret had
been discovered he pulled out revolver
and to end his miserable life. Forty years
have passed over his head A minister's
son and the brother of Dr. Hera, an honor
able man, he sought death rather than face
justice.
Interesting Story of the Raid
The story of the raid is most interesting
one. The Government authorities learned
several months ago that gang of counter
feiters was located in this city, and some of
the best detectives in the service were sent
here to locate the gang. 1t was through in
formation furnished by Chief Engineer A.
V. Fleming, Of the Consolidated Distilling
Company, that they got the first clew.
Some time last December Wishon called at
ho1 81 r. IL
said he was out of work and wanted a job.
Fleming promised to assist him, and the
two became very intimate.
The day following the arrest of William
I. Powers. a Walnut Hill cable car con-
ductor, on the charge of showing counterfeit
quarters, Wishon called on Fleming and
asked him what he thought of man who
would try to get rid of counterfeit money.
Fleming jokingly replied that it was all
right so he didn't get caught Wishon took
the reply in earnest, and he made an en-
gagement to meet Fleming at his house.
How tho Gang Was Trapped.
AT this time he unfolded his plans. He
told Fleming he had been in the business of
making counterfeit money for some time,
and as he had been his friend, he would let
him in on a snap. He said he was getting
So plate made, and when it was finished their
fortunes would be assured. He also told
Fleming that he had taught Powers how to
make the silver quarters, but that he had
been too free in getting rid of them and had
got into trouble.
Fleming realizing that the man was
scoundrel, nevertheless fell into his views,
and said he would like nothing better than
to join the gang. They had number of
meetings, and in the meantime, Fleming re-
ported the matter at police headquarters.
To-day was the time booked for the delivery
of the first bills to Fleming, and the arrest
of Wishon took place
Hera's home in Newport was searched
and the find was the richest made for years
A room full OF the counterfeit stuff was
found, with plates of the Grant S. silver
certificates and the $40 Hendricks bill The
work was almost perfect. The three pris-
oners we're arraigned before United States
Probasco, and in default of
bail they were all committed. Their hear
ing will take place next week.
Kennedy & Mason, of Broadway, had
received an order for new printing press,
and the queer would have been flooding the
market in another fortnight. The bills are
remarkably good limitations and would
puzzle an expert