The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-18
KING OF CONIACEERS.
Clever Jim GuyOn Has Fooled All the
Detectives Who Tackled Him.
Two Famous Efforts to Get the Web
ster Plates-New Counterfeits From
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.

ster Plates-New Counterfeits From
Them.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer
Where is jim Guyon, the counterfeiter?
Since 1879 the United States secret
service officers have been asking that
question.
A dangerous counterfeit has appeared
which makes them believe that jim has
uncovered some old and excellent plates
and is doing business in a new stand, but
one fully as good as the old. Every secret
service man knows that dangerous plates
are in existence They have been hidden
for a long time, but are likely to be drawn
out Of enforced retirement at any time.
jim Guyon belonged to the famous
briggs combine of cOunterfeiters. The
long hunt for him, the failure of Capt.
Wallace Hall at St. Louis, the failure of
young Billy Hall, whose fathers legacy
was a desire that the 'chip of the old
block" should bag GuyOn, and the ro-
mantle career of the briggs combination,
all make up thrilling story of the secret
service and which is on file in the ar.
chiyes of the department.
The story begins in 1879, when a coun-
terfeit SO bill made its appearance in St.
Louis and several western towns. The
bill was of the kind known as Webster
heads because the great orators picture
constituted the yignette. The counter
felt was the best that ha0 so far been
put out, and Capt Wallace Hail. of the
Chicago office, began work on the case at
MOborIy, Mo. where a tall, SmoOthrfaced
man calling himself Quinn had dispensed
a few of the bills first in poker game
and then in horse trade. Hall soon had
a clear case against Quinn, but watched,
waited and Swallowed in hopes of getting
not only one but several of the gang with
their outfit, and above all the plates
These are more important than the cul-
prltS, for a long-lOSJ plate may be dug up
and put into the press at any time.
CLEVER OLD NELsE briggs.
Capt. Hall succeeded in becoming CON
tidential with Quinn, and contracted to
buy $4,000 in queer money for $4,000 in
good stuff.
While the negotiations were pending
in st. Louis, Hail discovered that Quinn's
partner was old Nelse briggs, the notori-
Gus shower of queer money, and that
Quinn himself was really Jim Guyon, the
best engraver, forger and all around
counterfeiter in America.
briggs was then far along in the Cos,
ana the sole desire of his life was to de-
fraud the government
it did not take Hall long to discover
that the pair had plant on Turner's
Island, in the Mississippi river, not lar
from the town of Cameron. Disguised
as an injured train emplOye, Hall went
with them from St. Louis to Cameron,
even talking with them on the train
Then he tore off his disguise and followed
them to the river, where they took boat
for their island. That was enough for
one night, and Hall returned tC St. Louis
and awaited at the Laclede hotel the de-
livery Of the Sc 600 for which he had con-
racted with Quinn, alias Gu.on. But
sick Jim didnot come. Instead, old briggs
calling himself Beaudry, called, and in
ms usually cautious manner approached
Ihe topic of green goods
Finally it was agreed to deliver the
goods at Pearls saloon, the toughest Joint
IN st. Louis. Hall knew this, and knew
mat his life was not worth a siXpeuCe in
such hole if suspected.
So Arch Billings, DonellO and other
secret service men, disguised as wild
|esterners, dropped into" PEARLS
place prior to the time set for the delivery
Of the counterfeits Hall, known as Mr..
law to briggs, kept the appointment.
briggs was late. Finally he came in,
apologized for being tardy, and at once
wanted to know if Hall had the "long
Peen' ready for the 'short green"
which briggs said he had in a brown
paper parcel.
Put your pile and gun on the table"
SAD briggs, land I'll do the same"
Hall did so, and there was genuine
money in his package.
briggs HAD DUMMY.
But briggs parcel was a dummy, and
Ie SAID he had suspected a 'plant" and
uldn't bring the stuff.
But convinced that "Mr Haw" was
ION The square" briggs pulled off his
.othes down to the shirt. Underneath
We're thousands of dollars in crisp coun-
iyytlelts tied with string around his body.
Ike a flash the handouts were clapped
onto the venerable scoundrel's wrists
qua his flannel shirt was stuffed into his
a, for gag. AT a signal Billings
u4u DonellO started for the little room
their fun.
b,,jt. mat rooms engaged, y said the tough
billings covered the barkeeper with
fIu' ana went on as a bullet came after
An, ,,I from behind the bar. Billings turned,
@Tu ms shot took effect
All rev moments both briggs and the