Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-03-22
BOUGHT A BEER
And Paid for It with Counterfeit
Nickel-The Sequel.

BY Associated Press.
Findlay, Ohio, March 2i.--For some
time counterfeit nlckcls and quarters
have been IN circulation in Findlay,
and the attention Of the United States
government officials was called to the
fact. Deputy United States Marshal
Dan Harmon Of Toledo was sent here
10 Investigate the matter, but after
spending some time in the city had to
give up the chase without finding a
clew. He placed the matter in the
hands Of Detective KILLER. who has
kept his eyes open since that time.
When the Wood county counterfeit
ers were found out q few weeks ago II
was thought that probably they were
the makers of the coin In circulation
In this city Detective Kibler, how
ever. had his suspicious that the coins
We're the product OF local talent, and
the outcome proves the correctness OF
this theory. Recently he was In n sa-
loon in this city looking after another
matter when a glass Of beer was
bought and paid for by Erastus Levan
with counterfeit nickel. The duh
sound OF the coin as It was placed upon
the bar caught the attention of Mr..
Klbler, and he then felt certain that
he was on the track of one Of the gang.
With this clew TO work on, n care
full watch was kept upon Levan and
his associates. II was found that he
frequented an old Office situated in the
rear OF the lot where his father, Dan
I.evan, resides, ut $40 East street. An
associate of KILLERS was enlisted In
the scheme and proceeded to ingratiate
himself into young Levan's favor, and
obtained his confidence to such an eX-
tent that he was permitted to sleep in
the old office. Here he gained com
plete knowledge OF the work being
done. He found that Levau and a
Charles CULVER were actively engaged
In making the spurious coins and had
about a peck OF them secreted In u
wooden box.
They made their molds from plaster
of paris In cigar boxes. using a shoe
makers clamp to hold the molds to-
gether while the casts were being
made. The coins were made of solder,
with which was mixed n little pewter.
They were bright and shiny when new
and passed readily among those who
were careless and unobserving. An
iron pot upon stove was used for
melting the metal in. and an iron
spoon for dipping 1t and pouring into
the molds Iliblcr also found out
where the solder was purchased In con-
siderable quantities. Having secured
all this evidence. Detective KILLER noti-
fed Marshal Harmon, who swore out
a warrant before United States Com
missioner Belford of Toledo and, arm
ed with this authority, came here last
evening
with the assistance of Detective
Hemphill the two young men were To-
Gated and placed under arrest Levan
was found ut a house OF ill-fame on
Putnam street and Gulliyer at his
mothers home, on East Front street.
They We're taken into custody at mid
night and lodged in the police station
until this morning, when they were
taken TO Toledo. Both Of the prisoners
are young men OF about 20 years. Gull
liver IA n son of the notorious Bill
Smith, who. 20 years ago. made great
reputation as slick thief and all
around crook and was several times
sent to the penitentiary, Once he es
capped from that prison and remained
at large for n long time.
At one time he made counterfeit
money right within the prison WALL
and passed It on for tobacco and othei
| luXurles- His son partakes a grea
deal OF his character Young Levar
| returned home this afternoon, havinf
secured ball for his appearance mex
| Wednesday, when he will have his pre-
| llmlnary examination CULVER will
| have his examination next Monday.
is understood that Levan has mad
a partial confession. duplicating an,
putting the blame of the work upoI
| CULVER.