The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-26
Capt. Henry II. Patton Caught with
the Spurious Stun and Makes q
Full Confession.
BEEN GOING ON TWO YEARS
COMPLETE SET OF TOOLS AND SOME
OF THE "QUEER- CAPTURED.
Convict William Alsop Manufactured
and Sold the Money to Patton,
Who Put 1t I'm Circulation.
,,cial to the Indianapolis JournaI

arrest to-day of Capt. Henry r. Patton at
the State Prison South. charged with cir
culating counterfeit money, manufactured
by convict William Alsop, caused one Of
the biggest sensations in years at the
prison. Captain Patton is a brother of
Col. A. Y. Patton, the millionaire manu-
facturer OF Columbus, o., and proprietor
of the Patton Manufacturing Company.
whose works are located in the Prison
South. Four months ago Captain Patton
came here to take foremanship with the
company. and developments indicate that
almost from the time of his arrival here
he has been engaged in Showing the
queer" He came from Minneapolis, and
has wife and two daughters.
For weeks past Warden Hert and Depu-
ty Mayer have been working on the case,
and TO their efforts is principally due the
success in discovering the counterfeiters.
IC proves to be the boldest thing yet at
tempted under the nose of the prison au-
thorities. 1t turns out that United States
detective Louis Summers, of Louisville,
has really been working on the case for
over two years, and he states that the
money has been manufactured at the pris-
on for at least that long a time. The
newspaper men here have known for some
time that the counterfeit money was be-
ing manufactured in this vicinity, as nu-
merous merchants and saioonists have re-
ceived the spurious coin. Detective Sum-
mers had the matter almost to climax
when the change of administration inter-
fered with his plans, and he was forced
temporarily to cease operations.
FINDING THE MOLDS.
Not long ago, when the regular search
of the cells was being made by the
prison authorities, great deal of
spurious coin was found and
turned over to the warden. He
Immediately instituted a search and Deputy
Warden Mayer found in the flask room
molds for the manufacture of dollars.
halves, quarters and nckels. The molds
were made of plaster paris. A strict watch
was instituted and suspicion pointed to
convict Alsop, who is serving ten-year
term for grand larceny, and is one of the
shrewdest men in the institution. This is
his fifth term in this prison. He was sent
from Gibson county A conversation was
overheard between Patton and Alsop, in
which engagement was made to meet
to-day, when some of the money was to be
exchanged.
At the time appointed for the meeting
Warden Hert, Deputy Mayer and detective
Summers were hidden behind a screen.
When the conversation took place they
| overheard ii and saw the exchange of some
money, consisting Of two half dollars and
nineteen nickels. Patton was Immediately
| placed under arrest and confessed the whole
affair He told the officers where $50 in
spurious coin could be found in his shed at
home. A search was made and the money
found. 1t consisted of silver dollars, halves,
| quarters and nickels.
| To the newspaper men Captain Patton
made statement saying that he was
hfty-two years old, and that this was his
| first trouble. He made no excuse saying
that he was old enough to know better.
He was taken to New Albany by detective
Bart Jenkins, of Louisville, assistant to
Captain Summers, where he Will be
given a preliminary hearing by United
States Commissioner Harrison and then
taken to indianapolis. He has been giving
convict Alsop 81 for every s. worth of
the counterfeit and besides traded tobacco
fer the money. Alsop sold the .ooacco 10
| his fellow-convicts at rich profit. The
composition used in the manufacture of the
money was largely antimoay, but Alsop
refuses to give any information as to the
~
how he secured the compositions the mol6s.
etc. That other convicts assisted him is
a certainty, but who they are is not known.
How he kept up the manufacture of the
money for so long without being discovered
is another mystery.
WARDEN HERT'S GOOD WORK.
Almost as soon as Warden Hert took
charge of the penitentiary he became con-
vinced the money was being made and
has since been quietly investigating the
matter, with better success than he an
ticipated The matter has created a tre-
mendous sensation and on all sides the
new prison officials are being commended
for their work in running down the coun-
terfeiters.
At o'clock this afternoon detective Sum-
mers telegraphed to indianapolis to United
States Marshal Hawkins. requesting him
| to send a detective to take Captain Pat
| ton in charge as soon as the preliminary
hearing before Commissioner Harrison is
completed. The hearing will be a mere
form, as Captain Patton, after making
] his confession, stated that he would plead
| guilty, and detective Bart Jenkins, Capt.
Summers's assistant, left with him for
| New Albany. When seen by the Journal
correspondent at o'clock. Captain Pat
ton seemed utterly broken down and
! looked ten years older than two hours
| previously. His brother, Col. A. G. Pat
ton, owns the three largest hollowware
factories in the United States-one in the
State prison at Columbus, one in the
Prison South at Jeffersonville. ai-d one at
| Muncie, Ind. Colonel Patton controls the
| syndicate throughout the country and fix
| es the prices all hollowware goods
| Much of his immense wealth will probably
| be used in an attempt to liberate his
| brother.
| An ex-official of the Prison South states
| that during the Patten administration
| counterfeit money was often found in the
| penitentiary, and attempts were made 10
| discover by which convict 1t was coined.
but without success. That II was being
| made though, we'll known The dol
lars found to-day were dated 1889 and the
/ nickels 1898. Alsop. the convict counter
/ feiter. was sent four times from Gibson
county for grand larceny. and the las;
time from Pike county Warden Hert no.
/ titled detective Summers. OF Louisville,
| who came and made the arrest.
4 American Humanc Annexation.
MINNEAPOLIS. Sept G-The Americas