The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1895-05-10
How Counterfeiting Is Done.

The Telegram gives the following in
teresting interview with Doc Davenport
on the manner of making counterfeit
money:
The methods and apparatus used by
"Doc" Davenport are very simple.
About all the things that constitute his
outfit are piece OF plaster of paris,
piece OF solder, small piece Of glass,
and good silver dollar. These four
articles Placed in the proper juxtaposi-
tion will turn out dollars, that is, dol
lars of the kind which Davenport makes.
II it is desired to make half dollars, it is
only necessary to substitute an Uncle
Sam coin for the dollar in the combina-
tion, and so on. OF course, should it be
desired to make gold coins, gold solution
must be added.
Davenport talked quite freely when
asked to explain the process. He claims
to have made the coins charged In the
Indictment against him simply to show
the detective, Fresch, who arrested him,
how it was done. lie acknowledges
having been counterfeiter in years
gone by, bnt says he has quit the busi-
ness..afier serving a term in the penitsn-
tiary.
"The process of making dollars of the
kind found in Linn county and OF max
ing the molds, is easily explained" said
Davenport. "The dampened plaster Of
paris is placed in a small box similar TO
cigsr-box, but about one-fourth the
size, The dollar is placed on the smooth
surface of the glass, then the box of plas-
ter is put on top and pressed down un-
til q perfect impression is imbedded in
the plaster. Another block of plaster is
made. and the reverse side of the dollar
impressed upon it, though h without sink
ing in. This impression must be upon
the surface. A difficult aud delicate job
lie to make four nobs on one piece OF plas-
ter and corresponding indentures in the
other, so that when the two are placed
one on another, the impression will be in
perfect adjustment.
"When the molds are accurately made,
the hardest part of the task is over. It
is necessary that they be made with care
decent and respectable courterfei.s are
to be coined. After they are made 4
small grove mus. Le cut in the surface
of one through which the metal is TO be
poured. The metal used by me was SOL
der. If had gone into the business to
make anything, would have used block
tin. But it is simply necessary to melt
the solder and pour it down the groove
when you have placed the two dried
blocks of plaster together. When it
hardens. remove them. The coin should
be touched up here and there with
knife, TO give them the appearance Of
age. New coins are examined more
closely than old ones, and dollars made
Of solder will not bear close exam;na-
ton.
In making gold coins block tin ,ould
OC QaGGs 4uEu SSAuC OGts Ouklk 10
be mixed with it: but bell metal sss-
fully hard to melt. In fact. i, canno,
be done without forge. That 10 why
most counterfeit gold coins do not have
the proper ring. The men do not al
ways have forges, and therefore cannot
use IT, After the coin 10 nodded, it 10
only necessary to wash it with gold &C
luton This is trick that every one
does not understand, for it requires q
nice discrimination ID put on the cor
rect amount. Then. too, the solution
should be colored slightly with some
darker metal. for gold coins. you know,
are not the color OF pure gold. The al
10y gives them bronze tinge.
''But it doesn't pay to make counter
felt dollars. There is nothing in it, for
the amount is too small. Gold COINS are
better. Butt am out OF the business
now