The times., 1897-09-14
COUNT NTERFE|TERS At WORK
A Number of Bogus Coins Passed
on Washington Merchants.
SILVER DOLLARS DATED 1896
small Purchases Made for Which
the False Money Was rendered
in raynent-The Coiners Thought
To Belong 10 Gang of Italians
Defect Which Led TO Detection.

There is a gang of counterfeiters work
ing in Washington. Their speciality is a
bright and shining silver dollar of the
date of 1896, and the coiners succeeded
in passing a neGlber of thass bogus
coins upon saloon keepers, cigar dealers,
ana restaurantems in South Washington
yesterday, which section seemed to have
been TIE section especially selected for
their field of operations.
Among the victims who paid out their
good money IN exchange for had were
Christian SeitZ, d aluOnkeeper at Sixth
ana Il streets southwest; Mrs. Sophia Lu
rig, sIloCn keeper at No. 1926 Sixth
street southwest. Charles Rockwell, the
proprietor of a cigar store and lunch
room at tho foot of Seventh street, and
il is believed that there are many other
c3aes which have not yet been reported.
Yesterday afternoon man about thirty
five years of age, plainly dressed and,
from his speech, evidently a roIeimc:
either an italian or a Frenchman- entered
Rockwclrs place OF business and asked
for package of cigarettes. In payment
he teGdered a bright and shining silver
dollar, which had good, metallic ring
when he threw il upon the counter The
customer took the cigarettes and 90 cents
ia change and went outside, where Mr.
Rockwell noticed lie joined another white
man and negro.
Sone time after the man had left his
store, Mfr. Rockwell had occasion to look
at his new dollar, and upon examining
it closely saw tnat 1t was d counterfeit,
but nevertheless fine Initiation of the
genuine dollar.
lie at once notified Policeman Peck and
a search was begun for the showers of the
queer" They were traced along the water
front, where It was found that they had en-
tered several places and made a 5-oent
purchase, each time presenting In pay
nent a new silver dollar and getting 50
cents change In good money.
The two white men, both of whom Were
strangers in the vicinity and evidently
Italians, worked together and used the
negro as a stool" At some places the
eolCred uan was sent in 10 make purchases
while his white comrades remained out
outside, and at others he was left 10 90
into the place after the dollar had been
passed and ascertain from the cOnversa-
ton if the proprietor had discovered he
had been duped. The white men were evi-
IDENTIFY old hands at the business and as
soon as their work was done in that sec
tion they promptly sought out new fields
and no trace of them could be found.
The money is described as an excellent
imitation of a genuine silver dollar, with
the date stamp of 1896. II has good
ring, is bright and to the unskilled hand is
Of the proper weight. The most not:cea-
ble defect, and, in fact, that which led to
its detection was the rough edge, for the
die appeared to have been imperfect, as the
edge looked and felt imperfect, and the
rim WAS rough and uneven.
Policeman Peck at once notified Lieut..
Bollingberger, of the Fourth precinct, and
word was sent 20 Inspector Mattingly who
detailed two of his men to look cut for
the trio ii counterfeiters. Chief Hazen, or
the Secret Service, was also notified.
The two white men are believed to be
members of a Dig gang OF Italian coun'
terfeiters whose headquarters was for n
long time in Philadelphia, and who have
shown themselves at various intervals in
different cities. 1t is supposed that the
two Showers - who are probably the man
ufacturers OF the COINS as We'll have also
worked other sections of the city and have
now left town.