The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-02
WERE BETTER THAN UNCIrs,ws
SoonterIeiters Whose Dollars Were Re.
ter Than the Real StuY


Marquette, Mich, Nav 1-Avait,,o
MS trial IN the county Jail in this city is
most unusual sort of prisoner. Few
would ever imagine Edward P. Bennett
TO oe a law-breaker. yet, according to the
story of the United States secret service
detective who effected his capture. he is
one OF the most dangerous counterfeiters
Bennett is more than so years OF age.
quiet and reserved in his habits. He has
seen much and thought much. and when
interested he is pleasing speaker. For
a number Of years previous 10 1891 he
was resident of Ishpening, engaged in
land-looking and exploring for mineral.
one or his finds being the Gutchee GU
NEE gold mine, which was very rich in
pockets, out which cost more to work
than tho gold taken therefrom was
worth. Six years ago Bennett retired 70
his farm at Ensign, Delta county. ffty
miles south Of Ishpem;ng, where he had
little clearing in the forest with
modest log shanty for home. Here ne
lived alone for two years, thence going
TO Colorado Springs, between which city
and the Cripple Creek gold camps he d.
vided his time until 1895. He then re-
turned to his log hut in Delta county.
where he has lived since, rarely leaving
the forest to visit the towns near by.
One OF the great mail order houses Of
Chicago received suspicious order four
weeks ago from Bennett, the money be-
Ing enclosed for the goods ordered. The
secret service department was notified of
tfleo rder, and Detective William Wash
was detailed to follow the goods. which
was done. Walsh and the express parcel
leaving Chicago by the samstrain. Ben
nett received the parcel and was shad-
owed from the railroad sta tion to MS
home by Walsh, who managed 10 secure
an advantageous position for hiding ana
yet witnessing what passed inside the
nut. HIS vigil was not long one. and
forcing in the door the detective arrested
Bennett and at the same time captured
tools. dies and bar silver. Bennett took
his arrest philosophically and mad. no
resistance. remarking 10 the detective as
they were leaving the shanty that il
didn't make any great difference that he
could see whether his last days were
spent in the poor house or in the peni-
that he had got into a fair road
.or one by trying 70 avoid the other He
vas taken 10 the Marquette state prison,
where upper peninsula federal prisoners
Ire detained awaiting trial, and will be |
ried at the next term Of the United |
States district court
Bennett does not deny his intention 70 |
make dollars from the dies which were |
captured in his possession, but insists |
nat he mad made no counterfeits. The |
'fflcials Of the treasury department en-
ertain a radically different opinion and |
eel confident that for two years Bonnet. |
las been making spurious 81 silver pieces
fney think that there is a considerable
Imount OF the money from his private
mint IN circulation. II is certain that
here IS a large amount OF counterfeit
ilver money in circulation in the coun-
~. the spurious coin beingo. full weight
nd fineness. but uttered BY private par
les instead OF by the government. Ben
ett is believed 10 have been one Of a
lumber OF parties in different sections Of
his country engaged in theb usiness o,
making a trifie better coin than Uncle
am Is putting OUT NlsNneT ns had |
omplices in his alleged oounterfsitinv
not known and il is the opinion OF
hose best acquainted with the man tia:
he is found guilty ne will refuse TO i'm
licste his associates. If ne has had
hem.
Thed les captured IN Benefits shanty
re exquisite samples OF skilled labor.
hey are pronounced by treasury Off
lals 10 be among the most perfect and
the most dangerous tha;
ave ever been captured and the secre;
srvice men ere correspon6ingly elatei
: Walsh'S success in securing them and
heir maker. Bennett, does note xpsct 10
ecure his freedom, but fails 70 see that
we're was any moral offense in the coun-
,rfei:ing OF the governments silver
,sus. provided the material used in their
laking was OF the standard fineness and
eight.
Boston. May Edward :. Tsbar.
homas 3. Trip and Morgan Rotch |
ave been appointed receivers Of ne
oxen Spinning corporation. the How
nj Mi corporation and the New Bed .
I'D Manufacturing company. all Of New
sdcord. as the result OF the proceedings
etore Judge Coli n the United States