The times., 1899-12-31

lawbreakers and Chief Wiikie says there
has never been a case in this country that
has not been cleared up by the agents of
the CfhCe Mr.. Moran. one of the assist
ants gave a description OF the various
methods Of stealing gold substantially as
above. and also told of a very important
case that he was assigned TO, and which he
successfully handled.
knowledge came to the department that
gold coins were being filed down Their
q Ecs had been removed. He at once set
forth to detect the criminals and nt last
got upon the track Of a man named VIII
cox. This man was followed 10 Denver,
Sioux City. Chicago, New Orleans Louis
/ vile. Cincinnati New York Philadelphia,
/ ard Baltimore. where he was finally cap
/ tured ~ May. 1S94 He reached Baiti-
more Sunday morning and on Monday in
company with his wife, who was his ac-
cCmpliCe went 10 several stores and eX-
/ changed gold, which he had flied down for
paper money The latter he would of
course re-eNchaugc for gold 10 be fled.
lie was arrested and tried ard sentenced
10 four years in the Maryland penitopuary
and his wife 10 sis months in To" city jail.
A complete OUJit vas found jim his pos
session, which was most perfect III every
detail After his term WAS over Wilcox
/ resumed his nefarious operations and was
again convicted and sent to the pcniteu
tiarr for five years.
Nr. Moran says this rec ing process is
the most irsidi0us aad subtle method Of
stealing gold with which the q partmcnt
has ever had 10 contend. because OF the eX-
ceedingly small amount of metal takCl Of
each piece. and of the exact TepI oductlop
Of the reeding, or corrugated edge. In the
case of Wiicox MT. Moran discovered a
flaw in the machine used for re-reeding. by
means Of 4 small cut in the edge OF he
coin. that showed the machine was defec-
tive. and through this he could detect one
Of these coins the moment he set his eyes
upon T.
HNSy the scheme Originated.
W-ileoA~Cave a very interesting account
Of how he came tc practice the reeding
scheme. It seems he was a stock gambler
IN Chicago, and, losing about
Sl5.0d0 one day. became fnan-
ciaIIy ruined He then went to
work 10 make money by very qucs-
tionable method He would split q gold
coin. or coins, aad would then put together
The TWO parts known Is heads and also
the tails" in this way securing a coin
that could be used for Tipping" purposes
with unerring accuracy. The substance
used Tor joining the two halves would
sometimes pTotrude from the edges and
Wilcox was obliged 10 file it away. He
finally became convinced from the amount
of gold that would come of al each fling
that he could make a great deal OF money
by simply fling away the edges, and re-
reeding the coin
The old law under which this man was
convicted applied only to the mutnatiuu
Of coins. and made 10 provision for those
who knowingly used or passed the same
Henry Wilcox suffered smaller penalty
at FIRST than he deserved. Subsequently
he law was amended. and ii now provides
that not only the mutilator. but the know
ing user or passer Of mutilated coins shall
be punished. Since the day OF wilcox
there has not been so clever a swindler
and the department fiatters itself upon
having nearly. If not completely. stamped
cut the vicious brood OF sweaters and dis
honest persons who mutilate coins for
gain.