The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-04-20
COUNTERFEITERS
RUN TO EARTH
Secret Service Men Make
a Big Haul.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, April 19.-Probably the
most important capture in the history of
the Secret Service was made yesterday
in Philadelphia by Chief John F. Wikie
and his men when they arrested Arthur
Taylor and Baldwin S. Bredell, the max
ers Of the famous counterfeit Monroe
head 500 silver certificate These ar
rests were followed to-day by the cap
ture in Lancaster, Pa, of William NJ ia
cobs and William L. Kendg, prominent
cigar manufacturers, and James Burns,
who was in Jacobs employ.
There We're also captured the original
plate from which the silver certificates
were printed, a new hundred-dollar coun-
terfeit plate and u new $50 plate, three
sets of plates for the printing of counter
felt revenue stamps, rolls, other para
phernalia about five tons Of paper and
large amount of counterfeit stamps. The
Monroe head" plate and also the stamp
plates and the other materials were found
in Lancaster, where the printing was
done. The plates for the new hundred
dollar note and the $50 note were found
in Philadelphia. The officials have taken
possession of the factories of the cigar
makers and have. attached their bank &C
count.
Taylor and Bredell, it is said were cap
tured while actually al work on the new
plates. They are young men, who were
employed in Philadelphia by different
firms, but some time ago started in bust
ness for themselves. They are said to be
expert engravers, and never before have
they been under suspicion. They are said
TO have confessed to-day that less than
$4,000 Of the famous notes were put into
circulation
The silver certificate, which was first
discovered year ago last fall by an Off
clal OF the sub-treaSury at Philadelphia,
was probably the most dangerous coun-
terfeit ever put into circulation, and
even the experts of the Government for
a long time were undecided as to whether
the note was genuine or counterfeit.
After a most careful search, however, a
distinguishing mark was discovered
which enabled the officials readily to dis
tnguish the genuine from the spurious.
Secretary Gage recognized the danger
of this new note and at once called in the
entire issue of many millions of dollars.
This prompt action baked the counter
feiterS at the very beginning. OF the
hundred notes which were issued only
about twenty-six have been discovered.
Plans were set on foot to apprehend
the counterfeiters, and Mr.. Wilkie, a
newspaper man of Chicago, who was
known to have done some very. clever
in charge of the Secret Service bureau.
He Immediately laid his plans, and on
February l. 1898, found the clew which
resulted in yesterdays and to-day's i'm
portant captures.
PHILADELPHIA, April ia sensa-
tional arrest was made in this city to-
night in connection with the capture of
the counterfeItng gang. Harvey r.
hewitt, who was Assistant United States
Attorney in this city during the admins
tration of President Harrison, was taken
into custody by secret service men on
warrant sworn out by Chief Wilkie,
charging him with bribing Detective Nc
Manus of the Philadelphia office. He was
given a private hearing before United
hall
In SIS 600 bail, which was furnished by
wealthy friend. 1t was shown that at the
hearing on March s hewitt gave Nc
Manus $500 as a bribe and on March q
$500 more This money was turned over
to Mr.. Willlie as soon as 1t was received.
According to the story told by one of the
officers, Kendig of Lancaster suspected
early this year that he and his confed
crates were being watched by secret serv-
ice men in Lancaster He came to this
city and engaged hewitt as go-between
to bride Officers Burns and McManus,
who were working on the case. Burns
was not approached, but hewitt saw Nc
Manus, and the latter agreed to accept
the bribe All of the meetings between
hewitt and McManus were witnessed by
members of Mr.. Wilkes force, and the
evidence against him is said to be most
positive.
ticed law here since retiring from the
United States District Attorneys office.
He has also been prominent in politics
and was agreed on as the candidate Of
the anti-administration faction of the Re
publican party in this city last year for
Receiver of Taxes. He had been put UP in
David Martin who had captured the con-
yention and nominated his brother-in-law,
w. ]. Roney, for the office. Before cleo
ton day, however a temporary truce was
patched up. and hewitt was withdrawn.
It is stated here tonight that, enough
counterfeit stamps were captured by the
detectives in Lancaster to cover AGO. 100000
ciears AS near as can be learned, about
$40 l 900 worth Of bogus stamps have been
used on cigars thus far sent out from
Lancaster,