Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-20

Washington, April 19.-Probably the
most important capture in the history
of the secret service was made yester-
day in Philadelphia by Chief John e.
Wilkie and his agents, when they ar
rested Arthur Taylor and Baldwin S.
Bredell, the makers of the famous
counterfeit Monroe head" $500 silver
certificate. These arrests were follow
ed to-day by the capture in Lancaster,
Pa, of VIM. M. Jacobs and VIM. l..
Kendig, two prominent cigar manufact-
urers, and James Burns, who was in
Jacobs employ. There were also cap
tured the original plate from which the
silver certificates were printed; a new
hundred-dollar counterfeit plate and a
new $50 plate, and also three sets OF
plates for the printing of counterfeit
revenue stamps, rolls. other parapher-
MALTA, and about five tons of paper
and a large amount of counterfeit
stamps.
The Monroe head" plate and also
the stamp plates and the other mate
rails were found in Lancaster, where
the printing was done. The plates for
the new hundred dollar note and the
fifty dollar note were found in Phila-
session of the factories of the cigar
makers and have also attached their
bank account. Taylor and Bredsll, it
is said, were captured while actually
at work on the new plates. They are
young men who were employed in
Philadelphia by different firms, but
some time ago started in business for
themselves. They are said to be ex-
pert engravers and never before have
been under suspicion. The men will be
brought before the United States COM
missioner and undoubtedly will be
brought to trial at the earliest posi-
BILE moment. They are said to have
confessed to-day that less than S10,-
900 of the famous notes were put into
circulation. The silver certificate,
last fall by an official of the sub-treass
ury at Philadelphia, was probably the
most dangerous counterfeit ever put in
circulation, and even the experts of
the government for long time were
undecided as to whether the note was
genuine or counterfeit. After a most
careful search, however, a distinguish
ing mark was discovered which de-
cided the question and enabled the Of
ficials readily to distinguish the genu-
inc from the spurious. Secretary Gage
recognized the very great danger of
this new note and at once called in
the entire issue of many millions OF
dollars At the same time he sent
warning to all parts of the country
fully describing the note. This prompt
action baked the counterfeiters at the
very beginning. Although less than a
hundred notes were issued, only about
26 have been discovered.
Plans were set on foot to apprehend
the counterfeiters, and acting on the
advice of Assistant Secretary Wander
lip, Mr.. John E. Wilkie, newspaper
man of Chicago, who was known to
have done some very clever detective
work, was sent for and placed in
charge of the secret service bureau.
He completed his plans, and on Feb
ruary 1, 1898, found a clue which re-
suited in yesterdays and to-day's i'm
portant captures. From the very first
appearance of the notes Secretary Gage
and Assistant Secretary Vanderlip
have taken a great interest in the cap
ture of the culprits. and during the past
fourteen months have been in close
touch with every move that has been
made and have materially assisted
Chief Wilkie in his long hunt.
Lancaster, Pa, April 19.-The war;
rants for the arrest of Jacobs, his two
book-keepers, Henry Brallier and ST.
mon Kleinondlinger; w. L. Kendig and
his foreman, James Burns; John Doe"
and 'B. F. Zercher." were sworn out
by United States Commissioner Henry
F. Edmunds, of Philadelphia. Secret
Service Agent John v. Wilkie, accom-
panied by a dozen secret service detec-
tives, came here this morning. Chief
Wilkie first issued attachments on the
Fulton National Bank. the Farmers
National Bank and the Northern Ma
tional Bank on the. deposits of Jacobs
in these institutions, amounting to s25,-
900. Jacobs was then placed under ar
rest, and later all those ramed above
with the exception of John Doe" and
'B. F. Zercher," these latter names I'M
doubtedly being fictitious. The accused
were taken before United States Com
missioner B. F. Montgomery and waiv-
ed hearing. The commissioner fixed
Jacobs bail at $45. 1000 and that of KEN
dig and Burns at $4,000 each.