The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-20
Two Expert Engravers, Two Cigar
Manufacturers and others Ar
rested in Pennsylvania.
SUPPLY OF SILK-FIBER PAPER
AND COMPLETE COUNTERFEITING
OUTFIT CAPTURED At LANCASTER.
Prominent Philadelphia Lawyer and
Charge of Bribing n Detective.

WASHINGTON, April 19.-Probably the
most important capture in the history of
the secret service was made yesterday in
Philadelphia by Chief j. T.. Wilkie and his
agents when they arrested Arthur Taylor
and Baldwin s. Bedell, the makers of the
famous counterfeit Monroe head" 500 sill
yer certificate. These arrests were followed
to-day by the capture in Lancaster, Pa.
of William NJ Jacobs and William l.. Ken
dig, two prominent Camden cigar manufac-
turers, and James Burns, who was in
Jacobs's employ. There were also captured
the original plate from which the silver
certificates were printed, new hundred
dollar plate and new $50 plate and also
three sets of plates for the printing of coun-
terfeit revenue stamps, rolls and other
paraphernalia 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 materials were
found in Lancaster, where the printing was
done. The plates for the new $l00 note ana
the $50 note were found in Philadelphia. The
officials have taken possession of the fac
tories of the cigarmakers and have also
attached their bank account
Taylor and Bedel it is said. were cap
tured while actually at work on the new
plates. They are young men who we're en-
ployed in Philadelphia at different times.
but recently started in business for them
selves. They are said 20 be expert enSrav-
ers and never before have teen under sus-
picion. The men will be brought before the
United States commissioner aid undoubtei-
ly will be brought 10 trial at the earliest
possible moment. They are SAID to have con-
fessed to-day that less than $4,000 of the
famous notes were put into circulation.
The silver certificate which was first dis
covered a year ago last fall by official
of the subtreasury 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 10 whether the note was gen.
uine counterfeit. After "a most careful
search however. a distinguishing mark
was discovered which decided the question
and enabled the officials readily to distin-
guish the genuine from the spurious. Secre-
tary 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 warnings TO all parts
of the country fully describing the note.
This prompt action baked the counterfeit
ers at the very beginning. Although not
less imam one nuIldreu notes were isSueu
only about twenty-six have been discover
ed. Plans were set on foot to apprehend
the counterfeiters, and, acting on the adj
vice of Assistant Secretary Vanderlip John
+. Will<ie. 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 bu
reau. He Immediately laid his plans, and on
Feb. l. 1895, found the clew which resulted
in yesterdays and to-days important cap
lures From the very first appearance of
the notes Secretary Gage and Assistant Sec
rstary Vanderlip have taken a great inter-
est in the capture of the culprits and dur
ing the last fourteen months have been in
close touch with every move that has been
made, and have materially assisted Chief
| Wilkie in his long hunt