New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-20
COUNTERFEITERS ARRESTED.
IMPORTANT CAPTURES BY SECRET SER
VICE OFFICERS.
SILVER CERTIFICATE CAUGHT AND
THEIR APPARATUS SEIZED.


Washington. April 19.--Probaby the most i'm
portant capture In the history OF the Secret
Service was made yesterday in Philadelphia by
Chief John r. Wilkie and his agents when they
arrested Arthur Taylor and Baldwin $. Bredell.
the makers of the famous counterfeit Monroe
head" 500 silver certificates. These arrests
followed to-day by the capture in Ian
caster. Penn OF William NJ. Jacobs and William
l.. Kendig, two cigar manufacturers. and James
Burns, who was employed by Jacobs. The orig
inal plate from which the silver certificates were
printed, new 800 counterfeit plate and new
$50 plate. and also three sets OF plates for the
printing OF counterfeit revenue stamps. rolls
other paraphernalia and about Ave tons OF paper
and a large amount of counterfeit stamps
also secured The Monroe head"
plate. the stamp plates and the other ma
terials found in Lancaster. where the
printing done. The plates for the new
500 notes and the $50 notes were found In
Philadelphia. The officials have taken posses
sion of the factories of the cigarmakers and
have also attached their bank account
Taylor and Bredell. It is said. were captured
while actually a work the plates. They
are young men who were employed in Phila-
depha by different firms. but some time ago
started in business for themselves. They are
said to be expert engravers. and have never
before been under suspicion. The men were
taken before United States Commissioner. and
undoubtedly will be brought to trial at the ear
lest possible moment They said to have
confessed to-day that less than $4,000 OF the
famous notes were put in circulation. The silver
certificate. which was first discovered year
ago last fall by an official Of the Sub-Treasury
In Philadelphia, was probably the most danger
GUS counterfeit ever put in circulation. and even
the experts Of the Government for a long time
were undecided as to whether the note was gen.
uine or counterfeit After a careful search.
however, a distinguishing mark was discovered
which decided the question and enabled the off,
cials readily to distinguish the genuine from the
spurious
Secretary Gage recognized the great danger OF
issue of many millions Of dollars At the same
time he sent warnings to all parts of the coun-
try fully describing the note. This prompt ac-
ton baked the counterfeiters at the beginning.
Although less than hundred notes were
issued, only about tWenty-six have been discoV-
cred. Plans were set on foot TO arrest the coun-
terfeiters, and, acting on the advice of Assistant
Secretary Vanderlip, John +. Wilkie news
paper man of Chicago, who was known to have
done some clever detective work, was sent for
and placed in charge OF the Secret Service
Bureau He Immediately made his plans, ana
on February !, 1898. found the clew which re-
suited in yesterdays and to-day's important
captures
From the first appearance Of the notes Secre-
tary Gage and Assistant Secretary Nanderlip
have taken great interest In the capture OF tne
culprits. and during the last fourteen months
have been In close touch with every move tnat
has been made and have materially assisted
Chief Wike in his long hunt.