The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-22
SWINDLE
INVOLVES
100000
Old Plates Of a Defunct Bank
Used by Coun'8rfsI|srs- Sc
CT0t Service Men al Work.

New York, Aug. 22.-Secret Service men
visited New Brunswick. N. j.. yesterday
in the belief that they had run down a
gang OF counterfeters who have realized
s2,0o0.O0O from a gigantic banknote
swindle.
The notes were from some OF the plates
OF the defunct State Bank Of New Bruns-
wick. The Secret Service men found
notes TO the amount OF nearly 100000 in
possession OF Jacob weigel, thirty, one
of the most prominent citizens of New
Brunswick Mr.. Weigel was innocent or
any intended wrongdoing. the officers
learned, and II was through his aid that
many OF the plates were obtained from
Adam Ludwig, OF No. IL Richmond street,
New Brunswick. Ludwig had the plates
In his junk shop as curiosities. He was
also exonerated by the detectives.
THREE ARRESTS IN SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco dispatches state that
Secret Service agents arrested there yes
terday Frank j. Perry, William Hogan
and II. w Smith, on the charge OF pass
ing notes printed from plates of the New
Brunswick bank Smith has been for
eight years chief clerk of the life saving
service i'm San Francisco, Perry, who Is
said 10 be an ex-convict, gave the inform
alton which led to the arrest OF Smith
and Hogan.
IL was because OF the advices from San
Francisco that the officers went to New
Brunswick yesterday.
There was much excitement in the
town when Il was learned that weigers
name was connected with the case. He
lives at No. 266 Burnett street. His
brother Frederick Is city attorney, and
the family is one OF the most prominent
I'm that locality. Weigers services We're
invaluable 10 the Secret Service men and
may result in the apprehension of the
counterfeiters.
BANK FAILED IN 1873.
The State Bank OF New Brunswick was
considered one OF the strongest banking
institutions in New Jersey at the close
OF the Civil war. II failed in 1873. how
ever. and Col. John w. Newell, brother
OF a former governor OF the state, was
appointed receiver
He thus came into possession OF a large
quantity OF unsigned notes OF the bank
~and also of the original plates. The
notes were I'm sheets of four. each note
ranging in value from 81 to $500, and
few OF larger denomination.
Col Newell kept the notes and plates
in his home up 10 the time OF his death,
in 1892 when his family sold them among
n mass of other articles to Ludwig,
junk dealer.
Mr. Welgel Is an enthusiastic collector
OF old coins stamps and Confederate
money He bought a large quantity OF
the notes from Ludwig and kept most OF
them as curios
Weigel corresponded with other coll
lectors throughout the United States and
thus disposed OF some or the notes. Among
his correspondents was the firm or
Greensburg, e. Smith. Of San Francisco.
L "a Gf1lt ush W a
terday, is said 10 be a member OF the
firm.
When the Secret Service agents ar-
peared al his home Mr.. Weigel willingly
surrendered the notes still In his pos
session. Plates. sealed in the original
wrappers I'm which they had been placed
by Col. Newell. were purchased from
Ludwig by the agents.
OLD NOTES HAVE REAPPEARED.
A large number of the notes disap-
peared when the bank failed. Many OF
them have now reappearcd and have
passed as currency I'm this country and
in Canada.
state institution. and possession Of the
plates is no violation OF the Federal laws.
the Secret Service agents arc somewhat
AZ n loss how to proceed.
II the counterfeiters are captured N IL
believed that they can be convicted on
a charge OF swlndling In many states
where their operations have been con-
Quoted