The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-04-28
COUNTERFEIT
POSTAL CARDS

Chicago, April z6-A postoffice
fraud involving the issue and circula-
'0n OF millions OF po'.dl cards
was brought to a close yesterday by
Postoifice Inspector James ~ stuart
who reported to Washington that he
had arrested Louis Smith and had con-
hscafed over 10000 cards, printing
presses card board and plates. Two
weeks ago Inspector Stuart found a
postal card that had a suspicious look.
He az once began an investigation.
-Four days ago he arrested Smith, and
since then by the easy processes OF
private confinement OF the suspect ir
headquarters at the postoffice. he has
succeeded in learning al that it was
necessary 70 prosecute the counterfeit
trs.
Smith. Il is alleged, has been doing
most Of his work in the Hyman build
ing at Is2 south Water street and has
also had an offive in the Rialto build
ING. where he has been conducting the
Nerve Seed Remedy company. and
where he was arrested last Monday.
AT his home in Thirty-hrst street. the
exact location Of which the Inspector
refuses TO give, some OF the counter
feit plates and a vaiise containing 5o-
900 cards were found.
So lar as the Inspector has been able
TO Judge, Smith has been conducting
his scheme entirely alone though he
has employed sevsral Chicago hrms to
help him. all Of them contributing their
part IN an entirely innocent manner.
One Of these hrms was the Prent
Printing COMPANY az Dearborn and
Madicon streets, which turned over 70
spector Stuart was TO have the Prent
Co, enamel a quantity Of the cards as
though they were to be used Tor per-
fectly legitimate purpose. Another
the inspector 10000 cards which they
we're aboL. 10 enamel for Smith.
Smiths scheme. according 10 In
firm he had engrave plate with JET
fersan's head on an invitation card.
Still another he has engraye he
United States OF America. Then he
would place all these parts together,
and thus complete q hne specimen OF
countcHeiting.
Inspector Stuart says that from the
business in cardboard and from other
evidences he has he thinks that Smith
must have made millions OF the bogus
cards. aud that he sod all he made
10 aH parts OF the country. Smith ad-
mlts diat he has been engaged IN the
business cor two years.
Inspector Stuart thinks that smith s
work OF counterieiting was made easier
bv The permission given bv the govern
mcnt to enamel cards which have al
ready been printed by the first pur-
chaser The printing on the reverse
side oi such cards is often deiective, OF
Tor some reason, the person who haC
the work done originally wanted 70 ge'
rid OF them. They are then sold tt
concerns that make a business OF pre-
par;ng them Tor other use. Enamellini
OF some sort or bronze or silver GOV
rring, Is put over them, and then new
printing OF any kind desired may b'
used
Il is said. that for a long time tn
department has susDccted that bogu
cards were beiRg issued, but until nov
40 proof OF any kind has ben at hand
There must have been large profit
in the business, said Inspector Stuart
The government has such work don
Tor seventeen cents a thousand. Smitl
sold such lots for $40. and by addini
the advertisements Of his customers, h
undoubtedly secured manv buyers,
cannot tell YET what effect the discoy
ey viii have on the present issue G
postal cards