Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-03-20

perhaps the most batling JOB
ever undertook" said the old secret
service man, was running to earth
what was known as the Hamilton
gang
For several months the states Of
the middle west had been flooded with
counterfeit FIVE, ten and twenty dollar
bills Of a most ingenious make. So
nearly perfect were they that they
were considered exceedingly danger
GUS, and to myself and three assistants
was assigned the task of capturing
the gang.
well, we finally succeeded in trac-
ing the counterfeits to the village of
Hamilton. In one Of the states border
ing on the Mississippi river. We also
learned that the gang consisted OF at
least three men, and obtained a very
accurate description o. one, a partial
description of another, and an exceed
ing vague and unsatisfactory descrip-
ton of the third. However. We felt
confident of their capture, having once
traced them to Hamilton, but we soon
found we had congratulated ourselves
too soon.
I'VE had been in Hamilton but
few hours when we became convinced
that the place was what we termed a
pious town'-that is, that the citizens
were law-abiding and honest and that
II a mint was operated in their midst
1t was probably without their knowl-
edge. certainly without their assist
ance.
When this fact became clear to us,
called upon the village constable, the
only officer of which the town beasted,
and questioned him closely relative to
any men answering the descriptions
In my possession. He was certain he
had never seen any such individuals
In the town. although he had heard of
the oounterfeits which l mentioned
in fact, he had seen several of them.
But he felt positive they were not
manufactured in or near Hamilton.
81 was, of course. positive they were,
and with the constable's assistance,
began a most careful and systematic
search for the men wanted or any clew
that might enable US to locate their
den
Three months passed without re-
suit, although / was notified that a
new batch of the counterfeits had been
'foated.' began to fear had made
q mistake and that the bogus did not
eminate from Hamilton after all. So
l went carefully over my work, only
to reach the same conclusion: the
Counterfeiters must have their head
quarters in Hamilton. But who were
they?
"The town was literally flooded with
bad money. In fact, it seemed to be
the only currency Of those demonina-
lions in circulation in the village. /
was puzzled. Either the entire popu-
llation of the town was in league with
the gang, or else
''Then an inspiration struck me. l
called upon the several storekeepers In
the village.
: ~e'yYbo is your best, cash customer
I asked.
"one and all made the same reply,
without hesitation:
Widow Bartlett
"'Who is the Widow Bartlett?
"'She is the wealthiest woman in the
county, they said. Her husband has
been dead twenty years. He left her
q big estate. She keeps here money in
the bank, and resides in that big brick
house on the hill. She is a recluse;
no one ever visits her.
~Does she make her purchases In
person or through a servant? asked.
In person they said.
"'Pay with currency or checksT
In currency, always
81 went to the bank.
"'How much money has the Widow
Bartlett on deposit here1 asked.
"About ten thousand dollars was
the answer.
"'Does she draw out much?'
Hasn't drawn out any for several
months-nearly a year.
Il called in nay assistants and sum-
moned the constable.
"T have a clew,' / said. The party
who floats this bad money is the
Widow Bartlett
'"The constable was astonished. I'm
possible he said.
Nevertheless, said l, we will raid
her house tonight
about 10 o'clock we surrounded the
two-story residence Of the widow. The
house was dark; there was no sound
within. l rang the bell vigorously sew
eral times, but there was no response.
"'She must be away from home
remarked to the constable"
"'She never goes away from home
ne answered.