Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-02
|. COMMUNICATING.
Two Men Held for Making
Alleged Queer"
Dennis Knight Pleads Guilty to Max
ing, But not Passing It.
The Alleged counterfeit Money Passed
at West Athens.

Before United States Commissioner
w. S. Choate, Wednesday,. was held a
hearing on the charge of counterfeit
ing. After lengthy hearing, Dennis
Knight and George A. courson, Jr., of
Brighton. were held in $1,000 bonds to
await the action of the grand jury at
trict court which will be held at Port
land the first Tuesday of December.
When the court opened Knight plead
guilty of making the spurious money
but claimed that he passed none of it.
Courson contested his case.
Henry Butler. man so years of age.
was the first witness. He testified that
Courson came to the witness and
wanted change for Il half dollar. Wit
ness replied that he could not change
a half dollar. Then Courson wanted
the change for quarter which the
witness gave him. Took the money
and the next day went to West Athens
and storekeeper there told him it was
bad money. Then left the coin with
Mr.. Holman.
At this point the witness identified
the coin by "A mark.
]. F. Holman, Esq, of Athens de-
Tended the respondent.
On cross examination by Attorney
Holman. witness stated to him that he
did not know that the coin was a bogus
one.
Judson Brown Of West Athens testi-
fled that Courson and knight were at
his house that Knight had money but
CourSon did not.
At this point Dennis Knight, one of
the principals, who plead guilty, testi-
fed that all of the money was made at
the residence of George Courson. Jr,
and that the witness and CoursOn
made the moulds. The moulds were
made out of wood and whiting. Should
not cali them dies. Used new coin for
stamping. Made probably $2.75 or
$500. all in quarters, nickels and half
dollars. Did not calculate to spend any
of the money. Did it just for fun.
The solder used in the work was
bought at Scion and Courson paid for
half of it. There really wasn't but
little of the money made and the wit
ness never carried any of it.
The witness further testified that he
never passed any of the alleged spuri-
Gus coin himself.
On cross examination the witness
testified that he was the first to Sug-
gest the making of money and that
Courson helped him.
Sumner Rowell of Scion testified that
he sold some soft solder to Dennis
Knight previous to the time alleged in
the warrant.
At this point the defence presented
it's evidence and three witnesses were
sworn. George A. Courson, Jr.. the res
pendent. and his father and mother.
The mother, Mrs. Emma Courson.
with a babe in her arms, testified that
she lived at Brighton. Saw Dennis
knight in a room at the house making
money as the witness thought
Knight came to the house with moulds.
George was not there all the time
when they were making money. Knight
said he could make more money at
home than he could working in hay
field. Never saw my son have one
bit of the bad money. Told my boy to
stop making the money.
George A. Courson. Jr, testified as
follows: II never had any counter
felt money. l never helped to make
any. Never passed any and the money
tndt Is CldiIlleu was pdSSeu W MI io"e-
Ter was. as far as l know, absolutely
genuine. Watched Knight make the
money but had nothing to do with it.
The arrest of these alleged counter
letters was brought about by evidence
received at the office of the United
States marshal. AS in such cases
secret service man. George o. Barker
of Boston, was detailed on the case.
The arrests, however. were made by
United States Deputy Marshal Burns
o. Norton of Belfast.