Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-07
GIGANTIC GANG
Continued from page ~

Prospect avenue, Revere, three months
ago. The package of paper was shipped
on the day before Thanksgiving.
Ritchey learned the train on which
the package of paper was to be brought
to Boston and took the same train. In
Boston the coming of the package was
expected. 1t was called for by Novak
and Ritchey was on hand. Novak
signed the name of Frankel and took
the package away. The detective fol-
lowed him.
There We're three reams of paper i'll
this package, sufficient to print great
many Of the counterfeit notes.
The man was followed to the house
on Prospect avenue, Revere. Ritchey
communicated with New York and
others of the force We're sent over to
help him watch the place.
Agent Murphy OF the Boston Office.
had all along been acquainted with
what vas developing in New York. He
rendered all possible assistance, and it
wasn't long before the detectives had
arranged with John s. Patterson, who
lives across the way from the Prospect
avenue house, to watch it from his
windows.
The detectives soon found that sew
eral men frequently visited the place
at night, leaving early in the morning.
1t is surmised that two of these men
are the ones who have been ordered sent
to Boston to be tried here. 1t is be-
lieved that they carried the bad money
to New York for distribution, as no
spurious bills were found in the Pros
pect avenue house.
1t was explained by one of the secret
service men, yesterday, that the process
by which the bills were mode was Htho-
graphic.
Davis is an expert photographer. Cen
uine bills were photographed on metal
plates or stone and then impressions were
made on the paper which had been OBJ
tanned in New York, and was as near the
genuine bank not paper as it was possible
to obtain.
nounced by the secret service men TO be
well nigh perfect and difficult OF detec
ton.
The people living in the vicinity of the
Prospect avenue house knew very little
of the occupants. Only the three mon ar
rested were seen to frequent the house.
There was q woman there, and three
children The woman is the wife of
Novak. Two of the children, boy and
a girl, aged l and years respectively,
are hers. She was married to Novak when
she was IS. She is now 26, Novail is g..
The other child is a girl of .. belonging to
Davis. His wife died in London, two
years ago, about the time OF the birth Of
the child.
Davis intends to put the child in a home
in this city now that he has been ar
rested and expects to go to prison
Davis is a Russian. He is said to have
learned the trade of an engraver. He is
tod hn m - tl.t n
counterfeiting in New York in 1885. He
was known under the name of Lieberman
at that time. That is the name that he
gave when he was arrested in. England
some years ago for forging notes of the
Bani of England, He informed on his
confederates at that time and escaped
punishment.
1t is said that he attempted to do this
by his confession to Capt Flynn after
his arrest in Revere. but his evidence, it
was stated. was not necessary.
Tho plant found in the Prospect avenue
house is pronounced by the secret service
men as almost perfect. The Photographic
apparatus was complete, and the other
apparatus was all mat was needed to
show the business that the prisoners were
engaged in.