The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1904-01-22

49, Sa6 HAaoOh hhN hOh wan
. are "going to die" are In good health
/. and waxing more robust every day.
1t Is remarkable what miracles a
model prison can perform. Here Is
Brockway, long the terror of the gov
ernment and it's picked men of the
secret service, transformed into be-
nevoleut-appe airing, fascinating man,
who revels in literature and is the
best read man In the prison. His
favorite books after works on science
and logic are the novels OF Scott and
Thackeray and the poetry of Burns
and Shakespeare.
1t is worth noting that before he be-
came printer in New Haven, Brock
way, when a poor orphan boy, left by
Presbyterian parents, begun his ca
reer in the studio of Professor Morse.
then portrait painter, and later the
discoverer of telegraphy. Here Brock
way learned something of art. Pro-
lessor Morse was experimenting in
the direction of printing In colors and
was assisted by an employee OF Charles
Tappan & Co., bank note printers of
that day. Young Brockway soon
lettering his condition, went as an
apprentice to Tappan & Co., and
there learned the bank note business.
Later, when he got into trouble by
being falsely accused, as he claims,
he wanted to become a sailor. He
shipped as a cook. but met disaster,
came near freezing to death, and f.
nally returned to his old shop and
continued perfecting himself In the
art OF blnk note printing. He be-
came famed for his great skill and
was selected to print the plates illus
trating Trumbulls "Histry of Con-
necticut."
There Is one thing want to deny
most emphatically," said he as I was
taking leave of him, that l have
been at the head of gang of counter
feiters. There never was Brockway
gang and all statements to that effect
are false. am my own master and
am responsible for my acts. have
nothing to do with others, nor 9th
ers with me-"
Brockway's career as forger and
counterieiter began in 1850, it Is de-
clared. He was arrested by the gov
eminent In October, 1860, for the for
gerry OF $2o4 900 United States 6 per
cent. bonds. For this he was SEN
fenced to thirty years in prison, but
upon his surrendering all his counter
feiting tools and giving valuable in
formation concerning similar swind-
les sentence was suspended.
He was arrested again in 1868 for
forging Morris and Essex railroad
bonis snd sentenced to five years in
state PRISON. The suspended sentence
was for some reason not enforced
against him.
Brockway lived for many years.un-
der the name of Spencer in Brooklyn,
with his wife, son and daughter. He
passed as sea captain, and his abb
sences from home was accounted for
as voyages The family were
members of DR.. Clark's church of the
Messiah, aud Brockway himself fire.
quently attended the services there.
He was supposed to be an eminent.
" respectable member of society uu-
til he had trouble with his wife.
Soon afterxard he was arrested for
crossing the Wall street dead line"
and his real character was disclosed.
1t is said that his family, up to that
time, had been in ignorance OF his
real business, supposing him to be an
honest engraver and printer.
The details OF the arrest at Heboken
OF Brockway and his alleged accom-
plices have been widely published.
The detectives found 5000, 900 In Ca
madam notes, with only the reverse
side printed; $2oo, 900 in United States
gold certificates, nearly finished, and
fibre paper prepared for printing
$500, 900 more. 1t Is said that the
counterfeiters were backed by some
of the wealthiest and cleverest crimi.
nails In the country.