Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-27

that time Cincinnati was one Of the chief
sources of supply for the middle west.
supply was cloudy. but knew IL my plans
di not fail that feature of the case would
soon develop.
In my room at the hotel Stansbury and I
carefully concocted a new identity for my
self and q story with which to bolster IL up
In case the men we expected to associate
with became too inquisitive l assumed the
role of Stansburys uncle, whom he had not
seen for many years and who had returned
from the west with some money, but not
SO much that he was ayerse to making
more. Neither had the uncle brought back
with him from the west any troublesome
scruples as to how the money was to be
made.
Ne sooner had completed my plans with
Stansbury than Cashier Ham of the First
National Bank who had been let into the
secret of Stansbury's employment by me.
took me aside and said:
you'd better watch your man closely
he's too thick with that gang to be de-
pended on. He may turn out all right. but
watch him"
Although considered my judgment of
men accurate Mr.. Hams the latter
had personal knowledge OF Stansbury.
and his warning was disconcertins. hao
I been led into plan whereby the MEM
bers of the band were to be kept informed
of my movements through the man l had
hired to protect the governments interest
II so might as well leave Mt Vernon and
approach the task from another direction
later. But l had gone too far to retreat
on account of one mans opinion.
My first personal introduction to mem
Der of the Jefferson county band was TO
Edward Mecum, one of the younger mem
bers of secondary Importance. Meeum lived
I'm Williamsburg and bore the reputation oil
being a tough" citizen in many ways. In
fact. he had about the worst reputation Cd
any of the counterfeiters. We started with
Mecum because Stansbury was on terms OF
greater intimacy with him than with other
members of the crowd Mecum took the
bait, accepting me without hesitation as
his friends uncle, and discussed counter
feiting matters with no more reserve than
he would have used had Stansbury and he
been alone. My assistant bought little
''coney" from Mecum, his pretense being
that he was buying the stuff for me and
wanted it in considerable Quantities.
Some time later Stansbury went to see
DIR. Laur in East st Louis. Laur had
known him for years and trusted him. al
though there had been no dealings In bogus
money between them. The doctor intro
duced his visitor in different gambling
houses and otherwise accorded him what
he believed to be desirable entertainment
Then my assistant preached the subject OF
obtaining ''coney.'
81 know you're all right, JIM" said Laur
but the fact Is have only about $3.50 my
self now and couldn't very we'll let you
have any until 1 get some more.
when can you get it," asked Stansbury
ANY time l go after It,"
Where does 1t come from?'
Cincinnati; l can get all l want from
| Mother Roberts,
Cant you arrange 1t so that l can get
| 1t from Cincinnati myself?"
Eyes. the next time l go there I'll take
| you along and introduce you, SO you car
| buy all you want"
| Cant you let me have any coney nowy'
"As a favor I'll let you have a ten, but
that's all can spare"
| Stansbury thereupon bought a counterfeit
| $40 bill for So so. and returned to Noun
+! Vernon. I was aware that at this time
| Chief Washburn had lines thrown out fol
1 the capture of the Cincinnati crowd anc
| dared not run the risk of interfering witt
| mis- plans by carrying my scheme into tina
| city at least not without the chiefs sane
| ton.
| The ease with which Stansbury ingrat
| ated himself into the confidence of thu
| dozen more men involved surprised me
| Starting with Mecum, of whom he bought
| some counterfeit scrip, and running through
| the entire list, succeeded in making
| deals with every member OF the crowd. Al
| the time l was watching my assistant
| sharply. but never found the least indica
| ton of treachery toward me in his con
duct. and during the entire case he proved