The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1907-03-01

when cOunterfeiting was carried on &c
a greater extent than now. In fact, II
became a very serious menace to the
circulation of the country. Numerous
bogus bills of all kinds and denomina'
tions were floating around the United
States, and many time it was a toss
up as to whether or not a bill was
good or bad, so perfect were the lml'
tations.
The secret service at this time was
not in the best of shape; it was openly
bruited about that many of the opera,
tives were in sympathy with the gang
of counterfeiters Evidently this gang
had central or national organization,
because every time counterfelteI
was arrested the best legal talent in
the country was employed to defend
him. Bail to the extent of $4,000 or
$4,000 was readily furnished many
times for men totally unknown in the
city wherein they were caught. Then
when the case was called the accused
would not appear; bail would be de-
clared forfeited, and Immediately paid
without waiting for its collection to be
enforced by the slow process OF law
The gang was strongly fortified with
two kinds of money-'green goods" or
counterfeit, which was circulated
among the dear public, and shake
down" or real money, which was used
in the defense of those unfortunate
enough to be caught
Finally, so bold and general did the
gang become, that the entire subject
was laid before cabinet meeting in
Washington and drastic measures de
termined upon. 1t was Secretary
Boutelle who recommended that Col
H. C. Whitley be appointed chief OF
the secret service and given special
instructions to stop the counterfeiting.
Whitley was consulted and, after
much deliberation, agreed to accept
the position, provided he was given
free hand as to men and expense
Politics and pull were to be eschewed;
he was to choose his own operatives
and run the department as his judg-
ment dictated.
Whitley obtained the desired re,
suits. The gang was broken up, and
many of its members sent to Jail or
compelled to remain in hiding. There
were, of course, a great many curious
and exciting cases which were carried
to a successful conclusion, but one of
the most interesting was that of the
Traders Fiyes," so-called because of
a counterfeit five-dollar bill of the
Traders National bank of Chicago.
The spurious bill was well-nigh per-
feet, but, as is usually the case, there
was a slight difference in the details
OF the bill. The cashiers signature
had a curve of the letter made
slightly unlike the original; the let
ter of Traders" barely crossed
given line, taking almost microscope
to detect it.
As soon as it's existence became
known the secret service men in Chi
cago were placed at work on the case.
No Roadway was made. Outside help
was called in; still no clew as to the
identity of the gang uttering this BILL
Chief Whitley, at Washington, was
chagrined, and at long distance began
to direct the case The Chicago opera
tives had about given up in despair
when, one day, Charles Mason, in
charge of the local Office, received an
order from Whitley directing him
(Mason) and one other man to be at
Shenandoah, Ia, two days hence. They
were to arrive after dark, and at
eight o'clock the same evening they
were to board train leaving Shenan.
doah for st. Joseph, Mo. At the first
station south of Shenandoah two
strange men, one carrying sole leath-
er valise, were to board the train
These two men Mason and his partner
were to watch-not for one instant
were they to lose sight of them. At
st. Joseph the two strangers would
leave the train and be joined by a
third party, who would be awaiting
them at the station. AS soon as this
meeting took place all three of them
were to be arrested, and full report
made by wire to Washington. Elk
traordinary care was to be taken to
get the leather valise.
Mason studied these instructions
very carefully. They were specific
and to the point. He was somewhat
puzzled as to who to take with him
Most of his men were busy on i'm.
portant cases and to take any one of
them off at this time might work hard
Col. Jack Cheney was warm per-
sonal friend of his; they had worked
on many a case together; perhaps he
would go. True, Cheney was the head
of a big detective service company
and could command big prices for his
services, but there ran in mis- veins
that always unsatisfied longing for &C
ton and excitement. If he could take
Cheney, Mason felt assured of sue
cess, and he wanted success fcf two
reasons: he admired Whitley and
then, too, he was ambitious and as
pired to higher position in the serv
ice
Wfen Mason's name was brought in
to Cheney by the faithful JEFF he vas
quite busy, but he put everything aside
and babe his old friend welcome
Mason explained his mission and