Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-11-25

Az insidious enemies Of the people
IN every walk of life, counterfeiter'
NAV well be classed among the mos
subtle and dangerous persons will
whom officers Of the law have to cope
Ever wide awake and on the alert fol
treachery in their own ranks, THESE
crafty rogues can only be captured
and convicted by means Of carefully
halted traps, or by what is generally
known as the stoolpigeon system.
Counterfeiters are divided into si'
distinct classes: First, the capitalis
or procurer; second. the engraver
third, the printer; fourth. the whole
Gale dealer: fifth, the retailer, ano
s,xth. the shower or circulator. The
canitalist is the most difficult man tc
coach as he seldom handles any OF
the mates or spurious money. Hence
the chief offender in this line may
walk calmly about, defying the detec
tive each tacitly understanding the
other in his relative position; one
inspecting and watching, the other
patiently and tirelessly picking up
crumb by crumb, convicting evidence
The methods pursued by detectives
10 entrap counterfeiters are rarely
better illustrated than in the following
account of the capture of William Nj
Quincy. alias big Bill' the Koniack
or one of the foremost wholesale
dealers In queer" of his day. He was
horn of. respectable parentage, reared
IN the ouietude incident to country
life. educated and supplied with
suficient amount of money wherewith
to live like a gentleman and, strange
" enough. he chose path-that leo
to his ultimate ruin.
In the excitement of those tumultu
nus DAYS the city of New York was
we'll stocked with men possessed oil
a genius for conceiving and conceai'
ing crime. Perhaps no other city ID
the civilized world has ever afforded a
better opportunity for fleeing the
public. Quincy had been handling
counterfeit money for several years
but had managed to escape punish
ment. He was one Of the chief dis
tributors for Joshua d. Miner, who
was the head and front OF a power
full octopus whose tentacles were
stretched out In almost every section
of the country.
Quincy was by no means unattract-
I've in appearance, and there were
few men walking Broadway In his
day whose physique could compare
.favorably with his. He stood six feet
two inches In height and was CORE
spondingly we'll proportioned, whiie
his exhaustive chest and well-developed
limbs gave him the appearance OF
man possessing the muscular strength
of n giant. His black eyes were sharp
and severe, or mild and pleasant, to
suit occasions. In conversation ne
was easy and interesting and. among
strangers, would readily have passed
for a gentleman of marked ability.
To be a leader among the counterfeit
ing fraternity seemed to have been
the crowning glory Of his highest am
bition.
In the spring of 1859 l was ap-
pointed chief of the government Sc
cret service and, though ! had had
experience with General Butler in
New Orleans, and later In the internal
revenue service, was unknown among
the counterfeiters.
Shortly after my appointment l re-
ceived information. at my headQuar-
tiers in Washington, regarding a rather
unique affair that had taken place at
one of the drinking resorts on Hous-
ton street, in New York city. Will
liam Quincy. with his characteristic
push and daring, had invited a party
Of "queersmen" to partake Of ban
Quet at this place. There were "a
persons present at this function. three
exdetectives being among the num-
ber
On the following day was furnished
with the particulars of this remark
able assembly, and the ex-detective
who reported 1t also provided list
OF the banqueters. Among other
things learned that my appointment
% chief Of the secret service was dis
cussed at the affair, and pronounced
good joke upon the government.
Gurney addressed his guests, boast
iully declaring that the new chief
might do for a preacher or an internal
revenue clerk, but that he could
never topr with shrewd men like the
Queersmen."
Now is our opportunity" he said.
TO reap rich harvest" At the same
ume he advised his friends that he
was going to take the new chief into
mis- confidence and keep him well
stuned with fictitious information.
In the meantime" he continued. 81
wiz draw out from him his plans and
Keep myself posted as to his pro-
posed movements"
This plan pleased the fancy of the
scoundrels, and they agreed that Cur
uey was a great man. They were
seated at the tables imbibing wine.
eaa they drank to Gurney's health
.niie the ex-detectives and counter
,ei'ers 1ostled elbows and banded
%Aes good-naturedly as they contem-
r'a'ed the easy times in store for ,
uem' When sufficiently filled with
,ne and enthusiasm. they capped the
."'nax by hurrahing for his satanic
majesty The feast of Belshazzar was