The Southern herald., 1910-11-25

hE such perfection was it
ElE = brought that, in many
~ instances, II was ex-
- eeedingly difficult to
detect the bogus stun from the genu-
inc.
As insidious enemies Of the people
IN every walk of life. eounterfeiters
may well be elassed among the most
subtle and dangerous persons win
whom officers of the law have to cope,
Ever wide awake and on the alert Tor
treachery in their own ranks, these
crafty rogues can only be captured
and convicted by means Of carefully
baited traps, or by what is generally
known as the stool-pigeon system
Counterfeiters are divided into six
distinct classes: First. the capitalist
or procurer; second. the engraVer;
third, the printer; fourth, the whole
sale dealer; fifth, the retailer, and
sixth, the shower or circulator. The
capitalist is the most difficult man to
reach as he seldom handles any OF
the plates 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
suspecting and watching, the other
patiently and tirelessly picking up
crumb by crumb, convicting evidence
The methods pursued by detectives
to entrap counterfeiters are rarely
better illustrated than in the following
account of the capture of William M.
Gurney, alias big Bill the Koniack'
er, one of the foremost wholesale
dealers in queer" of his day. He was
born of respectable parentage, reared
in the quietude incident to country
life. educated and supplied with a
suficient amount of money wherewith
TO live like a gentleman and, strange
ly enough, he chose path that leo
to his ultimate ruin.
In the excitement of those tumultu-
Gus days the city of New York was
well stocked with men possessed of
a genius for conceiving and conceal
ing crime. Perhaps no other city In
the civilized world has ever afforded a
better opportunity for heecing the
Dpb,lc Gurney 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 power
full octopus whose tentacles were
atretched out In almost every section
of the country.
Gurney 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 fee'
two inches in height and was CORE
spondingly we'll proportioned, while
his expansive chest and well-developed
limbs gave him the appearance OF
man possessing the muscular strength
of a giant. His black eyes were SHARP
and severe, or mild and pleasant, tc
auit 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 beer
the crowning glory Of his highest am
bition.
In the spring of 1869 ! was ap
pointed chief of the government Sc
cret service and, though l had mac
experience with General Butler IN
New Orleans, and later in the internal
revenue service, l was unknown among
the counterfeiters.
Shortly after my appointment l re
ceived information, at my headquar
ters in Washington, regarding a rather
unique affair that had taken place al
one of the drinking resorts on Hous
ton street, in New York city. Will
liam Gurney, with his characteristic
push and daring, had invited a party
of "queersmen" to partake Of ban
quet at this place. There were q
persons present at this function, three
ex-detectives being among the mum
ber.
On the following day was furnished
with the particulars of this remark
able assembly, and the ex-detectiv'
who reported 1t also provided lis
of the banqueters. Among othe
things l learned that my appointment
as chief Of the secret service was dis
cussed at the affair, and pronouncet
a good Joke upon the government
Gurney addressed his guests, boast
fully declaring that "the new chic
might do for a preacher or an interna
revenue clerk, but that he coul
never cope with shrewd men like tn
Queersmen."
Nov is our opportunity" he said
'to reap a rich harvest" At the sam
time he advised his friends that b
was going to take the new chief int
his confidence and keep him wei
stuffed with fictitious information
"In the meantime" he continued,
will draw out from him his plans an
keep myself posted as to his prc
posed movements"
This plan pleased the fancy of tn