The Elbert County tribune., 1910-11-11

49, ceedingly dificult to
detect the bogus stun from the genu-
ine.
As insidious enemies of the people
in every walk Of life, counterfeiters
may well be classed among the most
subtle and dangerous persons Win
whom officers of the law have to cope.
Ever wide awake and on the alert for
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: Tirst. the capitalist
or procurer: second, the engraver;
third, the printer; fourth. the whole
sale dealer; fifth. the retailer. and
sixth, the shower or circulator. Ihe
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 ertrap 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
- n dow He WAS
born of respectable parentage, reared
in the quietude incident to country
life, educated and supplied with
sufficient amount of money wherewith
to live like 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
better opportunity for fleeing the
public. 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 tentaeles were
stretched 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
fayorably with his. He stood six rect
two inches in height and was corre-
spondingly well proportioned, while
his expansive chest and well-deveiopeo
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 10
suit occasions. In conversation ne
was easy and interesting and. among
strangers, would readily have passed
for a gentleman of marked aplilty'
To be leader among the counterfeit
ing fraternity seemed to have been
the crowning glory OF his highest am
bition.
In the spring of 1869 l was ap-
pointed chief OF the government se-
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-
ters in Washin gton, regarding rather
unique affair that had taken place at
one of the drinking resorts on Hous-
ton street, in New York city. VIII
liam Gurney, 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
ex-detectives 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 a list
of the banqueters. Among other
things / learned that my appointment
as chief of the secret service was dis
cussed at the AFFAIR, and pronounced
a good joke upon the government.
Gurney addressed his guests, boast
fully declaring that "the new chief
might do for preacher or an internal
revenue clerk. but that he could
never cope with shrewd men like the
queersmen."
Now is our opportunity" he said.
ito reap a rich harvest" At the same
time he advised his friends that he
was going to take the new chief into
his confidence and keep him well
stuffed with fictitious information.
.In the meantime" he continued. "I
will draw out from him his plans and
keep myself posted as to his pro-
posed movements