The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-12-15
Geld" Coin Plant Sliced In
Secret Service Raid
TWO MEN WERE ARRESTED
Ten Years Of Constant Endeavor En-
ally Rewarded BY Capture Of
Ceunterfciters Gang With Dies
Metals Machines and Other
ParapharaelIa to Work.


New York, Dec. 13.-Mystery for
months has chung about the old man
sion at No. 604 Academy street. Az
toria. Long Island, was dispelled in a
dramatic manner yesterday when
Secret Service operatives under COM
mand OF Chief r. H. Taylor broke in
to the house and arrested Frank
Weber and Benjamin Lottere and
seized alleged false coin represent
ing $500 and dies, alloy machines.
plates and various metals which had
cost the possessors several thousands
of dollars or more.
II 10 declared that Frank Weber. one
OF the men arrested, is graduate Of
German university and was at one
time employed in United States
mint About Benjamin Lottere moth
ing ID known except that he was host
Ter In a livery stable year ago. Both
were held at the Adams street station
In brooklyn on charges Of having In
their possession machines for making
counterfeit money. They were ar
raigned before a United States COM
missioner this morning and held in
bond.
The raid. which took place In the
sight Of hundreds Of persons. was the
result Of years Of investigation and
labor on the part OF Chief Taylor and
force Of 10 men. One OF Chief Tay-
lor's men was with Weber and Lot
tere in the old house when the raid
fas made and risked his life by siga4i-
ling TO the men outside that all was
ready for their entrance. Chief Tay-
lor said last night that the raid was
the last act In a pursuit which has
been In progress 10 years. or even
since false i've and 10 dollar gold
coins bearing certain distinguishing
marks appeared In . small western
town.
When 10 years ago banks and mer-
chants living In the western town re-
ported that the bad money was In
circulation among them an investiga-
don was made and a watch set on
Weber. who was living In the place
and was apparently making his living
as chemist For a while no more
Of the false coins were issued, then
they appeared In a number OF west
ern cities, including San Francisco.
and coincidentai with the second issue
Weber dropped out of sight As far as
can be learned. he went abroad. re-
turning to this city two years ago.
He was in New York for some months
before secret service men learned
where he was living.
Early last fall he rented the house
In Astoria and moved In with his
wife and three children. The house
which Is known as the Roe n. Smith
mansion. had long been unoccupied
and the agent In charge was delighted
at obtaining tenant who came with
the best recommendation In the
vorid-an offer OF rent paid IN ad-
vance. Weber paid six months rent
out OF hand and took possession with
out demanding that anything about the
place be put in repair. He described
himself as cabinet maker and me-
tsllursist who did private work un-
der contract with an Industrial firm.
He mentioned that at one time be had
been an art dealer in this city.
The Smith mansion stands IN
neighborbood Of househoIders who
are In good circumstances and cling
to their homes through affection and
old association. Dr. George Forbes.
Carl Natmann. william. r. Stewart,
and John y. Hicks. lawyer. are some
OF them. DR.. Forbes lives Immediate
ly behind the Smith house.
When Weber and bis family entered
into possession interest among their
neiEhbors soon became acute. The
house was kept suffered and barred
With only occasionally a light gIim-
merinE in an upper room at night.
The webers sought no intimacy with
their neishbors and discouraged
friendly oyertures.
Their children did not attend school
and were rarely, n ever, seen pIayin>
In the yard. But the most striking
circumstances connected with their
tenancy was the almost constant
emsnstIon Of chemical gases from the
cellar and the faint rumble Of heavy
machinery, which seemed 10 be ln-
stalled in the basement, and was audi
bye principally on rainy nights when
traffic was light IN the streets. Dr.
Forbes finally called these conditions
10 the attention Of the police
The police. after a little inquiry.
decided that the federal authorities
might be interested and sent a note
10 Chief Taylor He. however. was
already on the trail, and one OF his
men was even closely engaged IN the
case.