Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-11-10

In every walk of life, counterfelters
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 caretully
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 whoie-
sale dealer; fifth, the retailer ana
sixth. the shower or circulator. Inc
CAPITALIST is the most difficult man 10
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 aeeec
tive, each tacitly understanding inc
other in his relative position; one
suspecting and watching, the other
patiently and tirelessly picking up
crumb by crumb, conyicting evidence
The methods pursued by detectives
to entrap counterfeiters are rarely
better illustrated than in the following
account of the capture Of William M.
Quincy, alias big Bill" the koniaek-
er. one of the foremost wholesale
dealers in queer" of his day. He was
born of respectable parentage, reared
I'm the auietude incident to country
life. educated and supplied with
sufficient amount of money wherewith
to live like a gentleman and, strange,
" enough, he chose path that leu
to his ultimate ruin.
In the excitement of those tumuitu-
ous 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 III
tho civilized world has ever afforded a
better opportunity for fleeing the
nubl,c. Quincy had been handling
counterfeit money for several years
hut had managed to escape punish
ment. He was one Of the CHIEF dis
tributors for Joshua d. Miner VINO
was the head and front OF power
ful 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
fayorably with his. He stood SIX ieet
two inches in height and was CORE
spondingly we'll proportoned, while
his exhaustive 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, to
anti occasions. In conversation ne
was easy and interesting and, among
strangers. would readily have passed
for a gentleman Of marked ability.
To he a leader among the counterfeit
ing fraternity seemed to have been
the GROWING glory OF his highest am
bition.
In the spring of 1869 / was ap-
pointed chief Of the government Sc
cret service and, though i 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 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
ex-detectives being among the num-
Der.
On the following day was furnished
with the particulars Of this remark
able assembly, and the ex-detective
who reported it also provided list
,of the banQueters. Among other
things / learned that my appointment
as chief of the secret service was dis
a good joke upon the government.
Quincy addressed his guests, boast
fully declaring that 1.-The new chief
might do for a 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 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.
I'm the meantime" he continued, 81
will 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
ney was a great man. They were
seated at the tables imbibing wine,
and they drank to Gurney's health
while the ex-detectives and counter
letters jostled elbows and banded
Jokes good-naturedly as they contem.
plated the easy times in store for
them. When sufficiently filled with
wine and enthusiasm, they capped the
climax by hurrahing for his satanic
majesty. The feast Of Belshazzar was