The Elbert County tribune., 1910-12-02

reckless plunging of
criminals In those
days Of Decentralization appear quite
impossible at this time. large per-
centage of the bonds and currency is
sued and put afioat by the government
were counterfeHs.
Even the United States sub-treasury
at New York accepted nearly a hun
dred thousand dollars OF 7-3O counter
felt bonds from Jay Cook & Company
that could not. from their appearance,
be distinguished from the genuine.
After holding the bonds for some
time they were discovered to be dupli-
Gates Of others that were In the treas
ury. The bonds were turned back to
Jay Cook G Co.. who were compelled
TO suffer the loss.
The discovery of this spurious issue
OF bonds and many finely executed
counterfeit green backs gave rise to
the rumor that the plates upon which
the genuine issues were printed had,
through the connivance of certain
government officials, been stolen out
of the printing bureau at Washington.
This story heralded throughout the
country caused ripple of excitement
and was made use of by the counter
feiters and sawdust swindlers for the
purpose of increasing their Illicit traf-
fic. Many people really believed that
genuine plates for printing govern
ment money were In the hands of
counterfeiters and sawdust swindlers.
Many of these were referred to me.
Through the medium of the newspa-
pers l frequently explained that the
fellows issuing the circulars were
swindlers, but that they were not en-
gagged in handling counterfeit money.
Almost every day there was brought
to my attention the news of some new
plot concocted for the purpose of rob-
bling the government. One Of the many
remarkable exposures of prodigious
plots for undermining our nations
credit came to the front from Louis
vile. KY. 1t was an affair of great
seeming Importance brought to the
attention of President Grant by no
less parsonage than General Benj
H. Bristow, who was at that time
United States attorney for the district
of Kentucky.
General Bristow was man with a
large head in which there was room
for great mind; but In this case, as
in many others, he seemed to lack
penetration and the deep reasoning
faculty necessary for solving mys-
teries Of magnitude.
General Bristow had been ap-
preached in his office at Louisville by
a tall, raw-boned Kentuckian, who in
troduced himself as Colonel Houston
King, clerk of the circuit court of FL
lott county, KY. King made the most
astounding revelations concerning the
xistence Of a plot that was expected
to ruin the credit of the government
and force reputation and general
bankruptcy. The design of the con-
spirators was to flood the country
with counterfeit greenbacks and ma
tional bank notes. Colonel King was
taken before Judge Blackburn, to
whom he made an affidavit setting
forth In detail the particulars of the
plot and giving the names of some of
the leaders. Among them was the
name of Frank p. Blair, noted poll
tician. Having subscribed in law
full manner to the astounding state
ment made, King was permitted to go
at large, but was under the sur
veillance of Col. Alexander Hoagland,
then special agent of the revenue
bureau and afterwards known as The
Newsboys' Friend" General Bristow
forwarded to the president documents
setting forth in full all the circum-
stances attending and surrounding the
inception of the plot and the progress
1t had made up to that time as related
to him by Colonel King. These docu-
ments were turned over to me and
was instructed to read everything set
forth carefully. The conclusion that
came to and SO reported was that the
man who gave this information was
seeking notoriety or making an effort
to induce the government to pay him
a sum Of money. 1t was quite impos-
sible for me to give credence to the
unreasonable confession made by
Colonel King. I did not, therefore,
grasp the case as one affording me an
opportunity for making reputation.
While somewhat anxious about the af-
fair, the president and secretary of
the treasury were. after receiving my
report, quite willing to await further
developments. Some months later,
when Mr.. Boutwell, had resigned the
secretaryship and William A. Richard
son had been appointed to take his
place, l one day received telegram
from the solicitor Of the treasury re-
questing me to meet him at the Fifth
obedience to his request I met the
solicitor at the appointed time and
place.
/ was now informed that Col Hous-
ton King, accompanied by Alexander