The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-06-05

During and for over more than ter
years following our great civil war there
vas an era OF counterfeiting unparalleled
in the history Of our country. The colos-
sal crimes perpetrated and the reckless:
plunging OF criminals in those days oi
demoralization appear quite Impossible az
this time. A large percentage Of the bonds
and currency Issued and put afloat by the
government were counterfeits.
Bogus bills were as common then as
they are rare today. Thousands OF per-
aons heretofore engaged in honest pur-
suits cut loose from thoss moral moorings
and launched out upon the billows OF
crime. Men OF brains and capital entered
the field bent on making speedy fortunes
through the manufacture OF counterfeit
currency, Much OF the vile trash put In
circulation was difficult 10 detect from the
genuine,
Even the United States sub treasury at
New York accepted nearly a hundred
thousand dollars OF $50 counterfeit bonds
from Jay Cook & Company that could not
from the genuine. After holding the bonds
for some time they were discovered to be
duplicates OF others that were IN the
treasury. The bonds were turned back to
Jay Cook & Company who were compelled
TO suffer the loss
The discovery OF this spurious issue OF
bonds and many finely executed counter
felt green backs gave rise TO the rumor
that the plates upon which the genuine is"
sues were printed had. through the con-
nivance OF certain government officials,
Washington.
The story. hersldcd throughout the
country caused a ripple of excitement
and was made use OF by the counterfeitcrs
and sawdnst swlndlers for the purpose oi
Increasing their Illicit traffic Many peo-
pie really believed that genuine plates for
printing government money We're In the
hands OF countcrfeiters and sawdus,
swindierS,
Tho latter. afterwards known as green
goods men. were sending out bushels OF
Nor Ia l.
rency and bonds for 80 cents on the dollar
which they claimed had been worked off
on genuine plates. Thousands OF these
,.In;i,,;n circulars were We, mailed by the Intended
Many or these were referred 10 me-
Through the medium OF the newspapers
J frequently explained that the fellows
issuing the circulars were swindlere but |
that they were not engaged In handling |
counterfeit money. Almost every day !
there was brought 10 my attention the !
news OF some new plot concocted for the
purpose OF robbing the government. One
OF the many remarkable exposures of pro-
digious plots for undermining our ma
lions credit came TO the front from Louis
portance brought TO the attention of
President Grant by no less a parsonage
than General Benjamin II. Bristow, who
was. AT thHt time United States attorney
Tor the district of Kentucky.
General Bristow was man with a large
head in whicli there was room for a great
mind, but In this case. as In many others.
he seemed TO lack penetration and the
1eep reasoning faculty necessary for sov-
ng mysteries OF magnitude.
General Brlstow had been approached
In his office at Louisville by a tall, raw
ooned kentuckian. who introduced him
'elt as Colonel Hopston King. clerk OF the
circuit court OF Elliott county, Ky. King
made the most astounding revelations
concerning the. existence OF plot that
VAS expected TO ruin the credit of the
government and force repudiation and
general bankruptcy. The design OF the
;onspiratois WAS to flood the country
With counterfeit greenbacks and national
'ank notes. Colonel King was taken be- 1
ore Judge Blackburn. to whom lie made /
IN AFFIDAVIT setting forth I'm detail the 4
PARTICULARS oil the plot and giving the s
,nmas Of some of the leaders, Among a
hem was the name OF Frank p. Blair a S
,oted politician. Having subscribed In q
lawful manner to the astounding state (
nent made. King was permitted to GO at T
arge, but was under the surveillance OF 4
,olonel Alexander Hoagland, then a spe- r
iKl agent OF the revenue bureau and n