The Washington herald., 1910-05-01
WILLIAM ]. BURNS.

/ the drawers OF tables or desks. At night
Taylor and BredeH would take them home
/ in the concealed pockets of their coats.
We made duplicate keys and got into
their rooms but found nothing
Captures Jacobs Also.
The day OF the raid I posted thirty
five men in and around the building. I
and another Secret Service operative,
carrying shirt boxes in our arms, followed
Taylor into his rooms when he came
/ from luncheon. After his arrest hand
cufed him TO my assistant. Going down
stairs. I followed Bredeu In exactly the
same manner, taking him into custody
and putting him in irons. However. the
plates were missing. A scientific opera
ton Of the third degree resulted in a
point-blank declaration that we would
find them If we went into the cellar Of
Bredelrs house and removed certain
bricks from the foundation Then we
made a business call at the cigar factory
in Lancaster. and Jacobs was locked up
with his partners.
While Taylor and BredeH were pris-
oners in Philadelphia a counterfeit $50
bill suddenly got into circulation. 1t was
really an excellent piece Of work. neat
as pin, and an admirable imitation.
told my associates right of that Taylor
and Bredel had made It.
while locked up? they asked in
derision.
"'Whne locked up repeated pretty
firmly
" Ordinarily we respect your Judgment
they replied, but in this particular in
stance, Billy, you are crazy.
His Theory Is Correct.
But" Burns went on to say. Il had
a sensible theory. Formerly when coun-
terfeiters were caught they were prac-
ucally promised their liberty If they
would surrender their plates or tell where
they were hidden. Indeed, that was the
common practice Of the government. Tay-
Tor and Breden had given US everything.
Therefore they couldn't negotiate. Some
lawyer 1 said TO myself. has acquainted
them with former precedents and advised
them to do another job, if possible. and
thus get into a position where they can
drive a bargain with the prosecution
And such was the fact Moreover. the $40
bill. l felt positive, showed the fine skill
OF Taylor and BredelTs remarkable
craftsmanship. 1 knew it, as I would
recognize handwriting or a human voice
"Recollect that the men, although lock-
ed In the same cell, were watched dav
and night. James NJ. Beck, then an at
torney for the United States, Chief VIII
r nf ho
talked TO them. They admitted making
the plate. but the work. they declared.
had been done before they were sent 20
prison. 1 said nothing until they were
through Their denial, I confess con-
sidering their circumstances seemed con-
elusive. How could men in jail produce
an almost perfect counterfeit 200 biu9
Nevertheless. 1 told them they were liars
After Beck and Wilkie went awav
had personal interview with TavIor
told him Bredell had made an idiot Of
him all the way through; that his own
father. mother, and other relatives had
brought tools and supplies TO iau and
therefore, would go to the penjtentiarv.
that BredelPs family had been protected
throughout and that even Breden himself
would finally escape punishment. And
you and your old father and mother I
said. will be locked I'D for a long term
OF years, Doubtless, both Of your parents
will die in prison
Tell of Their Work.
In great agitation, Taylor asked for
permission to talk with Bredell. The two
men had an exciting dialogue and then