The L'Anse sentinel., 1910-11-19

me.
AS insidious enemies of the people
In every walk of life, counterfeiters
may well be classed among the most
subtle and dangerous persons with
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 carefully
baited traps, or by what is generally
known as the stoolpigeon system.
Counterfeiters are divided into six
distinct classes: First, the capitalist
or procurer; second. the engraver;
third, the printer; fourth, the whole
sale dealer; fifth, the retailer, and
sixth, the shower or circulatOr. The
capitalist is the most difficult man to
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 detec-
tive. each tacitly understanding the
other in his relative position; one
suspecting and watching. the other
patiently and tirelessly picking up,
crumb by crumb, convicting evidence.
The methods pursued by detectives
to entrap counterfeiters are rarely
better illustrated than in the following
account of the capture of William M.
Gurney, alias big Bill" the Koniack-
er, one of the foremost wholesale
dealers in queer" of his day. He was
born OF respectable parentage, reared
in the quietude incident to country
life, educated and supplied with
sufficient amount of money wherewith
to live like a gentleman and, strange
ly enough, he chose path that LED
to his ultimate ruin.
In the excitement of those tumultu-
Gus days the city of New YORK was
we'll stocked with men possessed OF
a genius for conceiving and conceal
ing crime. Perhaps no other city in
the civilized world has ever AFFORDED
better opportunity for fleeing the
public. Gurney had been handling
counterfeit money for several years
but had managed to escape punish
ment. He was one OF the chief us
tributors for Joshua ID. Miner, VINO
was. the head and front of a power
full octopus whose tentacies were
stretched out In almost every section
of the country.
Gurney was by no means unattract-
i've in appearance, and there were
few men walking Broadway In MS
day whose physique could compare
fayorably with his. He stood six feet
two inches in height and was CORE
spondingly well proportioned, whiie
his expansive chest and well-developeo
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
suit occasions. In conversation no
was easy and interesting and. among
strangers, would readily have passed
for a gentleman of marked apility.
To be a leader among the counterfeit
ing fraternity seemed to have peen
the crowning glory of his highest am
bition.
In the spring of 1869 was ap-
nointed chief of the government Sc
cret service and, though l 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 l re-
ceiyed information. at my headQuar-
ters in Washington. regarding rather
unique affair that had taken place at
one of the drinking resorts on Hous-
ton street, in New York city. Will
liam Gurney, with his characteristic
push and daring, had invited a party
of 'queersmen" to partake OF ban.
uuet 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 1t also provided list
of the banqueters. Among other
things I learned that my appointment
as chief of the secret service was dis
cussed at the affair. and pronounced
a good joke upon the government.
Gurney addressed his guests. boast
fully declaring that "the new chief
might do for 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
.In the meantime" he continued, Il
viii 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 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 fos
them. When sufficiently filled Will
wine and enthusiasm, they capped the
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