The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-01-05


'~ NEEA.k~ excellence in the
S14H practise of the en-
w graver's art.
In the winter of 1859 and 70 he
was employed to do government plate
work by large bank note engraving
company in the city of New York. Al
though conservative in many things,
he was fond of display in dress and
the enjoyment of high living. He took
his dinners at fashionable uptown
restaurant. In the course Of time he
noticed that a seat on the opposite
side OF the table at which he usually
dined was regularly occupied by a
genteel appearing mlddle-aged man
One day when there CHANGED to be
no other persons sitting near, the
stranger remarked that they ought to
become better acquainted with each
other. He then led the conversation
In manner to draw from Sheldon his
name and business. When he learned
that he was an engraver in the employ
of bank note company, he affected
great surprise.
An engraver? Indeed. Well, am
glad to know it. l want some work
done in that line, but I was not Ger
tain where to apply. 1 am very par
ticular about it, and would be willing
10 pay well for a good job"
What is the subject?" Sheldon In
quirei..
This" said the stranger, as he
handed out the photograph of pretty
female face "If it was nicely done
what would it cost?"
That depends on the flneness Of
the work. Anywhere from $50 tt
5000"
The price is not so much an object
with me as the quality Of the work
! will pay literally for a good job"
One hundred and seventy-five dollars
was the sum finally agreed upon
When the engraving was completed
and delivered the employer was SC
well pleased that he said he under
stood the price to be 5000, and insisted
on paying that amount. Sheldon wa:
afterwards supplied with number o.
small jobs from the same source ant
was literally paid for his work.
One day his patron suddenly broke
out with the exclamation: You are
an excellent workman, and an
greatly surprised to see man Of youl
skill with the graver plodding along
in this way when you could easily
make your fortune in short time Il
you were SO disposed"
How could it be done?"
"By making plates for bonds anC
money. You engrave the plates fol
certain persons. They pay you bis
money. You have nothing to do witt
the use they are put to-"
This man who was adroitly tempting
young Sheldon was the procurer, Of
to be more explicit, the capitalist oi
one OF the most dangerous gangs o.
counterfeiters ever organized in this
country. To Sheldon he was Mr.. De
voc, but this was only one Of thf
many names by which he was known
to the different persons employed BY
him. He was the autocrat of all the
counterfeiters and forgers of his day
and one of the few criminals that es
capped physical punishment for theil
many misdeeds. He was discovered
by the officers in the latter days of hi!
life and it was a close race between
them and the devil The latter won
Devoe was gifted manipulation O
men, and he was successful in Grazing
young Sheldon's mind with visions O
great riches. Sheldon quit the em
ploy OF the bank note company, anC
following Devoe's advice took lodging,
at house where the people were no
inquisitiVe in regard to his business.
In the summer Of 1871 counterfeit
$40 treasury note made its appearance,
in most of the great cities of the coun
try. To the unframed eye the not
was good facsimile Of the genuine
The lettering, the seal, the vignett,
and everything about 1t, except the &C
centric lathe work, were quite perfect
but 1t was not difficult to discover b,
the use of magnifying glass that tn,
fine lattice lines were irregular II
the genuine these lines are made b,
machinery so perfect that 1t is impos
sible to initiate them by hand.
counterfeit note even to the practiseC
eye may appear all right at casua
glance, but hs base nature can be
re1dily discovered by a careful exam
nation of its eccentric lathe work.
The note of which | speak was al
excellent imitation, but 1t was early
discovered and its circulation checked
At this time the branch office of tn,
government secret service of New
York was being almost daily visited By
persons Offering information in regard
to the various crimes against the gov
ernment. There were many secrets
suspicious and surmises offered fol
sale at prices ranging from one hun
1red to million dollars. The greater
part of the informers were anxious tC
conceal their identity.
On one particular occasion my office
was visited by genteel appearing
young woman. She came into the mair
office and requested private inter
view with the chief. She was care
fully yelled and cautious in her man