The midland journal., 1911-02-10

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cination that oftimes lays hold of per-
sons possessed Of wonderful ingenuity
In devising methods to escape punish
ment. Almost at the beginning Of our
great Civil war, gold and silver went
out OF circulation and q vast volume
Of unfamiliar paper currency was
thrust suddenly upon the country.
Every note issued by the government
was followed so closely by the coun-
terfeits that the most expert money
changers were often unable to tell the
good from the bad. In some instances
the counterfeit fractional currency
was almost. II not quite. equal to the
gennine.
The Staunton head fifty cent issue
was so cleyerly initiated that It passed
current for long time before its base
nature was discovered. Circulating
principally among the poorer classes.
It was doing incalculable damage and
was making great effort to reach
it, source, with little or no success
up to the time chance discovery
was made.
One day a detective walking leisure
" along the sidewalk OF an unfre-
Quented street In New York city sud-
denly found himself face to face with
Peter Delinsky. skilled counter
feiter who had been released from the
Albany penitentiary about year be-
fore. Delinsky had been caught by
me in the act of printing counter
felt two dollar bill on the National
Kinderhook bank. He gave some
valuable information and his sentence
had been cut down to three years.
When the detective met him he had
on a new suit OF fashionable cut.
Wearing yellow kid gloves, and carry.
Ing nobby gold-headed cane. he was
cutting quite swell for an ex-con-
vlct. The detective was both curious
and suspicious. Where on earth did
old Delinslky get that expensive out
IT.? He was unable to guess. He
knew the old man was broke when he
got out Of the penitentiary. as he had
when released called at the Secret
Service branch ONCE and taken IN a
subscription. besides. the old counter
feiter had never been known to en-
gage In any legitimate work. For this
reason the detective was quite sure he
was doing something crooked. so he
just pulled. the old fellow and e.
corted him to the once OF the Secret
Service division on Bleecker street.
The government offlcers In that day
rarely took out warrants for the ar
rest OF counterfeiters.
The detective in this case was well
posted regarding to old Delinsky. and
It was only necessary to acquaint him
with the fact that the chief was anx.
ious to see him on important bnsi-
ness.
When brought to my ONCE he was
badly frightened took him into a
private room where l accused and
questioned him, but he stoutly de-
MED that he was engaged in counter
feiting.
Then what are you doing, and
where did you get these fine clothes
you are wearing?" inquired.
The old fellow was unable to an
swer this question satisfactorily.
Taking advantage Of his hesitatinR
manner. pressed him more closely
and threatened to send him back I'd
the penitentiary.
He was Russian and not Alto
gether familiar with the laws Of this
country. Hence was able to frighten
him. He held out for long time but
finally admitted that he was at work
printing the fifty cent Staunton head
for q fellow countryman. who. he said.
was an engraver. The old printer had
been detained at my ONCE two days
before he made his confession.
The Russian engraver by whom be
was employed became suspicious and
threw the hand press upon which the
counterfeit notes were being printed
into the East river. Delinsky was NOT
aware of this when I released him
upon his promise to carry out nv in.
structions and enable the government
detectives to seize the counterfeit
plates and capture the engrayer
When Delinsky returned to the room
where the counterfeiting had been
done he found the place empty. When
he met the Russian engrayer he learn,
ed the particulars of what had han.
j pened, and accounted for his absence
by explaining that he had been on !
visit with some friends.
The engraver was not altogether
satisfied with the excuse. but he was
willing to compromise the matter Il
Delinslxy would buy another press d
take the place OF the one that had
been destroyed.
When Delinsky reported the situ.
alton to me sent detective out ia
buy 9 small plate printing press. He
employed . wagon and took the press
70 the room where ne printing was to
bs done, When Delinsky was again
ready 80 beRin work The sngravsr. Is