The Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1905-1912, 1911-01-28
to the government than to cope with
the situation themselves.

note and pasted upon paper to maxi
them about the same thickness as tn,
genuine money. 1t was skilful piec,
of work and difficult to detect, but i
was easily done by experts. The pa
per upon which the treasury note.
were printed at that time did not con
tain the localized and distributive
fibre which would prevent it from be
ing split. Before the fiber paper was
invented the paper upon which the
government notes were printed could
easily be soaked apart and nicely
pasted to other fine sheets of paper
1t was very deceptive and difficult to
detect.
Mr.. Boutwell, was greatly disturbed.
1t was serious affair to his mind,
and he might have been induced to
pay a large reward had the scheme
not been exploded.
The following is another illustration
OF the secretary's simplicity.
While at my New York Office 1 one
day received a telegram from Mr.
Boutwell, summoning me hastily to
Washington. When l arrived at the
secretary's Office, in the treasury de-
partment, he took me into a private
room where he informed me of con-
templated robbery. He said he had
learned through a reliable source that
! plans haa been made by gang of
burglars to rob General Spinner's
| cash division, and that the Waterman
on duty at night were in the con-
spiracy. He had telegraphed for me
for the purpose of forestalling the
thieves. To my mind the story told
by the secretary was a fallacy. 1t
sounded like romance. l knew that
robbery of this kind was quite i'm
possible, but the secretary was so
much in earnest that l was almost
afraid to give him my real opinion in
regard to the affair.
l saw that some sort of an investi-
cation was necessary to put his mind
at ease. Hence l telegraphed several
detectives to meet me in Washington.
Mr.. Boutwell, sent a messenger to
bring the man who had furnished the
information. He was to 20 to my
room In the Owen house. After a
lapse OF time he came. AS he en-
tered he took off his hat. l saw at
once that the man was lacking in
self confidence and that he was either
an ex-conv1ct or mental of some
Kind. | shook hands with him.
Assuming look of benevolence I
h i'm
tall. thin man, slightly stopped and
with dull white skin. His pro-
truding eyes were very light and ex-
pressionless gently turned his face
to the window and sized him up.
was quite sure his spirit had been
broken and that he was fraud. vet
l was uncertain as to the best man.
ner Of handling him
Il have met you somewhere be-
FORE" said +,
& He raised his eyes timidly. My re-
mark seemed to rattle him.
Where were you born?" inquired,
In falterfng voice he answered, I
In Columbia, South Carolina"
1t flashed across my mind at once
that the fellow was Of negro blood. I
Looking him straight in the eye. I
quickly placed my finger on the tip I
IT his nose. He shrank back little t
out did not appear to be offended. | +
hen said. t
What was your masters name q
Town there?"
l thought to impress him with the r
dea that / was familiar with the local o
ty from which he came. He gave me
he name Of his former master in II
esitating way. l told him to take a v
eat and tell his story It was fiction, c
Undoubtedly the result of a dream. {;
lis version Of the manner in which t.
e discovered the contemplated rob- q
cry was SO improbable that it is not II
'orth relating In detail l cues "
oned and cornered him until l was a
ure that his story was a transparent u
oneoction of weak but criminal O.
lind. 1t would do in a dime novel
to deceive some credulous person. d1
He was dreamer, sort of voodoo. p'
had had some experience with this Ell
ASS of negroes in the south. AS NJ
ANY persons may not be aware of ia
lie fact, l will state that the pad on re
lie end of the nose was the supreme tn
st of pedigree among the negro fir
aders of the south in slave DAYS. or
he gristle on the tip of the nose of as
e negro is soft and yielding, while at
lat of white man in firm, giving the in
cling of bony substance. When ali
other tests failed in discovering Of
frican blood, the trader would place
s finger on the end of the nose of or
e person on trial for his liberty If co
e pad was yielding the witness sti
ould turn to the recorder and say, Al
his fellah, sab, is niggah." ar
The voodoo negro pretends to be 60
dowed with supernatural power. As in,
ce regent of the devil he centuries re-
strange tales for those who put he
cir faith in amu1ets, rabbits feet.
c. tut
The negro that / met at the Owen as
use had, suppose, been inspired by roo
) evil genius to concoct the plaus- ~
e story he told Mr. Boutwell, 1t ph
Is now after hours and l went to thi
:. Boutwells residence and told him ste
, experience with the negro. wh
He was greatly astonished when he ho
lrned the character of the man. He ais
ID he thought he was white man del
d very fair and candid one at an,
1t. When pointed out the utter ter
of the story told and the inc
possibility of burglarizing General 6
inner's cash division, the secretary to
$ satisfied and quite willing to ma
'p the subject. 1t is unnecessary in