Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-28
SERVICE
men CAPTURE BIG
C0UNTERFE|TER
Officers Climb Five Flights and
Force an Entrance, Capturing
Kirker Derdenan at Providence

Providence, Feb. G.-Jnited States Sc
cret service men late Saturday afternoon
made an important capture when they
raided what they claim TO be one Of the
most complete counIerfeiting plants they
have ever seen and arrested the proprie-
tor kirkor Derderian, alias X. Gregory
who was at work on gold coins at the
time.
TIE plant was in the heart of the city,
on the corner Of Pine and Eddy streets
in q building occupied oy manufacturing
jewelers. The secret service men. assist
ed by United States Marshal John J..
and Godfrey. have been watching the
building for several weeks.
when the officers had climbed the Ave
flights of stairs they found the doors to
the shop occupied by Derderian under
the firm name Of The Eagle Stamping
Co. locked. They broke down the door.
and as they crossed the room Derderian
made break for an exit. but he was
captured ard handcuffed.
Surprised at the Forge
uerderan was working at the forge.
When he saw the officers he threw some
gold Going on which he was working Into
a pile Of debris The rubbish was search
ed and the officers found Is gold coins.
counterfeit Turkish gold lires. which cor
respond TO our S gold piece
According To secret service men. the
factory is admirably suited 10 counter
feiting because power is used on ev-
cry floor and the noises made by the
drop forge. the milling machine and
the other equipment used by Derde-
rian would attract no suspicion.
The government officials claim Der
dorian is a professional countefeiter
and first came 10 their notice six
wears ago He came to this city six
weeks ago and hired the shop. A few
weeks later ". j. Flynn, chief of the
United States Secret Service, obtained
inforna ton which led him to believe
that Derderian was operating in this
city.
Harry L. Barker. in charge of the
Boston branch and Frank Burke. con-
nected with the New York branch OF
the Score, Service. were detailed to in
yest!gate They obtained additional
information and were convinced that
Derderian was making counterfeit
money. They conferred with United
States Marshal Richards and as re-
suit the Two police inspectors were
brought in 10 assist the government,
authorities.
Up.to- Date Equipment
The room in which Derderian was
surprised at work was large and we'll
lighted. \ large skylight is situated di-
rectly over the drop forge on which
on. Of the most delicate parts of the
work il done. 4 few feet from the
forge an up-to-date milling machine is
located. from the rolls Of which two
sheets Of gold rolled TO the thinness
Of tissue paper. were taken by the off
GERS.
There was also a press and large
quantity Of gold and other metals
which the officers declare was used in
the manufacture of the bogus gold
money. Several other dies were found
one Of them in an unfinished state was
intended to reproduce a large silver
Turkish coin. the equivalent of the
American dollar.
IL cbalttt Lclt Cpll!S. iislSdu Vi pc-
ing cast as counterfeits usually are,
were struck and were 50 finished as &c
make them rank among the finest
specimens Of bogus coins that have
come 70 the attention Of the Secret
Service men in many years. Follow
ing his arrest, Derderlan was taken
TO police headquarters. where he was
locked up to await arraignment Mon
day morning before a United States
commissioner