The walls of the Secret Service office are covered with samples of counterfeiters' work. The history of each would sound like a dime novel, but the government is certain to catch any one who persists in demoralizing the currency. Chief John E. Wilkie, a first-class Chicago newspaper man, was brought East by Secretary Gage. He has called to his assistance, as Chief Clerk, Mr. W. H. Moran, who learned his business from Mr. Brooks, one of the best detectives any country has yet produced. Other officials tell me the office has never been more ably conducted than it is at present.
This bureau is urging that for persistent crime a longer penal sentence shall be given. To illustrate the persistence of two of these criminals, the following extracts from the Secret Service records are, by courtesy of the bureau, submitted:
John Mulvey, alias James Clark, arrested October 16, 1883, at New York, N. Y., for having in possession and passing counterfeit coin. Sentenced, October 22, 1883, to three years in Auburn, N. Y., penitentiary and fined $1.
William Stevens, alias John W. Murray, alias Jack Mulvey, was again arrested June 14, 1886, at Baltimore, for passing counterfeit 25c. silver coins, and was sentenced, September 7, 1886, to serve one year in Maryland penitentiary and fined $100.
Was again arrested under the same name October 5, 1887, at Philadelphia, Pa., for passing and having in possession 25c. coins, and sentenced, December 1, 1887, to eighteen months in the Eastern Penitentiary of Pennsylvania and fined.
John W. Murray, alias William Stevens, alias Jack Mulvey, was again arrested, July 10, 1889, at Hoboken, N. J., for passing counterfeit standard $1, 25c., and 10c. coins, and sentenced, January 22, 1890, to six months in State Prison at Trenton, N. J., and pay costs.
Jack Mulvey, alias James W., alias John Clark, alias John W. Murray, alias "Pants," alias Stevens, etc., was again arrested January 12, 1891, at Pittsburg, Pa., for having in possession and attempting to pass counterfeit 50c. coins, and was sentenced, March 5, 1891, to two years in Western Penitentiary at Allegheny, Pa., and fined $25.
John Murray, alias Jack Mulvey, was again arrested, January 25, 1894, at Chicago, Ill., for manufacturing counterfeit 25c. and 10c. coins and having same in possession, and was sentenced, March 12, 1894, to three years and six months at hard labor in the penitentiary at Joliet, Ill., and to pay a fine of $1.
James Foley, alias Jack Murray, alias Jack Mulvey, was again arrested, February 24, 1897, at Chicago, Ill., for having in possession and passing counterfeit silver dimes, and escaped March 22, 1897, but was rearrested, under the name of John O'Keefe, in New York, N. Y., April 6, 1897, for passing counterfeit 10c. pieces, and sentenced, May 12, 1897, to seven years in Clinton Prison and fined $1. Released from this prison February 27, 1902.
Another case from the records of the Secret Service would read as follows: