Page:Memoirs of the United States Secret Service.djvu/103

 At length Bill found his way to the metropolis, naturally. The field of his operations could thus be enlarged, and he grew avaricious as he grew in years and enjoyed his enhanced opportunities.

In New York he associated with the leading sporting men, or the most prominent and polished of criminals. These men thought themselves "posted" in the art and science of crime and intrigue; but Bill soon showed them a trick or two they had not, previously to making his acquaintance, been up to.

Jerry Cowsden, Ike Weber, cranky Tom Hale, Bill Overton, and their chums and pals were then upon their "high-heeled boots," and did a flourishing business—in their way. But Bill Gurney "came, and saw, and conquered!" The cutters and printers and circulators wanted a leader, and the "koniackers" who were then driving a lively business in a smallish way, were not averse to hailing a chief among their fraternity who had the pluck, the stamina, and the "spondulics" at hand to assume the position of head of the gang. Bill saw his chance, he had the "brads," and he "went in." Soon after his appearance among these new found companions, plans were laid to put upon the market a hundred thousand dollars in counterfeit notes upon the Fishkill Bank.

The press for printing this large sum of "coney" was established in New York city. The plates were cut, the paper procured, but only a few thousand dollars were got upon the market. Charley Brockway, alias the "curly headed kid," went back upon his friends. He located the "boodle," and "squealed" on his pals. The result was the whole concern was nabbed, and two or three of the operators were "sent over." Bill, as usual, ostensibly kept "out of this dirt," however.