Page:Memoirs of the United States Secret Service.djvu/120

 A LIVELY MEMBER

"JIM BOYD."

Among the sharpers and adepts in the counterfeiting line, the subject of this "memoir" held high rank in the estimation of his associates; and few men of his tribe have had a more varied and lively experience than has Jim Boyd—the Canadian "koniacker." He was an expert in the details of his infamous occupation, and so cunningly managed his affairs, in conjunction with his numerous notorious companions in iniquity, that the local police were kept at a distance for years, and were unable to settle their gripe upon this accomplished, dangerous, and wily operator in the "queer."

He had been frequently hunted, and every conceivable plot had been entered upon, with a view to capture this shrewd rogue. He snapped his fingers at the officers, and boasted that "city, state, nor U. S. 'coppers' could contrive to get ahead of Jim Boyd's time!" Bold in his plans, subtle in their execution, persistent in his wickedness, and defiant in all his schemes—he went on with rare success, unchecked in his studied machinations—for several years. 103