Newspaper Accounts
(In Date Order)
St. Louis Globe, St. Louis, Missouri, Thursday, August 27, 1885, page 8 . Joseph H. White Arrested (Special Dispatch to the Globe- Democrat.)
Waco, Texas, August 26th - Deputy, United States Marshal O. L. Wheeler of Saint Louis and Will Ish of this city, arrived last night in charge of Joseph H. White, arrested at Whitney. He is charged with causing to be printed and then procuring Treasury notes of the Empire of Brazil to the amount of $30,000. At one time, he is known to have received through the Post Office at Blum, Bosque County, a package of $150,000 of the stuff. The package was directed to his brother, but White got it out of the office. He has lived in Brazil and it is supposed he was going back there or send the spurious money to. Confederates. The counterfeits are said to be very well executed. The case was particularly worked up by Mr. Charles G. Drummond, Assistant United States District Attorney of St. Louis and Deputy Marshal Wheeler.
Mr. Drummond arrived in Waco last night, and he and Deputy Wheeler are at the Pacific. White has highly respectable connections in Texas and has stood well himself. He was placed in jail this morning, and has employed Herring and Kelley as counsel. The case has been admirably worked by all the officers concerned.
J. H. White is held on the following charge: “That White did on the 17th day of August in the Eastern District of Missouri, caused to be printed a large number, to wit three thousand impressions in the likeness of a certain part of the face, with the exception of the signature and numbers of a true and genuine treasury note for the sum of 200 Milreils's, each of a certain foreign government, the Empire of Brazil, with intent to defraud the said Empire and certain persons to complainant unknown.” upon agreement with United States Commissioner, thinks that preliminary trial was fixed for the 7th of September and the bond at $10,000, which White cannot give.
L. A. White came here from Brazil with his family last winter and settled in Hill County, near Whitney. His son, Thomas M. White, registered at the Pacific Hotel in this city on the 13th day of March and was arrested the next day on the suspicion that some diamonds, which he was endeavoring to sell, were wrongfully procured. The number and value of the stones made up an apparently bad case for him, but he was released.
Joseph H. White is about 55 years old, six feet high, gray hair; his eyes are gray and small, giving him an exceedingly cunning look. In general, make up, he seems more like an ordinary farmer than anything else.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri, Thursday, August 27, 1885, page 8
The Capture Complete All Mmembers of the White Family of Counterfeiters Under Arrest.
The Alleged Chief of the Brazilian Note Gang Lodged at the Four Courts, Nearly a Half a Million in Bills Secured.
Yesterday a telegram was received by the United States authorities from Whitney, Texas, announcing the capture of Joseph Henry White, the accomplice of Lucius A. White in the Brazilian counterfeiting case. He was taken before a United States Commissioner and held. J. H. White has been the provider of funds in the case, and has assisted in other ways. He was getting ready to work more actively for the success of the project, and had received appurtenances which had been seized as evidence. While there are still many reasons why the case should not be made public, Detective Tyrrell yesterday told a Globe Democrat reporter the details of the capture of Lucius A. White, and permitted the use of information previously suppressed. White is a native of Texas, was born near Hempstead 33 years ago and lived there until he was 18 years of age. He had learned something of civil engineering and obtained an engagement to go to Brazil. There he was employed for 14 years surveying government lands. He met there a lady from Florida who was visiting friends at Rio de Janeiro. They were married and three sons were born to them before they concluded to return to America. They did return in February 1884 and visited in Florida until May. White then went to Texas and bought a farm of 90 acres, for which he paid $4,000. It is several miles from Whitney and his brother's farm, his brother’s farm lies three miles on the other side of town, where he established himself and family, and lived quietly until May of this year.
On the 28th of that month, he came to St. Louis and talked to Auguste, Gast and Co. about making facsimiles of the Brazilian note 200 milreis, which is equivalent to. $109.20 United States money. He had previously met and talked to an agent of the firm in Texas about the work, and was going to New York when he made his appearance on the 28th of May. The work was not ordered then, but in July, when he again came to St. Louis, he looked into the matter more thoroughly and received from the Gast company the following proposition. ”St. Louis, Missouri, July 8th, 1885. L. A White Esq., City: Dear sir., We propose to engrave on stone a perfect facsimile of the bill, and furnish 2,000 copies with such lettering as you desire, for $230. If you decide to have the back of the bill engraved also, we will do that work for $210. P.S. if you decide to have the engraving done on steel plate, we will do that for $815 front and back.”
Negotiations pending for over two weeks and then White determined to have the work done on July 26th, he received the following from the lithographers: “Received of L. A. White $100 on account of furnishing 3,000 cigar labels as per previous estimate.; also, one bill of 200 milreis, which is to be returned in eighteen days. Labels to be furnished in one month and on completion of order balance the money to be paid as per contract.”
The number of copies to be completed, it will be seen, was increased between the dates July 8th and 26. From 2,000 to 3,000. These facsimiles, if all were completed perfectly, would be equivalent - with another saving “if” shoved to 600,000 milreis and as a milreis is worth $56.10, there would be a tidy fortune in the work. The lithographers went on with their portion of the contract, and on August 6th sent White the following note with a proof. “We enclose proof, which we hope you will find satisfactory, and correct. Please mark the same with your OK and return to us at once. Please give us full shipping instructions.
The Engravers Alarmed: It was about the time of the completion of this portion of the work that the company became alarmed. They did not know that there was any offense against the laws being committed in making the facsimiles, but did not wish to be identified with a counterfeiting scheme, whether there existed a statutory province provision or not. In doubt as to the real nature of their work and client, They appealed to their councilors, Klein and Fissa. On their advice, the District Attorney was warned and Detective Tyrrell was sent for. The lithographic representatives was excellent and the steel portions perfect. The work had been divided between the two processes, the border, which is a succession of “200s” and the numbers in the body of the bill, were engraved on steel, while the vignettes and lettering were engraved with the pencil on stones above the bill in a plain, double plea antique letter, were the words “Charutos Finos Regalia, Imperial” and “D’o Neihor Fumor Comprado,” etc, .which was the only hint that any other use was intended to be made of the impressions then, as counterfeits, There seemed a very plain case of counterfeiting and the anxiety of White that the work should be accurately done was taken as a confession involuntarily of his unlawful designs.
The printing was done on a fine quality of linen cap paper, about eighteen pounds to the ream. The copy furnished corresponded with it very much in texture, though not in weight. The copy, being very much heavier. Four impressions were worked at one time on the sheet, and there being three colors, the sheets went through the lithographic press three times. The under tint is a crude red with some mosses and a fine design of smaller lines superior to that in a blue tint, which is also worked in shell ornaments on either side of the bill. The tints are merely ornamental, and the business part of the note is printed in lithographer’s black. When the last impression is put on, the front is completed except that lacks the signatures, which must be forged. Tyrrell located his man on the shipping instructions he had furnished Auguste Gast, and co. at Whitney, Texas, and learned that on Friday, August 14th, he was in New Orleans, and there arranged with a firm of engravers to make the reverse side of the notes. They were to receive $150 for the work, which was to be all lithographic. Of this sum, $50 was paid down as earnest money, and they were told, as Gast had been, the assemblies were to be used as the cigar box labels. The only work they did on the job before the disclosure of the scheme was to photograph the bill preparatory to putting it on the stone. The copy and photograph were seized as detailed yesterday.
Trailing White: Leaving New Orleans Friday night, White appeared in St. Louis Monday morning. He had an appointment at Gast and kept it by calling about 10:20 that morning. Tyrrell was waiting to see him. White entered into conversation with Mr. Lewis Wall, The representative of the company about his work and presently went upstairs to see how it was progressing. He had expected to get some of these sheets that day, but only two impressions had been given the sheets. After and of the inspection of the work, he left, followed by Tyrrell, his actions were peculiar. Instead of going directly to a point he wished to reached, he seemed to feel the “shadow” on him, and turned every corner he came to until he reached the alley on Locust Street between Seventh and Eighth streets. Through this he bolted to Olive Street and went into Sprague's for lunch. When he left this place, Tyrrell followed at considerable distance until he boarded a rapidly moving car on Pine at North Street. Tyrrell caught the same car at 10th Street, left it at Lafayette Park when White did, and followed to Shaw's Garden. The afternoon was spent between these places, and they reached Hotel Moser at 20 minutes to seven. White entered the dining hall and got a seat near the kitchen, and Tyrrell and Hawkins, whose services he secured, seated themselves at the same table and declined to order until three mythical friends came in. White ordered his supper, and it was the original intention to allow him to eat it, but too much time was consumed in the preparation.
Arrested at Supper: After waiting some moments, Tyrrell moved his chair to the side of White and said quietly: “I am a United States officer, and you must consider yourself my prisoner. You can create a scene if you wish, but you had better not.” “I don't want a scene.”, said White. He turned very pale, but had not otherwise lost control over himself. “Have you any weapons?” “None.” Tyrrell felt his pistol pocket and other likely receptacles quickly, and then took his prisoner to the Customs House without any ostentation. Assistant District Attorney Drummond was in his office, and while the iron was hot, a statement was gotten from White as to his connection with the scheme and his history. He was much agitated and drank water copiously. Most of the statement was correct, but a mythical individual called Lane was spoken of by White as an accessory. This mythical character has since been exploded after the statement was secured, he was returned to the Moser and until last night was kept in room 87 on the fourth floor, watched alternately by Bailiffs Hicks and Hawkins, and Deputy Marshal Couzens. He was taken to the photographers', and once to Commissioner Cullen’s room, but all the remaining portions of the time was kept in the room. Last night he was removed to the jail.
The Prisoner’s Statement: He says the facsinilies were intended for cigar box labels and no counterfeiting scheme was in the job. He claims to have seen such labels in use in Brazil, but the Brazilian Consul at New Orleans says this is not so. There, as in this country, no one is permitted to make a facsimile, however imperfect of the money of the Empire for any purpose whatsoever, except for the government. The Consul has aided the United States officers in capturing White, and had advanced for the purpose $700 that the work may be carried on expeditiously. The capture of the men before the completion of the notes is held by him to be a very shrewd and satisfactory piece of work, reflecting credit upon the American way of doing things. There would not be nearly the amount of satisfaction there now as in the case where those who participated as agents of the outraged nation, if any of the bills had gotten into circulation, being assured that the scheme was nipped in the bud before innocent persons began to suffer their exists cause for congratulations.
Passing the Counterfeits:
The manner of the proposed completion of the bill was peculiar. The sheets printed in St. Louis, on which there was only the front of the note, and those of the back to the printed in New Orleans, were to be put together by a process of wedding and pressing known to manipulators In these schemes. The superior layer of the sheets was to be stripped from the paper body, and while soft, the backs and fronts were to be pasted together accurately. The work necessary in this portion of the game needs to be most skillfully and accurately done: But that it can be done. Detectives Tyrrell quotes the first introduction of the celebrated Pete Macartney into the illicit money trade. “Heath's Counterfeit Detector” was published with an authorization from the then Secretary of the Treasury about twenty 20 years ago, and had, as a portion of its contents, impressions from original plates of United States notes. These impressions were made with backs and fronts separated and upon very thick paper. No present Treasury official would permit such use of the plates, but no harm was thought possible as a result. But Pete Macartney by shaving the vignettes from the thick leaves of the “Detector” and mounting them on paper of appropriate size and strength increased the public debt some hundreds of dollars, and taught the Secret Service men to look out in a new direction. The completely fronts and backs were to be shipped to L. A. White, Whitney, Texas, and there at his own or his brother's house were to be mounted numbered on a machine similar to those used in book binderies for paging blank-books and finished with forged signatures. When completed, they were to be taken to Brazil and shoved in the enlightened interior. The number of completed sheets seized by Tyrrell at Auguste Gast and co.’s. place was. 780, representing. $628,800. Milreis.
The Galveston Daily News, Galveston, Texas, Tuesday, September 8, 1885, page 1
J. H. White In Court.
Lucius, A. White Fails to Arrive - Testimony Elicited.
Special to the news. Waco, September 7.
The officers with Lucius, A. White, failed to arrive today from St. Louis. United States District Attorney Pearro received a letter from Attorney Bliss of St. Louis stating that he would send Lucius as soon as the proper papers could be made out. Witnesses from Blum and Whitney were present, and at 2 p.m., United States Commissioner Finks opened his court and proceeded to hear their testimony.
J. H. White was brought into the courtroom by United States Deputy Marshal Hall, and all eyes were turned upon him. He has that same stoical appearance, but never raised his head once during the proceedings. He seemed to be in a deep study and never changed his attitude or position. The confinement in the jail has had a marked effect upon the old man and his toilet has been sadly neglected. The old fellow seems to take the case greatly to heart, and no doubt it hangs heavily on his mind.
J. C. Francis, telegraph operator at Blum Station, testified to the effect that he delivered and sent certain messages for Lucius, A. and Joseph H. White in regards to a package of labels which was received at Blum on a certain day and were delivered to Joseph H. White. H. Hawkins, operator at Whitney, testified to sending certain messages for Lucius, A. White in regard to certain printing, which was done by A Gast and Co. of St. Louis. J R Ballard, a liveryman of Whitney, and Lewis Rayburn, a farmer and neighbor to J. H. in Hill County, also testified, but nothing of importance was gained from their testimony.
The court will adjourn from day to day until the arrival of Lucius White when something of importance is expected to be developed.
Waco Daily Examiner. Waco, Texas, Wednesday, September 9th, 1885, page 4.
Eexcerpted………… The accused. Joseph H. White is the son of the late Thomas White, a distinguished attorney of Waller County. He was a young man of ample meansat the outbreak of the war, but found himself bankrupted at the close of the struggle. His property being in slaves. He removed to Brazil in 1867, where he lost his wife. After he laid the nucleus of a fortune by investments in cocoa land. He remained in that country, taking to wife a lineal descendant of the first Governor General of Brazil. Her family, on both her mother's and father's side, have a distinguished History in the Empire.
Lucius, White, his brother, removed to Brazil when a mere boy, was educated there and graduated with high honors in the college at. Bahia. He was in the employ of the government at a civil engineer for a number of years, and amassed about $50,000, which he brought to this country, and lost through unwise investment. His last investment was in Hill County. While in Brazil, he married an American lady, a native of Florida…………..
The Dallas Daily Herald, Dallas, Texas, Monday, September 14, 1885, page 5
Lucius White Interviewed.
Interview With Lucius A. White - Waco, September 13. Special
“Very glad to see you, but there are some terrible Munchansons among your tribe - The St. Louis Reporters, for example. One fellow there wrote up a long interview with me, and I hadn't said a word to him.” This was the greeting Lucian A. white of Brazilian counterfeiting fame, gave the Herald correspondent this afternoon.
White had arrived at noon in charge of city jailer Seigmund of St. Louis, although a deputy United States Marshal was along to keep an eye on the prisoner. He was driven immediately to the Waco jail and stood behind the bars as he talked to the Herald correspondent.
A pleasant-faced man is White, and his language evinces intelligence and education. He speaks with ease and grace. He looked wearied and travel-stained as the effect of the journey from St. Louis, but talked pleasantly. In another part of the jail, not ten feet distant, was his brother Joseph White, but the two could not see each other.
Lucius White is 32 years of age, 20 years the junior of his brother Joseph. He says he was born and raised in Waller County, Texas, until 14 years old, when he sailed with his brother Joseph for Brazil. There he lived for 18 years, and until one year ago. There he met and married his wife, a Floridian by birth, whose parents had emigrated to Don Pedro. Empire. There, the three little children were born who call him father. The man's eyes moistened as he spoke of his wife and children
He said: “Before leaving St. Louis, I telegraphed to my wife, who lives near Whitney, that I would be in Waco Sunday. I am expecting her with impatience for I know she will come. I could not bear to go back to St. Louis without seeing her. I think they will start me back tomorrow evening if my testimony is concluded by that time.”
And then he spoke of the great case - the scheme to put out so much specious money upon the unsuspecting Brazilians. “Yes, I read Mr. Wither’s testimony as he delivered it in Waco yesterday in the Herald this morning. It is correct. I did all the contracting for the labels, and I was the only one I know in the contract. There were others. You ask? Well, of course, who they were will come out in due time. What they purposed doing with the labels I can't say. I supposed they were going to be put them on cigar boxes and the cigars to be sold in Brazil.”
“Yes they do look somewhat like the milreis of Brazil. But to say that they are an accurate depiction is not true. Any intelligent Brazilian would detect the fraud If it were attempted to pass one of these labels upon him as a genuine milreis note and the man (Brazilian) so stupid as not to be able to detect it would be hardly a man who would trade to the amount of 200 milreis and the labels are all of that denomination.”
“How do you think you will come out? Asked the reporter. White hesitated a moment and said, “I believe I will be convicted and imprisoned. It is a mistake that I have been promised Immunity to tell what I knew about this thing. I have already told United States Attorney Bliss at St. Louis all I know. I will tell here tomorrow all I know. But bliss didn't promise me immunity. and nobody here promised it, so I will be tried at St. Louis on November 10th before Judge Treat. I shall no doubt be convicted.”
“I can't say that I will plead guilty; that depends on the wording of the indictment. The grand jury may find against me. Under certain circumstances, though I would plead guilty; Not that I am guilty. Mind you. I don't admit that; but as things look, I couldn't hope to convince judge or jury of my innocence.”
“And so you have heard I will turn state's evidence to get my liberty and leave the others in the lurch? As I understand it, when a man turned state's evidence, it is on a promise of immunity for himself from punishment; and haven't I told you I haven't been promised anything. It is true, Mr. Bliss at St. Louis told me It would be better to tell him all I know; that my punishment would thereby probably be lighter, but he never once told me that if I would give away the gang and help convict them, I should go free. No, I expect to be punished if anybody is punished. I shall tell all I know and take the chances.”
To another question. He answered: “Well, I read it in a St. Louis paper that I was at outs with my brother Joseph, and ready to give him away. I prefer not to talk about my brother. It may be true we have had our quarrels. We have had them all through life; but still, he is my brother, and you know blood is thicker than water. The upshot of the whole thing is I have been led into a bad box, and I must stay there. I did all the conducting. I was kept in the front all the time, and here I am. Tomorrow, and not till then, can I talk any more about that, save to say that Wither’s testimony published in the Herald this morning is correct. And don't be too certain I have come here to give anybody. Away.” and thus ended the interview.
White is a very superior man, as to language and manners to his brother Joseph. The latter sits in his cell as dumb as an oyster. Lucius White will testify tomorrow before United States Commissioner Fink, and then be returned to St. Louis. Despite his averations to the contrary, it is believed he will give the whole thing away in hopes of getting clear himself. He is young, yet, has a wife and three little children, and liberty would be sweet to him. It is possible, though, that the government has testimony enough to convict this gang without his help.
The Waco Daily Examiner. Waco, Texas. Tuesday, September 15, 1885, page 3. Lucius Talks And Says it Was Not Him, But His Brother Joe, Who Did It. Lucius makes all the contracts about having the so-called labels printed, and Joseph furnishes the wherewithal for the work, and they were to divide the booty
Before the United States Commissioners Court yesterday morning at 10:00.
Appeared Lucius Alphonso White, who was brought from St. Louis on Sunday at noon to testify in the case of Joseph H. White the alleged Brazilian counterfeiter, and being sworn, White, said, I reside eight miles north of Whitney, Hill County, Texas, and lived there over a year, lived in Brazil from September 1866 to February 29th, eight, 1884. My brother and family lived there at the same time. We went there together and left at same time. He went back in June 1884. My business there was a government surveyor. My brother was a planter. Think my brother can both speak and write the Portuguese language. When he left, he owned two plantations of about 20,000 cocoa trees. (This is how the way land is measured there). Do not know what these places are worth., but was offered 20,000 milreis for one of them. Think they are worth more money now. When I landed in New York, I went to a hotel near Castle Garden. I stayed in New York 6 or 8 days; Think he remained there only a few days longer than I. I went from there to Florida. My brother came to Texas. We arrived in New York on March 20th. I came direct from Florida to Whitney. Don't know where my brother went. Saw him in Austin a few days after about the last of May, 1885. We had a conversation about copying notes. This was at his house. I stayed all night there. He said something to me of the money that could be made on labels and Brazil. This was speaking of bottle labels.
He spoke of the money he could make on labels, copied from Brazilian bills, said there was good money in sale of these labels. Finally, he said he would give me $500 to have labels made from a copy of the Brazilian bill. I was to receive this for my labor and time and not sure that he did produce the Treasury note then, but think he showed me a great many of these bills.
I understand that my expenses were to be paid, and I was to get $500 clear. I started to St. Louis on 21st day of June, 1885, to have this work done. My brother, Joseph H. White delivered me a bill he wished copied with instructions to see where I could make best arrangements as to copy the bill both back and face. He wanted the writing of his label to appear on margin of label; made the orders in Sa. Louis; after arriving there, looked about a while and applied to the first lithographer whose sign I saw; this party could not do any work for me and directed me to Auguste Gast and Co., 215, 217 and 219 Pine Street, St. Louis; there I met Mr. Whittler, manager of the house, and showed him this note, and told him I wanted a facsimile of it printed, made no trade that day.; the following Monday I went to see him again. He said he would make the face a bill for $160; told him I would consult my friend (having reference to my brother J. H. white.) Think I wrote and telegraphed both to him on that day; (witness was here handed a telegram giving cost of work, etc. to his brother in Whitney.) This is telegram I sent; I received answer to this message, but not at once. After leaving St. Louis, I went to Chicago to see lithographers there. I saw two establishments there. One of them said they were not in the counterfeiting business. Was surprised at this and so expressed myself; for Mr. Whittler had told me before that he could do the work without fear of the law. I went to New York, then to Niagara Falls and back to Texas, and returned to St. Louis where I was informed by Mr. Whittler that he could not make face of this note for less than $238. Mr. Whittler had his stenographer to take down a proposition (here the defendant objected to witness, stating what this proposition was as it was taken in writing and the memorandum would be best evidence.) Objection overruled.
This portion of the evidence as to the proposition and acceptance of same at $238; after leaving, seeing his brother Joseph, was exactly corroborative of Whittlers testimony.
I then went to New Orleans to see if I could have the back of the bill printed; went to a house called Practical Lithographer; here I was told I could have 3,000 impressions of the backs of the Treasury Note for $150; said they would be a facsimile of back of note; I. ordered them printed. Then I went back to St. Louis and gave Mr. Whittler the bill and the order to print 3,000 labels,.like Face of Note, paid $100 down on account. Joseph H. White gave me the money for that purpose, gave instructions of how labels should be made. (Exhibit K handed. Witness), my instruction as to reading matter to be placed on bill was necessary to have it placed on the margin of these impressions; advised my brother fully as to the arrangements made in New Orleans, and he approved the order; the genuine Treasury note was not forwarded to me as early as I expected. (Here Telegram “exhibit A” was handed to the witness), which he read. It was from A Gast and Co. asking for genuine Bill once more. Another message from L. A. White asking for genuine note was handed to witness; said he wrote it; then another acknowledging a correctness of proof was read and said to be his message.
All this work was done by me upon my brother's orders only; had nothing to do with the matter except to follow the instructions; I paid $50 on the account for having backs printed in New Orleans; got the money from my brother. I saw Mr. Ward in A. Gast and Co.’s house on the 16th of August, and he said he would have them done on the following day; made arrangements with Mr. Ward to send a man to express office with labels, to have them then expressed to my address at Blum, Texas, I paying express. That night as I was taking my seat at the supper table, I was arrested. I did telegraph the agent at the Texas Express Company to deliver the packages of labels to my brother, Joseph H. White. (Here a Portuguese message from Joseph to Lucius White was read and translated,) which was as follows. “Received letters; answer.today; Give job; all two..”
I understand this to mean to have both face and back made. (Handed Treasury note.) Am positive It is just like the one I had labels printed from;; think it is the same bill. this is a genuine Brazilian treasury note; Mr. Whittler told me that he would not print on these labels near Margin “American Bank Note Company, New York” as printed on genuine note; I did buy type and rubber stamp; the type would make these letters. ‘American Bank Note Company, New York”, they were bought in conformity to these letters.; I sent type and rubber stamp to my brother at Whitney, Texas; shipped it on the morning of 17th of August; was arrested on that day.; my brother and I did at one time have a misunderstanding about what I was to receive as agent in the matter; he afterward wanted to pay me in the labels and agreed to give me one-third of them. I did not want to do this, but finally agreed to do it; think I received from my brother in all $570 - all for expenses; my brother was to go back to Brazil about the middle of September.; I did not expect to go then; expected to go myself later in the fall; was not positive when the rubber stamp had six columns of figures; I could have made the numbers on that note with that stamp; bought it for that purpose per directions from my brother. bought an ink pad with the stamp the ink for pad was as near the color of figures on Brazilian note as I could procure in the city of New Orleans.; could not use the type I bought in rubber stamp; would have to be put up in some other way. Here the defense rested and the court was adjourned for noon.
Afternnon Session
Court was reconvened at 2 p.m. with same witness on the stand. Cross examined: “My brother had two plantations in Brazil when we left; did not own them when his first wife died, we left Texas before the McMullen party left New York for Brazil in August 1866; Thank my brother's first wife died in 1872; My brother was engaged in farming, was living on his farm when his wife died. I was engaged first on my brother's farm; afterward, my brother was engaged in merchandising in Campinas. I was afterward a clerk in charge of a warehouse; afterward met an old friend and stayed with him one year; he and I finally bought a farm; After that I was in partnership with a man by the name of Schofield, buying and selling cocoa and other goods after this I was engaged in surveying; did not make out copies of Brazilian Treasury notes of different denominations, have had a good deal of experience in business in Brazil; don't think I ever saw a counterfeit piece of money there. 500 reis are about the smallest piece of money they have there, this is about one-half milreis; The 200 milreis note does not circulate in the rural and Indian districts as much as in the commercial centers; thank nickel plated pistols could be sold first rate in Brazil.; did hear my brother say that there could be a speculation made on the sale of such things, a great deal of tobacco is raised in Brazil, but Brazilian government did not have revenue stamps for cigars and cigarettes when I left there; the more ready tho sale of the goods was according to the attraction of the label; myself and brother came from Brazi on the same ship; my brother’s present wife's name is Etelvina Augusta Conselhos de Sousa Bahiana White, she was of a wealthy family; don't know how much means my brother brought back with him; my brother returned from Brazil last time last January; Don't know how much money he brought back with him; his homestead in Hill County is about all the property I know of his owning in state of Texas; I came from St. Louis to testify in this case; I landed in Waco jail yesterday afternoon, I was domiciled in St. Louis jail before coming here; was arrested on 17th of August, but was not sent to jail until about 25th of August; kept at hotel at first; made acquaintance of Mr. Drummond at the customs House; Mr. Tyrrel, the detective, was the man who got me to make my statement; TyrrelD and Hicks, Drummond and Major Cousins, United States Deputy Marshal, were present when I made the statement; Mr. Drummond wrote it. Mr. Tyrrel asked the questions; was asked when I came to New York. “Did you make any acquaintances there? “No;”, he asked other questions, to which I answered as follows: “My brother went back to Brazil in June; was in New York before he went back about one month; “ told him I met a man by the name of Lane who sent me to have this printing done.; I think I gave him about all the information I have gotten here; always substituting Lane for my brother's name.
Mr. Bliss told me that he thought my punishment would be much lighter if I would give all I knew in the case, but said he did not need it in evidence to convict the parties; I finally told my brother's name in the matter because I supposed the authorities had sufficient evidence to criminate and convict my brother; no one was present when I had my first interview with Bliss; this was the time he told me it would go lighter with me if I told all I knew. At my third interview with Mr. Bliss, my statement was written down. This was the last statement I made. I signed the statement and did not swear to it; did not tell my brother in jail yesterday that I had made any statement; I sent this package of labels to my brother after I was arrested; sent telegram to my brother that I was arrested; don't know whether these labels were paid for next day or not; I think they were; it was suggested by Mr. Bliss that I send this telegram, and at his. Instance did not send the labels and telegram at my own option, but at the instigation of the government. I told Mr. Wall on the morning of the 17th to address this package and ship to me at Blum, Texas as soon as finished; this was before my arrest; did not say I did not use my brother's name in first interview, but used Lane instead.; my second interview was before Mr. Bliss at the Custom House; the interview was written down on August 25th; I sent the telegram at the suggestion of Mr. Bliss; Mr.Bliss thought that my brother would come on receipt of telegram and get the label; he said also his receipt of the labels would be evidence against my brother. (Witness was shown the government note.) I can't say that this is the same bill I left in New Orleans, outside of the numbers on that bill, there may be many others extant like it; but I cannot identify it as the identical bill I left in New Orleans. I don't know whether the bill I left in New Orleans had the letters P.D. or C.Kk in writing on it; had the billHad any of these letters on it I Think I would have noticed it. I saw the bill of same denomination and stamp in Custom House in St. Louis.
Here witness for defense was introduced.
Mr. O. D.Harris, sworn, said, “; I know the defendant; He has 200 acres of land in Hill County; Defendant's first wife is my mother's sister. There were 200 acres of land deeded him; think there were 175 acres of land deeded his family; I know nothing of his property in Brazil; I know nothing of what property he may have elsewhere than in Hill County.
Here the testimony closed for the day. Court was adjourned until today. 10 a.m., when Lucius A. White, will reappear on the stand for the government.
The Dallas Daily Herald, Dallas, Texas, Wednesday, September 16, 1885, page 5. The Counterfeiting Case Waco, September 15 - Special Commissioner Finks did not open his court to resume testimony in the Brazilian counterfeiting case until 11o’clock this morning.
Question by Major Pearro: Did you at any time receive a letter from Joseph H. White in this connection? Answer. Yes; don't know where it is destroyed; don't know who destroyed it; date about June 7 or 8; was at Moser's hotel when sent; As near as I can recollect, the latter said: “Have labels made printing on face and back as exact as possible, and with as much secrecy as possible. Burn or destroy this letter as quick as through reading it.” This letter was the letter referred to as his telegram in answer to mine. Here the telegram was exhibited and handed witness, which he identified as being an answer to a telegram of June 6, and the witness read the Portuguese telegram of June 10, referred to yesterday. I received a telegram after my return, as I had been to Texas in the meanwhile. My first conversation with my brother was to this effect: That this was the very opportunity to employ me as I was out of money, but at any other time he would never mention it, as he knew I would not touch a thing that had suspicion attached to it: So he did not suppose there was any crime under the law, although a suspicion attached to the copying of a bill, and if brought up, it would be a disgrace on our family. I gave the name of Lane to shield my brother; I did give my brother away to Bliss, as he said it would do me harm only, not to come out, as he knew my brother was behind it; papers were taken from me showing my brother's inculpation; these papers were taken from me prior to the conversation with Bliss; I had requested the Clark of August, Gast and Co. to go to the express offices, and I would pay expressage; I did explicitly describe the kind of package; they were to be put into paper, and then into a secure box, and addressed to Lucius A. White, Blum, Texas; I did inform Mr. Bliss in what manner they were to be done up, and expressed to me; they had notified me how they were to be put up for expressage, securely wrapped in paper, and then put in a box; the telegram sent after my arrest was sent under these circumstances; Mr. Bliss said, suppose you telegraph your brother you are sick and to go and get the package at Blum and advise the agent to deliver the same, would he go for them? I think I said yes (here Telegram is read, by witness, to agent instructing delivery to Jos. H. White) Here, Major Pearro turned witness over to the defense: Cross-examined for defense. Question- Why did you not state yesterday about the first question and suggestion in regards to undertaking the matter? Answer- I didn't know the question was asked. Question-Don't you know you were asked to give full details? Answer- Don't know that I was; Major Pearro and I have had conversations on this point and other matters; my memory is not refreshed by Major Pearro except he read the evidence given in St. Louis; my brother told me that he wanted these as labels, and money could be made by selling them to Brazil; He did not say at any time that he wanted to counterfeit money to pass the same in Brazil. I had were labeled prepared to send according to my brother's directions; I told Attorney Bliss of such a place as Blum; he did suggest that I send a telegram to my brother that I was sick.; I did send such a telegram at the suggestion of Bliss.; I did do this to make evidence against my brother; I would not have sent the labels at all, but had given orders to send them.
Here the defendant asked if the witness was not instrumental in sending the labels to Blum Meijer Pearro objected. (Overruled.) Answer- I did leave orders to direct them to Blum the 17th, to my address; the reason I did not direct them to Whitney was because I wanted to carry them myself to my brother in my buggy- the distance from Blum to Whitney is about 16 miles; It was not a decoy put up by Mr. Bliss to gain evidence against my brother; I did not bring them in my trunk, as my brother said send them by express; I don't know whether the labels were sent in a box or not; Bliss did say it would go lighter if I confessed my brother's complicity, and it was a consideration, and not, because he said he had evidence sufficient; I did not know at the time that Bliss had the papers in his possession, but later I did find out that he knew all about the telegrams; he did tell me he had the Portuguese telegram, I think before I gave my brother away; I don't think I stated we had three interviews; I did not know the telegram, at the suggestion of Bliss was to be followed up by parties to arrest my brother; I did tell my brother before returning to St. Louis, that I had arranged for the printing of back at New Orleans; this was before I left Whitney the last time, which was in August; I negotiated with the party in New Orleans to have the back printing done in June. I think about the 22nd,
Major Pearro asked the witness: Is this the telegram you telegraphed at Mr. Bliss 'ssuggestion? Witness- I think so. The witness read the telegram as follows: To. Joseph H. White, Whitney. Texas. “Am sick; expressed package last night to Blum; letter by mail. (Signed) Lucius A. White Question by a Defendant - Did you send letter by mail? Answer- Don't think I did. Major Pearro - State why you agreed to take the 1000 bills when the contract of 500 was denied? Answer- I agreed to take the $1,000 in order to get the $200. Question by defendant- Did you not know when the stone was paid for you could have as many more struck off? Answer- I did. Question- Did you propose to burn the bills when you got them? Answer- I did not consider them worth anything.
Mr. Henry Hawkins, telegraph operator at Blum was called to the stand by the government. District attorney Pearro asked. Question- Was the telegram exhibit one delivered at your office? Answer- Yes. Question- Who called for it? Answer- Joseph H. White.
Mr. Weaver, Telegraph operator, was called to the stand and sworn. He testified: My name is Joseph H. Weaver; my occupation is that of a telegraph operator at St. Louis. I have charge of the files in the office. Question- Do you recognize this telegram? “Exhibit I“ Answer- I object to answer the question (When told by the court, he must answer, Witness resumed). I have no personal knowledge of it. Only knew of it when subpoenaed to appear before a United States Commissioner. I found it in the original files of June 6, 1885: They are not put in original files until after transmission. There are marks by which I can recognize it as having been sent by my company. (Here Witness explained them). Cross-examined by defendant: Question.- You have no personal knowledge of the telegram? Answer- No, I never saw it before. I took it from the files.
By attorney. Pearro- Can you identify this telegram of June 10, 1885? Answer- Yes. It was received in my office. By defendant- Do you have any personal knowledge of this telegram? Answer- No, sir. I do not receive it; Never saw it until I took it from the files. T
Telegraph operator Hawkins of Blum was recalled.
Question by Government- who wrote this telegram? Answer- Joseph H. White; It was not sent from my office, but from Aquilla.
This concludes the testimony of the St. Louis witnesses, including Lucius White, and they leave for St. Louis at 2:00 tomorrow morning via the Missouri-Pacific. the delay being occasioned by the transcribing of these notes for Lucius White to sign. The brothers Joseph H. And Lucius, A. White, did not speak until noon today just after court adjourned. Time and again their eyes had met a the courtroom, but never a word or sign of recognition. When Lucius was leaving the courtroom, Joseph H. walked up to him, held out his hand, and said. “Goodbye, Lucius; God bless you, my brother!.” Lucius White was evidently dazed by the incident, for he expected anything else. He had sat there for two days, giving testimony, every word of which was calculated to Imperil Joseph's liberty. That his brother, the elder white, could, after this be generous enough to say, “God bless you,” seemed to overcome him. He shook the proffered hand, but uttered not a word and reply. And then Joseph H. White was carried away to the jail, while Lucius went away with Mr. Seigmund to the Pacific Hotel for his dinner. He spent the afternoon walking around the city with his custodians. His parting with his wife this morning, it may be stated, was very affecting.
El Paso Times, El Paso, Texas, Thursday, December 2, 1886, page 1.
The Brazilian Note Case.
St. Louis, December 2.
The Brazilian note cases took an unexpected turn today in the United States District Court.
Joseph H. White who has been confined in the city jail awaiting trial on the charge of uttering forged certificates purporting to be Brazilian Treasury notes sent for the district attorney and intimated his desire to withdraw his plea of not guilty and throw himself upon the mercy of the court.
This he did late in the day, and the jury returned a verdict of guilty. He was remanded to jail, sentence being deferred.
His brother, Lucien White, is awaiting trial at Saint Charles, Missouri, charged with the same offense. It is thought that he will receive a light sentence in as much as he turned state's evidence.
Fort Worth Daily Gazette, Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, January 7, 1887, page 5.
White Sentenced
The Brazilian Note Forger Given Three Years.
St. Louis, Missouri, January 6 - Judge Treat, today in the United States District Court sentenced Joseph H. White of Waco, Texas, who has been in jail here since August 1885, on charges preferred by the United States government of counterfeiting Brazilian Treasury notes, to three years in the. Penitentiary.
His brother Lucius, who turned state's evidence, will be released.
The Fort Worth Gazette, Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, February 11, 1887, page 1. Mercy Recommended.
Another Chapter in the Celelbrated Brazilian Counterfeit Case.
New Orleans, Louisiana, February 4 - The jury in the circuit court yesterday brought in a verdict of guilty of printing counterfeit notes against Gustave Koechert, recommending him at the same time to the mercy of the court. The case is one of several known as the Brazilian Counterfeits. A man named White, who was in the Confederate service, went to Brazil with many others. After a while in Brazil, he conceived a gigantic plan of counterfeiting notes In this country. No one was taken into his confidence, but his brother Lucius White of Texas, who was used to do the work.
Lucius was to get two steel plates made each representing the side of a Brazilian note, to be used. It was understood as a label for a cigar box. The plate was made in St Louis, the other here. The Lithographing firm, of which Koechert, was a member, undertook the job in good faith, when the whole thing was given away and Koechert and his partner were arrested, charged with being counterfeiters.
The jury yesterday declared Koechert guilty, it being shown that he was technically guilty of counterfeiting, although acting in good faith and having no intention or desire to defraud the government, Judge Billings declared that under such circumstances he thought it unjust to sentence the prisoner and that he would await the action of the president and the matter. It is thought a pardon will be issued.
A number of other persons here, photographers and others, are awaiting trial under the same charge.
The Galveston Daily News, Galveston, Texas, Monday, March 14th, 1892, page 6.
Brazilian Counterfeiting Case Actions.
In the other case, Herring and Kelly, a leading firm of Waco lawyers, were the plaintiffs and the heirs of Joseph H. White deceased, who, it will be remembered, acquired no little notoriety In 1885, 1886 and 1887, by reason of his connection with the famous Brazilian counterfeiting cases were the defendants.
The suit involved the title to 178 acres of fine land deeded by White and wife to plaintiffs as a fee for defending White in the counterfeiting cases. While this instrument is on its face, a warranty deed, the defendants allege that it was only intended as a mortgage to secure the payment of a fee of $2,000 that Mrs. Etel Vina B. White, who is a native of Brazil, was not familiar with the English language and the interpreter noting for the Notary taking her acknowledgement, failed to explain the true character of the conveyance to her, and that she understood it to be a mortgage and not an absolute conveyance, as it it really appeared to be.
The jury found in favor of this position, and a verdict was returned against the plaintiff. White, It will be remembered entered a plea of guilty in the United States Court at St. Louis without the consent of his counsel, and was given a light sentence. The case was full of interest, and many interesting facts connected with that then-famous transaction cropped out in the evidence. The plaintiffs have moved for a new trial, and failing to receive it will appeal the case.