"greenback" notes. They arrested "Alexander Bill" there, a noted rogue, whom they took to Louisville jail, and Col. Whitley, learning of this arrest, forthwith directed Detective Eagan, of the Secret Service force, to examine further into his matter.
McCartney's wife had also been arrested. But Pete was non est. at the time the Louisville police entered the old house. When Eagan arrived, he found that Mrs. McC. had been discharged by the U. S. Commissioner, and he brought her away. She then joined her mother, in Illinois.
When McCartney had been arrested at Cincinnati, in company with one "Charley Johnson," no coney was found upon Mac, but over $400 in counterfeit notes were discovered upon Johnson—in 20's, $5's, and fractional currency, with a set of $20 Greenback plates. They were both locked up in jail—but when Eagan arrived there, McCartney (as usual,) had again escaped! The busy Detective was not a little disappointed at this result, when he felt assured he had so nearly secured the game he had for some time sought. But he returned to St. Louis, under instructions, still actively on the scent.
At a late hour one evening, Eagan learned that McCartney was in the town of Venice, Ill., a small place near St. Louis, opposite the island where Pete's friend Fred Biebusch [1] had hid himself, after jumping his bail. Pete had escaped from the jail at Cincinnati very quietly, and was not looking for a visit from Col. Whitley's men at this moment. But he was then in the charge of the local police, and Eagan dropped in upon him at Venice, and had him, before he had time to make another move for escape.
McCartney at once offered to deliver into the hands of his capturers a large amount of counterfeit notes, plates,
- ↑ See page 63 for the history of this noted koniacker.
