A Counterfeit Paper Trail Runs Through Seattle

The customs authorities of this city were seen yesterday in regard to the San Francisco Chinese certificate counterfeits. Deputy Collector of Customs McDonald was of the opinion that the counterfeiters had just begun operations, and that they had not yet established an agent or an agency in this city. He was certain that none of the Chinese of this district had any of the fraudulent certificates.

Chinese Inspector Frank D. Schuyler was next seen. Mr. Schuyler was certain that there was not a Chinese in this city who did not have a certificate. He said he would give a reward to anyone who would find him a single Chinese who was not provided with a proper and legal certificate. He was positive that there were no forged certificates in this section of the state.

S. G. Glenn Todd, who is mentioned in the press dispatches from San Francisco as being connected with the gang of counterfeiters, was appointed inspector of customs by Collector Wasson in February, 1889, and served as such until the latter part of April. At first he was stationed at Port Townsend, and after a few months was transferred to Vancouver. That city was considered an important point by the customs authorities, for the reason that the Haytian Republic, the Signal and other vessels supposed to be engaged in smuggling always stopped there, and all their movements could be telegraphed to the customs authorities at Port Townsend and Portland by the deputy inspector stationed there. It is claimed that Todd failed to keep the customs authorities posted as to the suspicious movements of these vessels, and was finally let out by the department for his neglect.

Todd came from Kansas in 1889 or 1890, where he had been engaged in commercial business. Shortly after his arrival in Port Townsend he obtained a position on the police force, and shortly thereafter he is said to have developed an ambition to be chief of police, a desire which was never gratified, owing to an accident. This incident consisted of the fact that he was found asleep in an alleyway in Port Townsend by Chief of Police Dalaney. Since he left the service Mr. Todd has located in Tacoma, and latterly has been employed in a grocery store in the capacity of clerk.

Ferdinand Ciprico, one of the alleged conspirators recently arrested in San Francisco, has made several trips to this city in the past three years, the last trip being about a year ago. He is a native of San Francisco, and of Spanish descent. His father was proprietor of the Montgomery baths and barber shop on Montgomery street, near Washington, which twenty years ago was the most fashionable establishment of the kind in San Francisco. Such men as Ralston, William Sharon, William O'Brien, John Flood, Hall McAllister, Judge Dwinell, Judge Myrick, Judge Sawyer, Judge Stephen Field and other prominent men affected this shop. The Ciprico family was a large one, consisting of two boys and four girls. The girls were nearly all employed in the public schools in the capacity of teachers.

George Ciprico, the eldest son of the family, attempted a career as a tragedian. His first attempt was to enact the part of Hamlet at a benefit at the old Alhambra theater on Bush street, about twenty-eight years ago. A comic mishap during the performance ended the experiment, and he subsequently appeared in lighter roles, but never made a great success as an actor, owing to his short stature.

Ciprico, however, did not follow anything else but the occupation of customs inspector, except when he was assisting in fraudulent transactions, such as assisting smugglers of Chinese and opium, and the manufacturing of fraudulent Chinese certificates.

San Francisco, April 1.—The men charged with counterfeiting Chinese registration certificates were arraigned before Commissioner Heacock today for a preliminary examination. Katasauer, Fox and another were represented by lawyers, and Riordan Attorney Hinkle appeared for Ciprico's interest, while Sullivan was represented by Attorney Wilkins of San Rafael. At the suggestion of Special Agent Thomas it was decided not to proceed with the hearing until April 10. Hinkle made an effort to have the bail reduced from $10,000, but Commissioner Heacock turned a deaf ear to his pleadings. Nothing new has been developed in the matter. The officers are certain that the certificates were printed in this city, but have as yet failed to locate the men who did the work.