Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1904 — SAYS HE BOUGHT IT FOR LEAD [ARTICLE]

SAYS HE BOUGHT IT FOR LEAD

Chunk of Staff That Turned Oat Ta Ba SIO,OOO Worth of Silver Bought for $lO the Buyer Says. East St. Louis. 111., Dec. 0. —Alleging that he purchased $7,000 worth of sliver bullion for $lO. believing that It was lead, Mason Banks, a junk dealer, living at Fifth street and Converse avenue, is under arrest and Friday the federal grand jury began an Investigation of his ease. According to the story told by Banks, he purchased the bullion from two men who claimed to have found It, and who believed, as he did. that it was a lead composition. Detectives who were put upon the ease discovered that the bullion had been taken from a 1 loaded government car in the railway yard. Banks was caught with the goods while driving through the streets of East St. Louis about a week ago. He appeared to be much surprised when he found his purchase, instead of being wortfi $lO. was valued at more than $7,000, according to the latest quotations. Tlie authorities lielleve that the ease may lie one of counterfeiters, and they are investigating it along these lines. w