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Reward Offered for the Arrest of an Ex-Post Office Clerk

Charged with Counterfeiting Money Orders

A wanted notice for a dapper, well-spoken ex-postal clerk accused of forging money orders across three states — a vivid physical description of a small-time swindler now utterly lost to history.

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The Cairo Bulletin · July 10, 1873 · Page 1

1 min read

CINCINNATI, July 9.

The postoffice department have issued a circular through special agents here, offering a reward of $250 for the arrest of John W. Young, ex-post office clerk, who has been engaged in counterfeiting money orders purporting to be issued at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and which have been offered for collection at Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Springfield, Illinois. Young is described as about 26 years of age, but looks younger; five feet six inches in height, weighs about 130 pounds, hazel eyes, very prominent, and full mouth, light brown hair, light mustache, unless lately shaved; walks with head and right shoulder thrown back, and with a pompous strut; ordinarily carries a cane, and is foppishly dressed; was naturally born a gentleman, but can act the rogue if necessary; he has been an army officer and boasts of service in the late war as a colonel in the Union army, in Mexico and in Cuba.

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