Category Archives: William B. Schwartz

Minor State News

After nearly two years’ search to find the man who was making the most dangerous counterfeit half dollar ever manufactured secret service officers arrested William B. Schwartz, a well-known lawyer of Indianapolis, and an hour later he is said to have confessed. The molds at his house were given up, and an electric battery and a spurious half dollar were found at his office. Schwartz once had a fine practice, but neglected it to care for a deranged wife, who is now in an asylum.

“Minor State News,” The Plymouth Tribune (Plymouth, Indiana), 7 June 1906, p. 3, col. 8; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 4 April 2014).

Driven By Misfortune

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DRIVEN BY MISFORTUNE

Indianapolis Lawyer Takes to Making Bogus Coins

Counterfeiter Arrested and Confesses He Did it Because of Poverty.

William B. Schwartz Was Unable to Support HIs Family From His Practice and Started Counterfeiting – – – Carried on the Work for Several Years.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Mary 21 – Unable to support two grown daughters and an insane wife by his profession as a lawyer, William B. Schwartz, a member of the Indianapolis bar, admitted to secret service officials this afternoon that he had been forced to make counterfeit half dollars to add to his income.

Schwartz was arrested in his office by Captain Thomas E. Hails, chief of the secret service department, and Merrill E. Wilson, chief deputy United States marshal. Some of the most perfect imitations of half dollars ever found in Indianapolis were discovered in Schwartz’s office, where he finished his output after making the preliminary molds at his home, 419 Grace street.

There was little difficulty in getting Schwartz to admit his guilt. He has been under surveillance almost a year and it is believed he has been making coin nearly two years. Brass molds were used in manufacturing the rough coins, which were composed generally of babbitt metal. These molds or dies were used in Schwartz’s home and after the rough coins were prepared they were taken to his office and finished in an electric battery. One half dollar being “finished” was found in the battery after Schwartz’s arrest by Detective Manning, acting captain of the city detective department, who had been the first to suspect Schwartz.

Officers who made the arrest do not believe that Schwartz passed any great amount of the “queer” in Indianapolis Ind, that he sold his output to an organized gang.

When arrested Schwartz told a tale of poverty and the struggle for existence he has had for the last few years. He is scarcely forty years old and until a few years ago earned a fair compensation from his practice. His wife’s mind became affected, however, and after spending large sums for medical attention, it was necessary to place her in an asylum.

Left with two daughters to support and his practice rapidly decreasing, Schwartz said he knew not from one day’s end to the other where the next day’s meals were coming from.

“Then it was that I got into this business,” he said in conclusion.

“Driven By Misfortune,” The Fort Wayne Journal (Fort Wayne, Indiana), 22 May 1906, p. 1, col. 1; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaper archive.com : accessed 3 April 2014).

Makes Coin Molds

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MAKES COIN MOLDS

CLEVER MECHANIC PLEADS HIS POVERTY

Schwartz Put Under $1,000 Bail on Charge of Making Spurious Half Dollars.

William B. Schwartz, the Indianapolis lawyer under arrest for counterfeiting, was given a hearing before United States Commissioner Young, Tuesday, and was committed, in default of $1,000 bail. Schwartz made a complete confession at the hearing and wept as he told how he had been tempted to take to counterfeiting as an easy way of getting money. He said he had made and passed about 100 pieces. About half this number has been taken up by the detectives. He said that when he was absolutely in need of a little money he would get rid of a few of the half dollars and then would not attempt it for some time. He has never had a large law practice and his Income from his business was small. Developments of an interesting nature are looked for. The man was finishing one of the coins by an electric process when arrested. He says he has no confederate outside the city.

The prisoner is strong and healthy. The brass molds with which he made the coins molds he made himself, indicate his mechanical ability. He has two daughters who are said to be supporting themselves. His wife is in an insane asylum. The molds were said to be perfect pieces of workmanship. The authorities regard this one of the best catches made recently.

“Makes Coin Molds,” The Indianapolis Sun (Indianapolis, Indiana), 22 May 1906, p. 8, col. 4; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 2 April 2014).

H. H. Symms Co.

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NEW SUITS FILED.

H. H. Symms Co. vs. William B. Schwartz et al.; suit on judgment. Superior Court, Room 2.

“The Court Record: New Suits Filed,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 5 December 1903, p. 5, col. 3; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 1 April 2014).

Insanity No Ground

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INSANITY NO GROUND

For Divorce in Indiana, Says Indianapolis Judge.

Judge Carter, of the superior court Indianapolis, yesterday denied a divorce to William B. Schwartz, an attorney, whose wife has been in the Central Indiana Insane Hospital since 1890. The judge said that insanity is not a ground for divorce in Indiana and the cruelty alleged and testified to was shortly before his wife became insane, and he would not grant a divorce on that ground.

Edgar A. Brown was appointed guardian to look after Mrs. Schwartz’s interests in the suit. Previously Schwartz had filed two complaints for divorce, but he dismissed them. In the last case the issues were fought through. Schwartz’s attorney made a plea that his client should not for the rest of his life have the burden of his wife interfered with real transfers of real estate he desired to make. Mr. Schwartz’s brother approved the request for a divorce.

“Insanity No Ground,” Logansport Reporter (Logansport, Indiana), 9 July 1903, p. 3, col. 6; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 31 March 2014).

Not Ground For Divorce

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NOT GROUND FOR DIVORCE

Judge Carter Would Not Grant It Because Defendant Is Insane

William B. Schwartz, an attorney whose wife has been in the Central Insane Hospital since 1890, was refused a divorce by Judge Carter yesterday. The judge said that insanity is not a ground for divorce in Indiana; that it is one of the “risks of the partnership,” and he would not grant a decree on that ground.

Edgar A. Brown was appointed guardian to look after Mrs. Schwartz’s interest in the suit. Schwartz’s attorney made the plea that his client should not for the rest of his life have such a burden upon him, and claimed that in the insanity of his wife interfered with transfers of real estate he desired to make. Mrs. Schwartz’s brother was in favor of a divorce.

“Not Ground For Divorce,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), p. 9, col. 1; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 30 March 2014).

Judge’s Opinion

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JUDGE’S OPINION

Insanity is Declared No Cause For a Divorce

Indianapolis, Ind., July 8. – In the divorce case of William B. Schwartz, an attorney, whose wife has been confined in the insane hospital since 1890, Judge Carter, of the superior court, ruled that insanity is not a ground for divorce, and the petition was denied. The court also held that the acts of cruelty complained of were committed shortly before his wife was adjuded insane and could not be made a ground for divorce.

“Judge’s Opinion,” Hartford City Telegram (Hartford, Indiana), 8 July 1903, p. 8, col. 2; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 28 March 2014).

Schwartz Hit with a Club

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Schwartz Hit with a Club.

William B. Schwartz, an attorney, living at 807 Meek street, was hit on the head last night with a club by John Manley, a sixteen-year-old boy, living next door. It is said that Schwartz has tried o get possession of the Manley house for some time and the Manley family refuses to leave. Last night while Schwartz started down Meek street he said he was assaulted by young Manley. A large gash was cut on Schwartz’s head.

“Schwartz Hit with a Club,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 9 September 1902, p. 3, col. 5; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 28 March 2014).

Claims Law Is Unconstitutional

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Claims Law Is Unconstitutional.

Attorney W. B. Schwartz yesterday attacked the constitutionality of the new divorce law before Judge Carter. He said there is no law that can compel a plaintiff to pay for the defense of his own suit. His client, William S. Moorman, refused to advance the $5 fee for defending the case, and the suit was dismissed by the court. Schwartz asks that his suit be reinstated.

“Claims Law Is Unconstitutional,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 12 July 1901, p. 6, col. 5; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 24 March 2014).

The Court Record – 30 June 1901

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CIRCUIT COURT

Henry Clay Allen, Judge.

William B. Schwartz vs. Mary V. Schwartz; divorce. Insanity of defendant suggested. Samuel Ashby appointed guardian ad litem for defendant.

“Circuit Court,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 30 June 1901, p. 7, col. 4; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 23 March 2014).