26 June 1890
She Bronzed Silver Dollars
Mrs. Gertrude Russell, a prominent Lawrence County, Ohio family member, was arrested by Deputy US Marshal Daniel White of Huntington, WV, on a warrant charging her with attempting to pass counterfeit money. Witnesses testified that she had proffered six pieces of money, apparently $20 gold pieces, for exchange at the Huntington [WV] Bank.
The money she is alleged to have offered consisted of silver dollars bronzed with gold bronze, which, on cause examination, were calculated to deceive. Governor Jackson and other prominent attorneys defended Mrs. Russell. Because of the prominence of the people, this created quite a sensation.
The Piqua Daily Call, Piqua, Ohio 9 July 1890
Mrs. Gertrude Russell of Lawrence County, Ohio, has been indicted for passing counterfeit $20 gold pieces. The evidence against her is said to be overwhelming. She refuses to tell where she got the coins.
Hamilton Evening Journal, Hamilton, Ohio 12 July 1890
Pretty and Held as a Counterfeiter
A remarkable criminal case was decided before United States Commissioner Tavener at Parkersburg, WV, the defendant being Mrs. Gertrude Russell, a young married woman of great personal beauty and a member of a wealthy Lawrence County, Ohio, family.
For some months past, numerous instances have occurred on both sides of the river in the vicinity of this city where parties applied to furnish change for $20 gold pieces have found themselves in possession of gilded silver half dollars.
After complying with the request for a long time, it could not be decided who the very slick crook was, but ten days ago, Mrs. Russell, it is charged, went into a local bank and attempted the trick, which failed. She was arrested and had her preliminary examination, defended by ex-Governor J.B. Jackson and three other prominent attorneys.
The federal grand jury held her for $1,000. The defendant fainted when the commissioner made the announcement of the result.
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