The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-11
| Trial OF Edwin Wilbur fOr q Bank Forgery
for $6s4, and Revelations OF an Accom-
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.


Dc o-The prisoner, who was tried and acquitted
On similar charge in the course Of last summer
again placed the bar indicted for forging the Of
former employer to bank check for the above amount
He Is young Of remarkably good appearances natu-
rally but his late imprisonment has had very percept
bic effect upon him and he looked deadly pale and his
eye sunken
His accomplish, as 1t is alleged, G. II Wood, young
man about the age who to be used as States
evidence and had been detained Witness presented
even melancholy spectacle he took his seat in
prsoners box-Wilbur being seated by his counsel Mr.
c. S. Spencer and Mr.. G. Burlipg.
Mr. Hall opened the case stating the facts Is de-
yeloped in The subcined testimony. Wood, he said
would be called to the stand witness for the State,
and would owe the charge directly it was unsafe to
convict the testimony Of accomplish unsupported
In this Wood who had moved in most respectable
sphere far beyond what his present Appearances (pro
duced by suffering and long imprisonment) would ind
cate had the tool Of the designing prisoner.
Abraham r. Van Nest, s22 Pearl street, hardware
dealer, sworn-Was acquainted with Edwin Wilbur; in
February Last in witness employ book keeper
he (witness acquainted with his handwriting; kept
sn account in the Seventh Ward Bank and did last
February. Check produced as follows
oo Q Q Q . . Q o
0 No. A. New YORK, Sept Fl, 1852. o
SEVENTH WARD BANK. Q
o Pay L. y. Miller Bearer U
0 Blk Hundred Eighty four Dollars. o
1884 ABRAHAM 3. VAN NEST. o
&C Q %
To the best Of his belief tho filling up In the prison
ers handwriting when he in witnesses employ he
Gross examned-Hs attention was rst called to it not
five minutes after 1t presented by the cashier Of the
Seventh Ward Bank; 1t never cashed to his know.
LEDGE ut the tine his attention called he in his
store four five doors from the bank went immediately
the bank found party who presented IT.
whom he identified Wood present; Wood stated he
received it from person at the United States HOTEL
did not say who the person was nor state the ercun
he further raid he of the situation he
in, and knew the consequences Of answering ques
tons; and seemed to decline answering; this about
to show the person he did so eheck handed up he
judged Of the writing by the general appearances.
Point out to that jary you can any p1TtS s
writing.
can't go any further; it is my belief frsn
The witness continusd-The check was shown to him
on the day it presented 1t might be two weeks
afterwards that Wilbur was arrested did not lodge any
charge, at first, against Mr. Wlbur did not take any
steps to have him arrested recognised the handwriting
the moment he it. and had his suspicious but not
sufficient proof to CHARGE did net Woods exami-
nation. impcate Wilbur; present there; the check
In his hand them another for suspecting it
WbuI's writing was his attention had been drawn
by Mr. Hobson to impression of his (witness) sig-
nature Mr. Hobsons blotter previous to the forge
~; could give no further reason why he satisfied
OF the fact recognised all the capital letters to his
general style; thought he had mentioned to some
that he had his suspicions but not to the poce did
that time
Jo-athan Cripps Hobson, merchant Pearl street,
svoIn-Knew the defendant, Wilbur; he was in wit
ness employ from February to May, IS bookkeeper,
and he had often seen him write; he used to fill up
his cheeks when he there the check produced
hiA dgment and belief knew of his having been in
Nj Van Nest employ, and had seen the name Of Mr.
\ Dp1e,i s,s on !. his '0'e as from
Cross eIamined-That before the forgery did not
see Wilbur write it, and the blotter lay open the
desk, they had several vsiters at the office; he could
not point out any popularity first thought it
written in his general style and manner and had since
examined and compared 1t and satisfied principal
from the general appearance and the figures; there
was peculiarity, - there was in every other mans
writings the figures were made in the way he general
Q. What is the popularity about them?
A. l can't say; that is a ridiculous question
ooaassl-a9u thought 50 once before when had coca.
then, and psrhsps they will not now.
Mr. Hall here arose and requested the interference OF
the Court. 1t was practice much too common for
counsel TO inrult witnesses.
The Recorder raid there toe much looseness and
1t not for counsel to interlsrd examination with
tuch remarks The witness however must pro-
per questions and the Court would protect them from
CounseI-WelI Mr. Hobson will you be pleased to
answer what was the popularity. you point out
i.-The popularity can't be defined; it is impossible
to do So but there Is peculiar roundne in the
and the letters formed larger than IL
usual with moot people
els that the usual size Of the letters he makes?
Ayes, cir.
Q-Then there is no Disguise his general writing is
A-What have seen is very similar; but there may
be attempt at dguise which is scarcely perceptble
should think 1t was written under some enbsrrass
ment.
lis there not suit now pending between you and
Mr. Wilbur for malicious prosecution, in which you
Ne WAS the author OF the forgery and the
quilted him?
A i have heard Of such suit and am ashamed you
Mr.. Hal-I the door is opened in this way, I shall
certainly yindcae your Honos myself and the Jury
Mr. Spencer only put the question to show there was
trouble between them and the feelings with which the
witness testified Was there such q suit! II not pro.
per question: let it be ruled out iii be- let have
Al believe there Is I understand there IL such
suit
Direct resumed On that occasion Of his answers
ruled out; he had confessed he the author but
1t was ruled out.
ruled out for good reason. If they show the evil
depee to the hand writing ruled out we'll but my
question does not give him the right TO say anything oia
feelings Of the parties.
The Court held the defence had introduced the
matter it was proper and admitted the answer (E1cep
Frances J. Smith Teller Of the Seventh Ward Bank,
check was @ On the DAY Of
an limitation Of Mr.. Van Ness He corroborated Mr..
Van Ness account Of what occurred At the Bank:
not an excellent one; the filling up poor imitation
Of the mode they generally allied up In Wood said
nemap at the United States Hotel had given him the
check to collect and he wanted 1t pretty damned
quick as he in hurry himself; witness asked him
step into the ROOM and he would zee about III he then
cent Tor Mr. Van Ners who pronounced 1t forgery; his
attention attracted by Woods hurried and breatbls
maDnsr he did not Ike the locks Of the check when 1t
was nrst presented; . ekul penman might have done
Il better II he was well acquainted with the writing
being supposed that the evidence Of the next witness
would occupy considerable time it was postponed and
the court adjourned till the next morning, the jury
separating by confent.
SECOND DAY.
TESTIMONY OF THE AccoMPLIcE, II. WOOD.
DECEMBER 10 Charles Henry Wood the young man
above mentioned called and swornKnew the prisoner;
first became acquainted with him at Frenchs Hotel,
about month"; ago. did not know his name I'LL so.e
two months afterwards; was arrested at the seventh
ward Bank when presenting check sworn yesterday
Q-Where did you receive that check! A.-From vii.
bur Q-Relste the circumstances. HE nrst met
me at Frspch's Hotel and asked me what was doing:
this was in one OF the sitting rooms, he asked me II
would be willing 70 into something with him that
h. At ut n