The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-04
The bank Forgery Case In Cinclnnas1.
From the Cineinnat Commercial. July IL

from the Cineinnati Commercial, July IL
AN EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN CoUKT.
- We were for an hour In attendance st the Onmi-
nal Court yesterday afternoon and there witnessed
one Of the most thrilling scenes that ever passed be-
fore mortal eyes; The great s bank forgery case was
ness called by the defence, was on the stand. Mr..
johnson was member Of the State Senate in l849.
and is prominent as o politician and business man.
He was parti ,ular friend OF Mr.. kissane having
been member Of the firm Of Lot Pugh & Co.. u
which Kissane was confidential clerk. lie called ON
Mr. Kissane day before yesterday, and told him that
he was able to testify to his Whereabouts on the
l4th of December last, and correct a mistake made
by some Of the witnesses for the prosecution Pre-
vous to that call he had not Kisane for long
time, and it was from reading reports Of the test-
mony in the Commercial! that the idea occurred 70
him of taking the stand and proving an altb for his
old associate The testimony that he gave will be
found recorded fully in our regular report.
After he had testified to the whereabouts OF Mr..
Kissane on the l4th of December, and the business
transaction he had with him that day. Mr.. Pruden
proceeded to crossexamine him, ard asked ii he
knew Mr. Kissanes handwriting. He replied. with
q smile, Eyes as well as know my own." Mr..
Pruden then handed him check drawn by Kissane,
and the forged check and inquired whether ne could
detect any similarity in the handwriting that filled
them up. Mr.. johnson took the papers and closely
examined them. As he did so an expression of ter
ror came upon his countenance, and with convul-
sive movement he threw the papers upon the table.
crying, in tone of horror THAT check is Kissanes
handwriting" He then staggered to his chair. ex-
heart" Great God"
The effect OF this tragic scene was stunning Judge
and jury, lawyers and spectators were alike apptl-
led. After moment Of breathess excitement aud
suspense the Court took recess. This movement
seemed involuntary, for calm con liberation could not
be given TO any subject while dlsmay was upon tho
features Of every man. Mr. johnson was CHASTITY
pale, and he slowly recovered. an expression Of
intense pain settled upon his c0unteAance, and he
seemed suddenly to have grown old. No scene that
the pen Of the novelist the dramatist drew
could equal the terrific dramatic grandeur and power
of the solemn reality Of this occurrence.
In few minutes the Court called to order,
and Judge Walker cross examined the witness All
that was ELECTED by this examination will be found
noted by our regular reporter.
The following is the testimony alluded to in the
above article:-
TESTIMONY OF W. r. JOHNSON.
William F. johnson called aud sworn.
Q.-Had you business with Mr. kissane on the l4th
of December lastI
Al had viii state that l was reading in the
Daily Commercial Of yesterday the report Of his
triah and observed that Mr. Kissane for whom en-
terrain high regard, was charged with Government
in this forgery on the fourteenth OF December and
that certain witnesses for the State had to his
having been in certain places at certain hours Of that
day. 1t instantly struck that the fourteenth Of
December last was the very day that hal some
business with Mr.. Kssane. and that could find pa
pers clearly establishing that fact
Judge Walker-Have you the papers here?
Mr. Jobns0n-I have, (unfolds parcel Of papers
and takes out returned bank cheeky on the 18th
OF last December l was preparing to leave for
Chicago, where was very anxious to arrive on the
10Th, because on that day | had an important law
suit there gentlemen in the pork business here
among when were Mr.. Kssane, Hughes, d CO..
S. Davis, Jr & Co., W. II. Fuller, and others-owed
me the sum Of one thousand dollars which Hughes
Co. promised to pay me on the 18th; they did not
pay me on the 18TH but MIR. Kissane, who was pre-
sent said, IL will pay you myself and made an
appointment to meet me for that purpose at Jno.
W. Coleman's the next day, at u M; anxious as
~ Law for / Ind ed III WI
the money, and at IL NJ, of December H. repaired to
John w Colemans counting room. on Court street,
to meet MIR. kissane's appointment; waited lmpa-
tienty until full oclock-perhaps five minutes al
ter one-before Mr.. k came when he entered he
maidstone about being detailed on Change and
left after without saying word about the thou
the matter to w. H. Fuller. who replied, LET go
over to Mr.. kissane's pork house and have the mat
ter properly will make it right
or something to that effect we Immediately walk
ed over while at the pork house, Mr. kssane wrote
me check for $500, on Groesbeck Il Co; saw
him write 1t this was on the l4th of December it
was this incident that l remembered when reading
the report yesterday, and Immediately went to the
Office Of Kissane Smith, and asked to look at their
returned checks for the month Of DECEMBER last from
the bundle handed me | picked ont this check.
(handing counsel check OF Smith d Kissane. on
Groesbeck & Co., for 5000. which instantly knew
to be the one have referred TO- and the back Of
which was my own endorsement.
CRoss-ExAMINED.
Mr.. Pruden-Do you know Mr.. Kissanes hand
writings that his (handing witness the check
Tor $500 just alluded toy
Mr.. Johnson know it as well as l know my
own-this is his handwriting:
Mr.. Pruden--Take the check given you, and
which you saw him write, and compare it with this,
(handing Mr.. johnson the forged check attached to
the Indictment purportng to be drawn by s. Davis.
Jr. Co. for 1891 65) aud tell me if there is any
similarity in the filing up OF the two
Mr.. johnson takes the two checks, looks at them
for minute changes color, aud, in state of fear
full excitement. throws the forged check with the
Indictment, upon the table before Mr.. Pruden. and
exclaimed" That check is Kissane's handwriting
Great God "
Mr. Johnson fell back with a convulsve expires
sion, and was assisted to a chair by Mr.. Logan.
Great sensation prevailed throughout the court
room.
The court took recess for fifteen minutes
MR.. JoBNsoN's TESTIMONY RESUMED.
After the recess, Mr. johnson was cross questioned
by Judge Walker, and replied substantially as fol-
lows -
1t is very hard to say what it is in the two checks
that impressed me they were written by the ane
bandit was the effect of the whole as looked ut
both The figure is the greatest similarity In both
checks. Take away the figures, and | could not
swear the checks we're written by William (Kissane.)
1t is exceedingly diff ,ult to express to the unprac
made me pronounce the filling up in both to be in
Williams handwriting; If | can Imagine myself in
other circumstances, must say that bad not known
OF this indictment, and been shown the two checks
HlISnt Hot nave ueCElTeu tl6u W NC
written by the same hand there Is no striking
similarity except in the figure in each protest
to God wish could say nothing say | knew
nothing of this matter; am affected to see William
in this stuatioIl--I own it, am but man; Ii the
checks had been brought to me from different parts
OF the State, separately, and accompanied with no
remarks, might not have observed similarity; il
the forged check had been shown me with the ques
ton DO you know that handwritngi' cans say
that should have recognized itas William kissanes
Both checks written in free, bold manner; might
not be the same hand looked them all before
lspoke; the figure threes in each are dissimar; I
might even say the checks written by different
hands; the two Decembers" are not written alike;
the only po-itive point Of similarity Is in the iglre
2; and two men dashing Off check in hurry
might be apt TO make tie dash ut the end of the
figure alike.
CRoss-oUEsTIoNED.
am az well prepared to answer any questonsnow
hall L. Il. ,x. "a