Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-03-29

WILLIAM kIssANE.-The Nationai
Police Gazette gives biographical
sketch of this notorious character, and
expresses the opinion that he is the most
accomplished forger and swindler in
America. The following sketch has
some facts which are new to the public:
'sKissane was born in Ireland, and is
the descendant of one of the noblest
families in that country. His father
held several very lucrative positions
under the Government. When William
was yet child, his parents emigrated
to Canada. His father, we understand,
was obliged to fly the country on ac-
count of some seduction case in which
his honor as well as his life probably
was endangered Arrived in Canada,
a farm was purchased, where after a
few years the old man died. William,
while yet boy, grew tired of farming,
and after scraping forty dollars together
set out for the United States, and
reached Cincinnati, where what was
left of the forty dollars was invested by
our hero to learn the art of book keep
ing. He found employment in the firm
of Pugh & Co. Becoming an adept in
the art of bookkeeping he was en-
ployed by this company as book-keeper
and confidential clerk; after time he
was taken into partnership, and no
doubt was the means of greatly ad-
vancing the interests of the concern
He accumulated in a very short time
amount of money, and en-
barked in the pork trade on his own ac-
count, under the firm of Kissane q
Smith. Kissane under this firm did a
large business, and turned over a mill
lion dollars yearly.
At the time of the Martha Washing
ton case, in which it was alleged he was
engaged, he was supposed to be worth
about $4,000. He was then a respec-
table gentleman and moved in the first
society of Cincinnati. He was on very
terms with the Governor of
Indiana, and was devotedly attached to
one of his daughters. They were en-
gagged to be married, but when the
Martha Washington trial came up, his
name becoming slightly sullied, she
broke the engagement off; yet strange
70 say, she always believed that he was
he victim of a conspiracy. The Mar
ha Washington case completely drained
,is pockets. The expenses of witnesses
rom New York, Arkansas, and all over
he country, had to be paid to bring
him out of the dilemma in which he
vas placed. The Martha Washington
case is too well known to
iced mention here. But it seems the
hangers with which they were threat
med at that time were no warning to
zissane. He had embarked in course
If life which he had no desire to re-
inquish, and was satisfied to swim with
he current.
About six months afterwards, it is al
eyed, by means of forgery on the Ohio
life and Trust Company $4,000 was
'btained from the Mechanics and Ira
lers' Bank, Cincinnati, and $4,000
rom the firm of Ellis d Morton, of the
anne city. The name of Davis & Son
vas also freely used. The check was
PRESENTED by Williams, who appeared at
he Bank as a wagner or drover, and
eceived gold for the checks. Williams,
Who is now dead, implicated Nicholson,
Who fed to South America, Finley, the
wo Chapins, Charley Millard and Kis-
ane. A considerable portion of the
money was recovered after the disclo-
ures made by Williams.
We next hear of Kissane in connec-
ion with Cole and Finley in the Chemi-
al Bank forgery, in consequence of
which Kissane is now lodged in the
Pombs, awaiting his trial"