The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-01-28

Alleged Forsery.-A case of much interest
was Investigated yesterday-viz: that OF
Luke Mckenna, charged with forging the
signature of Benjamin w. TOtty as security
| on certain contract made with j. +. Whit.
| field, bearing date on the 2lst day of Novem-
Der last. Mr.. John 5. Caskie appeared a.
counsel for the prisoner. In order to give q
good understanding Of the case, we insert q
| copy Of the contract as follows:
O.. A., q. ID. DsPARrAExr, I
Richmond, Nov. 81, ISL. {
Luke McKenna promises to make for J. Z.
Whitfield, Captain and Assistant Quarter.
master, any quantity of grain sacks ne may
reQuire-tr0Al 10, 600 to *, 900 the cloth and
thread TO be furnished by said J. f. WHIT.
field; the sacks to be say one yard in length,
less the hem /; bag to'be returned for each
two yards Of cloth received; or, in other
words, every 900 yards Of cloth to make
| 10000 bags; to be furnished at tho rate OF moi
lees than 5000 per week the bags to be
strong and well made, at three cents PEI
bag. settlement to be made whenever 10 600
| are completed and delivered.
LUXE MoKBxNA.
Iguarantes that Luke McKenna will I'LL
the above contract, and will be responsible
for the same. JAS. J. WISaFIxLD.
b. w. TORY.
Tho first witness called was John A. No
MINI, who deposed: About the time Of the
date Of that contract, Capt. Whitfield was
| contract was given to Mckenna- He pro-
duced the papers here shown, and it was 40
| cepted. Mckenna was quite dilatory in fur
nishing the bags, and went to look for him,
| but could not find him. Was informed hAhad
| left town. Mr.. johnson. (whO supplies the
cloth J refused to furnish it under the circum.
stances, and was advised to Soc Mr.. Totty
since, as security, he would be liable for the
fulilnent of the contract. The paper was
l H. o. L.
| THE witness made some remark about wha,
he was informed by Mr.. BEDFORD, who il en-
ployed in the Department.
Mr.. Caskie mere objected to the reception OF
hearsay testimony, and debate ensued be.
tween himself and the Mayor.
Cross. examined by Mr.. Caskie.-The con.
tract was written by myself After it had
been signed, McKenna brought it back and
| asked if it would do; l replied that sup
posed 80, but would submit it to Capt Whit
| field, and il it met with his approval it would
be all right.
BY the Mayor.-The paper has been in our
possession ever since It was delivered, and
work has been delivered upon the strength
of it.
BY Mr.. Caskie-The paper was shown to
Capt. Whitfield the same day received it,
He was not sick at that time.
BY tho Mayor-The paper was signed as it
has been made in it.
B. w. Totty deposed- That is not my sigma.
ture. 1t was not put there by any one acting
under my authority.
The Mayor-Mr. Csskie, have you any tes.
timony to offer?
Mr.. Caskie latter a conference with his
CLIENT said he did not propose now to enter
upon this defence, but would like to show
what Mr.. McKennas character had been for
honesty and uprightness. He called
Jesse T. Hutchinson, who deposed-I have
known McKenna for four or FIVE years; have
seen good deal of him, and had business
transactions with him which involved conf
dence. regarded him as an honest man; had
every reason to believe 60 He had opportu-
mites to cheat, but everything was fairly set
tied up. was agent for Mr. Mayo, owner OF
the bridge, and got NICK. to take charge of the
tolls for eight or ten days.
NJ: L. Stratton also Opposed very favorably
to Mckenzie character.
The Mayor remanded the accused for exam
ination before the Hastings Court in February
next. Mr.. Caskie made An urgent appeal for
bail, which tia Mayor declined TO grant.