New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-09-15
A Forgery In the Parish Prison.

A curious case came before Recorder Ahern.
last evening, for examination. 1t may be recol-
lected that one Peter Cook, residing at the time
in the town of Baton Rouge, was brought to this
city under arrest, at the instance of Mr.. G. L.
Laughland, merchant on Magazine street,
who charged him with fraudulently obtaining
twelve hundred dollars as an advance from the
complainant upon twenty-five bales OF cotton,
which he said he had at Bayou Sara, and which he
promised to ship to Mr. Laughland within fort
night. An examination of the case before Re-
corder Ahern showed that the cotton never came
to Mr. Laughland and that several letters written
| to Cook on the subject were not answered. Cook
was sent before the District Court 10 be tried for
obtaining money under false pretences and, be-
ing unable to procure bail, he was confined in the
| Parish Prison.
| In the case which came up last evening, he was
| charged with "uttering' checkupon the banking
house of Messrs. Pike, Lapere Brother, for the
sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars purporting
to have been drawn by Mr.. Laughland, and with
his signature forged to it.
The following was the testimony given before
the recorder:
Theodore Rumble, sworn, for the prosecution
Witnesses place of business is No 81 Magazine
street. in the First District, city and parish of Or
leans. Witness is the confidential clerk of G. L..
Laughland Of 64 Magazine street Has been in
Highlands employ since 1854. Witness is
familiar with Laughands hand writing and sigma
ture. Witness states that information was given
him that check was presented to the banking
house of Pike, Lapeyre Brother, ,purportng to
his informant had reasons to believe it coun-
terfeit. Witness went to the Office of Pike, La
peyre & Brother, inquired if a check had been
shown to them, purpOrting to have been signed
by G. L. Laughland. NIr. Pike informed witness
that the check had been shown to him, and he
informed witness that it was forgery. Witness
states that information was left at his Office that
the check could be found at Baudier, Ferri-
day g. Walcott's office, on Carondelet street. First
District. Witness identities the check dated Sept,
1866, for seven hundred and fifty $3.50 dollars,
and marked "a" as the check shown to him. pur-
porting to have been signed by G. L. Laughll nd
which he is satisfied is not the genuine signature
of G. L. Laughland Witness was informed by a
clerk in the office Of Baudier, Ferriday &
Walcott that he had received the check
from Emile Ruiz. Witness then made an affidavit
charging accused with forgery. Witness state!
that Mr.. Laughland was not in New Orleans wher
the check was presented.
U Emile Ruiz sworn for the prOsecuti0n-Wines
resides in Algers. Is employed as one of tht
keepers of the Parish Prison. On the Sd of Sep
tember, in the morning, g. L. bennett had witnes
called, and informed witnessthat an inmate Of tht
Parish Prison named Peter Cook had none,
in the house of Pike, Lapeyre g. Brother
Witness gave bennett blank check, and wher
witness received IT from Dennettlt was signed AM
filled. Witness identifies the check marked "a
as the one given by bennett to him. Witness pro
ceeded to the banking house of Pike, Layepre
Brother, and informed Mr.. Bell that he though
r the check was forgery. After an examination
by the parties in the bank, they informed witnes
that the check was forgery and returned it t
witness. Witness then proceeded to No. Ga Maga
zine street in search of G. L. Lauehland or hi
agent. otfnding either Laughland or his agent
witness left note informing them where the
could find the forged check. Witness immediatel
returned to the Parish Prison, and informed Der
nett that the check he had given him in the morn
ing was forged one, and that witness had faile
to get the money on it. bennett exclaimed: ~
it possible!n States that Dennett repe
1 that Mr.. Cook had letter, and that he (Dennett
I, would get it for witness.
At the time that Dermett made the remark NJ
Cook, the accused, was walking in the yard Of Ii
prison, bennett went and met Cook in the var,
and walked towards Cooks cell. While in IL
cell with Cook, bennett came out and handed