New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-09-18
Opening Of the PubIle Schools.

|
The summer vacation, which this year, il conge
quence Of an apprehended cholera epidemic, han
| PLY not realized thus far, was continued fort
night longer than usual, having expired, the pub
lie schools opened yesterday, for tie scholastic
year. II i gratifying to hear that the number D
pupils reporting is fully up to the attendance Al
any previous commencement. The new Board
Of School Directors have thought proper to make
| several important changes in teachers. IN making
| these changes few have been chosen who may
not be acceptable, in regard TO antecedents OF
qualifications, but, the selections as Rhole, have
given general satisfaction. Notthe least pleasure
enjoyed in the many reunions yesterday, was that
arising from the meeting Of children with nstruc.
tors from whom they had been separated for
years, by the exercise of an arbitrary authority
which vainIy sought to subsdize an incorruptbe
seltrespcct, and oTerawe an immoyable courage.
TRIAL of o l.. Denne IT for Forgery.
A singular case came up yesterday for hearing
before Recorder Gastinel, Of the Second District
Recorders Court, of which case, at the time if &C.
Cured, we have already given some account
Early in the spring 1t appears, two men who
were named bennett and Degan were under ar.
rest in the parish prison, the former Of whom. by
an adroity managed forgery, contriyed 10 get pos,
session Of certain funds belonging to Tile latter.
The manner which tdis was done will be best told
in the language Of the principal witness;
John 2. Holidld s,r1rn, SayS-rhat about the
2Ith Of May last, Mfr. Sherburne came to witnesses
house IN the evening and stated that there was
man IL jail who requested witness to come and see
him. He desired witness to defend him The
mans name, he stated, was O. l.. Dennett The
next morning, on asking at the jail for 0. L. Den
nett, ihe prisoner at the bar came to the visiting
tTnr pul oil a.
course Of conversation he stated that he had been
10 jan Tor some time, on very serious charge
tlHt MS parents were respectable and lived in New
Hampshire; that his real name was Degan: thatthis
latter TACT was given cOnfidentially that he had
some money in the Bank of Commerce and S35 600
IN another place. The latter sum, he said, was
stolen from the government, but that it (the gov.
ernmentl could not get the proof Witness Then
bargalned to take his case for $3.50 cash, and $3.50
II ne succeeded in clearing him. The prisoner
SAID, " a IL right" and agreed to send the money
as soon as certain friend would come. The next
day the prisoner gave check (luOn the Rank of
Commerce, signed Paul Degan,j for $3.50 for
which sum witness drew upon the bank, giving
back to the prisoner $50 for his personal expenses
On t1e "a OF Jnue another check was sent to wit
ness from bennett, who said he wanted money ia
pay persons to get him ont of Jail Witness cot
the money, and on the next day Hennett acku0w.
lodged getting the money from witnesses SON but
wanted more. (Witness then gave an account of
drawing $50 more from Mr. Barker) Witness
never acted as counsel for the real Degan, On
the 18th Of June witness received note from Mr.
Barker, manager Of the Bank of Commerce in
forming him tie notes drawn We're counterfeit
upon which information bennett was arrested
and the day after witness made his affidavit before
the court.
=. Pae4 Degan g'eora soys-Was at the prison
at the time the checks were given. Witness never
told the accused directly that he had money in
The bank; but it was known that he had sent ou
checks to the bank. Drew two checks himself
upon the Bank Of Commerce.
Messrs, James Barker aud John s. Tully were
also examined their evidence going to confirm
the above statement of facts
The evidence being concluded, bennett was
sent back TO prison to await his trial before The
flrSt District Court. He is man Of fine aJ-
dress, with iauudiccl complexion, from having
had tie cholera since his confinement in jail
The defense was conducted BY the prisoner him.
self.
The mystery about the case, as it stands now,
is how the prisoner contrYed to counterfeit De.
gan's name-no explanation having yet been fur.
nshed by the evidence.