The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-02
NEW YORK oiTY.
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT couar-cslmWL lwaLx
0Aarge Of Engraving Counterfeit Fractional
Currency Plates.
Before Judge Blatchford.


Currency Plates. M
Before Judge Blatchford.
me United States rs. Putrick Reoson-The defen-
can't indicted for having engraved plates
1or printing counterfeit fractional currency notes.
apd the case being called for trial counsel SUBJ
Sntted the certificate Of DR.. John 8. Rindsley who
fertthed that Mrs. James Reilly, a material wit
20 attend. Counsel stated Mrs. Reilly was q most
material witness for the defence and moved for a
Several times Mr.
Omitted States District Attorney observed that OF,
Former occasions the trial had been postponed on
similar applications, and on Monday last 1t was post
4or the witness named now, but for some ono
before Judge Shipman and disposed or and the party
now accused was charged with being an accomplish
OF and party to the crime OF which the others were
conv1cted. The government had been urging this
case Tor trial for long time, and could not consent
further delay; for II 1t were not tried this term he
thOught 1t never would be tried. The Judge SAID ne
would not postpone the the certificate OF the
medical man, nor would he issue an attachment, as
requested by counsel, against this woman IN her
present condition; but he would consent to post.
ponement OF the case till tomorrow morning and
husband of this woman, and the doctor who gave
the certificate. The District Attorney again urged
discussion between counsel for the government and
Mr.. Clinton, counsel for the defendant the case was
called and Jury sworn after several challenges had
been made and Jurors excused from serving. In set
ting aside those jurors who had been excused the
questions put TO eacn on coming 10 the DOCK were
as to whether they had been acquainted with or
II they had heard or read the evidence In
the prosecution OF Brockaway, who was tried and
convicted of similar offence herein charged or II
they had formed any opinion upon the Of Brock
away or Atkinson pending subsequent to the trial
or those parties. The jury having been sworn Mr.
Bell, Assistant United States District Attorney
opened the case, from whose statement 1t APP
was indicted by the Grand Jury for the ofIence
charged-that OF engraving steel plates for printing
fractional currency notes, and for having in his
possession and custody steel plates engraved and
terfeit fractional currency paper IN smlitude and
likeness to the fractional currency fifty cent stamps
OF the United States. The defendant it was stated
Is an engraver In the fancy style Of the In 1866
OF an engraver there. About the 1st Of September
IN that year, Mrs. Margaret Atkinson, the wife
or the defendant, who Is at present in the
fsenhte e at Albany undergoing the penalty
Seei plate engraving, partly executed, and she pro-
ceeded TO the DEFENDANTS ReasOns house and gave It
20 hlm Reason took the plate from her and on look
ang at 1t said that II his eyes were not crooked the
plate was. He complained that certain lines on the
Qiate were not straight. The convict Atkinson at
that time resided with his wife in Brooklyn and the
present defendant (Reason lived in Yorkville. The
ART OF engraving was carried In AtkinsOns house.
and Reason was visitor there. 1t would be
proved TO the satisfaction Of jury that those plates
which were then on the table In court engraved
ny Atkinson In his studio work room In his house
BROOKLYN ana that the counterfeit fifty cent notes
Siso before the court were printed from those plates
oack and front, In the residence OF the convict
Brockaway at Mount Vernon in Westchester county,
.Hlargaret Atkinson wife OF the convict Atkinson
tne printer OF the counterfeit fractional notes. and
Mno as above stated convicted last year. and ut
present IN the Albany penitentary, was the first wit
NESS ior the prosecution, and she mnutely narrated
.At the conclusion Of her testimony the court ad
10urned till Monday next.