The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-05-01
THE FORGERIEs ON JAY COOKE 4 GO.
Examination Concluded Before Justice Dow
ling-The Case Mysterious as Ever-COm'
mitment Of the Prisoner md Papers Sent e
the Grand Jury.

Ex0mln0oAOn COncluded before Ju6t3cc DOVE
ling-The Case as Mysterious as Ever-Com-
the Grand Jury.
The examination in the case OF the late forgeries
of checks purportng to have been drawn by the
bankers Jay Cooke b Co., ana through which,
as will be remembered, some $4,000 was OBJ
tanned from the National Bank OF the State
OF New York, OF this city, was concluded yes
terday morning at the TOmbs, before Justice
Bowling. About as much mystery however,
surrounds the case as ever, and with very little
seeming likelihood OF Its being very soon cleared
up in manner satisfactory either to the bank, who
still claim that the cashed checks are genuine, or
to Jay Cooke Co., who IN the most unqualified
manner pronounce them forgeries on the public,
who see prospect Of the guilty parties being
brought to punishment or the forgery OF one
check-that for $9,5s7 29-there Is scarcely any
doubt. The prisoner, James Smith, according to
the evidence of a detective officer acknowledged
presenting it and having been paid his share Of the
proceeds. Beyond this statement he is pertina-
alleged tool Of skifui adopts, who wisely kept them
selves in the background in the commission Of the
forgeries and presenting the checks, and are now
therefore safe unless the prisoner resolves on ex-
posing them. At the examination the bank. Jay
Cooke Co. and the prisoner were respectively rep
and present disposal Of the case:-
Henry +. Grant, being cross-examined, testified as
foows:-The check was presented to me April ", at
half past two o'clock supposed that the check was
smith, now here, presented the cheek; first saw
at my desk; have seen nm four times since have
not to my knowledge seen HIM in the bank since
think there were i've or SIX outside the counter at
the time; was very busy; there were several hun
dred persons there during the days take particular
vV<StfA lIu nf w I'm nrfg
check to me; In this case took very particular no.
tce; can remember the form OF cOuntenance OF
presenting checks to me for payment; shout say
nearly all; Smith was dressed In q dark-colored
coat rather larger than an,,oa irqck coat l
took the check from the file, went
back to the bookkeeper; compared the check with
others had previously paid aud found 1t was the
next number; ! noticed his collar more than his
necktie; noticed his style more than did his dress
l took particular notice OF his face and manner; l
peculiar toss OF the head; called my assistant to
LOOK at him; his hair appeared to me TO be more
bushy at the time than now; ! thought he might
have had wig on he had no beard on: nis mustache
had not grown as much rs 1t II Is now, II was Just
coming out: looked at him several, times, the sec
ond time very particularly; did not notice any par
tlcular mark on his face other than that have de-
scribed; II is not the fact that many men with faces
as hard the prisoners have presented checks for
an amount as large this II there had been any de-
clded mark or on the lace Of Smith would nave
SCENT: next saw Smith at the headquarters in Null
berry street: no one pointed him out 10 me; was
told that man had been arrested and was at
Police Headquarters, and was told TO go there and
see II could identify HIM; did not identity him at
first positively said he was very like The man; he
had no hat on; hrs HAIR was nattened down behind
his ears ne was SHINING , ana ,a,sg 20 superln a.
old man as the one who presented the check; he
was in my presence only about minute; saw him
again the same afternoon; this was about q week
after saw him at the court; my doubts as 10 his
identity continued for some time until saw him in
the afternoon.
By the Justice-It Is not customary to pay large
checks to strangers without identification /; In TINS
the details OF Identification were fully carried
Gus on the check aiter Smith went OF the
room OF the Police Headquarters desired to see
him with his hat on on that afternoon he was
brought up again; the superintendent ordered him TO
put on his hat In my presence the superintendent
said after nc put on his hat, "That viii do ~ then
smith gave that peculiar toss OF the head which |
noticed atthe bank then became satisfied that he
Cross-examination resumed-About SIX hours
elapsed from me time first saw him until saw
the best OF my knowledge and belief l would nave
been in doubt II he had not given that peculiar toss
OF the head never saw any one toss his head IN
that manner exactly; t appeared to me as II put
ting on airs.
James Irving was next called as a witness-I am
an officer OF the detective police; arrested James
smith, the prisoner; from Information received ]
suspected HIM TO he tue party presenting one OF the
forged checks; took him to the Police Headquar-
tiers; he denied presenting ut the bank the check OF
which accused him. but said that ne dld present
the check for the sum Of $3.50 -: he told Inc that
all he received was about $500 or $4,000 Tor mis-
share OF the transa1 tom the checks alluded TO IN
this connection were the ones purp0rting 10 be
drawn by Jay Cooke a. Co. on the Bank OF the State
OF New York.
Cross-cxamined-The conversation to which !
have referred occurred after smiths arrest; olcer
Coyle and myself were the only persons present at
the tlme DO not know that he had been frequently
spoken " about these forged checks; did not have
the checks in my possession at the time; one were
presented to HIM by any one else In my presence;
the name Jay Cooke was mentioned nv me to him:
am not certain what words used; asked him,
(Which check did Law down prpSput ~
I used the words clay downn or present.
but do not now remember which; | SAID,
ut was the $1,000 Clieck;' he said, "No,
but that II the S. GOO onci; hadtne DiV Nelcs
IN my hand which contained the numbers OF the
cheeks he pointed out the ,oOO one; did not have
the check mentioned la the complaint, ana there
fore did not show u TO him. did not offer him any
nducement to make this statement; he did not seem
10 be very much excited or annoyed.
Alexander H. iiill was now cross.examined.-On
members OF the firm are allowed TO sign checks for
Jay Cooke Co.; there are five members OF the irui,
think; or these there are three In New York, and
only those are allowed to sign checks IN the New
and Edward Dodge; don't know tnat can men,
ton the names oi the balance Of the firm absent
from New York; the only cues | am positive OF are
Jay Cooke and Henry d. Cooke; no one IN our ofice
Is authorized to sign checks for the firm Of Jay
Cooke Co. In New York but the three members OF
the firm, Mr. Pitt Cooke, Mr.. Fahnstock and Mr..
Dodge; am familiar with their signatures; ! nave
examined the signatures and endorsements on the
checks shown me; the signature Jay Cooke Co.
Is not the handwriting OF either Mr. Pitt Cooke Mr.
Fahnstock or Mr.. Dodge: the endorsement Alexan-
der y. Hill, Is not my handwriting; | am the person
10 whose favor the check Is drawn saw this check
Dated Mr. Grant the teller OF the BANK first show ed
" to me; Is not possible that any other OF the
bers OF the lirm out OF the city could have signed
that cheek; am not familiar with all The other