The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-04-22
MYsrERIEs or coUNrERFE111NG.
Testimony OF nm Expert now Serving n Sem
tencc In the Indiana Pcnitentiary.
Fforp ns Dsfyoff INST

II often happens In trials in Courts that the
services of persons specially skilled In profession
OF oraheh OF business are required TO throw light
upon the matter TO be considered by the Court and
jury. few weeks since we gave some curious
results OF the examination OF handwriting by OK
perts, showing that Kid OF testimony in that par.
ucuar Instance at least TO be contradictory and alto.
gethcr unreliable. The value Of an experts tCsti.
mGny, OF course. depends altogether upon his spe-
cal skll and proficiency In the matter about which
he is called upon to testify. The most remarkable
case OF particularly competent expert that has
fallen under our observation in this city was deye
2ted IN tue connerieitiug case now ON trial in the
United States District Court.
One John b, Trout who IA now serving a sem
tence IN ire Indiana state Prison, at Michigan City,
was brought hore to show that the johnson family
had peen IN tne eounterfetng business in Indiana
rom lSo3 until lSbI at Which latter date Trout
sent TO prison. But IL came out in the course OF tho
examination that he was thoroughly posted IL the
manliaeture OF counterfeit money, having been on
plged IN Tue business for fifteen years as an en-
graVer OF plates and printer Of bank notes FOR the
benefit OF the Court counsel, jury, and spectators
nc entered into minute description OF the process
OF engraving plates and printing notes, describing
the various articles which had been seized In the
johnson house, and their uses In counterieting.
But the most wonderful exhibition OF his skin was
In telling the name of the engraver OF a plate By ex
animation OF bill printed from II. He was thor.
9pghly familiar with the work OF all the cnGravers
ne detected counterfeit from q genuine bill at q
glance. lie readily designated M counterfeit an
issue which even the Treasury Department took a.
Department being then obliged to cancel the genuine
issue because the false was so nearly perfect. The
ctiNee mhfsnh n DOCK containing
pies OF all the eounterfets vet issued Trout looked
At these bills, and told the engraver correctly each
Tune with very little examination.
Among these bills were those from plates engraved
by Boyd and Ulrich, and other celebrated counter.
lellers and which are so perfectly done a. TO dc.
ceve ninety nine out OF every hundred persons &C.
customed TO the examination OF money front
could not describe the process by which he dstin.
gushed these various bills but characterized II as
an indescrbable instinct. lie said he had worried
on hundreds OF thousands OF dollars In counterfeit
money while he was engaged In the business lie is
apparently about 3j years OF age and seems to be on
the Drink of consumptye's grave. His term Of
sentence does not expire for two years yet But he
death. s" ~ "N''
lie prefers TO end his days in prison. and has made
ms CONN with his own hands. lie is a modest quiet
looking man, and says that his appearance always
won him the confidence of those with whom he
came In contact. and had much to do with his sue
cess IN disposing OF counterfeit money IL seem.
surprising that man OF his talent should choose Ia
uselt IN acourse OF crime and end his life in stat,
PRISON. lis skill, exercised in legitimate dircc.
tlOn, would doubtless have gained him compe.
ttncy; hul he IS now a sad example how coniu,
may De perverted when 1t lacks the balance OF goo
princi pies Or good sense.