New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-30
TILE FISK q HATCH FORGERY.

The case of Louis NJ. Van Ecten, jointly in
dicted with Josiah Ferris for forgery, was called up
and tried In the Court of General Sessions yesterday
oe prosequi was entered In the OF Ferris Assist
ant District Attorney Fellows in opening the case dwet
on the difficulty OF bringing forgers to justice, nasmuch
as they generally are OF standing and education
and detailed the circumstances Of the charge against
Van Ecten that the Cd OF June Messrs Fisk Hatch
gave a check the Fourth National Bank for $ll3, In
favor of VIM Miller I'm payment for sloo bond that te
check wa the 4th June found IN the possession OF
Van Ecten, the amount being changed 10 so0 ana inc
name OF the drawer 10 j. Robinson.
The first witness called John p Shannon, who tes
Hatch I'd of June J. s. Ferris came into the Office
aud offered for sale 800 bond OF the Issue OF 1869
bought it for s1S and gave paper marked sls to have
pre- sented to the paving teller
W. A. Tomphins testified am paying teller for FIX
Hatch drew sHeeRNo yoSo er M M on Tom 1Ie
kns here identified Ferris rs the person calling hlSe
Miller; have private mark 10 recognize my eheeAsi
Officer McDougal testified: detective connected
with the central office; was at FISK aichs on hc ~
inst saw Ferris al the counter, and when he left fol-
lowed him he went up Nassau as far as Cedarst; saw
and something was given by Ferris to Van Ecten fol
lowed the latter, who took Seyenth-aye carr when
HIM nut The cheek in redcoored book; he entered
house in Thompson-st; saw him there again next day
a anS a arr, sted him at no Ss5 Broadway.
VIM. G. Elder said that he was also connected with the
and said that when arrestng Van cton he found check
Hatch for & 600 drawn on the Fourth National Bank in
favor Of J. Robinson, and numbered e6554 asked the
prisoner how the check in his hat and lac said he
knew nothing about 1t.
Josiah d. Ferris testifed have known the prisoner
since 1865; had dealings with him in broadway In April
last In LdlOWst. JAM III June Van Ecten
asked sell 500 bOnd he wanted me to get ccrt
fed check drawn in favor of person out OF town;
he said he did not want money yet check drawn to
his ownOrder he had had some difficulties in money
matters down town sold the bond got the check, and
gave il to Van Ecten, not suspecng any harm; never
saw the check thereafter.
The defense here called Van Ecten, who In his own be-
half said: got the check from Ferris, who owes me
$4,000; do not know that it is altered check-I never
altered it,
MesSrs, Henry Williams f. II. Arnandon, Alexander
Clark c. s. struggled, and r. Murphy, all Respectable
business mem testified they had known Van Ecten,
both business capacity and privately, ana that they
never knew aught against his character.
ExIudge Stewart made long address 10 the Jury, say
ing that his client of character and standing
who would not throw away his social position for small
amount and that IL remaineda question OF belief be-
tween Ferris and Van Ecten.
Mr. Fellows said that he declined 10 address the jury
the evidence being too clear inaslnuch as Van Ecten
Lad tried to account for the possession OF the
check.
The Recorder in charging the jury reviewed the evil
dence dwelt the weight TO be given to good char
acter.
The jury retired at O'Clock, and falling to agree by
p M, were locked up for the night.