The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-21
ARREST OF A NOTORIOUS FOR GER.
Particulars of Ills Nefarious Exploits.

lEIOm VIC iHuitilapOHS JOURNAL, NOV. To-
On last Friday night officers Russell and Board
man brought to this city from Louisville the person
of John M. Kills on requsition from Governor
Baker. he having been indicted by the Grand Jury
for obtaining money under false pretenses. The his
tory OF tho man Is very singular ana rather
"rapid" one ana Will be interesting reading. The
following IS taken from slips OF paper he mad with
him at the time OF his capIure:-
JoRn NJ. Kills. the frst known OF him, was a resi-
dent OF Springfield, OHIO where he joined an ONO
regiment and was made captain Of the company.
Tue regiment was sent TO Nashville, where he was
detailed as quartermaster While ut this point he
committed forgeries OF government vouchers to the
amount OF nearly $4,000 during the winter OF 1852
Kills First Lieutenant Thirty first Ohio Volunteer
infantry and Acting Assistant Quartermastern Witn
the forged approval OF General A. SchOcn.
There Is good reason 10 believe that frauds 10 the
amount OF s15o,ooo in Chicago an $4,000 IN New
was IN connection, and his Chicago partner Is now
enjoying brief ressite In the pententiary as re-
ward for his enterprise In that line.
After the frauds were discovered Kills was
brought before Judge Irgg, Of Nashville, who after
hearing only the prisoners statement to the effect
that he was the tool Of another sharper sentenced
him TO one years. Imprisonment In the Pententary.
This light sentence puzzled every one but even that
was not served out The last act OF Andrew John.
son, on the Sd OF March, 1869, was TO pardon him.
After Kills was pardoned he laid around Nashville
while, and then went TO Louisville, WHERE on the
night Of his arrival, he distinguished himself In
company with boon companion and two frail Sis
ters Of the Fails City he visited the Academy OF
MUSIC. lne parry Ulaue Sucn disturbance tUat inc
police had TO be called Kills drew his pistol one
or them, but the o1icer fred first, hitting Kills IN
The hand the ball passing through the hand, stri-
king RIB, whica II followed around to the spine.
In few days he was able TO leave that place, which
he did with alacrty.
The next account we have OF him Ia In this city
In his Old business OF swindling The particular joO
thai brought him to grief was swindllng w. w.
feathers out OF 500 by swearing that he was pos
sessed OF unlimited land in Iowa. lie skipped out
10 Louisville again that place seeming to have fas
cination Tor hun, where he vas captured by officers
Russell and Boardman as above mentioned.
In his possession were found from $50, 600 to
$50 900 Of the forged vouchers spoken Of or prOba
bly, others, vast number or deeds and mortgages TO
property, all filed save the name and abstract or
titles. These It Is supposed, are his ready Aus in
the art or swindlng. An envelope was found,
marked "Prvate John NJ Kills Novembe r 4, TO y
This contained cuttings from papers noticing his
different acts and portions OF his history He stated
that no would die before giving 1t up, but made =
slight mistake In the assertion.