New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-13

he regarded az his genuine signature.
Robert Gien, lawyer OF this city, testified that he
had been acquainted with Mr. Taylors Signature for
seven years previous 90 his deatl that he had had hus
rinsactions with hm that be had seen hun write
aud had received his signature within year before his
doath and that he acquainted with his signature;
mat he had received hs signature not more than six
times within Ave years, and that he had been his Office
and had seen him write half dozen times at least He
testified that hc could that the signature TO
the alleged will his handwriting; that II did not look
to him Like his handwriting and that he did not think 1t
was.
Charles Cooper, resident of Brooklyn, hut engaged in
business in this city, testified that he became acquainted
with Mr. Taylor in 1885, and was secretary Of silver
mining company called the Roman Brothers Company"
Of which Mr.. Taylor President He testified his
opinion that he very confident that the signature
was never made by James b. Taylor. On erosscxamin
alton he sd he made up his mind with regard to 1t not
beng the signature Of Mr. Taylor from his knowledge Of
his handwriting and the general characteristics Of his sig
nature lie made up bic mind because, after care
hl examination OF the signature, comparing IL with
great many signatures he had in his possession ana
studied the question: nc took good part of one day. and
made very careful examination to satisfy his own
nlhe ana cphe 70 he c9hcluSloh nat we photogaphlc
signature Which he bad, lacked the characteristics OF
Nj. TaylOrs handwriting or, in other words, that he
faed to discover IN the signature 10 the VIII what he
regards the characteristics Of Mr. Taylors signature
Benjamin f. Mudgett, testified that ne lawyer NJ
this city and pTacced in this city had lived here about
Is years had known Mr. Taylor intimately for the past
eight years had MIR. Taylor write during
that time did not know that he had received any letters
from him, but had had good many documents signed by
n
ms signature had seen man WHO spOI many Jlhcs'
should say 1CO or 300 had seen him write when he at
tempted 10 write slow and tried tO write well If he
Wrote slowly his writing would be worse than II he
wrote fast his style of writing 10 wIe nervous,
quick, prompt hand-then he wrote well. On being
shown the VIII and asked whether the signature was m
the handwriting of Mr.. Taylor, he replied 81 should
say 1t was not doht think Mr. Taylor could %iite
that signature II Is written too closely and carefully fOr
his signature the eXacncss ana precision such
never knew him 10 use in Ills writing, and don't
thlnk ne cOud Wrltc IN tnat manner On cro-seAanl
ination, Mr. Mudgeu testified that he saw II ON the Satur
day previous had seen the phoograph his first atten-
ton was called TO The matter by ndg hOte IN hS OF
fee from Mr.. Clinton asking him to call on MIN; ne called
Mr. Clinton; be examined the photograph OF the sg-
nature and several other signatures OF Mr. Taylor that
be had there be made up his mind rom the looks OF te
signatures; he felt familiar with Mr. Tylors manner
OF writing thar from the Photograph ne sd al once ne
didn't think 10 could be Mr. Taylor signature; that IL
true copy Of the signature the viii 1t was not
Mr. Taylors signature, from general recollection and Ia
mlharity 800. -, .-..a., ~. l., ~,
been acquainted with m Taylor since 1913 or 1919 that
had been the habit OF seeing him very frequently
much for tie last six months OF his life that Mr. Taylor
had done great many fayOrs for him in the way OF go
had been in the habit Of seeing him write at his office
about half dozen times year. that he had received
he had had his notes and checks that be
thought he was familiar with ms handwriting.
alleged VIII and say whether it was in The handwriting
Of Mr. Taylor he testified he could not positively
that If that his signature il more twitchng
and more nervous; that might be more IKE ms sig
swear positively that that his signature or mott IL
correct than his signature had been Tor years
his signature ike that he testified that he had seen It,
but years ago; might he like that some years
ago but tins seems more correct than ne was Al Ie
habit Of writing, perhaps the last i've years.
mot THE GENUINE SIGNATURE
ROYAL s. Crane practcing lawyer in this City for II
years testified that he became acquainted with M Tay-
or about 1851 or lC that he had done professional bust
ness for Linn in all about eight cases. that be had
~ huCfy
and letters and that be was familiar with his hand
writing On being shown the alleged will, he testified
that his opinion II not the genuine signature of
James b. Taylor On Examination he testified that
he had pretty decided opinion that it was not in MI
TaylorS handwriting. though il does look like It in some
particulars; il looks slightly like his handwriting and
That from the time he examined 1t (Which was before his
examination COURT ne had no doubt OF il; that there
two I'm the signature.
John NJ Crane Cashier Of the Shoe and Leather Bank,
testified bad been connected with that bank for
about years. and that he had known Mr. Taylor for 10
years that during that time he kept an account with the
Shoe Leather Bank, and 70 tie time of his death
that he had, teller and cashier Iald many OF ms
cheeks and was familiar with his signature. On being
shown tho signature To the will, and asked whether 10
was his signature be testified that in his opinion, the
writing Of Mr.. Taylor. On cfOSS-tLdHtHdtOH, be
testified that hIs checks were usually Agned }. d.
Tavler" writsen but not 10 checks that he had exam
med the signature the viii about ten days previously
that ne partially judged Of the signature by cOmpar
son his mind between this and the signatures nc had
seen upon the checks Ne had paid that be could hardly
say there WAS general resemblance, though there was
something OF resemblance that general criticism,
he should say that the signature 70 the alleged Will Is
more precise and studied signature and written with
more caro-: that he hal not paid one OF Mr.. TaylOTs
checks for about Eve years though he had seen him sign
his name in the bank abOt three years ago. though LIE
cId NOT y that he wrote hs name in full and that he
does nor recoect to what written; that he hadbee
If OF his duty 70 pay checks that his checks gener
ally had his name printed ON the margin In reply TO
the question, "He was Lot always particular III wrung
ls name alike at different times was her he replied,
There was considerable difference IN ms Hgndturcs;
and whether there was pretty Wlue dlnerence thH
"there was, TO the general appearance On the re-
drcc the witness testified that he had looked at notes
OF "James Il. Taylor aud III reply 20 the question: 1Ou
we're asked tire other slde, whether there was not
wide difference between many Of the signatures; will
you whether there was not wde derenGe between
many OF the signatures; viii ask you whether or not
ali ro signatures Of Mr.. Taylor you ever saw have the
same or some lG@nng chaf@cteIlsuee, III your
opiniOnl" Inc replied Only opinion Is that they have
"But they differ in detail, do they nQtP' "1eI,
Sir" wort 1t make considerable dlhtf-
euce IN the appearance, according Ia the pen,
the paper and ink and whether man IS more nervous
testified that photograph had been brought 10 him 10
the bank by the counsel Tor the contestants That thec
was one Of the same sze the will signature but there
were others which were maSnfed; there were In all
about half dozen Of these Photographic OF the same
hotographs OF different signatures that with these he
COMPARED signatures at the bank, and at MT ChnOns
Office that he noticed differences and that this latter
examination at Mr.. ClntOn's office confirmed ms pre-
vious opinion; he did not know whether these Different
photographs purpOrng to have been taken from differ
I, ,st,,r9s Of James h. TayOr were taken from gen
uiIe signatures or not.
A TRILER's TESTIMONY.
Theodore Rogers testified that he was payngtener OF
the Shoe and Leather Bank, and had occupied that POSI-
ton for two years. that he had been during that time in
the habit of seeing his signatures and lis checks which
he had paid and had 1t in the way OF business Tor
six years that had the signature james b. lay
lor" signed 20 promissory notes, ana ~ b. Taylor TO
cheeks that supposed be may have seen the fun g-
nature "Jhnes b. Taylor" about rs times IN two years
on being handed the will, and asked 70 state whether
the Signature was in the handwriting Of Mr. Taylor, ne
testified that did not think the signature was III ms
handwriting On crOSseIdDindttOn ne testned tht ne
mad never seen the signature 10 the WILL except as pho
tOgraphed before to-day had looked az the signature 10
the will about IS seconds to-day before giving an Ooh
had looked at the photograph number O1 ilmes IoIheu