The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-18
THE BOND FoRcERIEs.
A Witness Accusations Against Pinkerton's
Detectives-An Issue as to the Character
Of 0lmstead, the Engraver-The
Defence Impeach His veracity.

The trial Of Andrew L. Roberts for forging bonds
OF the Central Railroad was continued yesterday
before Judge Brady. District Attorney Phelps ap
peared for the prosecution and ex-Mayor Hail, ex-
Recorder Smith and United States Assistant At
torney Purdy Tor the defence.
Mr.. julius Colombans, sewingmachne agent,
who knew Pettus and Ed Hail. was asked in re-
gard to his dealings with those parties at Tayor's
Hotel on the Sd OF January, 1873
Judge Brady asked the drift OF that testimonyf
United States Assistant District Attorney Purdy
said he meant to show that Pettus on that occa.
sion asked the witness II ne knew any parties who
would loan money on bonds, and that he showed
him Central bonds and SEAL which was the very
seal spoken OF by Omstead las having been made
by him for Roberts.)
EXMayor Hall argued that the District Attorney
had attempted to prove that Roberts was an agent
OF Pettus In the forgeres and that Roberts caused
Smith TO forge bonds in July, 1873, and the defence
had right to show that SO far from this being the
case the bonds
ALREADY EXISTED IN JANUARY, 1873.
The District Attorney had been made profess
sional witness by this conspiracy OF Mrs. Pettus
and Olmstead against Roberts.
Judge Brady said evidence as to the possession
OF bonds by Pettus would be in itself immaterial,
but II the defence could prove by any clrcumstan-
forgery Of which Roberts was now on trial. 1t would
be competent.
Ex-Mayor Hall urged that he could only give
description OF the bonds and the seal as they were
given back into the custody OF Pettus. He asked
the witness If he was shown BY Pettus any railway
bond, but the District Attorney renewed his Objec
ton and the question was ruled out.
Ex.Mayor Hall-Did you ever see any Central
consolidated bonds before February, 1878 in the
possession Of spence" Pettusi (Excluded.)
Ex-Mayor Hall-Did you see any seal OF the
Central or Buffalo and Erie railroads! (Excluded.)
A long series OF similar questions were put by
ex-Mayor Hall and excluded In conformity with
the ruling OF the Judge. An exception was noted
Ex-Mayor Hall said the defence would prove by
this witness that ''Spence Pettus on January 8,
admitted were forged, and that he
ALSO SHOWED HIN A SEAL
which produced the impression on those forged
Central bonds. Both propositions were denied,
x-Mayor Hall taking exceptions.
s rs Sad saG the ne @
fessed that he was on one occasion arrested by
Pnkel son, who wished TO suppress his testimony
in this case; on another occasion when he was ar
rested the complaint was preferred by one OF
PinKerton's detectives.
On mis- redirect examination he testified that
PnkertOns detectives fabricated false charges
against him; Robert Pinkerton made threats
witness for the defence In this case The witness
identified Pinkert0n, who was IN court, as the man
who had made the threats against him. Muilaher,
one OF P1nkertOn'S men, trumped up charge
s making S@
proposition; Mr.. Ray did not sue him for assault
Ex.Mayor Hail rose to make an appeal to the
discretion OF the court, He wished to recall the
engraver. 0lmstead, In order to put to him several
judge Brady granted the motion and Olmstead
was recalled. He was asked whether he knew that
Nelse Stuart and man named Tom"
ARE MAKING COUNTERFEIT MONEY
In the room at III william street. which he (Olm-
stead rented to Stuart in 1887 The witness ans
wered mo-" and denied emphatcally that he ever
United States District Attorney-And this is as
true as every thing else you have testified to-
Mr.. Percivai Lawrence was then called. He
testified that he and Nese Stuart printed counter
felt stamps in william street.
questions on this subject. He supposed that they
were put in order to contradict Olmstead. This
was not collateral to the issue.
Ex-RecOrder Smith said the defence desired to
show that Olmstead was counterfeter and had
been engaged in that business for several years. 1t
could not be possible that forger could be allowed
TO come upon the stand and swear that he was
pure and upright until the defendant seduced him
to commit the first wrong. He would show that
to print counterfeit stamps and that stuart was
now serving out Q tesn In States Prison.
Ex-Mayor Hall cited the celebrated case Of the
Queen VS.. Burke in support OF the admissibiity or
this testimony, and made long and earnest argu-
ment IN maintaining this position. The defence
offered to prove that Olmstead had frequently been
engaged In the business for which the defendant
was now on trial.
Alter listening to the argument OF District At
torney Phelps, Judge Brady decided that the evil
dence would be incompetent. The witness Ohm
stead was not on trial for counterfeiting, and by
this line OF examination Olmstead would be vir-
The Court then adjourned till this morning.