The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-06
THE BOND FORGERIES.
Trial Of Andrew L. Roberts in the Court
Of Oyer and Terminer.
The Counterfeiting Business Explained
Interesting Narrative.

Az on the day preceding the Court OF oyer and
Termlner was crowded yesterday, the develop
ments IN the trial OF Andrew l.. Roberts, who Is
indicted for forging bonds OF the Central Railroad
Company, having excited considerable curiosity
and attention. Judge Brady took his seat on the
bench ABOUT ten O'Clock, wnen the hearing of the
case was proceeded with. John A. Olmstead, who
had made the stamp from which the seal on the
forged bond was taken, and who had been exam
ined the previous afternoon, was recalled. In
cross-examination by Mr.. Purdy the witness stated
that he was an engraver, and IN 1852 carried on
business at No. It's william street; he made tools
for the trade he has also hardened drills and
made brace for o man named Davis. who the
witness stated represented that they were for
drilling vent holes in cannon; he subse
quently ascertained however, that Davis was
burglar; he Davis) came second time
for another supply Of TOOLS but witness
refused to do any more work for him;
witness did not notify the police authorities (;
after leaving william street he went to Beekman
street, and subsequently to the corner OF william
and Spruce streets; he always kept regular en-
graver's office; did not know Pettis as Davis all
the time; could not remember the names OF the
two apprentices he employed, how long they
worked for MIN or the year they were IN his en-
ploy. The witness further stated that he also
occupied back room in No. 1T william street; he
rented rooms to a man named Nelse Stewart, who
was subsequently arrested as a counterfeter.
Throughout his various transactions the witness
observed he had conscience and he still retained
1t. At this stage the witness asked the Court
what were the privileges OF witnesses as to an
swering questions.
q witness was TO answer the questions asked.
Mr.. Purdy requested the Court to instruct the
witness THAT he was not bound TO answer any ques-
tons that might lead to criminate him.
Judge Brady instructed the witness accordingly.
III, In reply TO- MT Purdy The Witness further stated
named Roberts. who made the plate for which
Stewart was sent to, jail; stewart deceived
head; his speciality was die sinking; he never
made $40 die and q $26 die ior stewart,
and denied that when the currency went out
to obtain the counterfeiting plate. Witness
coin dies and haG been offered thousands OF dollars
to make them, but lnvarable refused; Stewart
asked him to go into "bnsiness'' with him; he
knew Stewart was in the counterfeitlng busi-
ness; never was instrumental In having Stewart
arrested, but thought that he once mentioned the
matter matter TO. to detective named Rash Witness
cret Service IN connection with that business. The
witness then went on to state that he did not re-
member when he first met Pettis, but thought 1t
was at the restaurant situated at No. III William
street; Pettis asked him to make q seal for the
Thuoant and Neosha Valley Railroad he (the wit
ness) was too busy attend TO it, but sent Pettis
to a man named Brown, in William street. who
made II: he had worked for the Erie railroad
ing agents; he did not know II pettis was an en-
poye OF that road he made the seal for the Central
New York and Erie Railway seal Tor Pettis;
when Pettis asked him for copy of the
seal Of the +S Central =, Raroa he had
used Tor the purpose OF forgery; Pettls gave him
$500 bond to copy the seal from, and he believed
came back with the seal and wanted an alteration
made IN 1t; ne alleged that the smokestack was
not deep enough for him. and he deepened it as
renueAted witness Ignored
Pettls was using the seal 10 stamp bonds with);
later Pettis visited the witness at Staten Island
and lett him $500 bond OF the Western Union Tele-
graph Company to make seal from, and the wife
OF Pettis called for it; the first interview he had
at No. II Cortandt street; he offered the witness
the bond OF the Western Union Telegraph to make
the JOB, as he was engaged upon some work for
people in New Brunswick, and the prisoner took
the bond away; in about week alter the prisoner
received the first BOND OF $500 OF the Sioux City
and Pacific Railroad; in July, 1873, he received
the bond OF the New York Central.
HIS ARREST BY PINKERTON
The witness then described his arrest by Pnker
ton on warrant for forging the Western Union
telegraph seal; Mr.. Bangs the Genel al superln-
tendent OF Pnkerton's Detective Agency IN this
city, requested HIM TO make an open statement,
and ne sad he had made the seals, but had no In
but he concluded that they must be the seals he
had made; after he made the statement in P1nker
and mt nm TO he'd his wte and ppn are to he WIN
nesses, and Mrs. Pettis, he thinks probably he
does not know if he has acted wronglully; he has
told all he knows on the subject and throws him
sell upon the mercy OF the Court
The cross-examinatiOn of this witness, which
was OF very searching character, occupied
nearly four hours.
District Attorney Phelps subsequently re-exam-
med the witness. who stated that he had been
arrested only twice beOre-once for lntOXlcation
and the second time for something about natural-
cation business In Brooklyn, winch, however, was
never brought to trial. The witness denies ever
having seen Colonel Wood formerly clerk of the
United States Secret Service.
At naEpast three O'Clock the Court adjourned
until ten O'Clock on Monday morning.