New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-08

STORY OF THE GREAT BOND FORGERY.
HOW THE COUNTERFEIT BoNDs WERE MANUFAc-
TURED-TEsTDOSY OF SPENCE PEfIIs IN THE
SUIT AGAINST CHARLES RoIsTOS AND OTHERS.
In the case of the National Trust Company
Of the City OF New-York against Charles Roston and
others now on trial before Judge Scdgwck ana jury
IN superior Court Trial Term. Part l. the testimony OF
spence Petts. the forger. yesterday read to the
Jury This testimony was substantially as follows;
In the Summer OF 1871 Andrew L. Roberts and Vilen-
tine Gleason Petis, by appointment ut sOarls, at
University place and Eeveuth-st, and during the con
versation they asked him what could he done with
large quantity OF railroad bonds say slOOO or s2Oo
~ them that were quoted on the market "a good a.
Erie First Mortgage. At their request. he explained
10 them how loans were effected by savings
banks trust companies, and brokers; that was the
substance OF the conversation at this Interview
They asked him keep his own counsel and told MIN
that there something good coming IN the future.
The term something good coming, Pettls explains Is
cant term among oounterfeters for batch Sew
eral other interviews were had; one OF them
was held at Roberts's house. in Tenthave.
Roberts, George Wilkes and Pet:Is were present.
Pettis was then and there shown letter heads
sit tickets and blank certificates OF deposit purport
ing TO have been drawn nv George Opdyke d Co.. ana
which were fac-slmles OF the genuine RoDer's saiu
that Opdyke had correspondents in various western
Cities and that by filing an introductory letter ana
IL with Mr.. Opdykes name, anu u!lIus w lic
certificates OF deposit sums ranging from $1,000 To
$40 oco they could be readily negotiated through the
various bankers in the West who were Opdyke *
In - correspondents Pettis did not want to present
,bem himself, but said would furnish man 20 repre-
sc Mt him. Wilkes had genuine certificate OF OpdyKe
A. Co.. and also q letter OF introduction IN MI Opdyke's
handwriting These compared with the counter
ts and the latter we're found no perfect fac Smiles
Gleason then came in and expressed himself satshed
with the enterprise. Roberts told Petts that tns ven
tire would bring a few Thousand dollars JUST Tor
expenses but that the big thing would be coming soon
The persons who to present the Forged cef
were started for their various posts III the west
on March H. 1874 but Pettis was arrested hs Gay before
and ms man consequently did not leave. walter sner-
M an and Roberts, however dsposrd OF sOeut *aO OF
$4,000 forged certificates SHERIDAN ana kovefts
assisted Pettis by lOsnng nm tivW townru niS
bail when he arrested In Boston,
Pettis returned this city IN April. 1sI2 ana met
Roberts and Gleason. who wanted nun 10 get Dond
paper Of o certain for them. This Pettls was una
BILE " do. after making dhlgent search. 1nereupoh
they said they but that u little 600 blue
Petris showed them how 10 bleach L. Wnlle tue pnt-
ing Of yne forged bonds going on. Pets was max
ing aud finding out the best places 10 ge
thai they would be ss saabe ~ Ere First MORTGAGE
bonds. They purchased 800 sheets OF neSsy popd
paper in Philadelphia having found some 40 70
their liking there The bonds were nearly n mn M
England make arrangements there with Livingstone
alias BidweI and Baker alias Mcdonnell and by their
aid put the bonds the market or negotiate them
Roberts returned in September. 1874 and met Ofheer
Farley on the arrival steamer by teleRraphe
ponment take care Of any thing that ne might have
bronght with him. Roberts told Pettis that no had
these bonds in England. Petts was shown by Roberto
several u 900 bonds OF the bunio YORK and Egic
RaiIwuy Company unsigned and Roberts enGagcd hin
70 nave the seals prepared. The bsnd perfect fss