The New York herald., 1877-08-31
THE GREAT FORGERY.
Examination of Nelson A. GesSner in
the TOmbS Police Court.
HOW THE CHECK WAS PASSED
A Mysterious Packet and Strange
Whisperings.

| At eleven O'Clock yesterday morning the Tombs
Police Court crowded far beyond Its rsual con-
dtion, the OF attraction being the examination
OF Colonel Nelson A. Gessncr the alleged forger from
Chicago, At whose door laid by the prosecution the
Of forging the check for $26 9oS IS the Third
National Bank, purporting to be signed by Winsow,
Laner Co., and payable to the order Of a. H. Fried.
man Co. The forgery, It will be remem bered, took
place last December
Shortly alter the appointed time Judge Duffy took
his Seat and, seeing the unusual attendance, ordered
an adjournment to the Special Sessions Court Room,
more commodious pace at the other end OF the cor
ridor. scramble Tor choice ensued, and soon
all readiness. The prosecution ropre-
sentcd by Assistant District Attorney Herring
Counsellors Wheeler II. Peckham and Henry
c. Knox appeared ior the Third National Bank. Tho
prisoners counsel John Graham, Bainbrdgs
Smith and james Oliver. Counselors Fellows and
Oliver appeared watch the interests OF the witness,
I Eli b. Weston.
The prisoner, 1essner, occupied seat by the side
OF his counsel He cool and collected, to the
spectators looked like u consulting lawyer
prisoner. Near by his wife dressed in black
and veilcd. Her veil, however, did not conceal the
tears that were constantly flowing
! WHAT A TELLER TOLD
| The first witness called was John H. Terhune, teller
IN the employ oi Winslow, Laner Co., the bankers
He testified that ho had hold tho position OF teller with
the arm named for several years; the checks and
drafts of the firm were generally drawn by Mr. Ed
ward Winsow, but sometimes by the cashier Mr. f. B.
| Stafford; the witness was familiar with their sigma
lures The forged check here handed the witness
for examination. 1t was numbered 66. 500 and dated
| December 8, 1876
sis that Signature in the handwriting Of any Of the
frm?' asked the Assistant District Attorney.
the witness answered that It was noi
Whose ndwriting Is IT in imitation ofs' Coun-
selor Graham objected He did consider the
z
The Court ovcrrued the objection and the witness
answered; "ihe signature resembles the handwriting
check resembles none that know OF except my own"
Aetwitness) pronounced the check forgery.
On oss-examinati0n Mr.. Terhune sta,e ed that he
first saw the check on the day after 1t was certled
1t then in the possession Of Mr. Jordan CASHIER
OF the Third National Bank. ana at the
time by Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Winslow. The wit
had no knowledge OF any member of the nrm
not say o; his own knowledge whether the check had
ever been presented for payment long discussion
and thu prisoners counsel the latter wanting prove
by other Witnesses conversations that occurred be-
tween members Of his frm and officers 0 the bank
with relation to the genuineness OF the check but the
Court declined TO receive The evidence In the
terms the manipulations' OF the by tho
sde characterized the same as indicative Of some.
thing wrong.
Mr.. Willis Van Tine, paying teller OF the Third Ma
tional Bank next took The stand and estded that
certiacaton Of the check was IN his handwriting; tho
check presented to him. IN the ordinary course OF
business, between the hours OF twelve and one
O'Clock on the Stn Of last December; 1t was handed
him by boy employed by Friedman l. Co. the check
through the Clearing House and duly paid the
forgery was discovered shortly be orc three O'Clock p
NJ. The following day. The check not cut The
usual custom, because OF Tho discovery. After brief
mination, in which no new material facts
were elected the witness stepped down.
TALK THE
breeze of interest swept the spectators when
ELI X. Weston, the next witness, took the stand He
quietly kissed tho Bible and, seating himself in tho
witness CHAIR turned 10 the Assistant District At
torney. . go
''f3efore THIS witness examined f" said Counsellor
to be impleaded with my clonL 1t is notorious
that he accused OF being one Of TRIO OF ioreers IL
he 10 testify and be granted immunity or whatf I
don't the prosecution conduct this case In
the manner of fishing party. 1t is startling thing
call to the witness stand man accused Ot the crime
about which lie Is to testify as against another,
without The counsel and court being notified OF the
object"
Mr. Herring replied that there were many startling
things about the which would be developed due
time. He (Herring) had knowledge Of only prs-
Oner IN court; that was Mr.. Gessner.
Judge Duffy here stated that he had no knowledge Of
Weston being charged with crime. He mere
solely as a witness Tor the people.
Coionel Fellows next envened the proceedings As
counsel Tor Mir Weston. he protested against his
client being put on the witness stand. The from
its origin been OF the ntem ptbIe ira.
vestes ON the forms of Justice which the community
had ever witnessed. Ou,rages upon outrages had
been committed.
Judge Dufy-By whom?
Mr. FeIows-By every connected with the case.
The magistrate directed Weston to answer, whom his
counsel SAID, 10 low voice. "As his counsel direct
him not answer.n
I Mr. Herring to Weston-Where Is your place of
\ business?
The witness answered tnat he would prefer to give
Supreme Court. the habeas corpus proceedings,
and another wranxle among the lawyers ensued. 1t
was nnally settled by Weston concluding 10 answer.
MYSTERIOUS PACKET.
Weston went on 10 say that he had lived In Chicago
-four years; he first became acquainted with Gessncf
last January; from April TO May Is did not see
him; on tho latter date met hlm In Albany.
Mr; sI1. Herring mere handed witness large PACKET,
tighty sealed, .and asked II he had them
lore lie replied that he could say that ne had.
L Counsellor Graham asked that the packet be ex.
hbned TO prisoners counsel II was thor right
and learn its contents Mr.. Herring denied the right
but consented TO counsel handling the packet but
opening II. Hr herring then asked Weston If ne had
sver received the package IN question from Gessner
| Witness-l can't say that ever did.
"Dd you ever receive one OF about the samei size
ind appearance from himY"
'.Wher and under what circumstances ?"
Weston testified that the 10th of August last
received sealed packet in the Office Of the Western
mon Telegraph Company, in Chicago, with
ie request from Gessner that he deposit It
Mr. Coins ssie supposed M the package sage contained
lwth Mr.. Coiln that day he took 1t home and wrap
ing in newspaper, hid It in his stable That night
was arrested by Jayne, Hartman and Austin while
| the Sherman House. They demanded the packet |
thought ,ney were robbers and refused To tell them
here 1t was; then they placed him under arrest;
icy took him to the Grand Pacific Hotel and locked
| I'm up ior three days
|
During his impr,sonm he overheard u whispered
tnversation between hts Jaiors whlcn was In sub
ance e:--'Let snow HIM the packet; he won't |
Now the diiiarcnce." Soon aterward they showed |
lin sealed packet and wanted him 10 iucntiiy It as
" received from Gessnef. He refused, Heard
athe time that the detectives had secured $36 600
bm Gessner. All ,his time Hartman was |
the room brandishins his revolver wes,on |
tally told Jayne where the packet Idden and |
Invent Tor IT, They then told HIM (Weston) they |
dn't want HIM any more and he could 30, ous lie
rAsed Austin ana Jayne also urged him TO make an
aavit that Gessner had forged the $64 900 check ON
! y New YVtK Lie Insurance Company He told them |
III he would see them IN a very hot place first. |
| Vile he imprisoned In the Filth Avonue Hotel |
! ,ly told him Judge Duny was in adjoining room |
ai prepared to take his affidavit
| They uidn't exactly ask me-" continued the wit
MIS- ITO take false oath, but there seemed be- no
Oer construction TO their acts and hints. Austin
ind 10 create the impression That II all under
spd; that had told hun that Gessner had ad mtted
tde his connection with the sixty iour thousand dol
| la forgery; l. however,, never animated such a
tho