The New York herald., 1878-10-25
CHARGED WITH FORGERY.

"BRoKER DICK" PLACED ON TRIAL IN THE
sla COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.
Tue trial OF John smith, alias 'Broker Dick F" alias
Jouos, his correct name, according 70 his own state
mont, being Alonzo Ainsworth, and who describes
himself as farmer from Land Lake, Ulster county,
N. r., was commenced yesterday In Part OF the
Court OF General Sessions, Judge Sutherland prcsd-
Ing. The Indictment charges the prisoner with tor.
gerry In The second degree II will bs RENE mbered
that this IS the case in which large number Of
uine Can adam bank notes were stolen and after the
signatures OF one Of the officers had been forged,
were placed In circulation. 1t appeared that in the
autumn OF 1875 the Consolidated Bank Of Canada
prepared q large number oi $40 notes Tor
circulation ana some forty thousand OF them were
printed and delivered by the British American Bank
Note Company or Montreal. These notes bore the
signature OF the president In order 10 DO genuine
tney should be countersixnsd Oy the secretary, Mr.
John A. Ready. The package Of notes was placed by
Mr. Robert Nils. the manager OF the bang, on shot
IN readiness 10 be signed The 40 QUO ~ers carried
was ascerained that the signatures OF tho secretary
had been forged. when the fraud became known
some o. 'nsse notes were ss'ssa 10 sssi,na ana
bank. Efforts were at onse made to re.
cover ths remainder. The police authorities
hare informed that Smith, alias "Brokef Dick,
had the forged notes IN his possession aud the detec
tves were put upon nis track Detectives Dorsey,
McNaught and Crowley, Of the Central Ohce pro-
curea the co-opsra.ion OF Mr.. Robert II. Purss a
broker at No 40 all street. and arranged q meeting
between him aud Smith.
TRAPPED.
The latter, without hesitation admitted thar he had
the forged notes IN his possession and offered 10 DIS
pose OF them at hity.hve cents on ths dollar. Mr..
Purss finally agreed to take zoo OF the notes purport
ing 10 signed by Secretary Ready At these rates.
day was appointed for The purpose and Mr Purss met
Smith IN a downtown saloon. The detectives were
close NJ hand, aud, smith was about 10 complete
tho sale they pounced upon him and found 10 his
session 200 OF the forged notes. Tho detectives mad
bosn iE attendance IN room next 10 that engaged by
only awaited as y signal cough from Mr. Purss to
present themselves claim tho prisoner. The
signal wss duly given, and just Smith mad the 200
forged notes spread out on bed tho detectives
rUsned In. Smith endeavored to hido the R0tes but
they were promptly secured.
THE PRISONERS DEFkNCE.
'sBroker Dick" was tnen arrested for grand lar
ceny and forgery. Tho prisoner WAS placed on trial
yesterday i0r the latter offence, Assistant District
Attorney Bell conducting the case Tor the prOsecu-
tion. The theft Of the notes proved,
also the forgery OF the secrstary's counter sig
nature by Mr. Mills, the mauager, and Mr..
Ready, the secretary Of the Consolidated Bank OF
Canada while the decctves estAsd AZ TO the finding
OF the notes IN Smitn's possession. In his own de-
fence the prisoner said he received the notes from
pool room acquaintance named niil Armstrong at the
cigar store Of doe Goss Sixth avenue. Ho tssned
that not knowing be forged, he had agreed
DO so. On cross.sxamination Dy Mr.. Bell tue pris-
Oner said he thought no had beeu arrested once
before, but unable TO recollecJ Tor what offence.
This morning Judge Sutherland will submit the case
the Jury.