The New York herald., 1879-09-30


the same man he had met during and after the
war, when Mr.. Kane was also an ensign
in the Navy, and who, he knew,
had committed great forgeries. Mr.. Kane
was induced reluctantly to attempt the identi-
fication in the interest Of tho public, though
he had not seen Cooper for fourteen years, and
was never even on speaking terms with him.
He went to Newgate to-day with Detective
Mitchell. The Governor of the prison did not
man, and did not indeed believe that he
could under the circumstances, but ultimately
decided to let him make the attempt. Fifty
prisoners were turned into the yard. They
filed past the grated door behind which Mr..
Kane and the Governor were stationed Man
after man slouched by yet not the right
one, when, among the last few, thin,
pale, clean shavcn man, with black hair and
dark, piercing eyes and of medium stature.
''That's the man." calculated Kane Good
hcavensw exclaimed the Governor, stamping
his foot 'can you identify man whom You
years :" Kane said II do, positively" 1t was
the right man.
WANTED IN LONDON.
Mr.. Hoppin, Secretary of Legation, was ap-
piled to and promised to ask for Cooper's extra
dition ii it is found that Cooper is wanted at
San Francisco But it is by no means likely
that the prisoner will be given up till
Messrs Glynn, Mills g. Co. have done
with him. Cooper had, or till recently
had, large quantity Of California
bonds at Messrs. Glynn's, which were the pro-
ceeds OF his exploits at San Francisco. TO show
Cooper opened an account at the Bank Of Eng
land soon after the forgery committed in June
last Cooper is still ignorant that he has been
identified and connected with the Bank Of Eng
land forgerles. He stoutly maintains his in
nocenee.
FoRGERIEs ON AMERICAN LETTERS OF CREDIT.
Forgeries to the amount Of from f1O, 900 to
415,OOO on American letters OF credit were
recently committed, Messrs. Smith, Payne Il Co.
being the victims. The forgers got thousand
pound Bank of England notes from Smiths,
then went to the Bank Of England, repre-
sented that they were going to South
America and wanted gold. The bank people
were bamboozled, and gave them gold and
covered the bank stopped payment Of the notes.
The forgers changed the numbers and so passed
them No Glow has been discovered to the for
gers, and tho bank is sensibly chagrined.
CAREER OF WILLIAM R1NGGoLD cooPEn-HIs
AMERICAN RECORD OF CRIME IN WASHING
TON, NEW ORLEANS AND SAN FRANCISCO.
Cooper was born at Smyrna, Kent county. Dol.
to seek employment at Philadelphia He obtained q
situation with his uncle. who owned Photographic
establishment in that city. He was employed there
until the breaking out OF the war In 1861. and
ing this time. On the outbreak Of the war
he (Cooper) enlisted in the navy, and was
shipped on board the flagship Blackhawk. belonging
to the Mississippi squadron. In short time he
manding. His conduct during this period Of his
life was uniformly good. far at least
as is known. On the termination of the he
turned to Phiadelpha and eventually went to Wash.
ington, where he secured all appointment as
clerk in the Navy Department at a sal
ary of s1.4oO per year. So far is
known It was during his connection with
the Navy Depat tmcnt that he began his criminal
career. Taking advantage of his kno wledge Of the
working of the department. gained through his
duties kind of entry clerk of the paymasters
quisitions. he forged requisition purportine to
como from Paymaster Spalding for $4,000 aud an.
other for $780, 900, in which he initiated the hand
writing Of Paymaster r. W. Allen. OF the Norfolk
Navy Yard During the prosecution Of his search for
wealth by these means he had become engaged
to the daughter OF J. ID. Defrees. the government
printer and the marriage was to have taken place
soon after tho date at which his forgcrcs were dis
covered. The against him, indeed not
thoroughly made out until the of tho mar.
wedding party on the conclusion OF the marriage
ceremony started at once for Philadelphia. but the
detectives we're waiting for Cooper at a station a
few miles out from that city. and arrested him
on the train. Tho unfortunate bride was
sent to o hotel and her father summoned
by telegraph. Cooper was raken to the Navy Yard
in irons. and after a speedy trial found guilty
and sentenced to five years imprisonment in the Moy
amensing pcnitentiary. There he served out the full
term of his sentence and in 1870 rcgancd his freedom
ORLEANS.
After his liberation lie went to New Orleans. where
no obtained employment agent for AN insur
ance company. In this capacity no went to Coum
bus Miss, where he again entered on n course
of crime. Soon alter his arrival there he
formed the acquaintance of the kev. Joseph
b. Cottril and professcd to take lively interest in
religious matters. lie even went so far rs
to announce his intention to study for holy
.>r,1ore this time tberc WAS rcsidiug nj c,1up,