Evidence in prosecution for forgery or counterfeiting.

In prosecutions for forging or counterfeiting notes or bills of banks, or for uttering, publishing, or tendering in payment as true, any forged or counterfeit bank bills, or notes, or for being possessed thereof with intent to utter and pass the same as true, the testimony of the president and cashier of such banks may be dispensed with, if their place of residence is out of the state or more than 40 miles from the place of trial; and the testimony of any person acquainted with the signature of such president or cashier, or who has knowledge of the difference in the appearance of the true and counterfeit bills or notes of such banks may be admitted to prove that such bills or notes are counterfeit.