Testimony of president and cashier of bank—In all prosecutions for forging or counterfeiting any notes or bills of the bank before mentioned, or for altering, publishing or tendering in payment as true, any forged or counterfeit bank bills or notes, or for being possessed thereof, with intent to alter and pass the same as true, the testimony of the president and cashier of such bank may be dispensed with, if their place of residence shall be out of this state, or more than 40 miles from the place of trial; and the testimony of any person acquainted with the signature of the president or cashier of such banks, or who has knowledge of the difference in appearance of the true and counterfeit bills or notes thereof, may be admitted to prove that any such bills or notes are counterfeit; and the lawful existence of any bank out of this state shall be presumed upon evidence that such bank is actually engaged in the business of a bank.