New-York tribune., 1870-12-24
THE COURTS.
THE TAYLOR WILL CASE.

EVIDENCE TO PROVE THE WILL A FORGERY.
This case was resumed yesterday before Sur
rogate Hutching the roombeing crowded with the
friends Of the contestants.
William C. Bennett testified knew the deceased for
25 years; had frequent business relations with him
observed that he very particular in preparing all
his business papers am acquainted with Mr. Taylor's
handwriting having seen him write very often the
signature attached to this will of the tesaor hut don't
think IL is his signature; there great similarity be
tween that signature and the body of the wil both in
style and in the general with which IL written
this signature appears 10 be written after copy, aud
not with the dispatch which usually characterized Mr.
Taylor his handwriting was never uniform like this and
in my judgment this signature was slowly carefully aud
deliberately written.
Cross examined-I have seen Mr.. Taylor write his
name three times within the last year. previous tO that
had not seen him write since 1856 to the best Of my he
lief, Mr. Taylor never wrote ms name to this WIFE be-
eve the same person who drew up that will made that
signatures il appears 10 have been written with the same
pen the same INK and all at the same time; saw Pho
tograph of this signature and ON comparing with hVe
il was not the handwriting OF the deceased.
Abraham Van Vechten testified: reside In Albany;
knew James b. Taylor intimately for the past 20 years,
aud mad frequent business transactions with MN; MS
habits were very systematic in regard 10 the disposition
Of valuable papers he invariably kept them In the safe,
the key OF which he carried III his pocket some three
years ago, Mr. Taylor cOnversed with the subject
Of his making will. and, under his instructions, pre-
pared the draft of one now in court bis great object ap-
peared TO he to Kate the control OF his property,
and in the event OF her dying without issue, he said he
did not care what became OF 1t; the draft of that VIII
was executed by Mr.. Marsh; after Kate married. he
marriage would involve change Of the will; Ireplied.
by its provisions her husband would have control
over the property; he said he was reconcilcd IN Kate,
aud conceded with in The opinion That there
necessity OF changing the will this in August 1869.
and from that time to mis- death frequently Mr..
TAYLOR who always spoke OF Kate with great affection,
and seemed 10 take great pride in her: my visits 10
the Office frequently George Duryea: Mr.. Taylor
always spoke OF him being being useful to him. but
said he had confidence IN his honesty
integrity; he frequently told me he knew George
scOuudrcl / saw Mr.. Taylor on the LIST OF
July, the day after this alleged VIII purports to be
ftVs4N4T IN ms lf
will that day have inspected the signature 10 this
called WILL and do not think il Is in his handwriting
when first this viii made the remark that 10
up by George Duryea the signature of Mr.. Taylor
always had pecuarity which does not appear in his
signature 10 this will lSeyera signatures made by the
deceased here introduced and identified by wltnes
Ii is only during the past weeks that have made
careful examination OF the will; never stated 10 any
that Mr. Taylor said he intended To cut on Kate with
5000 year do not think ever said So and II did II
fact stated 10 Mr. Clinton in one interview
that did not believe the signature was genuine; have
heard Mr.. Taylor speak OF George Dur!ea as little
scoundrel h- conversation relative 10 him impressed
me considerably had serious conversation relative
thereto; am not prepared 60 state whose handwriting
the body of this socaIcd will is III, but II appears 10
that the signature and the body Of the will written
bv the person; ! am not much acquainted with
Duryea's handwrltmg but uy first Impression was that
Charles L. Frost testified President Of a railroad
ia which Mr. Tay or director, and for three months
previous tu his death very intimate with hln our
Ing that time had occasion 10 nOe his signature In con
nection with the railroad, and very familiar win
il; have seen him write il 80 or 80 things; ste the sg-
of Mr. Taylor attached TO this WILL and have no
photograph of Mr. Taylors signature to this WILL
signatures of Mr. Tay lOr my possession, and
they like the signature To tine will than
jackasS is to COW. lIaughcrl The signature To the
viii does not bear the neIchanke dash OF Mr.. Taylor;
the signature is evidently one Of study,
Josiah r. Fitch was % also examined hn his testimony
did not materially differ from that given by preceding
witness. The ease Will be resumed Oh "Wednesday.