The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-29
THE TAYLOR WILL CASE.
Further Testimony in Favor of
the Proponents.
Taylor's Housekeeper on he stand-Her Letter
to Kate-What General spinola Knows
About the Will--Ke is Inter-
ested in the Case.

called. AS on the previous day, there was a lar0e
crowd In attendance, and great interest mani
tested in the proceedings. The testimony OF the
housekeeper OF Mrs. Taylor. Mrs. Donnelly, and GEN
eral Spinola, the most important yet offered IN proof
OF the genuineness OF the WILL listened to with
close attention. So much irrelevant testimony was
offered that the Surrogate remarked that If all the
questions asked were put down the printers bill
would consume the estate. As 1t is the testimony
| already taken would I'LL many volumes.
MI Piper was recalled, and was questioned FUR
Their by Mr.. Clinton. In answer to number OF In
| terrogatores he said that he visited MIR. Tayors
once occasionally, and acquainted with George
| Duryea.
TESTIMONY OF MR. L. sHARDLow.
| Mr. L. Shardl0w, being sworn, testihed-I knew
the deceased, James B. Taylor during his lifetime,
probably about thirty five years; early acquaint-
ance was slight and grew out OF political association;
but during the latter years OF his life was very in
timaLe with him. used to see him almost daily;
saw him write frequently, and ain, believe pretty
well acquainted with his signature. CHE win was
here shown.) think this is Mr.. Taylor's signature;
have no doubt about 1t; the last conversation
had with Mr. Taylor in his private Office, and
the purport Of 1t was that Kate to have 1000
that the id Howands should not benefit by his
death; Kate was then in Europe and l heard him
say thai Mr.. Rowland Sen, abused Mrs. Taylor very
much; heard him say nothing Of his intentions
garding George Duryea since the LIST OF July; fire.
auently heard deceased speak OF George D"ryea as
one In whom he could place the greatest confidence
Cross.examined by Mr.. Clinton-The writing in
the body OF this will Is not III Mr.. Tayor's handwr
Ing In, my impression; have received letters and
checks from Mr.. Taylor but could not specify the
dates amounts; could not point to any period
within the last five years when received commu-
/ L
SEEN MANY OF HIS SIGNATURES
on the back OF checks the Shoe and Leather Bank
within the past two years: during the last three or
four years had nothing 10 take me TO Mr.. Taylors
except social; am not very Intimate with Mr..
Duryea, and had no business relations with him
cept in relation to a lease Of some small property
given him by MI. Taylor.
THE Hors ExEErER's STORY.
Maria Donnely, housekeeper OF the late Mr.. Tay-
Ior was next called ana reside a, 1913
February, 1869. as nouseSeeper; was In the family
at the time Kate got married, and recolIect the CIR
cumstances connected with 1t; endeavored to pro-
cure a reconciliation with Kate and her grand
father; on her visit after that event informed Mr..
Taylor that she was In the house, an he was very
excited aud refused to her; finally persuaded
him to do so, and he saw her In the paror; recol
Mr.. Tayor was Informed OF their separation ana he
swore at the Howlands ana said they should not
come to MS house; on the l4th OF July letter was
received from Kate from Paris. and he said he was
going to SETTLE his affairs so that
THE HOwLANDS SHOULD NEVER GET DOLLAR
treating Mrs. Taylor shabby; the Sunday before ne
died he called me to his bedside and told me to he
kind TO Kate and to remain with Mrs. Taylor, for
she would prove a Kind friend to me; .'as for the
rest,n said he. .sthey may go to II" Mr.. Taylor
died the following evening and proceeded to col
Rowland watched me very closely while was dong
so and said that
just before MIR. Taylor's death ! asked Kate TO go
and kiss her father, and Mr.. Rowland SAID lie
would be Cd id If he allowed her.n
Crosse Xamined--After this interview. while Kate
was in the city, she visited Mr.. Taylor ar his resi-
dence almost every morning before he went to sus
ness Kate expressed wish TO see Mrs. Taylor if
she would treat her kindly ana Mrs. Taylor SAID she
would do 50 ana make the most OF her; Kate con-
whenever I saw her with MI Taylor he was very
kind to her and affectlonae: at the Thanksgiving
Taylor was kind and cordial; the Howlands gave a
return dinner, which mr. Taylor attended; 1t was
very unusual for HIM to dine OUT when Kate
SICK brought delicaces to her by permission OF Mr..
Taylor
A SIGNIFICANT LETTER
At this stage OF the crosse examination counsel for
the contestants produced several letters, one OF
which, ana the most important, from the Witness to
Kate, while the latter Was IN Europe ana after the
conversation In which Mr.. Taylor spoke harshly OF
the H0wands, was offered III evidence. The follow
Ing Is an extract from the letter, which Is dated
July %, 1870
very sorry that you have left Mrs Tayors. think
father would to have all the party cling together
get over many things and 6y the spirit Of your letters
let your mothers age whms take pleasure
MIR TAYLOR saws you her not care
how gets along TOR that it's nothing new.
The entire letter was admitted in evidence and the
examination was continued. / never saw jackson
at Mr.. Tayors. but saw MIN several times with Mrs.
TAYLOR since tle decease OF Mr.. Taylor; Jackson was
with Mrs. Taylor last night; after the funeral OF Mr.
Taylor saw MIR. Wetherell al the house; It might
have been two weeks after Mr. Robert Wethereil is
at Mrs. Taylor's about three times a week. never
saw Wetherell, Jackson and Murray with Mr. Taylor
TESTIMONY OF GENERAL sPINoLA.
General Spinola Called have resided in New
been four years in the State Senate and in the
House; knew james B. Taylor for twenty or thirty
years; when made his acquaintance first he resided
in East Broadway; during the last few years Of his
| lie we were very Intimate; ] saw him almost daily;
we operated together in various things; had business
! pending with him at the time OF his DEATH had
! conversation with HIM on the Wednesday before
his death; have often seen him INTERCHANGEABLE
tunes; have had papers OF his; know his handwriting
| as well as any man can know an0tner's. (1ne
| win was here shown) have no doubt that
THIS is THE GENUINE SIGNATURE
| OF James b. Taylor; know George Duryea's hand
writing; the writing in the body OF the Will Is not
his; the date In the VIII IS in the handwriting OF
| Mr.. Taylor; l know Edward Wetnerell; l met MIN
| at the Marshal's office and at Mr.. Tayors: know
| Jackson; met him at Mr.. Taylors; Wetherell and
Jackson were intimate with Mr.. Taylor; remember
! 1870; Wetherell, Jackson Ben Field and General
4 Boynton there; Mr.. Robert Murray came IN; Mr..
| Taylor came In at twelve; Taylor called Jackson and
ne stepped with Wetherell into the room; the
| door was wide open; saw Mr. Taylor 81; down
| at table and sign . paper Of some kind
and then Wetherlll and Jackson sat down and wrole
| in turn; Mr.. Murray came in afterwards; heard
MIR. Taylor use the word "witnessn as passed the
/ door; conversation took place afterwards; Mr.
Murray Joked about Wetherell's sister and Mr.. Tay
/ lor; Wetherell had gone out; l was
| ONE or THE HEROES OF THE YOUNG DEMOCRACY
| with Mr.. Clinton stricken out rs irrelevant; Mr..
! Iayor was in his private Office with Wetherill and
Jackson ABOUT five or ten minutes; had CONVEX
ton Mr. Taylor in July ABOUT his will; he told me he
mad made mis- Will and had given 0Oo to Kate, and
| the balance Of his property to tne Queen" mean
/ ing Mrs. Taylor; asked him If that was enough to
| leave Kate; and he said that that Was as much as
| texpetive) loafer should have OF his money; went
TO Mr.. Taylor's office The day subsequent 10 his
DEATH expecting to meet him having heard that he
was better met there Mr. Marsh, MIR. Mudgett,
| MIR. Wells, Air. Tracy Mr. Wallace and Mr.. Tracy's
brother Witness then described the nrst search for
the viii as already given in the testimony Of pre-
| viOus witnesses.
| Cross-eXamned by Mr.. ClintOn-I knew Wetherell
| for number of years. and also Jackson ana George