New-York tribune., 1873-02-05
MIR. GREELEY'S WILL.
THE END OF A CRUEL LITIGATION.

of Mr.. StOrrs and Mr.. Manning, which only justlhes
the remarks made editorially in THE TRIBUNE OF
yesterday. We have the highest respect for the
integrity and honor of both these gentlemen, and
only deplOre the mistaken sense of duty which led
them into the late painful conflict with the
orphans Of Horace Greeley. In regard to their
gratuitous defense of Mr.. Williams, we have
only to refer to his ungenerous and
unmanly insinuations publicly made against two
young ladies whose helplessness and sorrow should
have protected them from such attacks As Messrs.
Storrs and Manning claim to have made attempts at
a compromise, we merely subjoin thetext of propo-
siton made to them in behalf of the Misses Greeley
lin the name of the elder but fully and cordially
sanctioned by the younger, which was promptly and
peremptorily rejected. We wish to state, before
taking leave of a most unpleasing sub
ject, that whereas the Attorney indorsed by
the Executors intimates that the estate OF
Mr. Greeley is worth over S2O0OO0, our own informa-
tiOn is that, with the exception of six shares OI
TRIBUNE stock there is scarcely dollar OF avail
able money acre of productive real estate De-
longing to the estate If the Executors can make 1t
worth S200OO0, in cash productive property, they
will deserve the gratitude of the orphans aud the
approval of all good men.-EdI
CARD FROM THE EXECUTORS.
To the EdfiOr OF The Tribune.
SIR: As executors named in MIR. Gree eleys
will of 1871 we have made reply to the attacks on us
which have from time TO time appeared In the papers,
believing them TO have written for the purpose OF
making public opinion and of bringing IL 70 bear against
us; and that could afford to wait the developments
of testimony and the Judgment OF the court But an
article in this mornings TRIBUSE-in the newspaper
which is most read by Mr. Greeleys friends and which,
above all Others is supposed TO be the guardian OF MS
good name-s so bitter in its spirit and gross in its
isstatements of facts that feel compelled in Justice
10 ourselves and to the many longtime friends OF Mr.
Greeley who have heartily approved of the course we
have pursued to present the leading features OF tine
case stripped OF all personalities and extraneous matter
Immediately after Mr.. Greeleys death, we we're IN
formed by custodian Of the will Of 1871 that we were
named in as s executors and that 1t would be proper
for u.s. at early day. 10 present TO the Surrogate OF
Westchester County for probate. IL was with extreme
reluctance that accepted the trust To our natural
inclination TO respect the wishes of our friend was
added the influence of the tide of good feeling to
ward Mr. Greeley which running strongly at the
time We decided 10 accept the trust, and at the
proper time took the will 10 the Surrogate, and,
10 our surprise, found the VIII OF 1872 already
in his hands At the first hearing for proving
the will Of 1872 and before had taken any part In
the proceedings, asked for interview with the
daughters OF Mr. Greeley with view to making sug-
gestions which might prevent any contest In the
matter. This was emphatcaly declined by their coun-
se after we had spoken with them Sul being anxious
TO avoid controversy again sought and obtained an
interview the first in the proceedings. at which
we proposed tOwithdaw opposition, provided they
would Internationally convey half the estate
10 the younger daughter, and make good the
beGuests 10 the brother and sisters OF Mr..
Greeley in the will OF 1871 They offered TO
provide an equivalent for the sisters by an
annuity, in some other way ana 10 convey nail he
they did not consent to make good beques TO the
brother At the second or third hearing they offered
REIMBURSEMENT by the brother and sisters OF Mr. Greeley
OF all their rights and conveyance OF nan the estate 10
the younger sister reseryng TO the elder the control OF
vinced that the will OF 1877 was not
Must M Of NECESSITY Know 'a as we'll e as we did that Mr.
Greeley not in condition to make will at the
been Informed by the officers of the Childrens Aid So
ciety one of the benefciares under the will OF 1871
will; that, indeed they had right 10 decline any be-
quest and that they looked to Us To protect their rights
declined any further negotiations for arrangement
and urged upon the proponents OF the VIII OF l5l2
withdrawthat VIII aud allow that Of 1871 to 10 10 pro
bate. That Will secures TO them al they can POSSIBLY
Children's Aid Society This bequest Is SO exactly IN
accord with Mr.. Greeeys welknOwn wishes, aud Is so
honorable to his heart and Judgment that we cannot
understand how any friend OF mis- seek 10 rob his
memory of the credit and fitness OF this act Especially
when it is remembered that there Is enough and more
than enough left to provide amply for his orphans why
should his memory he fragrant with the Odor OF this
After all the simple question is which was Mr.. Gree
doubts the nvadity of the VIII OF 1872. The evidence
concusvey shows IT, The eminent senior counsel on
imposed by the will of 1s7 bound in good faith
to oppose the other and the testimony shows that we
editor Of THE TRIBUNE INDUCES in, are unwor-
thy Of him aud OF the new role which
he has recently proposed for his newspaper.
AS lifelong friends of Mr. Greeley, afford to dis
regard them We conscious that we have acted not
only In the interest OF the daughters OF Mr Greeley Du
that in preventing the acceptance OF viii made and
executed under such exceptional we have
prevented fraud upon the public when IL always u,
terested in the establishment OF justice and law In
justice to Mr. Williams VINO reinetanty conSenteG or
the largest share Of THE TRIBUHEs abuse, we will add,
that he Mr. Greeleys friend that he drew and held
the Will OF 8 and that he has conducted the case with
ability and with much forbearance and courtesy TO
opposite counsel human nature could be expected
to exhibit under circumstances of 50 much provocation
he has been subjected TO- but he able TO answer for
Te,o- York, Feb 4, 1873. CHARLES sToRRs.
THE LAST OFFER BY THE MISSES GREELEY WHICH
THE EXECUTORS REJECTED.
DEAR MIR. SToRRs: You asked me TO bear from your
self and executors under Mr.. Greeeys will OF
1871, message to Miss Ida L. Greeley proposing COM
promise which should prevent litigation. She accepted
substance and proceeded in good faith to out
each item in it; but litigation and unseemy scandal
go No true friend OF Mr.. Greeley no one who hon
ors memory wishes TO befrend his family can re-
gard the procedure with any other feeling than one Of
profound regret Miss Greeley now authorizes me to
propose part and TO entreat acceptance Of
an arrangement 20 stop it.
The will OF 1917 written by Mr.. Greeley Of his own
notion She II, heard of until after IL
was written. 1t the natural impulse of man who
found impaired to to his orphan children
all he had TO bestOw aud when he wrote It, and for some
days afterwards he in such mental condition TO
be writing editorials for THE TRIBUNE which any of
who left woud gladly give right hands 70 be able
TO equal But Miss Greeley understands you 70 think
hea IN alta
II does not sufficiently to her younger sister