New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-25
A MILLiONAIRE's WILL.

Yesterday case came up in the SurrOgate's
Court which tho following facts appeared: George
Hardin, an freshman, formerly an importer OF Iri~n
linens, and recently operator IN stocks died ines
tate March 6, 1sS leaving wife but no children, ana
an estate worth about toOcO 10 stocks. bonds, ana
other personal property. lilo lived I'm avery obscure
house IN Cornelia-st and had but few friends. After
bis death A. h. Trobridge and bis widow, Elizabeth
Hardin. took out letters OF administration UPON bis es
tate. which Is claimed by hIs nophews aud grand
nephews, the ground that he never legally
married.
Dr. Moses ID Van Pelt the family physican Of the de-
ceased called upon establish the validity OF tho
marriage, and testified that the decedent and his
wife were very s1ectionate In their manner
toward each other, ana that they lived together
publicly husband and wife; that Hardin had
told witness no Intended 10 take Mrs. Hardin 10
Eutope with him in December 1871, or January. 1914;
deceased very retcent about his business and his
family affairs in 1868 Mrs. Hardin was very SICK. and
attended her. and he told her that her sick
mental than physical. She told him that
she was first married the deceased by justice that
her first acquaintance with him at Mrs. Jen-
nisons clearinghouse; that while they were
once walking out together. be persuaded her
to 20 justice aud get married; that shortly after
ward they went TO housekeeping that was In December.
lST January slS; that the why she
because the deceased had failed 10 get marri-
age certificate from the justice before he died. Tho
and that he wanted him 70 be witness that no was
legally married. and in his presence he placed ring
upon bis wte's finger and said that he took her for his
wife, and she said that she took bin for her husband
deceased said that no did not want her to feel that
she legally married; after they had declared
themselves in his presence be husband and wife.
he kissed her and said that after ms death she
should be entitled 20 onehalf o. his property az any
rate Under crosse Examination DIR. Van Pelt testified
Never Mrs. Hardin before lS9 was at the house OF
the deceased about year later had no doubt at that
time that she his wife never knew her as Mrs.
Walker have heard persons employed about the house
call her Mrs Walker have heard that they went by the
name OF Mr. and Mrs. Walker, but never asked Tor
explanation of IL have told my family ana think
other persons about their being married there
present when the deceased died except myself aud
Mrs. Hardin; there was conversation with Mr. Hardin
about his business before he died, but his VIII
not mentioned; he told me at that timo that be had
for the box containing his securities and bonds for
the purpose OF separating his own from Mr. Grays, in
order give his 10 his wife, who got about $1,000
from bank the day he died. no one at his h9ase
on the DAG BE died except Mr. Ross, but tbink theirs
were also two servants wa Not With him when he dlod
left Mrs Hardin there: with bin sl the rlgbs Dc
he died; sat up with him. Mt and Mrs Hardin have
said that ne had made Will, and only SAID that
ne intended give Elizabeth his wife, all the money no
had In the bank they had children; never moro
than 10 people visit their house. The examination wac
adjourned until to-day at IL q. m. John X Porter and
Robert H. Corbett for the administrator ana widow.
Elizabeth Hardin, VINO the proponents and John Il.
Burrel for the contestants.