The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-04
Probable Admission of the Will
of 1871 to Probate.
Miss Gabrielle Greeley Endorses
Her Sisters Course.
The Daughters of the Great PubliciSt to
Inherit a Fortune Of $500, 1000.
Dead Mans $4,000 and Refuse
to Renounce Their Claim.

Tha scandalous Greeley will case has at last
practically terminated Yesterday morning pro-
ceedings were again resumed in the matter before
Surrogate Cofin at the Court House In White
Plains. The fugacious and persistent Isaiah S. VIII
liams appeared on behalf OF the two remaining ex-
ecutors ofthe will Of 1871, Richard H. Manning and
Charles Storrs, Samuel Sinclair having renounced
all his rights as the third executor month
SINCE and in addition he also acted as counsel
for the Children's Aid Society," who have not
made any compromise remuneration OF the
claim for the legacy of $1O 900 left by the will OF
1871. Mr.. Joseph ii. Choate, who has been working
very hard for an amicable arrangement in the
matter, and Judge Hart appeared on behalf OF the
two desolate orphan girls, Miss Ida and Miss
Gabrielle Greeley. The Surrogate, who evidently
expected to have the pleasure of sitting several
days longer, was considerably surprised to find
MATTERS TERMINATE so SUDDENLY.
None OF the members of the Greeley family were
in court; but r. II. Manning. one of the executors
OF the old will, and John c. Ferguson, who was
witness to the execution OF the will OF 1S7l were
present The latter is an old, farmer-like man.
Mr.. Alvin J. Johnson, Mr.. Greeley's old friend. was
also present, were small army Of
reporters, and Mr.. O'Dwyer, late private
secretary to Horace Greeley. The Surrogate
having adjusted his sPectaces Judge Hart arose
and said IF the Court please, this protracted dis
agreeable investigation is about drawing to
close. have no desire to revel in the infirmties
OF any man, living or dead. We have, believe, on
side exhibited spirit of Cancellation from the
beginning to the end of this case. When we were
informed that the rights OF the
YOUNGER DAUGHTER OF MR.. GREELEY
were contended for we conceded everything as
far as we knew how and all that we could. We
gave at once deed OF one undivided half of that
property to the younger daughter, though the
counsel sitting by my side was perfectly satisfied
that the will of 1872 gave her all that we could give
her by any Decd and he was satisfied not only of
his own Judgment and opinion, but after consult
Ing with some OF the
MOST EMINENT LAWYERS IN THE COUNTRY
and that a concession OF that kind would tend TO
peace, 1t was then suggested that Mr.. Greeley
had relatives who were entitled, under the will OF
1871 to that which they would not receive under
the will OF 1872, and we conceded to these relations
everything they asked for. They gave us re-
lease-a discharge in full-so that that objection
to the will of 1872 was removed. We then under
stood that the Chdren's Aid Society had resolved
solemnly at one OF their meetings that they were
NOT PARTICIPANTS IN THIS LITIGATION;
that they did not direct or ask for though they did
not renOunce, their claim TO share in the Tribune
stock. We afterwards determined, ON consulting
out of Court with the friends OF these young ladies'
to make further effort TO arrange this business
and we suppose 1t had been arranged. An eminent
gentleman of the press, who is now for his health
In one OF the Southern States, gave
to understand that an arrangement had
been made with the executors that would
terminate this litigation. But it seems there was
some misunderstanding between them; that the
executors did not understand the management as
that gentleman understood 1t, and he is away and
have not had an opportunity Of comforting with
him to know what might be said
on HIS SIDE OF THE QUESTION.
He had from time to time adiournments, and
believe, at each adjournment some conference has
been had. Every effort has been made to bring
this matter to peaceful termination. Our efforts
have not proved successful. Having striven to
bring this matter to a close some terms that
would be satisfactory to the friends of the youug
ladies, we have determined to bring it to close
whether the terms be satisfactory or not. The
business OF counsel in this case has been difficult
business because many friends of the daughters of
Mr.. Greeley exhibited
GREAT ANXIETY CONCERNING THEIR WELFARE.
There are some who desire we should contest this
case at all hazards and TO any extent, and would
not be satisfied with this compromise. Others are
urging us strenuously to peace Distinguished
gentlemen and warm personal friends of Mr. Greeley
urge us to proceed with the litigation while we were
about to terminate 1t. and suggested the employ.
meAt of Mr.. Evarts in this case. There was
no objection on the part of those those who
represented either OF the Misses Greeley for Mr.
Evarts would have not only been received, but his
counsel would have been needed His partner
Mr.. Choate, at the last hearing OF this case SO
far from adviing further struggle, concurs
with us In our opinions. The counsel are har-
monious and concur fully on the subject We
think that this business ought to be terminated
uet nf 10
life OF Mr.. Greeley,
FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS DEATH, BROUGHT BEFORE
the world. 1t is my honest opinion that all de-
velopments of everything affecting his life would he
better for him and for his memory provided we could
have fully and fairly presented IT, But that was
impossible. No two men view the same thing alike
and come to tAe same conclusion from certain
state OF facts One man would say of Mr. Greeley
that he fell into peaceful sumber, and another.
as witness on the stand stated, would say that lie
FELL BACK INTO A STUPOR:
thus the same act Is described differently from
different standpoints by honest men, One would
say when he was on the tree al Chippaqua and
said, "Oh, OH" that IL was evidence OF insanity
and another that II was u foot that was painful,
that long ago was placed in a particular posi-
ton, from which he would necessarily cry sOh OH"
Under the circumstances the daughter OF Mr.. Gree
ley who presented the will OF 1872 for probate and
who has been here from time TO time.
WAN AND WEARY, RETURNING EVERY DAY
TO her couch to seek repose across the way; after
had read in the papers, she addressed me n note
which will now read
A BRAVE DAUGHTER DRFENDs HER DEAD FATHERS
MEMORY.
NJ. CorrAcE PLACE, Jan 20, 1873
Sa f T m ss q S GdaSw
r Mse eg ony wfh our %re shall
carry out his last wishes permit nory which is
yourself and to Mr. choate for the very kind efforts You
have all made on behalf of myself and sister remain,
IDA L. GREELEY
The communication was on sheet OF deep
81. l.. G.' engraved thereon. on the fourth page
OF the note paper was endorsed in school girls
loose chirography the following
Ijon my dear sister in the sentiments of this letter
GABRIELLE GREELEY.
The production of this note from the two desolate
orphan girls, daughters OF a man who has filed q
larger space In American history than any other
man, excepting George Washington created
deep and profound sensation in the court room.
"a. ~ RISES TO EXPLAIN.
At this juncture Mr.. Alvin J. Johnson arose to
make an explanation, and said that some feeling
had resulted from the fact that in his evidence he
had stated that Mr.. Greeley, while In n state OF de-
rangement had told him that there was no brains
in the conduct OF the tribune or In the head of its
editor, Whitelaw Reid. Mr.. Johnson stated that
he had heard Mr.. Greeley express confidence In Mr..
Whltclaw Reid as the then editor OF the Tribune,
and had heard him describe Mr. Reid as a man OF
merit and capacity. This explanation was objected
10 ny the counsel Tor Mr. GreeleY's daughter, and
the Surrogate ruled that the explanation was not
called Tor and had no bearing on the subject Of the
II. johnson nd anli l.,iI hnD