New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-10-16
THE WARD WILL CASE.
EFFECT OF A MEDIUMS ADVICE.

EFFECT OF MEDIUMS AD'itE'
HISTORY OF THE wARD FAMiLY-GRET WEALTH OF
THE rECE ,sED-THE DIVISION or THE PROPERTY
ADVICE SOUGHT or MEDIUMS.
fFRoa An oCCA soNAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TIBuNEl
DETROIT. Oct. IA summary OF the testl-
monv taken i'm the celebrated Ward will on trial
in This city has already been published in THE TRIBUNE
but there still remain to be stated some interesting ldcts
about his family and the part that mediums took IN the
making vi his WILL Eber Il. Ward dropped dead
If apoplexy in one OF tne principal streets OF this
city on the morning OF Jan. 2, 1873. lie was o3
wears Old and had suffered two apopectc attacks
before but was 10 all appearance hale and strong lie
was beyond all comparison the foremost business man III
The state of Michigan and OF the most active anu
prominent in the whole Northwest. Born III poverty no
accumulated vast estate The inventory OF his esta'e
amounts to S5335.OOO. He had children by his
frat wife, five OF whom living. One OF his chill
dren "A son, was killed by the young brother Of glr
whom The had seduced. Another son died from ah
overdose of iaudanum taken either with the intention OF
suicide or to recover the effects Of drunkenness Or
the five. children who living, the oldest Henry Is
insane and the oldest GIRL Elizabeth Is an mbece, In
1869 after n married life OF more than 30 years, Mr.
Ward was divorced from his first wife. Mrs Ward was
nominaly the complainant Her husband made no de-
frnse. The charge adultery Within three months
after the divorce granted Mr.. Ward married MS
second wife. Mas Kate /" Lyon who had been AN
OF his family when the divorce proceedings We're
begun She formerly lived in AsEtabula County Ohio. Less
hana wear afterwaT the Orced wife died By the second
wife Mr. Ward had two children who are still Infants
Mr. Ward made several drafts OF wills, but there Is no
question but chat the in court, which bears date
March ~ 1874 his last It long, but it, most
important provisions I've briefly given IL bequeaths
10 the present Mrs Ward ami her children all the lands
buildings, and other property in Mason and adjoining
counties yariously estimated at from 81 100000 TO
81 100000 in valued absolutely in fee. and clear of
all incumbranccs" and makes Mrs. Ward guardian Of
her children and trustee of their property until they are
> years old After making number or minor bequcsts
amounting TO between 100000 and 100000 It
directs that the remainder Of the property shall be con-
vcrfcd by the into nercstbelring securities
the income Of which shall bc divided into equal shares
ana gwen 10 the Ave children OF the first wife, ana to is
sister Emily Ward, aged maidon lady living n this
city codcil to the will, how yer, da.cd August 25
1874 materially modle the last provision II directs
that the executors shall pay to the five children Of the
first wife . not exceeding $500 month ouG OF the
estate, and shall not in any anticipate payment
Margaret Fox Kane. The youngest of tie Fox sisters
Rochester knockngs celebrity. and the wife Of the
fa.nOas Arctic explorer, DR.. Elisha konV Kane
testified that she frequently consulted by
Capt. Ward about his will, and that different
spiTItS struggled fer the possession o. her. the spirit
e" t ~ r VIZ. and tT snrits of the f,ther an,
cousin of the present Mrs. Ward predicting that all
Of the children by the frs wife but two would become m
sane, and advising win similar tn that made. The fol-
lowing the paper purpong to he the communication
rom the irst Wife Polly" Who as Mrs Kane testiies
interrupted the Others seized her hand, and wrote for
until the others regaincd possession OF her:
Az OF Polys children VIII become insane except Milton and
Mary they will squGnder All shat is 20 them POlys
children should have trustees the property De held by them
Eber thera are breakers aHcad. let shield you
arncslgve Kate L., your vile all The lands and
aawmils and everything 10 carry the lumber business
ebt. Kate LIS boy VIII become insane before he IL
twenty WHAT give HIN put IN charge OF Il, MS
mother. H. LYON,
CLARA.
Among the other mediums called Nancy Cart
wright. who testified 10 having evoked the spirit OF
Senator Howard after his death, with whom Capt
Ward shook hands in empty air. cNclaming, God bless
Slaie medium from NewYork. WHOM Capt. Ward con
suited about his will. Mr.. Slade said he received the
following ice for Mr.. " ard from the spirits:
There is hereditary insanity in your family some in
others viii be. We consider them incompetent tOGO
take OF the u III thing
IL handle IT, NOur VIE capable OF protecting
her children. Have confidence her She would
well handle the lands aud the s<wmls. she take
property and DO well with for the boys
said before they incompetent proecG thor
There vast mass OF this testimony. indicating
Cant Wards belief IN sprtalism and the connection OF
his conversation with mediums and the making of the
viii.
The proponents OF the viii are producing
evidence in its support. This 10 mainly confined
mind. OF leading citizens testify to his cXtraOrd
nary strength Of intellect. Evidence has also been
brough i'm 10 snow that though sDrltualist Capt.
Ward did not believe all that the mediums told him. The
testimony for the viii will probably take up the remain
der the present week. and the arguments OF counsel
least week longer that "A fortnight will pass before
the goes 10 the jury.