The New York herald., 1875-11-28
A MUSICAL MECENAS.

interest was aroused IN the matter and we determined
TO ascertain the Of this worthy person and his
reasons for Withholding his from his fellow citi-
We confess that our curiosity was aroused,
for we could see no good reasons why the Of
who proposed to do good action should be with
held, but many reasons why It should be known and
honored while he yet among us Our efforts to fer
ret this matter out have last been rewarded with
success and, expected, there is no good reason
why this gentleman's should be withheld and it
has been under the advice and influence OF others
rather than In accordance with the dictates OF mis-
judgment that this OF conceaiment has been
adopted The donor has been anxious rather that the
whole matter should be open the day and that he
might lay the stone Of his proposed structure
his life closed and that his eyes might the be-
ginning at least OF his good work that live after
him The concealment has been Tor reasons which
shall have occasion advert to before closing this art
Gle.
THE TRUE PATRON OF MUSIC
The person who proposes to endow this college is Mr.
Samuel Wood, gentleman about eighty years Of age
native OF Long Island late resident OF Brooklyn and
now of this city. he Is the surviving brother OF
family OF four who composed the old firm of Wood
Brothers, and who carried on the business OF
importers and Wholesale grocers at No. 1872 Front
street. in this city, for period Of nearly fifty years
They all well known to the older merchants of
this city and esteemed OF intelligence and pure
character. They ofthat type OF men Of whom q
few have down to the present. in the persons of
William B. Astor and Peter Cooper who believed that
wealth and influence and good could be gained in the
world only by industry, economy and honest dealing
with their fellow men. On these principles these
men built up their trade and their fortunes
None OF the brothers married,
and II was brothery covenant among them
that the surviving brother brothers should
last surviving brother should inherit the whole prop
erty and thus the estate be kept and finally de-
vised after properly providing for the most distant
relatives, to public charity use, they ex-
pressed that should benefit their country.
This resolution persstenty and lovingly carried
out by the brothers, until few years ago. upon the
death of the third brother, Abram Wood, when it
discovered, is claimed, that fraud had been per-
petrated upon him by distant relative and his attor
ney in inducing him. without his knowing of the
tents of the same sign q will diverng his portion
nearly
A or DOLLARS,
from the agreed channel TO this distant relative some
third or fourth cousin. As this fraud dis
covered by the surviving brother, Samuel Wood, he
caused suit to be instituted TO set aside this will
which has been in litigation for about four years
and it was as we informed in the claimed interest
OF this suit that Of the parties heretofore manag
ing insisted secrecy OF the intention of Mr. Wood
as the endowment OF this musical college 1t also
In this suit that Judge Tappen, Of the Second DIS
trct upon the agreement of the attorneys the oppo
site Sides the allowance OF $40 900 said
neys circular about this written and circulated
| in his district and OF the chief elements of
| his defeat at the recent election.
On future occasion shall have something further
TO say perhaps concerning this suit It's management
from the fact that In Ihis fraudulent will is set
aside this whole controversy will DO added to
the which Mr. Wood propeses 20 donate to the
college, We informed that additional counsel have
been consulted In the mater-viz, Attorney General
Pierrepont Hon e. W. Stoughton and General H. l.
Burnet-and that the will be vigorously pushed.
FIVE MIIIos DOLLARS
The amount OF Mr. Woods estate il variousy osti-
mated ranging from So, 600 900 20 81 600, ,00o It Is
pretty certain that after all relatives literally pro-
vided for the residue. which Mr. Wood has willed to
this college, will amount to not less than So 900 ooo
and will In all probability reach $1,000 600 or
So 600 o0o-a magnificent donation. The nearest lv
ing relative of Mr.. Wood, and the person who would
4nherit his estate If he len WILL is Mr.. Abram
Hewlett Of Woodsburg L. IA place. by
the by, brought into existence and to Its
present size and prosperity by the money
and enterprise Of our donor, Mr.. Samuel
Woodl Mr. Hewlett is said to be Oldest, inteli-
gent gentleman Of sterling worth OF character, some
what advanced In life childless and OF large wealth.
his capital amounting TO several hundred thousand
dollars 1t 10 also said that Mr.. Hewlett has selfish
wishes in connection with Mr. Woods estate that he
earnestly desires him to make such disposition Of It
will best please himself and do the lasting good
TO mankind
PROTECTOR OF THE rDEA.
ho tho traa nf Ri nolla of
music was DR.. William Elmer, OF No 26l Fifth
nue. He Is enthusiast in music, and his mind has
been filed for years with the scheme-a feasible ono
he beeved-of establishing In this city college Of
music which in all departments Of that science It's
absolute advantages Its scope and purpose should DO
unsurpassed, and perhaps without rival in the
world This was Dr. Ener's dream, and for years he
has gone gathering Information touching the man.
agement cost and history OF the great mu-
sicai conservatories Of the Old World All this
was mere dream until Mr. Samuel Wood, learning OF
IT, brought to bear upon his practical wisdom and
solid wealth, and lifted this idea out OF the shadowy
domain OF dreams and placed II upon the firm founda
ton Of fact and reality. Since Mr. Wood has drawn mis-
will fixing his donation, his determination has been
made known 70 . few prominent gentlemen,
who have taken hold Of the matter and given
their powerful aid TO Mr. Wood 10 bring the
matter into practical shape Conspicuous among
those who have worked most earnestly In the matter
Is Colonel stebbins, President OF the Park Commission
1t was chiefly through his efforts and influence that
special Of the Legislature secured last April
authorizing the Incorporation Of the American College
Of Music with power to take conveyances, accept do
nations 30 and also an act authorizing the Park
Commissioners to convey this college portion OF
the grounds in Central Park set apart for art purposes
rHB BOARD TRUSTEES.
AS soon as the incorporating act was passed ccrA
cate of incorporation drawn and nled and the
following gentlemen made trustees, viz Henry @.
stebbins, william Elmer, K. D. Morgan, Edwards
Perrepont H. J. Jewet,, Marshall O Roberts, William
II Vanderbilt O l. Tiffany, Alfred T. simonson Daniel
Kingsland Benjamin Ray and Morgan l. Harria The
trustees are ready 70 organize, we believe and to
take possession OF their lands.
We cannot Imagine moro worthy work than this
upon which Mr.. Wood has entered, more graceful
han hta M anAa hlfah ht1