, 1877-05-13

Another Claimant for Moiety of
>'~: the Rich Mans Estate.
The Same Being No Other than the No
: - torious Tennie C. Clat1in. IL
One Hundred Thousand Dollars
Will Satisfy Her Present
- Yearnings.
Tennie and Vic Recount Their Business
Dealings with the Commodore.
.Embellishing Their Story with Mysteri-
GUS Hints and 1nnuendoes.

| Special Dispatch to The Tribune
I NEW YonK, May 12.-The Times Tomorrow viii
| print the following: ''Among William II. Van
derhilts recent aunoyances hns been the prcscnta-
| ton OF claim by Tennic c. Ciafiin upon Commo.
d0re Vandorbt's estate for an indefinite amount,
stated at over Sl00, 600, $40, 600 and compound
| interest. A Tines reporter who called on Miss
| ClaHin yesterday was shown copy Of the paper
| served On Mr. Vanderbilt It rcecites that in
the fall Of 1871 sha gave Commodore Vanderbilt
$40. 600 to operate with in New York Central and
other railroad stocks, size had done before. She
asked him to keep the money and whatever ac-
cumulntions might accrue for her until called for.
In the spring OF 1873, when severely pressed for
money, she sent her sister for portion OF the
amount. He replied he had promised hes mother
he would not let the money get out Of his hands
until 1t went to purchase d home which
should be US fine as any house in
the city. He added that the original sum and its
accunulations then amounted to $40, 600. Some
time In the autumn OF 1874 Miss Clailin. in COM
pauy With Mrs. Woodruff, called upon the Com
modorc and also at other times, to get Of the
money.
lie REFUSED TO GIVE THEM ANY,
stating be did not believe they would use
1t judiciously, and thought the best thing
he could do was to keep it uut1l they
were ont OF their difficulties aud had
better appreciation Of the value OF money, and
until 1t amounted to such sunl that IT would be
sure reliance. Hnving full confidence IN his good
intentions and III his superior wisdom and judg-
mcnt they allowed him to retain it, Miss Clalin was
unable to say to what extent the accurulations
had grown, but she thought they ought to
reach S100, COO. From what the Commodore had
said to her during his lifetime they should
vastly EXCEED that sum. She left it 10 William H.
Vanderbilts generosity to say what excess shonlu
be paid her,
Mrs Woodruff and Miss Cladn protested they
had no wish to give the matter publicity, but at
the same time rattled of tho details with vigor
that scarcely gave them breathing space. They
said the Commodore
STARTED THEM IN BUSINESS
and furnished them with his checks to carry 1t on.
1t was in compliance with his desire that their
Weekly was started and published, and his money
paid its expenses. BE acted as their banker for
years, having large amounts OF their money in his
hands continually in trust or for investment
They made bis acquaintance In 1858, and he had
taken fathery Interest in them since, treat
ing them, Miss clailin added, ''too much like
Mrs. Woodruff said she had as much as SIT, 900
in the commodores hnnds at one time. lie often
told them be intended to leave them half million
they denied to his private papers they /
arc helpless to enforce its payment. The money |
On which their claim is based invested in New
York Central below 90, and margin.
When they presented their claim to William q. |
T Vanderbilt hcasked them
WHAT PAPERS THEY HAD
% show. They told him none, as the Commodore |
never gave them any receipts or accountngs for |
Lhc money they deposited with him. lie suid that !
sas so. His father never gave anvbody receipt,
md never kent any books, and he aided their claim
sould be ulI right. AS Us he got the will pro-
,ated he would attend to it, At TINT
imc." said Miss Clafn, she thought 1
'nly wanted my $40, 600 back with simple interest
There were some facts l knew which he did not
wish to ue made public. After the probate, Air.
fanderblt sent gentleman to see Miss Clann,
nd ask her what she would take. She told him,
nd he limited that S14, 600 or SIS, 900 would be
tce thing. but she gayc him distinctly to under
tand she wonld listen to
NOTHING OF THE SORT.
he settlement wus delayed on various pretexts.
i'll finally A1r. Vanderbilt informed ner be had
ear to clear of his fathers debts. She thcreuoon
onsulted Scott Lord. Cornelius Vandcrbilt's |
ounse1 advised reference in the Surrogate Court
ut this proposition was rejected BY Mr. Wander
lit Miss clalin thereupon retained Mr. Lord as
er counsel, and employed John D. Townsend |
. draw up the papers in suit to compel
he payment Of the Claim; This suit she intended
,eantime. She was then awaiting the return Of |
ne Of her attGrneys, who had gone 70 the britannia
se,a saa ~ an;ae %s S
that Mr. Vanderbilt had never denied the
1stice OF the claim. but hopes to force me
am poor 4 man with his money IS well able to
stts ANY any time, and consider i shame that we
a s t? @ nseda
e his sisters their 1egacic+ he cut OF and kept
s .e coupons, which were within day Or :
ON goihg to Europe" +" said Mrs. .Woodlnll. ..Wc
onths. BIZ which We wouli have been enjoying a
ass os fee 90 g. hs ths
clay already, III had taken my $40. 600 and
1aa said an nss o'asa snt NJ wGqa
haze 9sef 1oo witnesses: WHY, Commodore t,
anderbllt himself testified before Judge McAdau1 u
1874 that he had then an open account with US. +
was to tell you nil know 1t wonld be worsea
cat deal tlan the Beecher case. It would make
II we saye ydu the rcasons why Commodore Van :,
reilt It too 2, sach an interest II paper that
as are sealed On the strength Of this clafm.''
OUTWARD SIGNS.
Woodruff and Claan, who could scarcely get
cir bread few weeks SINCE, have rented an ele-
ut house on Forty street, and arc living "
the most clegant style. Ct
hr. Vanderbilt questioned in regard to the suit p
board the Britannia this afternoon said Oh. E.
at Is ridiculous. Miss C1anin has made some | e,
eposteFous claim OF the nature rou mention, but r.
I'M not aware she has taken it into Court. Her !. !.
llcHlous to seriously discuss Ct
Ar Vanderbilt further said that he was not roine
road foFPicasnre OF health. You can State d
at am going abroad on important business. But m
lat tue nature Of that business is aln not ut l.
s5y xs;,, to ttats: sl.asbe away about month,
:; 2totJ = Atsle luust:E. 100, .... ... AI
The Graphic says this important business IS to to
trt line Of freight steamers in opposition to b.
ose winch President Garrett, Of the baltimore Il til
10 Railway, controls "
fr: Vanderbilt s so1, Cornelius denies this nos-
rely, and says its absuidity appears when It ia
ne'nbered that one -half the steamers now owned
the various lines ure lying idle. IN
. :, EL0PEMENT. III
Special Dspafca to The Tribune. 4
T. LOUIS. No., May Ia social sensation hns
n created here in certain circles by the discoy- !
OF the fact that George OYerstolz. the.9ovror. IL