The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-23
THE VANDERBILT WILL.
Mr.. William H. Vanderbilt Does Mt
Believe a Contest Probable.
HE WILL MAKE NO PROMISES.
When q Contest Can Be Made-What You
May Bet Your Life On.

In Wow OF the excitement created by publication
In Yesterdays HERALD OF the probability OF q contest
over the late Commodore vanderbils's will, HERALD
reporter called on Mr. William L. Vanderbilt, the prn.
cipal egatee. at his elegant residence No Asst Fifth
avenue, yesterday afternoon visitor was engaged
in conversation with Mr. Vanderbilt ut the time tho
reporter called. In few moments the visitor de-
parted and the reporter ushered into asumptuousy
furnished parlor where he found Mr.. Vanderbilt,
courcousy inquired the object Of the reporters visit
Thus commenced an interview which was brief but ia
the point Mr.. Vanderbilt preiaced his remarks by
saying that interviews generally were to ba
regretted when they stirred up popular excite
ment He then clearly expressed himself on
four principal points He was good terms with nll
the members OF tho family. He did not believe any OF
them intended to contest the will. He would execute
all the provisions of the will just the late Commo
dore desired Alter that no might make whatever
disposition he thought lit Of the that left
10 him. He would not say what would DO
pursued should the will be contested, but repeatedly
aud strongly insisted that he would make promises
and would carry out all the provisions OF the WILL
From his determined Il once evident
that an offer OF compromise under threat Of law
suit would meet with but little favor from him.
1t easy to he sat costly In his comfortable
chair that under all his apparent indifference
and very determined in whatever he undertook. All
New Workers for years familiar with the appear
his father, the late Commodore presented in hs
afternoon drives as he chatted In his Office; the
kindly face with Its lines Of shrewdness; the broad
Intelligent forehead airy whskers and white neck te
that gave him such clerical look that he often
taken for minister. But lew, however, acquainted
with the appearance OF the son-the successor
to the prncely fortune in America, and
nf oil fotha s,lonc
Although not so well known, account
OF his tathers prominence, Mr.. William
H. Vanderbilt has had quite much to do Of late
years with the management Of the Commodore's vast
business interests as the old gentleman himself The
outlines OF his faco strongly resemble those of his
father There Is the high forehead, the
aquline nose and the thin, compressed hps but hero
the resemblance ceases The Is stout, thickset,
with full, flushed face, and flowing mutton-chop
whiskors. The most striking parts OF his countenance
the eye and chin, which carry the beholder the
idea OF in1exible determination and great bodncss
combined with shrewdness and thorough knowledge
OF business. His manner was perfectly easy, but ii
evident that he was not man who would incau.
tiousy fall into the mistake of making any state.
meut which he might hereafter regret
THE INTERVIEW
The following was the conversation that took pizca
during the few minutes Of the reporters stay
REPoRrER-Mr. Vanderbilt, wish to ask you what
you have TO say regard to an interview with your
brother, published in this mornings HERALD
Mr. vANDERBnr-Woll, have nothing special to say
about it, These interviews only create excitement in
the public mind and do no good.
REpoRTER-It seems from statements made in the
interview referred to that there may be contest OF
the will The HERALD would be glad to state what
will do in there is such contest.
Mr. vAxDERBILr-I don't that contest follows
from, the interview you speak Of There has been
entirely different statement published in another
paper.
REroRrsR-But II some of the hoirs should be dis.
contented with tho will and endeavor to break 1t
would you compromise fight it out in tae courtss
Mr. vANDERBILr-I do not what good it would do
them to contest It They can't contest the will any.
way before 1t is admitted 10 probate II would do
them good to enter into such contest
REpoRrER-Might they not do with the Idea Of
compromised
Mr. vAxDERBILr-There is nothing in the interview
with Cornelius In tho HERALD to show that he intends
to contest the will. l do not take any exception to
what Mr.. Vanderbilt has said.
REpcRrER-But he said that he had not fully deter.
mined his course OF action. and that If there a
contest other heirs will act with him.
Mr. VANDERBILT Exactly so. He has not said he is
gong to attempt to break the will or that no is not
/ don't take any exception TO that II there's
any disposition to break the WILL anything
of the kind l don't know OF it; 1t hasn't
been intimaed to me. II any one wants to
conte the will he will have whole year after it Ia
admitted to probate in which It be contested
II that Cornelius intends to contest It,
aud don't believe 1t either We have always been
good terms. l saw him last summer and had qnite
a pleasant conversation together always lived
good terms with my sisters and every OF tho
family. grounds which the will be
contested II can't be said that Mr. Vanderbilt didn't
make IL and he had the right to do what he pleased
with his own property.
PROMISES.
REPoRrER--But, should IL happen to be contested
would you compromise or let It go to the courts2
Mr. vASDERmLr--Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt made
that viii and am going TO carry through tho provi-
OF that will They can't do anything before 1t is
admitted to probate and am not going to have any
promises exacted from me at all. am going to
cute every provision Of the WILL you just bet your
life ON that am going TO make NO promises. Corne-
Illus Vanderbilt intrused that will TO to carry
and shall carry it out to the best OF my ability
don't think there's q disposition the part of any
member OF tho family TO do differently Alter that Is
done, OF course shall have right TO do please
with what is my own.
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