New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-28
V4EDERBILTS HEIRS.

CONTFNDING FOR THE GREAT FORTUNE.
CORNELIUS j. VANDERBILT, MRS. ALLEN, AND MRS.
LAB,U PROPOGE TO CONTEST THE wILL-AD-
JOURSMENT TO MARCH IL.
The eypcctatlon that the application for the
admission of the will OF the late Commodore Vanderbilt
to probate would be opposed by some Of the heirs drew
large OF persons into the surrogates Courtroom
at o'clock yesterday morning. There was cnnsder
bic array OF legal talent, among the lawyers being Henry
L. Clinton, Chauncey NJ Depew Ethan Allen, Dudley
Field James Matthews, Sutherland Tenney, and ohors
William IT, Vanderbilt seated with his sons. Corne-
huS Vanderbilt jr and William Vanderbilt, and Samuel
Barton one OF the executors Of the will the other mem
bers of the Vanderbilt family were not represented
otherwise than by counsel with the exception OF Mrs
Cross whose husband present Among the other
persons in attendance were Augustus Schll William
Allen Butler, and Luther r. Marsh.
When Surrogate Calvin called up 1.-THE matter OF the
probate Of the will OF Cornelius Vanderbilt, deceased
Mr. Clinton said that he appeared on behalf OF tie pro-
ponenls attesting witnesses were present and I'M
less the will WAS TO be contested he ready 10
proceed to prove its execution 1t announced that
Cornelius J. Vanderbilt represented by Jeremiah s.
Black Scott Lord, and Ethan Allen; Mrs. Allen by
David Dudley Field, James Matthews aud Dudley Field;
Mrs Clark and Mrs LATTE by Chaunccy NJ. Dcpew, and
La Ban by Sutherland Tenney and Geo. W Wingate
Dudley Field said that objections would be filed 10y the
counsel OF Mrs Alien, but as the senior counsel David
Dudley Field ought TO lie consulted, and his time
fully occupied in Washington, he suggested that the
IN tier stand over for fortnight The intention OF
Cornelius J. Vanderbilt to contest his fathers will
forth hy Ethan Allen, who said that his associate
counsel, j. s. Black aud Scott Lord also busy in
Washington, ana before he filed objections he wished to
consult with them. lie therefore made similar request
for post pOnement For ten days or two weeks.
Mr. ClintOn-l understand mat it is the intention of
these gentlemen To contest the WILL IL Is not Gust omary
to 90 Oh with contest on the day on which the citation
is fetnnaOle shall therefore make no opposition to
pOstpOncnent should IKE 10 know II there are any
Mr. Tenncy said that Mrs. Ia Bau would probably con
contest the part OF Mrs Clark AID Mrs Lalttc. Mr.
Clinton, after saving tnat he had been informed that
stated that Judge RaPaO, one Of the wine sses, who
drew bot. the Will and the codlcl, would have to be in
would he until Thursday of next week. so give
Judge RapaIo an opportunity TO give hi, tcst-
short the contest would last some tine, and Judge
kapao could easily testify me intention Of The coun-
"nrnmant for two weeks il the counsel would agree TO
l1e announced that the one ions should he prepared
flied and served on Mr. Clinton by Match o. and that the
! adjournment should be until March IL AT ii a.
ATmBuNE reporter subsequently, inquired OF Nj Gin
made would probably he Mr. Clinton replied that he
could not state with precision but lie supposed that
due influence would be cuaryed What action he would
take and how much time the contest would occupy, II
would be impossible for him to state All the children
OF Mr. Vanderbilt had represented by COUNSEL i'm the
mad signed their assent 10 the will except Mrs
OsgOOd ana MIS-. t!OSS ana the husband OF the latter
present hut did not sgHify what attitude his wife
would assume In reply 10 question to the disposition
OF the sum money lett III the hands of William H. Van
dcrb bc distributed according to personal Ustrrc-
On given him, Mr. Clinton sud that that matter was
not in any way connected tie will, and he aid not
feel liberty 10 any thing about it, inasuuch Nil
Vanderbilt himself hal refused 70 make known to the
public what disposition was To be made Of tnc thus
left III his hands.
Ethan Allen sand 1t was impossible for him to say upon
spec c grounds the objections 10 the probate OF
the will would be- based indeed. the objections could
not be drawn up without consultation Of the counsel
representing the various contestants. No
had bre proposed hu the children of COmuodnre Van
dcrbt had been advised 10 settle the between
themselves without bringing IL before the public.