The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-03-21
CLOSE OF THE CONTEST.

CLOSE OF THE CONTEST.
The Vanderbilt Heirs Come to An Agree.
menf, and the Lawyers Are Baked Of
Their Prey.
column of interviews with lawyers who
didn't know and interested parties who
wouldn't tell anything about the Vanderbilt
will compromise, has the following:
The same old friends who have favored a
Tribune reporter heretofore with reminis-
cences of Commodore Vanderbilt and the
freshest news concerning the will, and who
have been in the closest relations with Will
liam III. Vanderbilt since the death of his
father were seen last evening and informa-
ton was obtained contradicting some of the
many rumors atOat concerning the aban-
donment of the contest over the will When
asked if they would state on what basis any
compromise was effected they laughed
heartily, and secuted the idea that William
III. Vanderbilt would be much intimi-
dated as to settle the will in any other way
than that prescribed by his father No COM
promise whatever was made said they. and
William, expecting that the fight would go
on, few days ago sent for William NJ. Ev
arts to conduct his case, but happily there
was no need for his services. Some people,
no doubt were surprised when the news was
probate, but in reality the matter was set
tied on Monday evening by two of the con
testants giving up their case. The names of
the two who gave up the case were
not given to the reporter, but it was
inferred from the conversation afterward
that the one who held out was Mrs.
Allen. The friends emphatically stated that
William H. Vanderbilt had adhered to his
intention of carrying out the spirit and let
ter of the will. and in no way would he
deviate from it. Although the will was
now settled, there has been no further con-
ference between William and the other
heirs, and the contestants gave up the case
because they had no legs to stand on"
William H. Vanderbilt, they said, had not
made any further promises or concessions
than those he made when the heirs called
on him. Then he promised that when the
money belonged to him he would act munifi-
Gently with them all. 1t was believed, al
though these friends did not positively
know it, that Mr.. Vanderbilt would give
handsome sum to each of the other heirs.
The question was asked if they thought
that William II. Vanderbilt ever feared the
contest. They said that he did not because
the backbone of it was broken when all the
heirs did not join together. The case was
really carried above the water by Cornelius,
and he was a man whom William pitied
and for whom he had great sympathy.
Then a number of transactions in connec-
ton with Cornelius that occurred during
the commbdore's life were mentioned.
Those things would have been brought up
on the trial. said they. and an unpleasant
record would have been made for him.
Cornelius was always regarded by his father
as incapable OF caring for property, and no
confidence was placed in him. Even now
his brother had grasp upon him, according
to the will, for it is said if he anticipated or
conveyed the money coming to him, Will
liam might stop him from receiving the in
terest on the 100000. William H. Wander
bilt never feared that the proceedings would
end disastrously to himself, but always
thought the settlement a matter or time
Everything during the commodore's life,
they said, pointed to the fact that he always
wished William to succeed him in his bust
ness and become the heir to most of his for
tune. About 25 wears ago when William
was farmer and the commodore controlled
his large steamboat business he made will
making William the sole heir to the busl-
ness. This will had never been destroyed,
but was now in the possession of William.
Some years afterward, when his son George
grew up and his business had increased, he
made another will, dividing the bulk of his
fortune between William and George, and
this will was still preserved. When George
died il was necessary for the commodore to
change his will, and a third one was
made, and although his fortune and
business had largely expanded since
the first will, he again made
William the heir to most of his immense
fortune and left Cornelius comparatively
out in the cold, as he had done in his last
will. There never was question about the
commodore's purpose. He was man of
sound mind until he died, and if he acted in
a manner little peculiar in giving small
portion comparatively to his children except
his eldest son, it was only carrying out of
the plans and qualities which characterized
his whole life. The commodore had many
peculiarities, but his mind was as clear as a
bell to the very end, and he was never un-
duly influenced by any one. One of the
gentlemen present told the following anec-
dote as illustrating the commodore's peculiar
ways: Il remember standing by him when
a beggar woman came to him and asked for
assistance He thought he saw something
honest in her face, and Immediately gave
her $50 bill, which was little fortune to
her. After staying some time thanking him
for the handsome gift, she was about to go
away, when he called her back and gave her
a second $50 bill, remarking that he saw hon
esty printed in her face and he knew that
the money would not be misspent."
The view which some lawyers took of the
unexpected termination of the contest was
indicated by the audible "aside" of one in
the surrogates court room: "Its highway
robbery! 1t robs the profession of 81, 900 :
000."
A solution of the Trouble.