The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-10
THE CARDINALS LEGACY.
Seventeen Salters Cry Out Against
It's Payment.
FLIGHTY OR INSANE?
Talks with Nephew. a Doctor and a
Brace of Lawyers


not in right mind when she executed that nstru-
ment and that she was induced to do so
BY tho exercise OF an undue influence 1t
9ill DO remembered that day or two ago
Mr. Roswell r. Ralston ned MS petition In the Sur
rogaes Office for letters testamentary ON the last VIII
and testament OF Mrs. Merrill, in which he was named
eoexecutor with Mr.. Moses Taylor president OF the
City Bank. This will was executed in 1871 and BY
Il Right Rev. David Bacon, Roman Catholic
Bishop Of Portland, made the residuary lcgatce
Ne died. however and in 1875 the lady made codcil
In which she stated that fact and transferred the be-
quest to Cardinal McCoskcy. This is tho cause OF all
the contention which likely to arise on the 18th Of
December when the people cited TO appear before
tho Surrogate have the will proved.
THE RESIDENT NEPHEw's STATEMENT
Mr. W. II Sater, who is the deceased's only nephew
resident in New York, and who represents tho con-
testants was called by HERALD reporter yester,
day and conversed freely on the subject
KEPoRrKR-Mr. Salter, are you Mrs. Caroline Nor
ribs nephew?
Mr. sALrER-I nm, sir.
REpoRrER-woud yoi object to giving me some In
formation your position toward the legatees men,
iioned IN her will?
Mr. SALrER-No, The matter will soon be pub
liciy discussed, and cannot what harm can be
done by speaking Of it now.
REPoRrER-In your opinion Mrs. Merrill in her
right mind when she made her will
Mr. SALrER (aughing)-Well, ! don't know that she
was not We ali regarded her a very
old lady. Indeed, thought years that she
very odd.
RKpoRrRR-Are you going contest the will on that
groundY
Mr.. SALrER-We are l expect we shall be able to
show by strong evidence that she has been OF unsound
mind for many years, and during that time shc has
been under undue influence. In fact we will show
that priests have chased her about from place to
Place Tor years.
wsse n Nafh oiic
MIR SALTER-She was always an Episcopalian during
the lifetime Of her husband, who was a prominent
Taylor. Mr.. Merrill buried from Trinity Church
RESPONSIBILITY not Mrs. Merrill have become
Roman Cotholic during her widowhood?
Mr.. SALrER-Of course but we'sboud have heard OF
1t and We didn't
RATHER WILD INSANITY
RKPoRrER-What evidences has she ever given of
her insanity
Mr. sALrER-Her method of life was queer She
never had home since her husbands DEATH She has
fitted from place TO place; now in Europe; again
America In Short she was travelling about the world
REpoRrER-Is that alS
Mr.. SALTER-No. Two years ago she executed that
last condcil canceng her bequest to her nephew pr
George H. salter, because his DEATH when II she
sane she must have known that he was alive
ana well IN China, because she was corresponding
with him,
REpoRTER-was he alivey
MI sALrER-Ot course he was, and is. He IS my
own brother and Is at present In Yokohama, IN
japan. Indeed. sncc sho executed that codici she
has been corresponding with the Doctor.
Sir. sALrxR-Tnero are seventeen of US altogether
and only So 600 piece left my brother and
ter. Doesn't 1t seem funny that the Surrogate should
cite the Doctor who has been killed by the codic TO
appear on tho 18th OF December?
THE UNDUE INFLUENCE
REPoRrER-What reason have you for thinking that
Mrs Merrill was subjected 70 undue influence when
Bhe executed tho codicil making Cardinal McCloskcy
bhe residuary egatcef
Mr. sALrxx-she was chased about by priests. One
Of them, monsignor, witness to the codici. l
think she altered her mind about the will and its pro-
visions just before her death because she Mr.
for her He did so, / beheve. but il was
never executed. She dod Of paralysis OF the BRAIN
by which she was rendered spcechless Tor DAYS:
hence she could not carry out her intention. TINS
disease had been growing upon her for many years.
and her seemed thin that ner mind had
been Affected by 1t Tor number OF years previous
her death.
REroRrER-wbo were the lady's spiritual attendants
MIR. sALrKR-l don't know that she had any. had
the Unitarian funeral services at the Church Of the
Taylor, r. g. Roston the Cardinals attorney (Ar.
Blower, my own aud myself went To the Ross
Hotel, opened deceased's trunk, got the
will and read u. This about O'Clock on
Saturday evening, October 20. After the will had been
mould DO sung at the Cathedral, and he went and
Asked the Cardinal about It, me order was
gwen and the requiem was Advertised IN
the HERALD OF Monday, October 20. That
day the Cardinal oficiated al the High Mass which
celebrated at 81. stephens Tor the rcposc OF
Ioul oil Mrs. Merrill, whose body was lying the
ierlakers shop al Fortynrst street, whittier It had
been removed from the Church Of The Messiah An
empty coffin represe the deceased at ST. Stephens
That afternoon and lew friends placed her remains
In her vault NJ Greenwood.
LAWYER MKRgIHEw'S STATEMENT
The reporter went Immediately from Mr.. Salter's
place OF business 10 No. So Wall street, where Mr.
Merrihews Office Is loo ted This gentleman received
the visitor courtcousiy and answered some questions
RRPoRTER--were you the late Mrs Mcrrl's lawyerY
TWICE
REroRrEa-when did you SEQ her lastr
nr. MERRIHEw-Four or We days before her DEATH
REruRrER-You made u draft OF a VIII for her about
that timer
Mr. MnRRImEw-The nature Of our conversation was
that OF council aud client. and therefore strictly conf
Dental Whatever she told ms was merely noted
down and took more complete shape
kEroRrER--uld she propose 10 alter her previous
VIII materially
Mr.. MEgRlHEw (smiling)-You must see, sir, the i'm
propricty oil my answering that question. Tho conf
dcnce reposed in me by my client dare vio-
late.
KrroarEa-You'll tell 1t all when subpunacd by the
Surrogate next month
Mr. MkaRIngw-I don't know whether shall or not.
II the Court orders me to do so and ali parties agree
that should, then II believe the interests OF The
living can be served without injustice TO the dead,
shall do SO.
KEPoRTER-Could Mrs Merrill speak when you
herr
Mr. MgRRIuEw-Ycs, sir.
REPoRrER-I have been assured by her nephew that
you had drawn up new VIII for her
Mr. MERRIHEw-l don't how no could have
known that never met him there.
RkPoR1ER-Wont you give idea as to
whether this second Will differs from the other much
notf
Mir. MERRIHEw-I cannot give you or anybody else
any information on the subject now. Will walt until
the Court Calls upon me anu then shall decide what
shall DO.
DIR. HApDES's VIEWS
The next person called OH was DR.. Hadden, OF No.
155 East Fnty-nrst street. He attended Mrs NerruI
IN last Illness and she seemed To have opened her
mind 10 him. because, as the Doctor stated, she be-
came very confidential at times
RsPoRTRR-Dr. Hadden. did you think Mrs. Merrill
q very eccentric person.
DR.. HADDES-shc was eccentric.
REPoRTER-Was her mind dscasedy
DR. HADDES-At the time OF her death yes: for any
great length OF time prior 10 that event could not
presume TO say.
REroaTER--Of what did she dicp
DR. HADDBS--Parayss of the iingual nerves, which
affected brain and produced coma, in which con-
dItlon she died.
RRPoErEa--wos that disease OF slow growth, and
did IL IN your judgment Affect her Tor two or three
years before II killed herr
Ar ANN. chaldl annao had