New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-11
VANDERBILT ESTATE.

NO CONTEST OF THE WILL EXPECTED.
SnE SUMS WHICH W. H. VANDERBILT is TO DsrRIB-
UTE TO OLD EMPLOYEES AND OLD FRIENDs-THE
CONMoDORk's CHARrTIEs-HIs GIFTS TO FRIENDS
DURING HIS LAST ILLNESS THE ASYLUM FOR
RAILWAY EMPLOYEES TO ne BUILT PROMPTLY
STATEMENTS Of W. H.. VANDERBILT.
The interest of the public in the disposition
OF the colossal fortune left by Commodore Vanderbilt
has been heightened by the of possible contest
Of the WILL and also by the statements that part OF the
property he used for purposes not mentioned IN
the will william II. Vanderbilt said to TRIBUNE TO
porter yesterday that far he could judge from the
expressions and actions Of his fathers children ana
other relatives will had given great satisfaction In
answer inquiry whether not million OF dollars
had been placed in his hands for the old friends OF ms
father as reported, Mr. Vanderbilt said that he was not
able TO what the amount OF money 10 DC os
posed Of in this way because he had not hgureu UP e
list He admitted that such list had been intrusted 10
him. but did not think cxpedient 10 make 1t pubic
The list he said embraced old and ait full servants
OF the late Commodore many of those who assisted IN
nursing him during his last sickness many
old friends and associates, and clerks ana en-
ployes who had been in his service Tor years his
father he continued very strict IN requiring cach one
OF his employees 10 perform his whole duty hut he was
also a very Just man and endeavored to do his whoe
duty 10 those who laborcd in his behalf He was man
OF wonderful magnetic power, and all VINO came III co
tact him became deeply attached to his interests
He was very liberal hut his charities were never
ostentatious placed ms name upon suoscrp-
ton papers where what he could be compared with
the sums set down opposite the names OF others. tie
preferred 10 distribute his bounty hs he preferred 10 90
everything else in his way. and then ne coud make
the sum as great small he pleased without OK
citing any unpleasant feeling upon the subject or giving
rise TO public comment.
Mr. Vanderbilt stated that few days before his father
died he called him TO his bedside aud told him that ne had
provided for many Of his relatives and friends by g
outright Of checks and bonds Of which he HAD Kept no
memorandums. Thus he had given $4,000 to one
$4,000 to another aud $4,000 TO still another and
Judging from the instances in which the recipients ana
what was given them were known, 1t might &c inferred
that large sum Of money disposed OF III this man.
ner during the eight months OF the Commodoies la't
sickness Many verbal requests made by the Commo
doe regard the support OF some old pcnsOner III
NIL respects hts plans would be carried out to the fullest
possible completion
Mr. Vanderbilt added that II had long been his fathers
intention TO found an asylum IN which those who had
become disabled broken down in his service and were
unable 10 support themselves would be well cared for Al
first IL proposed limit the 20 be received 70
those employed upon the Vanderbilt railroads but it is
hoped at length extend the privileges OF the nstu
ton to all railroad employees worn out or crippled in the
performance Of duty The site for this institution is to
he selected possible Plans are to be prepared
speedily and the work OF erecting suitable buildings Is
To be begun as soon as the weather will por'nit.
In regard tO any movement desire on the part OF
some of the heirs 10 break the WILL Mr. Vanderbilt said
that he had heard Of inmation OF such purpose
from any authentic At the reading of the WILL
the heirs i'm attendance expressed perfect satisfaction
with the provisions OF the document They have always
known that the desire Of the testaor 10 pcrpetuae
The work that he had built up. He made this Will with
that view and certainly had the right TO dispose OF te
money that he made himself as best pleased himself
1.-THE other heirs have treated with the kndcst
sldcratiou" said Mr. Vanderbilt in conclusion, " and
nothing has occurred show feeling OF GOODNESS
on account OF the requests Of my father"
Henry L. Clinton counsel for the executors, made tle
following statement to TRIBUNE reporter yesterday
81 do not think that there will be any contest on behalf
Of the children OF Commodore Vanderbilt in respect to
his will cannot conceive of any ground for contasnG
IT, The estate which Mr. Vanderbilt has left; large as II
is was made by himself. He literally the architect
Of his own fortune Aside from himself one hut the
gentleman who drew the will knew its contents unt
after MI vanderb death No one either did or could
Influence him in any respect concerning the disposition
OF his property He distributed that property IN his viii
as he saw it, Every line Of the will has The stamp OF
Commodore Vanderbts individuality upon it, The CT
taton for the appearance Of the next OF kin Is rcuabe
on Feb 27 at 10 o. H. At that time the attesng wit
nesses 10 the will and codci viii he produced before the
Surrogate and examined and have no douht that the
will and cOGicil will then he admitted to probate"
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