The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-24
THE VANDERBILT WILLIAM.
Counsel for Cornelius Hopes the Great Residu-
ary Legatee Will Be Generous.
CHANCES OF A PROBATE FIGHT.
The Discontinued Heirs Won't if They
Can, but Will if They Must

To find out. If possible what plans II any have been
made the will OF tho late Commodore Van.
derbi HERALD reporter yesterday called at the office
OF Colonel Ethan Allen, the lawyer whom Mr. Cor.
ncus Vanderbilt has retained in the latter should
determine to contest the will in the Surrogae's Court
1t ascertaned that positive steps for contest
have yet been takcn and that Mr. Cornelius Wander.
bilt still hopes for settlement, Notwithstanding his
brothers. assertion that he will make promises"
The reporter learned that the Commodore's testament
will be offered Tor probate next Tuesday morning. II
settlement of the affair been madc before that
time it now is tolerabIy certain that MI. Cornelius
Vanderbilt intends to begin contest tho end OF which
Will be impossible to foresee II they get ami
cable settlement the intending contestants will not
make any opposition to the probate: II they cannot
they will make fight at that time. If the will Is ad-
mtted to probate without objection likely that
opposition will be msdo aftcrward.
When the HERALD reporter entered Colonel Ethan
Aliens Office at 10. 102 Broadway he found gen.
tlcman busy at his desk. cnpy of tho HERALD was
on the desk before him, but Mr.. Allen had not yet
time read It, The reporter called his atten.
ton to the article the Vanderbilt WILL and Mr.
Allen read II aloud very carefully from beginning 10
end Then, courteousy laying aside his other bust.
ness he stated to the HERALD reporter that he would
BIO happy give him any Information he coulu on the
subject. The following conversation then ensucd:-
REPoKrER-You from the article IN the HERALD
that Mr. William II. Vanderbilt does not believe
contest probable concerning the Will OF the late
Commodore. wish to learn what the prospects
OF conlesting IT, Has Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt como
TO any determination YETI
Mr. ALLES-A All have say in regard that is that
there is nothing mlss,aed In the article in to-day's
HERALD, SO far as know anything OF the facts In
gard to Mr. W. II. Vanderbilt All that he has said
may be correct The prospects of contrasting tho viii!
exactly suoh as given the HERALD the other
morning. From the first moment that got into the
case said to Cornelius Vanderbilt to leave stone
unturncd to settle this matter satisfactorily to all the
members Of the family outside Of the court and to
avoid lawsuit II possible.
REORGANIZATION you think there may be contests
Mr. ALLES--lt is not yet but that the desire
to avoid lawsuit will be fully realized If tho differ
ent members OF the family, who are now dissatisfied
with the WILL satisfied In uny way that their brother
William may choose there will be no contest. Other
wise am OF the opinion that there viii! be.
REPoRrER-shoud there be "a how many OF
the heirs would be likely 10 participate?
Mr. ALIEN don't know How many sisters has
Mr. Vanderbilt believe he has They may
not contest. / can't tell. l cun only speak from
rumor hut understand that others besides
Cornelius will enter an opposition to the will, but
can't say how many; but do say that am OF those
who hope that no contest Will take place.
REPoRrxR--Whxt do Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt and
the others intend to demand basis Of sottemcntY
Mr. ALLEy-rhey will make demand at ALL They
think provision of the will Is unjust that leaves
the great bulk Of such vast fortune oil ten.
ana they ieol that larger portion Of he fortune
should be gwen TO thrn-a settlement that would not
only be reasonable aud equitable, but entirely just
REPoRTKR-Have any papers been prepared IN
Mr.. ALLEx-No, don't think the proceedings have
been gone into TO the extent fpreparng Tor contest
The hopo Is that it will be settled without that
nED hAn ho lulr n n I'm Sr otnp
turnabey
Mr.. ALLES-Next Tuesday morning at ten O'Clock,
REpoRrER-Whut would be the usual proceedings In
the case OF such a contcstr
Mr. ALLEN-No steps can be takcn before next Tues
day in the Surrogales Court. The usual method 10
nlc objections. These objections must be nled when
will offered. II there Is any contest It will
probably up this time, when the will offered
Tor probate. 1t IL true tho contestants would have
yond ~ Say u aside no probate h"v can
year after 1t Is admitted to probate but then the pro-
ceedings would DO a different one
REPoRTER--On what terms are the different members
OF Mr. vanderbllt's family in regard to each otherY
Mr. ALLKA-From what have heard
think that Mr.. William d. Vanderbilt Is enrey
rect saying that every member OF the family is
good terms with him. Zach one that have at
least for him only feelings of tho kindest nature
ayi in some instances strong affection
His brother Cornelius icel confident entertans Tor
him the warmcs brothcriy regard He has never said
any thing 10 the contrary
RxroRrnR-Do you think, should Tuesday pass
without any signs Of contest that any will take
place aftcrwardf
Mr. ALLEN-I there Is any contest at all objections
will be made at once, ana the fight made the pro-
bate, but It Is impossible to say to what extent the
Dght will be continued Il once commenced.
REPoRTER-How could It DO arranged between tho
brothersy
Mr.. ALLEX-I don't know They might soc each
other and know nothing about It. l have desired
them 10 arrange this as family matter, without IN
tervention oil counsel or lawyers OF auy kind aud
therefore II Cornelius should is brother might
not near OF IT, ! am however. hopeful that there
will be test IRON the very expressions OF kind
ness on the part OF William H. Vanderbilt that read
In the HERALD.
kEPoRTkR-How much do you suppose would sat-
isy the contestants, should they make opposition?
Mr.. ALLEN-l don't know what they Will demand. I
don't suppose they want William H. Vanderbilt to
hand half his fortune and divide up. suppose
they would be satisfied with any reasonable assur.
ancc. think It very likely that such assurance may
be gwen.
REpoRrER--What do you think Mr. William Ii.
Vanderbilt meant when he said. ~ shall have right
10 do US please with my own ?"
Mr.. ALLEN-That seems to imply, In Inv Judgment q
disposition and desire to treat his brothers and sisters
with brothcily Kindness.
the street 10 No Pine street. the oico OF Mr. Dudley
Field, who, he had heard was engaged counsel tor
Mrs. Alien who had been spoken OF OF the
possible CONTESTANTS There the following brief inter.
view took place.
REpoRrER--Mr Field, l reporter for the
HERALD, and have como to ask you what information
you can give Ia regard to tho Vanderbilt will case.
Mr.. FiELD--l have none. | don't know anything
about It. Don't ask me-
REPoRTER-i thought you wore engaged counsel
by Mrs. Alien, one Of the coutcstantsY
Mr.. FiELD-I don't Know hing about IL I ain,k
any body's counsel for anything.