The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-09
MRS. MERkILL'S THOUSANDS.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT WILL CONTEST BEGUN
CHARGES OF UNDUE INfLUENcE-FoUR HUN
LRED THOUSAND DOLLARS AT STAKE.
The HERALD yesterday contained an account of the
submitting probate OF the Will Of the late Mrs. Car
cline Merrill by which IL appears Cardinal McCoskcy
comes Tor over two-thirds OF an estate valued at
about $500 COO Relatives OF the tcstator, who claim
that through the exercise of undue influence they
were unjustly omitted from the list OF benenciarics
are taking proceedings to test the validity OF tho WILL
Yesterday counsel Tor contestants follow
ing letter 10 the HERALD
NEW YORK; Nov. s, 1877.
TO THE EDITOR HERALD
You publish IN tue paper Tor to-day some facts re-
latng to the win OF tho lae Caroline Merrill giving
tine great bulk o her estate 10 tue CARDINAL 1t uads
another to the nst, already TOO iull OF Iamenlabe
where eniccbicd intciecls have invited socita-
ton tho extent OF dvertng estates from natural
and proper channels. The tcstatrx had suffered Tor
years and died affection oil the brain, aud this IL
we'll known that l am crcdiby Informed the New
YORK Hospital, who we're nominated benehciaries 10
extent OF $4,000 will make no claim Tor the
same. or course the neirs are preparing 10 contest
The case VIII develop some startling features the
way OF dealbbed solicitations and viii oner another
proof OF the necessity OF an entire reformation OF the
statues relating 10 documentary powers Yours, &C.,
EDWARD GERHARD, Counsel tor contestants.
INTERVIEW Win MR.. GEBHARD.
When a HERALD reporter called on Mr.. Gerhard to
learn II possible something moro about tho tho
following conversation ensued:-
REroRrEg--Would you mind stating what the start
ling features mentioned in your letter arc9
MT GEBuAgD--I should prefer not to state what they
arc Just now. do wish expose my case to the
other side.
RsPoRrEE-whcn did Mrs. Merrill die?
Mir. GEBnARD-she died on the 18Th OF October at
the Rossmore Hotel
!. RnpogrKR-wus she u Roman Catholcg
: Mr.. GgBnARD--No; understand she had fixed
belief
REronrER-was tho will made during her last III
ness
Mr. GgBnAKp--No; the will, as IL stood originally
was made think. IN May, ISL This named Bishop
Bacon, OF Portland, Me The residuary lesulec he
subsequently, dlcd the bequest trans erred 10
Cardinal McCioskey his stead, IN 1875. We
hdent mat show THIS codicl at least was tho
result Of unuuc influence
REPogrER--l Mrs Merrill was not a Catholic how
did happen that sue left so much her money to
Catholic charities and Cardinal McCloskeya
Sir. GEBuARD--W bile sick IN 1871 some priests Of
her acquaintance told her she would recover VI she
made Will leaving ncr properly to the Church. Shc
stance no doubt weighed upon ter mind, which was
even thon weakened ly Tue affection OF tho BRAIN
from winch sue subsequently, died.
REroRrEg-Do you understand that she was at
tended by any oil the Catholic Clergy at the OF
Mr. GEsuAKp-I am not avn are that she was
RgronrgR-From what church was she buried?
Mr. GEBlIARD--From UnversalIst church, be-
hcvc.
tors II The New YORK Hospital VIII not mako any
clam Ior the s50, 00O wiod 10 that institution
Mr. GRBnAkD-I understand That such ~ their In
tcnIion
REroRrER-Can you tell me why TINS corporation
should decide TO reject so large donation before the
courts have passed on the validity oil the WHY
Mr. UgBHARD-I should prefer not TO enter upon
that question: AZ IT would necessarily expose our case
To tho other side. The codlc was made IA Rome
and the witnesses Two Cardinals think. Al
the time TINS codc made the estaor also altered
bequest to her nephew, who sho anced dead. though
Mt that time ana aiterward sbo was In communication
with hun. she substituted his daughter Mabel IN his
place. -. -
10 other inquiries OF tho HERALD reporter Mr. Cob
hard SAID he would prefer 10 make no answers al
present further than to say that nc rou confident
the evidence IN his possession would DO sufficient 10
snow that undue influence mad been exercised ~ tho
time tho will was made and also when tho codIc was
raw