The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-11
MRS. MERRILL'S MONEY.
The Lady'S ShrewdnesS and Intelli-
gence VOuched For.
SHE WAS A CATHOLIC.
Views Of Chancellor Preston, Moses Taylor,
Judge Dufell and Others.

Judge Dufcll and others.
The contest over MrA Merrilps Will which promised
10 be bitter one. seems to become one-sided
and short AFFAIR 1t has been positively stated W the
representatives Of the nephews and nieces who
objected 10 Cardinal McCoskey the resduary lega-
tee on the ground that the lady unsound Of mind
and under undue influence at the time she executed
the codicil that the WILL this OF II, will be
aside the crushing revelations they promise make
on or after the 18th Of December Thus far IL will be
seen by their statements in the Herald that they did
not know The very important fact that the lady
Roman Catholic having been received into the church
several years ago by Father Wesb OF the diocese OF
Portland Indeed, 1t has been positively asserted
by Mira Merrill's acquaintance and business friends
that her relatives knew little nothing about
her her affairs, because she had very great hk-
Ing for these people who were only her relatives by
marriage, nos by blood. Some nave gone far as to
say that she kept out OF their way purposey, any
rate, whatever may be shown before the Surrogate
the matter stands the lcgatcss have the
best OF IT, In connection with the controversy sew
era of the deceased lady's friends interviewed
yesterday with tho following result.
JOHN Q. JONES' STATEMENT.
Mr.. John O. Jones, the President OF the Chemical
Bank according 10 Mr. Salter, has had good deal to
do with Mrs. Merrtil's business affairs hus-
bands domise reporter visited him yesterday
and asked him what he knew OF that lady's
character for stability OF purpose for &C.
centrlcity. Mr.. Jones, very pleasantly, said -
'Of Mrs. Merrin's character in these aspects
had little or no opportunity Of judging only met
her or twice purely matters Of business. 1t
years since the last OF these meetings
CURED. Thcn she called to ask my advice She
had quito largo sum Of money lying idle, and slit
wanted to tell her how she could invest TO the
best advantage. told her to purchase certain bonas
and she did So.
REpoRrEK--Mr. Jones. Of course you have heard of
the contest which likely to be carried about her
last will and testament?
Mr.. JoNEs-Yes, sir, I've heard the general rumor;
'ut know nothing whatever about It. / am not
Amar with the merits of the case
REPoRTER-Was Mrs Merrill in your judgment
ery eccen individual?
Mr.. JoNEs-I had opportunit Of judging. Our
clations were brief, and after they terminated she
rent TO Mr. Moses Taylor, of the City Bank. and he
became her business manager, believe.
SPEAKS
A reporter called upon Mr. Taylor, who is one of
the executors nsmed in Mrs. Merrps will The fol-
lowing conversation was had on the matter:--
REPoRrER-Mr Taylor, you are one OF the executors
OF Mrs. Mcrrilps will. are you not?
Mr.. TAYL0R-I am, sir
REPoRrER-Y GU mana eed that ladys affairs Tor hor
during the last years OF her life. Did you noIY
MIR. lAYLoR-Yes; had some business transactions
with her
RspoErER-Did you think her at all eccentric?
= Mr.. TAYLoR-We, now, that is hardly lar ques-
ton. You see nave read so much OF what has ueen
said by others ABOUT hcr That my mud may be more
or less affected by the statements l do not ike
moreover, 10 say anything that may be used against
when am called upon by the Surrogate to testify
Ia the coming contest
REPoRrER-Ycs; but surely your own knowledge OF
the lady cannot have been tainted by augh that Others
may have told tue newspaper reportersf
Mr.. lAYLoR-Wcll you see my own knowledge OF
the lady was restricted TO business acquaintance
almost entirely
REpoRrKR-In that relationship or intercourse with
her could you not at some time other have noticed
whether or no there was anything peculiar about tho
Mr.. rAYLoR-well, well, my dear sir 1 would like
give you all the informa,i possible on this any
other subject, but really now rather not say
REpoarER-You read what NJ. saltsr said about her
In the HERALD of to-day?
Mr.. lAYLoR-Yes, indeed. have read what every
body said.
REpoRrEa-well, do you concur with his opinion of
Mr.. rAYloR-oi course she was just little eccen-
trio perhaps. Although any peculiarly that might DO
from the tia, she was always travelling moving
about and never had any fixed ADDING place. In all
matters OF business she was quite shrcwd and nteili-
gent. She always seemed TO know what she wanted
10 do and aid H.
RhpoRrER-Did you know of the existence of the
WHIP
Mr.. TAYLoE--Yes; but | did Lot knoy what pro.
Visions she had made III II until after her death.
REP0RIER-Didn't you know that you were named
executor In itY
Mr. TAyLoR-No; although she handed it to Tor
safe keeping II always sealed up It's con tents
were secrets 10 me. handed IL back to ner she
returned from Europe.
REPoRTER-DidnL you have frequent confidential
conversations with her during the many years you
managed her business. ana could you not irom them
have formed some opinion as TO her mental status:
Mr. iAyLoR-I had conversations with her at long
Intervals Office here; but she spent oil her
time abroad ana my opportunities were low, even had
Gtradtf It.lV- af nj ~
MERRiLL's sHREwDNEss.
REPoRTER--Did you know she Roman Catholic
Mr. TAYLoR--No; 1 cannot say positively that did
have met Oh sundays coming f,om cuurcn on
FiIin avenue. ! may have thought she was coming
REroKTER-what did you think Of ner mental con-
dition when you read, or heard READ, the viii after
her death, cutting oil her relatives leaving SO
lar sum 10 the CardnaiY
Alr IAYLoR (smi.ins depracatingly)-Now, no s. my
dear you really must not expect me TO answer any
such questions l DO not want TO be eutrapprd INTO
max NJ any admissions MISSION, or giving any opn.
about the uank; ask me Tor
venlory oil Assets, or something connected with
m =, and viii be silent All Know Is tba. The Wi,
kes me executor Whether 1 will acc, pt the
Office aid serve such at my time OF lie have
KGPoRrKR-Then, Dir. Taylor, may sum up for you
in this sly gu believe Mrs. Merrill 10 have been
shrcwd, Intelligent woman, with certain pecuiiarites
oil character which some people might regard as dc.
cidcd eccentricitiesY
Mr. IAYL0R-1es, Sir.
cHANcELLoR PREsToS's VIEWS.
Chancellor Preston visited al his residence,
the rectory East Twelfth street. The reporter
talked with him for some ume and the following is
the mos important part Of the oLversation
Observation-Disclosures Preston. came to speak with
concerning MIS- MerrilPs Will ana the bcquest 10
Cardinal McCioskey.
Chancellor PRksroS-I know very little of it. /
knew nothing about II before the lady's death.
REPoRTER-Were you not aware that you were TO be-
come The resduary lcgatee IN tho event Of Cardinal
McCosRey's destnf
Chancellor PREsrOS-No, SIR; knew nothing You
wilrundersanu, however, that tnjs money not clt
the properly OF any person. IL left TO the Church
through Cardinal McCoskcy. or mora properly speak
ing IN his person, anu u was left through to the
Church had the Cardinal died before the tcstator.
That is what the bequcsts mean.
kEpoRTER--You know the lady Roman