New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-29
MIR. BEEcHER,S BROKEN CONTRACT

THE PURCHASE or THE UNFINISHED LIFE OF
CaRsTr-RUMoRs THAT THE BUYER is NOT
FRIENDLY TO THE PLYMOUTH PASTOR
In the recent sale of the assets of j. Il. Ford
& Co.. the stock Of plates pictures and unsOd volumes
OF Mr. Beechers unfinished" Lie OF Christ" with she
contract which he has failed TO carry out were sold to
Cash." who subsequently proved to be Albert ii.
Wright wealthy gentleman living at No 37i West
Thirty socondst for $1,000 Previous TO the auction
sale Mr. Wright offered to purchase the stock privately
Of william H. Ritter, the assignee OF j. b. Ford * Co., Tor
800. but Mr. Ritter learned that the sales OF
the OF bankrupts must DO public, and oeiey-
ing that Sir. Wright had deep motive
IN making the Offer he tried 10 persu ale the friends OF
Mr. Beechor TO make larger bid, aud prevent the con-
tract from getting into hands which might prove to be
unfriendy. The matter was referred to William c.
Beeche Mr. Becchers lawyeron. who decided that the
contract not binding upon Mr. Beecher, inasmuch,
he said, NJ the publishers had failed 70 perform their
share Of the contract The matter was thus allowed to
take its course although many of the friends Of Mr
Beccher tried to get him to d. something about II, aud
Nr. wright obtained The contract, etc., for $1,000, no
Ii is asserted that Nc. Wright purchased the stock
and contract, either go the lustg Ton %! ore 81 BIZ
Becchers enemies, or 10 behalf Of ON" OF the feW pm
shng houses OF tS city, Tor the purpose OF specua-
ns upon u. Mr. Wright lbs been ADVISED hy Bus
valuable one aud that SIR. Beechcr is liable for the
$4,000 advanced aud the ROYALTY on each volume so
lar sold, well as for DAMAGES for breach or contract
From tho popularity which greeted tue hrst
Volume unOu JUS appearance rcftIu AtiiH d-p
r. is thourht that the completed work wOnld
stand II taIr chance OF being a good selling
book. t. considering the price ~ which IL could 10"
be put forth. publication would he highly rtnulrrii-
tive TIE contract for the Life Of Chrs was made in
1868. The author received $4,000 III advance, and
in return proni-e! to complete the work IA eighteen
unontas The HT-t volume. deliberately gotten up dp-
peared in good time. and $4,000 copies wer sold In
very time Tncu the au;E0r began 70 lag behind IL
hs work, ANA haS Only finished tAe inst hall OF the
second volume. Even Mr. BeecLer'- friends admit that
this failure tO me- his contract hastencd the DahA-
ruptcy Of j. Il. Ford Il Co
Jut-e Fullerton stated yesterday that no suit had been
brought against Mr.. b sChcr, and ne bad received 10 III
s,I1ctiOns to bring He thought trc could be no
doubt that Mr. Wug!t'S actions controlled Toy some
one Hc had good bel eve mat one of the
great Publishing houses o. tht city had something do
with tnc matter. Mr.. Fullerton was asked II lie knew
tins be true mo. cir. replied The lawyer But do
that there Omnibscs in Broadway 40 THIS
very uOIncuti do not know, however" he added,
that either ltOn MOultOn have anything 10 do with
Mr. Wrights speculation Albert II. Wright, who has
real estate Office at 40 2O7 West Tnrtysccondst,
formerly hat business at No lOl Cll-st No def
mite for luminosity against Mr.. Bcecher could be
learned Yesterday but reported that lac Is an init
friend O persons who hostile 10 the Plymouth