New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-10
A DULL DAY IN THE WILL SUIT.
MUCH TALK, BUT LITTLE EVIDENCE.

MUCH TALK, BUT LITTLE EVIDENCE.
MOST OF THE TESTIMONY OFFERED BY MIR. LORD
EXCLUDED. As UsUAI-A MAGNETIC PHYSICIANS
"REMINISCENCES OF COMMODORE VANDERBILT.
In the Vanderbilt will contest, yesterday,
there was the usual food Of argument and objection 10
riyuIet OF evidence. All the counsel present. ex-
cent ex,Judgc Black who was said be ILL., Loungers
were numerous, picturesque and ilsnelng rs usual
bat the majority hardened as they were, could not en-
dure the dreariness of the proceedings Tho Western
witnesses were not produced, and no experts were
brought forward as expected. The wtnessstand was
occupied throughout the day b Mrs. Helen Clarke,
the magnetic physician, who gave testimony on pre-
vous occasion about her treatment OF the Commodore.
She was dressed in black her cheeks slightly tinted
with rouge and she spoke in low monotone, as many
mediums do in trance. She recOuned tho visits which
the Commodore made TO her in this city, ana brought
out much laughter by her statement that he regarded
cairvOyance convenient means OF getting informa-
ton in advance about stocks On the crocxamnation
Mr. Clinton questioned her closely about her visits to the
Commodore's house. as he said in the house re-
membered her. and he did not believe she ever made any
sucb visits The crossexamlnaton will be continued
day.
At the opening OF the session Mr.. Lord said he pro-
posed to show that Commodore said to the witness
ON several occasions his first wife looked TO his
fort educated his children and aided him in early fc
OF his second wife he said lie feared she had married
him for the half million she expected to get but he did
not know but that she liked him after fashion, This
was offered MI Lord said In regard to the Coihmodores
mental condition, to contradict the somewhat e1traord
nary character OF Dr. Eops statement that he was IN
perfect possession Of his faculties. The fact that man
of eighty would talk ALMOST entire stranger about
his two wives proof That he was bordering on
Mr. Lord then made offers 10 show the following about
conversations in regard TO the Commodores two sons
The Commodore said to the witness that he dd not know
where Cornelius got his faults from. she SAID IL can
not he his mother, have described her. Inc
wall than
me" Again he said, 7" William must be like me, avari-
cious' She asked him If such disposition would not
lead him to do wrong In the control OF property. Inc
Commodore said IT might; Commodore Vanderbilt sall
William treated ha second wife better than me GtnGr
the house All this ruled out by the Surrogate.
Mr. hOTd to a on eons here S Se
trouble; they can't break the WILL there Is not aw
~ yaUt me UToperty scattered" lie said that he
believed in the way the AsOrs had done thls ne snoHi
leave his property more compact as monument Tor his
name. Excluded.
The Surrogate don't want to dictate how this case
ponent were admitted facts then there would be an end
to this case They would prove INC WI TO Dc just moro
The Witness-I met the Commodore nj Lake george
about 1860; nc said he not well General winfield
Scott was present. again saw nun aDouI hinU Seels
ago al Saratoga he said az his health was so much m
proved he thought of marrying again Al he sid on
this was that he was gong To takc a young Wiz lnc
time met him vas In Central PARK ana about iOu
years ago he called at my house nc saiu ne m
Imade diagnosis OF disease J. sald dld h9t. nc
asked me ride but declined He called about
politely, as any gentleman would treat lady. lie
looked less vigorous than on occasions s., IN pre- pre-:
very much troubled by his back, kidneys ana neck
lie said This pain units me for business IL drives
me almost insane" lie then cut of curl OF mar ron
his head and handed 1t to me. lie then wanted me 70
manipulate his head, which dd ne SAID - ieei NE
but wish 10 have them kept secret AT SUBSEQUENT
conversations he spoke OF ms disease nctGss 1mu
MT' Lord offer to provo that the Commodore
SpritualgIn a means OF making money,
and that AT the home Charles Foster he consulted
nat it was told HIM that his dead wife had
cation for him. He said he cared nothing for that He
down. Laughter Excluded as incompetent.
The wness-Durlng his late years he was more easily
Influenced by others Ae asked questions IN regard TO
stocks, and wanted 10 hear from James FISK about
stocks. .-,,, -, -.
any niflnity Of mind Ale frequently spoke Of the
things, especially OF his diseases ne sai9 he was
greatly distressed his failing capacity for business
but ne added that Williams capacity was equal TO his
When he had said TINS dozen ilmes rev mIGu
1t II brought no money TO me- lie sad thaI mere
was passage In the Scriptures that sorey troubled
him, IL Wag this A" Ii Is easier for camel 10 pass
through the eye needle than for rich man TO enter
the Kingdom of Heaven Ila9ghteI;l u,ot ,,s .,ooo
o."What was his trouhlei Ale thought he was
Mr. ClinOn-stop there; this has nothing to do with
the question. , ,,.,.,. ,,
never revoke will in this way; let that answer DC
stricken out H., . aoa ,rbo,,,,
The MltneSS-Hlb cOnNcTshllons Ncio COuhhCu "HVhy
10 his sickness and his money.
Mr. Clinton here entered on sharp cross-examnatlon
of the witness. She tired parry his questions ana
said repeatedly that she did not understand him. MI
Clinton said that the most searching, inquiry 1aa re-
yeaed 10 hin thar no one who in the house had
recoectons OF her visits He did not believe she ever
made such visits. The witness was quesuOhea eIosey
about her visits but she could give account OF anyone
who present In the sick room except the Commo-
dOre.
Tho case was here adjourned until this morning.
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ANOTHER VIEW OF THE woMEN's HOTEL.