The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-10
THE COMMoDORE'S WILL.

LEGAL sPARRING DURING THE CONTINUED
CONTEST MAaNETrzER's TESTIMONY.
II would almost II the parties to the VAN
dcrbIt will contest had learned their respective parts
IN a days proceedings ana were repeating thom in
stereotyped form at each hearing. Yesterday there
was another matinee before Surrogate Calvin, and
each performer went through precisely the
ousiness'' at tho last dozen hearings. Mr. Lord,
on behalf Of tho proponents, offered prove no end
OF things said and done by the deceased Commodore
Mr.. Clinton made objections with interminabio arsu-
ments to prove that the sayings and dongs were
proofs OF insanity, that the counsel had right to
introduce them in evidence, and that Commodore
Vanderbilt never said or did any such thugs. Mr.
Lord made rcjoiodcrs OF astonishing length, and
finally, when everybody tired out the Court
pronounced the inevitable "Exciuded,n and testi-
mouy was taken for minute or Two, ouy to be inter-
rupted by the same ncver-ending offers, objections
and arguments.
Mr. Lord said he wanted to prove that tho Commo-
dorc had smorbid impuse'' Tor making moaoy;
that he had 'the insanity OF glory" and sacrificed
everything to amass and leave undivided fortune
which shonld render his name iamouG Mrs Helen s.
Clarke, tho magnctizcr who the stand TWO
weeks ago. recalled by Mr. Lord 10 testify 10 con-
versations she had held with the Commodore while
treating him. Mr.. LORD offered prove that the de-
ccdent SAID to Mrs. Clarke second wife had no
feared, married him Tor the halt million he settled
upon her, though she might like him AFTER fashion
mat on another occasion he said 'Corneius Is gener
Gus, but wasteul, ana William "a avaricious Ike me
that on still another occasion he said her s.Wnen
am gone there viii be trouble. but they can't break
The WILL there Is not law IN H. believe in tho way
the Astors aid; bat shall leave my property more
compact. don't know that doing right but I
Will not have 1t scattered. will leave IL a monu-
nent to my name.n F1
These offers were promptly excluded under former
MI LORD tncn traversed tho testimony he brought
out at previous hearing in relation the witness
meeting tho Commodore at Lake George, in 1860 and
again in 1869 and with respect to the change
IN his health ana manner on the latter occasion
AN ALMOST
She testified that the Commodore said to her, 81
have q friahliul racking pam my head. l am al
most insane" When sac began TO treat him d few
years before death he spoke freely Of his domestic
relations, and referring 10 his William, remarked
that the latter was as clever and AS competent TO
uge the property as himself
Mr. Lord made another futile softer to prove" 10 tho
effect that the Commodore had a very low idea OF
spiritisnAp believing that II could be made useful In
advancing the pecuniary interests Of believers aud
that on Mrs. Clarke expressing incrcduity IN that
the house OF male medium; that tho latter SAID
tho Commodore, ~ have u com unication from your
dead wie," ana no replied. 81 don't for that
now; want TO know about the price OF STOCKS" The
spirit oil James Fisk. Jr., comm with
the medium and made predictions about stocks which
did not meet with the approval OF tho Commodorcs
Judgment ana q long wreslle ensued, tho Commodore
finally yielding to s'Fihk."
Mr.. Clinton CROSS examined tho lady closely con-
corning the professional visits sho testified 10 having
paid the Commodore Mt his house during his ILL
ness Tho theory OF the proponents, Mr. Clinton
said. was that she had never been In that house AT all
Witness said she WINS unable 70 name a single person
who had met her In the Washington place house
servant and shown TO the Commodore's room; tho
other i've or SIX limos she called she always went
directly 20 the patient and dd not speak 10 anybo
else The Commodore told her 10 attend TO her busi-
ness aud see and speak TO nobody
Mrs Clarke will resume tho witness stand At eleven
O'Clock this morning and tho crossexamination Will
then be continued.