The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-26
VANDERBILTS MILLIONS.
Continuation Of the Protracted Struggle
for Their Possession.
MRS. BISHOPS REPARTEE.
The Breeze 1t Occasioned in Sur
rogate Calvin's Court.

su1ocatinE court room, Watching tho developments
OF the Vanderbilt VIII case were yesterday rewarded
for their patience by tho appearance Of OF those
phenomenal witnesses who the delight of court
room audiences and the OF scdate lawyers and
formal judges The proceedings. too. began with
something like punctuslity, as both ex-Judge Com
stock and Mr.. Clinton were In their places before
eleven O'Clock. A low minutes alter the hour had
struck Mr. Lord entered, accompanied by Nrs La
Bau. but the public disappointed at not seeing
Mr.. William II. Vanderbilt, who did not put In an ap
pcarance during tho proceedings His brother Cor
neiins ]. was court watching tho proceedings Mr..
Chauncey Dcpsw, counsel for tho New York Central
road, occupied his limo making notes tho crown OF
his white stoveplpe hat 1t was about ten minutes
past eleven O'Clock whom Surrogate Calvin took his
place upon the bench.
INTERESTING WITNESS.
The nrsI witness called was Mrs. Eleanor Fletcher
Bishop. a middie.aged lady, who took her place on
the with the delightful nonchalance OF
q thorough woman OF the world who was not 10 be
disconnected by tho frowns OF counsel Throughout
the proceeding she was remarkably sslfpossessed,
and succeeded occasion in rather netting the
Surrogate. In answer TO question from Mr.. Lord
Mrs. Bishop testified that she had been born in Eng
but had come to this country when seven years
old; that she Is tho widow OF Nathaniel G. Bishop.
who for many years was Commodore vanderbili's
had had frequent conversations with the Commodore
outside OF business matters Her husbands relations
with the Commodore had continued Tor about fifteen
years, and during that time sne had frequently met
MIN at her HUSBAND $ Office. In 1864 she had
occasion said TO him that she supposed tho bulk Of
his property would 90 TO his eldest son. but he re-
phed. eTnank God tins Is a Republic, ana The law
would Sc. ASIDE sucn VIII dsnher.inG tae res. o.
between this country and Engand the Commodor said
that there The Law entaed the property on the eldest
SON. Mrs. Bishop also related how one occasion
requested the Commodore TO use mis- Influence
with husband to get him ronouncc his mistress,
10 Withdraw ms patronage iron her husband. She
further told HIM that had inaco the request
TO Mr. William H. Vanderbilt and that he had nsuIted
hor
Mr.. Clinton hero nterposea, objectng TO the recep-
ton OF any further testimony this point, and after
short passage-st-arns between the opposing counsel
tue Surrogate decided to sustain Mr. Clinton objec-
zion.
Mr. Lord, however, was allowed 10 snow by tho
Commodore tho latter said, "You should not have
spoken TO William about your husband Tor they are
the Same kind OF men," TINS evidence was, however,
excluded
THE KIND CORNELIUS.
Ars. Bishop continuing, stated that the Commodore
saia Cornelius j. was noble hearted and candid and
did not conceal what be did; ne had no doubt Corne
lius }. was the best Of them; he said he was Ia
rassea by Williams complaints about Cor
neus j.. he also SAID that William CON-
planned OF his paying the debts OF Cornelius j.,
but The Commodore said his duty 10
DO So and he knew NO difference between mis- chit
dren, out be believed Cornelius ]. to be the Dcst
hearted OF the lot The related another
1869, which he said his mind was very much
harassed by Williams complaints against Cornelius.
bu he tho ght was as good as the other and he
Intended 10 do justice 10 all she told the Commo-
dore he should sos ind iauIt with any OF his sons
when he set the example himself.
On cross OK minalion by ME Clinton Mrs. Bishop
said The Commodore distinctly mentioned the word
shares to mis- children, and that, II he was iEsane
enough do Otherwise the law oil the country would
set It aside He thanked God he lived IN a country
where the law would not uphold man In leaving one
child more than another she agreed with hun, aud
he was astonisned, as she was an English lady and
sune red by u herself. She did not think the Com
mouore WAS joking.
Q Did you ever, as long as you have been In the
leaves one child more than anotnery A. Yes, sir; by
unjust judges
allJ 10 give chiid more than another II
he pleasess A. have heard many ciaDoical acts OF
the legislature
O. Then you think that would DO diaboiicalY A.
Ger, AMY, sir; unjust.
q Then. diaoolicai or angelic. did you know OF
such being our iawS A. never read IL, and do not
believe all hear
THE COURT RuYYLKp
The witness then stated thai ms conversation had
begun by her urging MIN TO build u widows and or
phans' home. The Commodore repiiod mat he had
enough TO do with his railways, ana that he would
leave the chariIabe works TO his sons. la the
versalon which took place AZ her husbands olhce IN
Liberty street, IN 1866 no spoke OF his WILL anu said
10 was the duty OF parent To provide equally tor all
his Children and that no Intended to leave TO all his
children equal shares ny his WILL In reply 10 ques-
ton the witness stated shc dd not Know Mr.. Cor
neliusJ Van Iorbiit or Mrs. La Bau.
Mr. Chnton-Did not you come to court IN her CON-
panyf TINS (pointng TO herr is Mrs. La Bau; ala
Mr. Scott Lord; never knew Mrs. La Bau until you
introduced me-
Q so you understood me as introducing you to
Mrs. La Bauy A. Yes, and thank you Tor tho In.
PRODUCTION.
she came to give her story ~ Mr. LORD, and she
swerou, Il am not paid Tor being hcre US you are"
surrogaic-If there another bathurst like this 1
will Gear tbe court. | must sdmonisn the witness.
You are not 10 spar with counsel; you will answer
wnen you are Questioned ana remain silent until you
Witness fs ssia she wrote letter to Mr.. Lord; sh.
q. D,o you ~ tina. eller or me memorandum state sub
staptaiiy what the Commouorc said about The law Of
this country not allow ing man TO VIII his property
uncqualy TO hrs children-yes or nof a. How can
say yes or 10 when mix ~ tho letter and nrmorAn
auin take one or olner and xsk mo and will Try
10 answer you; thai IS no way 20 question me-
suTrogatc--You must Try 70 answer
WIlness-AL right
thought she did not menou that conversation about
The law IN her memorandum; the noe hal written
the l9.h oil jane had iet u at Mr.. Lord's oice
she Mr.. Lord this morning and no else in the
interval; she had renamed sIcnt until now because
she thought justice would be done without TIER tes-
mony.
Mr. Lord questioned the witness about her relations
with Bellevue Hospital. she stated she took AN inter-
n the hospital aud had volunteered her services
IN various charities; the Commodore aware oil her
connection with them; u was IN tnis way that the
conversations about his children arose, she urging
him to build charitable institution and he replying
that his would ~ she had seen two LADIES' ana
a child in Mr.. Lords OH In tho morning, but had
not been told that elmer oil tnem Mrs. La Bau.
In reply 10 n question by Mr.. Clintou she said:-l
visited bellevue Hospital and unveiled all the norrors
Tor winch gained plenty oil enemies, but have many
poor trends; was n volunteer nurse. and remained
there night aud day by permission o. Thomas Brcn-
nan, then Warden and now Com missioner.
Y Then you had official connection, but went
there wnen wshcdf A. Just as came here.
q What otner pubic charities did you promote 2
A. Ny charities are private.
q wuat year did You VISIT Bellevue Hospitalf A.
Ny lecture on Tue horrors was Delivered IN 1917.
surrogate-I DO not think that In portan,.
WitDess-Hc drew II out.
Mr.. Lord then offered some testimony showing the
charitable disposition OF Mrs BsDop Mr.. Clinton
protested Wig orousy, aud surrogate Calvin remarked
that matters were ~ conoiton that rendered Il un-
necessary or the counsel Tor the testans 10 ocr
testimony which would seem 10 raise a uoubt as TO
the crcdibiy OF his own witness Mr.. Gin, on's OBJ
lection was sustained.
" nj nonr M.