The New York herald., 1878-03-23
vANDERB1LTs MONEY.
THE TwENrY-sIxTA' DAYS PROCEEDINGS IN
THE FAMOUS WILL cAsE-MUcH ARGUMENT,

THE TwENrY-sYxTA' Days PROCEEDINGS IN
THE FAMOUS WILL cAsE-xucH ARGUMENT,
BUT FEW FACTS.
Neithor Judge Jere Black for contestants nor ex-
Judge Comstock for proponents tho Vanderbilt VIII
case was present yesterday when the hearing was rc-
sumed before the Surrogate
Mrs. Sophia D. White, who has lived for eleven
years upon the old homestead OF Commodore Wander
b on Staten Island, In reference to the questions OF
Mr. Lord denied most emphaticaly that she had ever
conversed with William II. about his fathers iati-
mncy with Miss Smith. the governess.
Mr.. Abram D. Conner, County Clerk Of Staten
Island shown n deed for land executed by Samuel
Cooper TO tho Commodore He identified the docu-
mcnt ~ one which he had himself acknowledged
Mr. Lord asked whether witness knew OF any flaw In
the deed, but before any answer was retuI ned Mr..
Clinton objected to the testimony as Irrelevant The
Court consenting hear Mr. Lord he stated that he
wanted provo that tho Commodore had q mania for
acquiring lands that he purchased property for which
there no valid title; that no was interested IN
land companies which after his death collapsed, and
that he to all intents aud purposes insane upon
that topic. This MANIA in Connection with others to
be proven, Mr.. Lord held, would tend to show lack
Of mental capacity and have great weight IN the hna
decision.
THE USUAL LEGAL
Mr. Clinton characterized tho statements OF counsel
for contestants defamation OF the dead, and SAID
they were inspired by hcsh maligny. He went on
10 say that the brought up tor bad
evidently been executed 10 father of tho Commo
dore aud the Commodore himself, tbereors tho
iather Of tho dead Commodore must DO detained snd
revled also. II was offer, Mr.. Clinton said 10 try
tho whels life oi Commodore Vanderbilt and the CON-
muny protested against tho spreading oi those SIAN
ders broadcast Ovcr the land.
Surrogate Calvin said IN at he was forced believe
that the counsel tor the contestant could prove tho
evidence offered by him. Nevertheless no cousdereo
the testimony incompetent for many reasons.
THE coMMoDoRE's USUAL kPirHErs.
DR. Ellsworth Eliot, who attended Commodore Van
derbii. as physician from the 25d oi May, 1870
until the time o his death, testified that Mrs. Van
dcrbt anu Mrs Crawford were the regular res
dents in tho Commodorcs house; that Mrs.
Vanderbilt once lott the house and did not
return until thc next day tho same win Mrs.
Crawford; during ali the lime that the witness
was there ho did not sec any daughters Of tho
Commodore alone with him; be never saw Cornelius
J. alone with his iatnor Oh one occasion tne Commo
house; bo directed his attendants to allow Cornelius
10 him the next time he should visit tno house.
point; witness thought that tho Commodore had
sound mind; hc showed very bad temper ~ times
when be suffered. Ho called tho doctor OlocEhoad
u Untherskiie ana stupid fool
MIR. Lord-Do you regard tnat as evidence OF his
great mental capaetyY (Laugn,cr)
Tho Doctor said he did REGARD tho application OF
the epithets In question as evidence hat tue Commo.
dors was Intellectual giant. 'Well" continued
Mr. Lord 'aro you not satisfied that the terms were
unjust aud undeserved?" Witness replied IN n wag
gish way, that 'tne question was u very delicate
one" .:Oh," said Surrogate Gavin, "you are not
Obliged to criminate yourself Doctor" tLaugh ter J
For Dr. Lnsly, the family physician, tho patient had
much respect, but oven he was cnaracterized occn-
sionally us granny old l0ol and was told he did
no, know anything. The Commodore went even fur
ther, and struck al his nurses anu doctors witness
swore positively that tho Commodore had NO bed
sores although several such accurately described
by former medical witness as having afflicted The
Commodore.
Dr. Eliot was questioned closely about the diseases
OF tho Commodore and their actual probable and pos
sibls effect upon his mind, but nothing now was
Tie case was then adjourned until Tuesday next