New-York tribune., 1878-04-13
THE VANDERBILT WILL SUIT.
CONSPIRACY EVIDENCE STILL DELAYED.
A DAY CONSUMED IN OFFERS OF TESTIMONY WHICH
WAS MAINLY EXCLUDED-ELEvEN WITNESSES


CONSPIRACY EVIDENCE STILL DELAYED.
A DAY CONSUMED IN OFFERS OF TESTIMONY WHICH
WAS MAINLY EXCLUDED-ELEvEN WITNESSES
on THE STAND.
When the proceedings began in the Wander
bt will contest yesterday half hour earlier than usual
the room nearly empty. A regular attendant re-
marked, " The thing has ceased to draw" In short
time. however. the usual crowd present. Nine
witnesses were called, and two old were recalled,
but most of the offers OF evidence excluded and
little testimony admitted.
Mr. Lord said that he fully expected TO have two OF the
conspiracy witnesses present, but they had been de-
tanned by sickness He had had time for preparing
questions the expert branch OF the and he wished
exJudge Black, VINO was sick, TO be present He was
prepared, however TO submit testimony which lie
deemed important
The Surrogate" Well, go on"
Isaac A. Biggs Of No. 10Y McDOnough-st. Brooklyn,
was then called and testified: had known Commodore
Vanderbilt since 1929; in 1872 had one or two con
versations with him his house and at the Grand Cen
tral Depot.
Mr. Lord-I propose 10 show that this witness went to
zee the Commodore about the debt OF Cornelius TO Mr.
Greeley; the Commodore said he couldn't pay him at
present but that Mr.. Greeley would be paid when he
gone.
The wltness--I went to see him at his house told
him that understood Cornelius owed old friend
Mr. Greeley, a large sum OF money; it in the
Autumn Of the Presidential campaign. told him un
derstood the amount between $4,000 and $780,
OO0 The Commodore said: lie is a fool TO let him
have money when will not do 1t myself don't say he
shall lose it, but won't pay it now. think shall
make provisions for Greeley some time or other, so that
he won't lose the money"
Norman Cross a grandson OF the Commodore, was
then called to the stand BY this Witness Mr. Lord said
he proposed to show that during conversation between
the witness and Commodore Vanderbilt, William H.
camc in, praised the witness and promised him pro mo-
tion failed keep his promise This showed merely
the sons suberyiency TO the father as the promise
made only to secure the Commodore's good will Ex-
cluded.
Francis J. Kinney OF No Cottage-place, testified:
kept livery stable IN West FOrty-frsst in 1873;
had a horse which the Commodore called to see
Q.-what kind Of q horse was this Ale was a
good horse he was sired by General Knox. Laughter
Mr.. LOrd-NO l mean what kind OF a looking horse :
Ale was Il very showy horse, good on the road
Mr.. Lord-I propose TO show that the Commodore
asked the witness TO put price the horse. He
answered that the price mad been named another
The Commodore said, 81 don't think you know who
arD. Commodore Vanderbilt. am the great rail
road man OF the country; ! intend be- and my son
shall be after me" This is offered that the Com
mOdore possessed with this mania for family glory
and its transmission TO s SON Ihe witness then gave
the conversation as detailed In the offer
Ansell VroOm testified; live in CastetOn S. l.; In
March or April 1863 prepared plans Tor the Commo
Its proposed, said MI Lord, to show that the Commo
female college there; but that after his second mar
rage his lifelong purpose was changed and that he en-
dOwed college at NASHVILLE, where his second wife came
from. Excluded
Peter 5. Wandel. OF Staten Island testified: was
county treasurer Of Richmond County during the war
In 1868 or ga | saw the Commodore at his office In
Bowling Green, ana talked with him about the farm
which William III. lived am blacksmith. and worked
by this witness said Lord it is proposed to show
that he did work for William H., amounting 10 $50 and
that the latter has refused 10 IL since This
offered to countcract testimony that Cornelius j. would
not pay his debts.
BY Thomas Blake Mr.. Lord proposed to show he had a
conversation with the Commodore about this debt Both
offers excluded
John Il Nickles druggist Of Broadway and Fourth-st
called and by him II desired 10 prove how much
medicine was sent to the house OF the Commodore tx
oscar Ittner Of No JOG Grand.st testified My father
keeps hotel in Grandst aud at fremont the former
place IN July August. 1874, the Commodore called,
and SAID he felt weak in the stomach, and had
Hosea Blrdsall testified was employed by the Com.
modore IN the shipping business; had conversation
Mr. LOrd- propose show that in this conversation
the Commodore said Billy is good for nothing but TO
farmer of him Excluded as too remote.
Mr. LOrd-It Is also proposed 10 show that late
could not his boys ms others did, aud that he did
not enjoy himself at home as Others did also that In
he said he had enough and was going 20 get out OF
all business for the future.
The witness-He said he going to retire from bus
ness, as ne had means enough.
Mrs La Bau was recalled and asked whether she had
neard near a. say anything derogatory about the
authorizes about the admissibiity Of this evidence the
question was postponed.
toned about the payment OF $500 TO Mr.. Bennett the
magnetic physician. The Commodore, the witness said
discharged Bennet; because he was spiritualst. He
never heard Of her being there.
The case was then adjourned 10 June IL. After the
eight days given to II in June the Surrogate the
I'd and Sd OF July for the then there be an
9y al s %orpr d Of The coa ne ssS NE
September and October