New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-06
THE VANDERBILT WILL CONTEST.

THE VANDERBILT WILL CONTEST.
GRIEF TESTIMONY OF MRS. EMILY THoRN-A
"MAGyF1CIANsn CONVERSATIONS WITH TIE
CoMMoDoRE-zACHARIAH 4. SIMMONS AS COR
NEIIUs j. vANDERBuTs FRIEND.
The counsel in the proceedings over the VIII
Of Cornelius Vanderbilt unusually prompt IN Dc
ginning work yesterday but their discussions over ega
questions long rs usual. patient audience
than half being obliged 10 stand walteu through
out the session to hear the evidence.
Mrs Emily Thorn, q daughter OF Commodore Wander
btwas the first witness. All questions MS 10 the sehu
ing of her mother 10 a unatic asylum were ruled out
She testified that she present at her fatherS secou
marriage. In June, 1879, she heard conversation oe
tween her father her husband and Mr.. Davdge. MI
Davidge told the Commodore he had some very nice
grandchildren (neanng tho Thorn children) and hcr
father answered that they fine children, but mol
VandeTbis. 4 conversation between the wi'uess ant
her father his will was excluded ior the pIesen'
and Mrs. Thon's further examination was a'Dourheu'
as she was in i'll health. ..oo,,o, %
protracted discussion had as TO correction OF
the stenOgTapher's minutes of Judge Rapiios test-
mOny after which Frederick We'll, medical electrician
aud magneticiau" summoned TO the stand: ne was
called in he said Cornelius Vanderbilt profession
ally May o. 1876 He manpnIaed hun inc Connie I1nd 81
ore asked ms wife why he had been so long deprived Oh
what did him much good: The witness called again
the next night and renewed his treatment Ihe Com t
Vanderbilt was present on that and the succeeding
night. The fourth night, when she Went OUT Oh ' nc
room, the Commodore called her back Ihat nignt NE
communicative lie spoke OF , tne nora fNr
storms lie had gone through, his Iondhess ipr
the fair sex, aud accidents he mad met WIN.
The witness spoke of his apparent physical vigor,
aud said he ought TO last century. The Commodore
answered that he might ii not for youthful ndls-
cretjops carried into aturer years The next ngnl ne
complained Of his surroundings. but was checked Dy nrs
Vanderbilt. The sixth and last night, the commodore
again expressed his pleasure at the Witness treatment
of him and told him To the next night lie called
the next ight but was not allowed To see him. tx
Judge Comstock here objected, and scott Lord insisted
on his right to show how, just after the VIII was MADE
the Commodore was Influenced. Alter a long wrange
the Surrogate rejected the offer OF letters by the witness
and renies received from Commodore Vanderbilt, the
object ncing TO show that the Commodore was then
under the control of some person. .
Zacharah T. simmons was the next Witness lie tesli-
fed that he visited Commodore Vanderbilt III lSI MT
Lord offered 10 show that the Commodore said 10 TINS
witness that the mania for making money seized him III
his nineteenth year, and no had been insane on tnat
point since The testimony was excluded
The witness testified that he asked the Commodore II
he would not increase his allowance TO Cornelius j.
can't be done now" The witness said Cornelius was
doing well, and the Commodore answered Yes, very
well now, but must be patient" witness suggested
that Cornelius Us shortcomings might nave been caused
by haTshuess, and the Commodore answered. II mink
not, but perhaps il might have been"
ON crOss-examnatiOn, Mr. Simmons said he had
known Cornelius j. Vanderbilt since 1854 lie had lent
hin money. Simmons said he might have been ~ one
time interested IN the policy shops Oi the city, There
Cornelius j. Vanderbilt about $1,000. And some six
months ago he borrowed from him 81, 100 which had
repaid Tie witness lent him $500 three weeks ago.
which had repaid. The Witness profits from the
policy business amounted to 100000 III one year.
The adjourned to tins morning.