The New York herald., 1879-02-14
THOMAS LORDS FORTUNE.

THE MILLIONNAIRE DIES INTRsTATE AND
LEAVES NOT CENTS WORTH or PROPERTY
HIS HEIRS coaIPIAcENT--A sHREwD DEVICE
Many readers of the HrnALD will no doubt be sur
priscd to learn that tho millionaire merchant Mr.
Thomas Lord, who died a few days ago. left no WILL
and their surprise will bc redoubled learning that
he had no property TO leave to his numerous chill
dren or to his wife. Tho fact Of the matter IL
that long before his death Mr.. Lord decided all
his property to two gentlemen, to hold i'll
trust 1t having been rumored that there would be
meeting OF the heirs yesterday to make definite
rangcment regarding the ultimate settlement OF the
estate, HERALD reporter called upon the trustees,
Nessrs Henry Day and Clarence A. Seward. The
former was found at the Office of Lord. Day Lord,
who conducted the legal proceedings the part Of
Mr.. Lords heirs at the time of his marriage.
Mr.. Day stated that no will had been made by the
deceased. He had been III almost constant consulta-
ton with the heirs since Mr. Lords death, and the
property would be distributed in accordance with
the provisions of the trust deed. These provisions
he could not at present make public but he could
state that Mrs. Lord had been provided for The
decd. he said, had been recorded.
A visit to the Office of Mr.. Seward was next made.
That gen IL, man had sailed for Europe the pre-
vious Gay, but had left power OF attorney with Mr..
c. NJ Dacosta that the latter might act for him in
the matter.
AN ANTE -MoRrEM DISTRIBUTION.
Mr.. Da Costa shook his head ana smiled very
afabIy when the reporter asked about the meeting Of
the heirs. If there has been such meeting" said
he, lit must have been very informal TO say the
least. for it likely that would be held with
ont both sides being represented The property was
all distributed about year ago. at the time OF the
lunacy proccedines The TRUST deed merely made q
distribution before tine owner died"
"How was TINS property distributed ?"
''some of the rents of the property were paid to
Mr. Lord and the remainder TO the children, vari-
proportions. provided tor by the trust decd.
That document also provided to whom the rent
which Mr. Lord received during his life should be
paid after his dccease."
Did that event make any difference in the pro-
visions Of the deed 2?
)nly TO the distribution of the rental Mr. Lord
receiving during his lifetime"
"Now. Mr.. Da Costa. can you inform the public
what the terms OF the settlement 2"
Mr. Da Costa smiling)--Those terms cannot yet
be made public The whole matter is very simple.
No will could be made The deed is plain that he
who runs may read.
IF 1 run may rcad?' qucrica the reporter.
"well hardly" answered Mr.. Da Costa, smiling
again the interviewer took his leave.
In the Registers Office, under the date of February
~. were found the names OF Thomas and Annette
W. Lord. with the number of the volume and
page recording the interesting document. The
deed contained q complete description of the
property in question. AS to the terms of the
distribution, it agreed. the part OF Mrs. Lord.
that all rights of dover should be relinquisned and
ali remainders and reversons OF rights present and
prospective, legal or equitable to Mr.. and Mrs.
Lord The deed next copvcy ed .to have and to
hold the hcreinbeforc granted and described prem
ises to the said parties Of the second part
Messro. Day and Sewars!-their heirs and assigns
and their successors i'll the trust upon the
following terms, limitations and conditons--to
wit, to lease the SAID property for such
terms not exceeding Ave years, at such rents and
with euc covenants as the two parties of the second
par. shall think advisable" They were Empowered
TO sell tho whole any part of the property to
mortgage it. All this however, not to conflict
with the limitations ia instrument bearing the
came date the deed executed between Thomas Lord
and his wife parties of the first part and Henry Day,
Clarence A. seward and Thomas Lord. Jr.; Henry
Lord. Charles Lord, Frank h. Lord aud Sarah Lord.
Here tho investigation was blocked. All search
after the instrument spoken OF proved il vain 1t
had not been placed on record The shrewdness OF
Mr.. Lord at once became apparent. The separate
document containing the method of the distribution
Of the property at the time of his death not
quired by law to be recorded. II is usual in such
deeds to state all the conditions, but the old gentle
man had 50 arranged this to conceal the
the disposition OF his property after his death until
his hers choose to reveal it. Until that time there
fore the question will remain fruitful subject OF
speculation.