New-York tribune., 1879-03-25
THE COMNODORES SONS.
CLOSING THE VANDERBILT SUITS.

CLOSING THE Vanderbilt Stilc'
THE TWO SUITS FOR EIGHT MILLIONS OF CoRNELius
J. VANDiRBUT AGAINST WILLIAM II. VANbEH-
Bit WITHDRAWN WILLIAM II. VANDERBILT
WAIVTs CosTs--TlIE SURROGATE SIGNS THE DE-
CREE IN THE WILL CONTEST.
When the Vanderbilt will case was closed and
civeu into the hands of the Surrogate, THE TRIB-
I'M, gave a statement of the circumstances which
if WAS suDposed had led to the sudden abandonment
of the case hy the contestant. The fact
that William II. Vanderbilt was not cross
examined at any length when he went upon the
gtand; that no evidence in Tebuttal was put In by
the contestant aud that the charges against Mis'
Vanderbilt were withdrawn, were cited as lndlca-
tious that the contendng parties had come to some
understanding with regard to the ending OF the
contest.
The events that have occurred since the Surrogate
rendered his decision sustaining the viii conhrm
these statements. The struck uTy that was to Try
tbc 81 O0O. coo suit of Cornelius J. Vanderbilt
agonst his brother William II. was settled upon by
counsel on Saturday. Within few hours
afterwards the suit was Withdrawn. Letters passed
between the two brothers of which this much Is
known-that they were of the most amicabe and
frafernal character, although the two men have not
spokcu together for two years. The new phase thar
affairs have taken wasst further indicated by what
happened IN the Surrogates court yesterday morning
when the counsel met for the settlement of the de-
cree upder the Surrogatcs decision. Henry J.. Cn-
ton and joseph H. Ch0ate appeared for william liz
Vanderbilt: Scott Lord for Mrs. lie Bau-Bergcr
Cornelius j. Vanderbilt was the only mem
Der of the. Interested family present. Mr.
Clinton in presenting 10 the Surrogate ior
his signature decree affirming the previous
probate of the will, said that the proponent had
legal right TO demand that the contestant should
,.lia in
Vanderbilt had instructed him, however, 70 waive
the right lie, therefore, consented that the decree
sbould be entered sustaining the will without costs
to cIt her party. The decree NS signed by the sur
! rogatc accordingly. The law allows three months
| in which an appeal can be taken. =.
| The Vanderbilt will contest thus seems ut last
brought 10 conclusion III way that appears 10 ne
entirely satisfactory to all concerned. What the
arrangements that form the basis OF the s'ttle-
| mcnt none Of those who know best are Wiling 10
state in definite terms. But the matter was put IN
this way last evening by one VINO r, mas has
| been closely associated with the case: nero
| are certain conditions which Mrs. La Bdu-bcrger
! and Cornelius j. Vanderbilt have always insisted
must bs met before settlement could be elected
As settlement has been effected and all parties 10
il appear to bc satisfied il Is fair TO assume mat the
/ conditions have been met"
| No. Gt West ceyeuteeHt-st., Last evening, seemed
unwilling to enter INTO any details. In answer 10 a
question, however, he said that It was rue that inc
! 81 900, 900 suit and the T1OOO,0Oo suit OF
! Cornelius j. Vanderbilt against William H..
| Vanderbilt had been WitLdIawn. In answer
| to the question whether William ii. Wand Ter
| bIlt since his " vindIcatIOn' by the decree, bad
taken any Steps To have the litigation closed, MI.
/ Lord sad, 4" can't say what steps he has taken,
bur an satisfied that all matters OF difference VIII
/ be Satisfactorily and hunOrably arranged
" Wlil an appeal be taken IN the VIII case " was
| asked. .r.
- don't expect to appeal" was the reply. " 1t
would look like tcneTIty TO undertake 10 overthrow
ssriatiia four wills covering periods OF ten years
| Particularly is this the case when each OF the Two
first wills provides tuat any contestant shall lose the
! Legacy given to him or her, and gives the legacy
/ over to u third person"
William II. Vanderbilt said last evening in
speaking of the withdrawal OF the suit: All |
! know about ii IT, that ! received letter from my
| brother on last Friday evening, which stated that
since decision bad Deen rendered III inc VIII case,
| he had concluded TO Withdraw the other SUIT
| against me- | knew nothingabOut his intentions be-
fore received tneIcteT. Ii avery nice, pleasant
letter too. | gave the letter to my counsel On
! Saturday morning when the struck jury was
! drawn, my counsel spoke To Ethan Alien and he
| SAID he had not heard anything about the let
| ter. Mr.. Allen and my counsel then went over TO
Scott Lords Office and Mr.. Cornelius }. Vanderbilt {
was there tiy brother told them that he had
written the letter and wanted to have the suit
! dropped"
Wien asked if there had been previous agree
| mcut Mr. Vanderbilt replied IN the negative, and
! positively denied that there had been any COM
! promise OF the will suit.