The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-09
Sowing Their Wild Cats.
HOW FOUR BOYS SPENT Sls5,0OO IN EUR
IN TWO YEARS.


HOW FOUR BOYS SPENT SlS5. 900 IN rrpopF
IN TWO YEARS.
n New York telegram Of the m; SAYS
In the surrogatc's Court to-day much ex-
cltement was created by the development OF
q pecuilarly-intcresting and romantic story.
me prlncipal actors are young men Of high
social standing and wealth. The story is
as follows: In 1869 William Tilden, a rela-
tive OF Samuel j. Tilden. died, leaving an
estate valued at S2,5O0,OO0. lie divided it
equally between his four sons-William,
Milano c., Marmaduke. and Beyerle B.
Tiiden. aged twenty, fifteen, twelve, and
nine years. j. NJ. Fiske, w. r. Blodgett.
David Dows, {. Tracy, and n. G. Ely were
appointed executors. In 1870 the executors
employed an Italian named Biaggi as tutor
and manager for the boys, and they were
sent TO Europe. In Paris they occupied
the rooms formerly occupied by the Prince
OF Wales and other members f'the royal
familyof England. They then proceeded
to Berlin and lived in sumptuous style, eX-
pending in sixteen mcnths about seventy
thousand dollars. The eldest OF the four,
William, purchased palace in Coburg for
forty thousand dollars, and with it the title
OF baron. While in his palace he became
very much interested in the wife OF the
former owner, and very soon was un-
der complete control Of her hus-
band, TO whom he gave a power OF
attorney and permitted to purchase all
the furniture for his palace. In 1872 the
executors discovered ;hc condition OF af-
fairs abroad, and by the payment of very
large sums Of money tie young man was
eXtricatcd from his difficulties. The four
then conceived the idea OF ball in honor
OF Americans in Germany. They hired an
immense hall at great expense, and gave
the ball, which was widely commented on.
When they returned home the executors
footed up their expenses for two years and
four months rs S1Sj,000. They were
sent TO Harvard College, but did not
remain there. William was made an cX-
ecutOr OF the estate, and in 1877 part
ner in the business formerly carried on
by his father. This he was compelled
to give up, owing TO his inability TO
manage it, Many accountings were had,
for which large counsel fees were paid.
In 1877 Gustavus J. Thebaud was ap-
pointed guardian OF Beverle B. Tilden.
lie received Sl,2j0, and afterward. it is
ALLEGED. was locked up in LudlOw-Street
jail for eleven months for mi,apprOpriating
$4,000 belonging to another estate for
which he was attorney. From the account
ing now in progress before referee ii ap-
pears that the two eldest sons have been
paid $4,000 more than their share. 1t Is
also charged that mortgage for 100000
on Jerscy-City property, with the interest,
was collected by the executors, and
that one OF them deposited the money
to his private account. The estate
is in a bad condition, and will now yield
but 100000 to each OF the youngest sons.
The executors are charged with procuring
ratifications OF their acts by threats. Bey-
erie Il. Tilden now seeks to have the va
rious accOuntings opened, on the ground
that expenditures were foolish and rash,
unnecessary, and contrary to his fathers
will. He also claims that the executors
should be charged with the unnecessary
expenditures. The executors make gen.
eral denial and declare that they have ac-
counted for every cent they spent, and that
the boys, when they came Of age, ratified
Their acts. The papers were submitted
and decision reserved.