New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-20
MR.. TILDEN'S REQUESTS.
J. EDWARD SIMMONS AND THE EXECUTORS.
AN INTIMATE FRIEND OF THE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT
ANDREW II. GREEN


ANDREW H. GREEN
In talk with J. Edward Simmons, president
of the Board of Education. who arrived board the
Umbria yesterday morning, TRIBUNE reporter referred
TO the death Of Mr. Tden and the published Criticisms
OF the action Of Of the executors. Mr.. Simmons
said that he had not had time to read what had been
said. He asked whether the published statement
TO the enect that Mr. Tden at time Intended To ap
point him ono OF the true. He said fes
you can that is true The proposition came about
In this way Some time last spring Mr. Tden sent re
quest to me that should visit him at Graystone. 1t
was not an unusual thing for him TO do. for our business
rotations rendered 1t necessary for me to visit him re-
quenly. went up there and our conversation opened
with somo reference to certain investments. In Inc
OF the visit, however, Mr.. Tilden told
me that he had about made up his MIND
TO make few important changes In his VIII as IL tneu
existed He said among other things that he had de-
termined TO create public library to be placed In MS
house in Gramercy Park, which to be fitted up Tor
that purpose. After discussing that point for little
while he added he desired to alter the will In some
other particulars and without further prelimnares he
said that he had decided to substitute name for that
Of one of the EXECUTORS whom ho had
already named, and asked II l would obligo
hm by serving as ono OF the executors
and trustees. 1t his purpose, he said to create
trust OF the bnk OF the estate and this was done the
trusteeshp would probably be life appointment
replied tnat appreciated such mark OF confidence
and that also appreciated the kind expressions when
accompanied the offer that recognized the fact that
much responsibility would naturally attach to such
position but that would cheerfuy consent to servo In
that capacity II he really desired me TO do So
:" lie expressed his satisfaction at my reply, and
added that he mad been thinking over the
matter great deal and that he would probably make
the change in a short time remember that he spoke
In chaty laughing sort Of way about the necessity OF
dong 1t soon. and said he realized tho import or
attending such matters with promptness. adding that
life precarous. think he said nearly as can
rec0ect the wOs: have appointed three executors,
Mr.. Green, Mr. Bgelow and Mr. Smith. but Bigclow is
almost Old | am, and guess Green is about
seventy, and / must have u younger man. The
fact that he spoke OF the necessity
Of selecting a younger remember dis
tinctly, but which OF tho three he named
was to give way for me- he did say and did not ask
him. From his reference Mr. Bgeow and Mr.. Green,
and the fact that Mr. smith himself young man,
1t wonld be natural, II | had thought ofit at all TO
suppose that lie meant either Mr. Green or Mr. Bigeow
but | did the time even surmiso which was ill.,
tended. That ia all he said TO tho subject.
lie SAID anything to me against either
Mr.. Greeu Mr.. Blgeow Mr.. Smith. The re-
lations between Mr. Tden and myself were always
exceedingly friendly ana during the last two years OF
his life confidential. | 10 not know wny The change
was not made but when heard VINO the executors were
NATURALLY recalled our Conversation"
Yesterday lKiNINE reporter AcClnentally encOuul-
erod a gentleman whose relations with Mr. Tden were
extremely intimate and who was frequently at Cray
stone during the year two OF Mr. Tden's life
Ie is acquainted with all the members Of tho family AS
well as with the executors and his statements be
accepted with entire confidence. When the sub
ject OF the existing controversy was broached he
was prompt to declare his unwillinsuess
TO have his name way associated with tho cur
criticism OF the course pursued by the executors
least OF them, In the summary Closing OF the
'It would not TO-" ne said. for to appear in this
controversy. / Observe that both the ncphews aud
nleces OF Mr. Tiiden are speaking their minds
rather freely IN the newspapers, ani as ieSa
tees they, OF course, have the right 10
choose their own and to follow IL. Many OF the
pusshed statements relative To the closing of Gray
Isobls Is due 70 the lmpetuoHs course OF Mr. Green.
The fact is. Mr.. Green toward the last was, rs has
Tden. and there is no doubt in my mind that
Mr. sn have d made ne change ,ss ia the SIc ersonne % Of
the executors. Mr. Green nai considerable to do with
which existed at the time of Mr. Tldens death, put
when the old gentleman wanted 10 modify MS FORMER
bequests ne carefully avoided "+mltnS MI %reo3 to
ms conf ience. The later however Knew mat M
somethnS was gong on asn snD isd. ma Gra"n m
that name ~ an executor. his suspiclons
ceal his an xiety curing the time intervening between
death aud the reading Of the will Ihis was 50 con.
spicuOus that who WAS cOgnlLant OF the thcts
relieved nini by assuring MIN that his name ap-
pcared. Alter Mr.. Trieu's burial Nr. Green was ex
The citations were rather informally served ana wheh
OF the faicdto respond he grew angry sup
posing that tnere dissatisfaction among the hers,
hot oy on t"e pio, W. b ero.ntor He thcrepon re-
solved rotaate AMI he started In with the closing Of
Grsystone The facts ia TINS connection nave poeh %
published and are not cK Ktggeraled Mrs, teI-
Ton. had sp"nt much OF her time with Mr:
Idcn In the latter years OF MS llie, was apsoh1
AT Sairaugansett iIcr when no died. she went 10
GraysiOne ami after the fune a. her plans Tor tc sum
being disarrAngei, she concluded To remain hGro
until she could have time to plan Tor tno uture ier
house IN the city not ready To be occupied ana she
hOu -ht II best to stay win her necesa lr couty 80
But Mr. Green peremptoy stopper an suppes, anu sno
aid actually purchase food out or her own iuns
The story OF the purchase of chickens rom MI luen %
farmer is true. th0asn IL was DuhsnnSy Ii"@sa H. It h
she bought OF "a neghboring farmer chickens tnat nau
belonged 10 SIR Tlden, though noexplanation was gwen
how the farmer became possessed OF Mi;;
iiden's chickens which might havo Dcch son'hns U1
nlar farmer Now II all likely Jnat the ourro
would have Thought OF such thnS as oplcot,ns
traystone for any reasonable length Of time. Surely
pubic would not nave sustained any such oorcllohs
OF ~" tho '"' estate, But Mr.. Green's inconsIs-
tency on this point was developed oy sure Tue
gestei that the same rule might apply TO the mane
nance of the Cramercy PARK house. where Mr. Green
was comfortably do uiced -
believe that ne viii will be contested. The spirit
by the boys ia certainly great dissa
inacton' one ~ y" the boys viii have probably
through MS wife, aud am Informed that he Is or1ns %
the absolute power delegated to The executors
and trustees Is power - I. which cannot an v os s
them. legarees or beneiiciarles under tho VIII some
fine points be raised ana tDlnK can say tna'
several have been suggested II contest Is maue
Will be by George, who being well provided for pros
pectlvely AFFORD 10 lose SISOOO Tor the purpose o
seeing that justice IL done 10 the others anu Win 'no
chances OF securing farer treatment himself. -,
'Of course Mrs PeltOn will have nothing 10 40 WIN
this ntroyersy. She Is old lady ana naturally does
desire newspaper notoriety In connection Win .o
subject. II no longer secret that dissatisfaction
with the provisions OF the VIII exist on the pirI OF tne
heirs ana you rcly upon 1t that the actions OF MI
On Ell kci none Of the harshness attr rbuted to hn
AC1LDED TO DEATH IN 4 B1IH-ICB.