New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-27
TIE McGRIU-FISKE FOETUNE.
WHERE IT nAS COM 10.

Syracuse, y. Y, july .3.-Tho history u the
Fiskc viii case has been told IN the newspapers,
but some striking facts regarding the result Of the
suit have yet failed 10 appear. There several
good reasons for this, the principal one being that
neither side IN the litigation cared to make public 1t,
own irr,pariblc loss. Each party had Il bubble
reputation 10 speak, but the lawyers had carried
of all the prizes.
The general imprc-,i IS that Professor Fi,kc Is
now millionaire. but II viii be- only necessary to 90
into . short review Of te,tamcutary feature, Of the
case 10 dsprovc this. John McGnw died in 1877
In Ithaca. leaving over three millions Of property 10
his daughter Jennie. She survived him not quito
four .cdrs. At her marriage 10 Professor Fi,hc In
Berlin she made a will by which, after malue various
requests 10 the amount ot million, she gave the
remainder of her estate 10 Cornell University. With
tho exception Of $4,000, which came to her BY
devise Of her grandfather John SouthWorth Of Dry
den the title Of all her estate. which formed the sub
jcct Of her disposition by VIII, through the viii
Of her father. John Mc(aw. Accordingly. the litlgl
ton not much the dlSposu; Of Mrs. McGTw-
Fishes estate as that Of her father John MoGraw.
The fifth section Of his viii tells the story Il give.
devise. aud bcqucnth all the rest. residue. and r.
maindcr Of my property to my daughter Jennie for
her use and benefit with flN power u sell or other
wise dispose of the same in part or in whole. by
deed. gift or will desire that she shall dispose by
Will Of such property may remain 70 her 10y will
In her discretion and according to the circum-
stances then existing: but If she shall die without
leaving child children, and without having made
any last will. then 1t is vii and desire that wha'
& Of properly hereby given her then remaining NAV
bo divided between Thomas, Henry, John, Lctuc,
George, william, and Frank, the six children Of my
brother Joseph, follows TWO s"ventlls thereof to
Thomas Henry McGriw, and one seventh 10 each Of
the others named
The United states supreme Court decided that
Cornell University could not take Mrs. Fiskca legacy.
and 80 the latter part oi tho portion Of John Mctaws
will quoted was consequently operative. II was
therefore "A condition of "Outing,' 80 far as the I'M
mediate Itglnts concerned. IL Is the consensus
If opinion on all that the university will never
again see a penny Of the million and half dollars
that 90 10 the Mctir1w heirs. "
The prize, went 10 the lawyers, as above stated
900 while Judge George +. CUm,tOck. OF syracuse,
did not receive less than 100000, ON the SIDE of
the university the surrogate ~ TOmpkinS county mas
granted a decree fixing the amount allowed me al
t0rneys for Executor nCadman. According 70 ms
decree the fee, are Judge Country man, oi AlDdiy'
$40 900: Halliday * Finch. Of Ithaca S31:oOO' sen
stor FdmnndS Of Vermont. $500. These fees are u
be- paid ont ~ the criaic ,,. ,,,or l. Aha
The pathetic thing about the whole matter - Wy
statement Of "A very prominent gentleman ana friend
~ Professor Ii,kr which has just been nduc. ms
Gentleman has seen Professor Flskcs VIII anu say
mat the Professor has wcd his enlre esldte 10
Cornell University rcscrving only lie interest ioF
his mother and brother'