The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-09
WAYS AND WILL OF IvISON.
HIS MILLION NOT TO BE WASTED,
SINCE HE COULDN'T KEEP IT.

Thought ''the yellow Must Have Been Jolrings,
Who Said That About tho Camel and the
Needles Eye-Didnt Believe in Charitable
Installations or Rapid Transit by Tunnel
More about the ways Of William Ivison, the
publisher, who died at the Hoffman House last
May, aged 80 years. came out when the contest
OF his will was resumed yesterday in the Surro-
gates Court, He left about a million dollars,
the most Of which goes by his will to his nephew,
David b. Ivison of Rutherford, n. j., and his
will is contested by his brother and other rola-
tives. To Miss Mary A. Sheridan, who was va
riously known as his maid and his confidential
clerk, ho left 10000 in cash, and tho income Of
$3.50 o while che should romain single.
Miss Sheridan. who 10 now 80 years old and
had been in the employ OF Ivison since at twelve
years she became a press feeder in his publish
ing house, testified yesterday that after sho had
been about ten years in his employ she became
his confidential clerk. At his request she at
tended night school for two seasons. He him
self taught her n little bookkeeping, giving her
lessons at the noon hour.
Q.-How long did this ~last-thoso lessons In
Mr.. Wilson'S private object A.-About a year.
Odd you ever kiss Mr.. Ivison. Al don't
remember.
The contestants having rested. J. c. Hughes,
bookkeepcr Of Ivison, Brakeman g. Co., was
Caiiou nv cotihou' hE. Nto toiu ho a.
was going to leave all his money to David b.
Ivison because he said he would take care of It"
Owen d. Breen. formerly clerk Of the Victoria
Hotel, where Ivison lived until the hotel closed,
testified that he had seen Ivison about twice a
week for several years. Ivison had told the wit
ness how he wac going to leave his money.
When the witness asked why no was not leav-
ing more to other relatives, the reply was that
he did not believe in leaving money to any ono
who did not know the use of money, or who
never had any money. as such a person might
squander 1t. and 1t might mako an idler
OF him. He said no had been sixty years earn
ing his money, got 1t by hard work, and wanted
It to go to som, one who would take the same
care of It that he had taken. He felt safe In
leaving 1t to his nephew.
Ayes, sir. He said he did not care to leave
his money to charitable institutions. He did not
believe in them. He thought they made idier'
Q.-Do you remember Mr.. fvison having q con-
yersation with the Rev. MI; McNeill Of Scot.
money, and when MI. Iyison said he did not DO
quoted from the Bible that 1t Is easier for a
camel to 20 through the eye OF q needle than for
Z rich . man to enter int into the k Ing to1a Ct IT, God ID
low who said that must have said it in a Joke.
with ly You 70 ! a a.scHss ala did. p I asked him what 10
thouRht OF the tunnel system Of rapid transit in
New York and he said he did not believe in
rapid transit through tunnel, or that any syndi-
cate would take up the tunnel system; he
thought the only way was tho extension OF the
elevated roads. and In this he had such conf
dence that he was willing to invest 5 10000.
Ivison told the witness that Miss Sheridan
had handled his money for fifteen years and
kept his accounts and that he had always found
everything correct. He said he didn't propose
to have his money support any idler who might
marry Miss sheridan and 30 he had made her
income conditional on her remaining single,
Odd Mr.. Ivison ever say that no wished he
could take his money with him! Ayes, sir;
he did.
Q.-Have you seen him cry about his money!
A.-Probably two or three times. He cried hys.
t~erically. and said that all during his lie ne mad
The witness knew that Ivison would some
times go out Of the hotel to buy a newspaper at
a cent less than was charged at the hotel, and he
would also 60 out to get his shoes shined to save
Eve cents on the job.
The case went over to to-day.