The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-09
SPITE HOUSE WILL FIGHT.
THE REV. mn. WARREN,s OHUROH
SHF OF ITS SIz.5O0 BEQUE5E


Doesn't want tho Money m Its Faster, Who
Gets $50, boo UnduIy 1nnuencrd the Tes-
notwithstanding About the
Last Days OF Mliiionniro Bichard'en.
In the contest over tho estate of tho late
Joseph Richardson before Surrogate Fitz-
gerald an effort was made yesterday to force
tho Central Park Baptist Church, q beneficiary
for $4,000 under the will Of latest date, to
take a position for or against this will. Tho
last will was made on April "a, 1897. 1t
divided most of the estate among two children
by u former marriage, George and Della Rich
ardson, and the widow, Emma J. Richardson,
but made a bequest Of $4,000 to the Rev.
Henry NJ. Warren Of tho Central Park Baptist
Church and 81 500 to the church. Tho VIII
was drafted by Mrs. Louise II. Leonard,
who, with her husband, DR.. Alfred D. Leonard,
was a witness to It, and who had boon sent by
the Rev. Mr.. Warren TO the spite house" Of
Richardson to witness the will. Richard
son died in June following.
When Mrs. Leonard had been examined by
de Lancey Nicoll for the widow and by Wheeler
II. Peckham for tho contesting children, Lawyer
William ii. Spooncr, who had been present up
to that point in an underlined position, wanted
to examine her. Mr.. Eicoll objected, as Mr..
Spooner did not appear on ono side or the
other. Mr.. Nicoll asked that Mr.. Spooner de-
fine his position, and he said that he repro
scented the trustees of the Central Park Baptist
Church. and did not appear for DR.. Warren.
lie added:
II will say that the church stands in this
light. By Mr.. Richardson's will II has been boz
qucsthed q sum of money, quito considerable.
in fact. After the death Of the ~tostator q con.
test began, and serious charges of undue infu-
ence have been made. II those charges are
true, then tho church docs not want any part
of the money. Wo apprchend charges Of undue
influence against DIR. Warren. At the present
time l prefer to take an impartial stand In tho
NATTER
"Why should Mr.. Spooner," said Mr.. Nicol,
representing one Of tho benefciaries, en-
deavor to break this will simply because there
is a disagreement between tho pastor Of the
church and the trustees as to the reception of
tho bequestsi'
said: II don't know what stand MIR. Spooner
and the trustees are taking, but i appear for
DR.. warren " Long before r. this his contest con estsN wss
advice, and when tho contest was begun he err:
ploycd me to look after his interests. l will
| tween Or. Warren and the trustees Of tho
Mr. spooner's position" said Mr.. Nicoll.
sis unprecedented / in court practice. He wants
to, be on tho fenco or apparently on our side,
willie In rGality, r. is trying ag, to pr break the VIII In n
lawn VI AhlS. NV ehANA ANo SheA AAHS
Jekyll and Hyde performance is too much for
U.S.
the case as / see H,. I ~reiterate my previous
statement that my clients seek to hnd J. 91t tne e
at the more minute details. l propose TO do
Mr.. spooner was permitted by the Surrogate
to examine the witness.
Homer W; Nichols. cashier Of Bissell & Co..
Was recalled. He said that Mr.. Rlchardson
had called at their office on March 80 last and
went home III. The witness called on him on
very weak and that In the night he thought he
was going to die. He went downstairs and
called for the police, and o policeman responded
and sent for % DOCTOR
On April 9 the witness again called on Mr..
Richar .son and found the SON George and u
Q.HWhat did Mir. Richardson sayi A.-He
said that he was in London ard that he had
"A few days later the, witness again called.
Mr.. Richardson said to him: NICHOLS, i have
t sse go il Sa eRnaoa On lo April snG " Rich iss some sa Id S so
"Get a carriage and take me out of this house.
to Delis's or else"
The witness had an interview with Mrs.
vi, anaerstand that I am not remembered in
ceivod ANYTHING" The witness replied:
"How would ou like tn have $50, 900 placed
children
principal herself, and the conversation ended.
The witness continued:
'Tne next day she again asked me- what she
should do. / said to her. This man hasn't
any money. II you are satisfied with $4,000
In trust, tho principal to revert to the children.
I think 1t can be fixed up She said that she
did not know whether the income of $4,000
Mr.. Nichols called on Richardson the after,
noon Of April "a, before the will was made, and
Richardson seemed to be irrational. lie called
the next day. and richardson said to him:
"Nichols, have you got $12 In your pocketi
Go and buy. tickets to New York. We will
miss our train .
Odd Mrs. Richardson tell you after April
"a that tho will had been executed on that
dayl A.-So. SIR, l never heard OF 1t until the
day OF the funeral.
The funeral was on June IL last. On cross
examination by Mr.. Nicollt the witness said
that Richardson said to him two days attel
the will was made:
'If Chicago Gas goes up two points buy ne
On May 20 he had another conversation
with Mrs. Richardson, in which he said 10 heI
There is a good deal OF conspiracy here
You'd better have that $780, 900 fixed up"
Richardson told the witness ip May that he
wanted all letters stopped from coming to hli
house, and that he intended to sue. his physi
clan and every one else for keeping him In the
Tie case won't over to to-day. Tho surro
rate has appointed J. Jaffred Butler temper
airy administrators OF the estate pending the
contest.