Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-28
THE VANDERBILT WILL.
Its Date Observation-Disclosures Be-
quests-C;ifts to Charities.

New York Tribune)
The date of the will is significant, as
It shows it was drawn up just about the
time that his son, Cornelius. announced
his intention Of marrying Miss Grace Will
son. It's fair to assume that another
will, which had been in existence up 10
that time, and i'm which Cornelius Van
derbilt. Jr., was much more literally pro-
vided for. was destroyed, and the present
instrument executed. The will was drawn
Just before Mr.. Vanderbilt was stricken
the first time, and previous 10 the mar
rage of young Cornelius, but at the time
Of its execution Mr.. Vanderbilt knew
that his son was absolutely determined
beyond any hope of reconsideration upon
a marriage which he bitterly opposed.
That he never changed the Will drawn up
in the hour of his bitterest resentment is
taken 10 Indicate that, although father
ana son became reconciled before the
death of Mr. Vanderbilt, yet the father
never seemed to reconsider his belief that
the action of his son utterly removed
him from his place as head Of the family
and custodian Of the family fortune.
NO THREAT OF CONTEST.
It could not be learned last night
whether the action Of Alfred in making
this handsome concession TO his brother
had been done on his own motion, or
whether it was suggested to him that Il
would be a courteous and brothery thing
to do 1t was said emphatically that
there was no threat on the part Of Cor
neius to contest the will, or to make trou-
bic of any kind. That the gift was made
and received in spirit of brotherly af-
lection is vOuched for by those who are
in position to know. Alfred becomes the
head of the family, and the residuary
legatee of the estate. 1t was estimated
last night that his total share would be
about 100000.
In disposing Of his property Mr.. VAN
derbilt first made a bequest TO Mrs. Van
derbit, his widow, for life, of the mag
nificent house in Fifth avenue, between
Fifty-seventh and Fifty-eghth streets,
and at her death the property is TO go
either to Alfred G.. or Reginald. as she
may appoint by her will. and in default
| Of such an appointment it is 10 go TO
| Alfred If he is then living. The same con-
ditions hold good in the disposal of The
Breakers at Newport Mrs. Vanderbilt,
| in addition to this, receives bequest Of
| % 100000 outright. and trust fund Is es-
| tablished which is 10 net her an annual
income of $3.50, 600 At her death this fund
| Is to be divided among the four children,
| Cornelius not being a beneficiary.
| The first mention in the will of any
legacy to his son Cornelius is when he
/ dispOses Of the 100000 trust fund estab-
| lisned by his father. the late W. II. Van
derbilt This fund has appreciated some
i'm value. and it is estimated TO be worth
about s5,JO0OOO. OF this sum he gives
| $500 600 outright to Cornelius. The re-
rnainder he divides among the other four
| children equally Then he gives 81 100000
| outright in trust for the use of Cornelius
! during his life, and at his death II Is 10
| be divided into as many shares as he has
children. and is TO be paid over TO the
respective benefciaries. In case there are
no children the principal reverts TO the
residuary estate. That Is the only refe-
renee made to Cornelius in the will.
| As stated above. Mr.. Vanderbilt has
already set aside sl,25OcOO from the trust
! fund established by the late W. II. Van
derbilt, for each Of his other four chill
dren. At the death of Mrs. Cornelius
Vanderbilt they participate equally in the
distribution of the 10000 trust fund
left for her maintenance This will give
each one an additional amount Of N,2jO
OOO. This makes the requests so far 81
100000 each. Mr.. Vanderbilt next set
aside a fund OF $50. 10000 to be divided
equally among the four children, which
will give them each an additional. 5000.
90. or make their entire bequest in the
aggregate about S.J0O,ooO each, except
| Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney, who gets {
special bequest of 100000 in codicil.
| Alfred. who Is the residuary legatee, has
already received S,5O0oD). and it Is esti-
mated that he will receive about $4,000,
600 more making his entire bequest about
81, 600 but as he agrees to give his
brother Cornelius about 100000 to make