New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-10
YALE MADE DEFENDANT.
PROFESSOR MARSFS BEQUEST SAID TO
HAVE BEEN OBTAINED BY IL
LIE AL MEANS

LIE iAL MEANS
New Haven Nov 9 (SpeciaD.-Yale Univers-
" was startled to-day by a document filed in
the Superior Court Of New Haven County Civ
ing the reasons Of appeal by Robert H. Waters
from the will OF the late Professor Othniel c..
Marsh. who left all Of his collections, real es-
tate and other property to Yale.
The document alleges that Yale defrauded
Professor Marsh in life by withholding his sal
ary and got his 81, 900 900 collections by making
Professor Marsh believe that unless he gave his
nropertv to Yale he would not gain immortality.
The statement has stirred up great sensation
at Yale Professor Marsh had offers of large
salary during his life, but refused to take them.
As TO his religious beliefs. close friends or his
said tonight that he a free thinker and
held advanced ideas on immortality, practically
disbelieving in it. AS to the allegations that
Yale used force in obtaining the legacy Yale
professors are too surprised to talk tonight.
Copies from the appeal follow. Treasurer w.
w. Farnam and Professor George ]. Brush. ex-
ecutors, have thirty days in which to file an
answer These are the statements:
The appellant. for reasons for appeal In the
above entitled case alleges that your appellant
was the nephew OF the said Othniel c. Marsh
and his only heir Law.
That said university It's officers ana agents,
g Marsh's property on about January /.
1898. induced the said Othniel {. Marsh to give
and convey to said university without consid,
Grafton a large amount OF personal property ana
scientific collections valued by salu othnlel -.
Marsh at 81 OOOOOO.
That said university. In pursuance OF It's
undertaking to obtain the entire property OF the
said Othniel G. Marsh. induced the said Marsh
TO devote and give his time, labor and money 10
and for the benefit of said university for many
;ears without any reward. salary or compensa- :
ton therefor. and the said Marsh did expend
large sums OF money and devote his entire time
to and for the benefit OF SAID university ior
many years, and thereby impoverished himself
and became deeply indebted. Whereupon said
university instead of paying said Marsh rea-
scnable compensation for time. labor and ex-
penses which the said Marsh had given FOR the
benefit of said university. lent the said Marsn
$40 O4p and compelled him TO secure said sum
by a mortgage deed of real estate situated In
said NewHaVen. -,
That said Marsh for many years prior to MS
death was engaged in deep study. research anu
Investigation OF the remains Of prehistoric anil
mails and reptiles: that he spent almost ms
entire time and large sums or money IN saIu
work and as a result or said excessive stuuS'
work. and hardship he. the said Marsh at the
,,rne of the execution of said supposed VIII was
extremely nervous and laboring under the de
lusion that there was no future lie' aiu ,lids
immortality for human peihss was ous 10 80
hv reason OF some human agency. ana ne pc
,iaavad that II was necessary for him 10 make
some financial arrangement WHEREBY ne cu",u
become immortal upon this earth that faE
University. acting by its olhceIs au and
encoura ged said Marsh In his said deiusion' anu
,nduced him to believe that II he would con-
vev give and devise his property 10 said UNI
yersify said university would take such ac
,,ons either by providing some building or
a,h.r In cdmmemoration OF the said Marsh or
In some scientific works or records as would I'M
crtai,ze him and the said Othniel c. Marsh
died while aboring under said delusion-