New-York tribune., 1900-05-26
SPITE HOUSE MANS STATE.
CONTEST OVER JOSEPH RICHARDSON'S
WILL SETTLED AT LAST.

The contest over the will OF Joseph Richardson
the eccentric old millionaire. who died in 1897 in
his remarkably narrow spite house." No. LIS
Lexington-ave was finally settled yesterday, when
the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court
handed down a decision affirming the decree of
Surrogate Fitzgerald admitting the will Of 1897
to probate. This will gives to the widow about
one-third of the estate An earlier will divided
the entire property between his two children,
Delarfa and George The widow the second
wife of the testator. George and Delarfa contested
the last will. They did the widow
have anything George has since died. Delarifa
appealed from the decision OF the Surrogate. She
placed much reliance upon ante-nuptial agree
ment made before Mr. Richardson's second mar
riage in 1881. In this the old man and his second
bride to be agreed each to relnquish all right to
the property of the other, and the appellants de-
clared that long he was in full possession
of his faculties he intended to leave everything to
his children. At this point Justice Ingraham. of
the Appellate Division, who writes the decision.
says that there is evidence that after marriage
the testator did obtain some of his wifes prop
erty, as the house in which they lived had been
her property, but had been conveyed TO him and
by him to his daughter.
One of the witnesses TO his last will was the
Rev. Henry NJ. Warren. of the Central Park Bap-
fist Church. He got legacy of $50 900. while 81. 600
given to lift mortgage from the church
The other witnesses had only slight ac-
quantance with the testator. one being his nurse
the time No attempt made to impeach
their integrity.
Justice Ingraham says that there be no
doubt to the testator's testamentary capacity.
His complaint that would weaken the
mental powers. nor was any physician called who
testified that there was any indication of mental
disease
Justice Ingraham also says that there is no evi-
dence of undue influence. Richardson attend
ed by his wife during his illness, and she
ious that some provision should be made for her.
But 1t cannot be said remarks the Justice, Ito
be evidence of undue influence that man of great
wealth, who had amply provided for his children.
should make a reasonable provision for his wife,
he of he test
request to the church and to the clergyman was
not at all unreasona BILE" There also ev-
dence that for some time he had been trying to
vide for his wife. He gave her check for $500
but his brokers refused to honor it, and there was
evidence tending to show that this refusal was
due to the action of his children, between whom
and Mrs. Richardson, says the Justice. II is evi-
cent there considerable antagonism.
Mr.. Richardson made his fortune builder
and contractor His home OF the curios-
ties of the city. 1t built to spite of his
neighbOrs. 1t Il four story brick structure,
one hundred feet deep and only five feet wide. Two
persons could not pass in the halls. The dining
table eighteen inches wide, and had to
climb over the footboard to get into bed because
the bedstead filled end of each bedroom from
wall to wall. Miss Delarifa herself is with
out her little peculAarities Notwithsta nding her
wealth she prefers live in East Houston-st.
over a store, and 1t is undertaking involving
much persistent effort TO get her to answer ring
at the doorbeIl.