New-York tribune., 1902-02-16
FEARS LOSS OF LEGACIES.
EAT UP SPITE HOUSE" RICH
ARDSON'S ESTATE.

The Rev Henry NJ. Warren. the pastor OF the
Central Park Baptist Church. who received
personal legacy of S17,50O and one of $4,000
for his church by the will Of Joseph Richard
son of spite house" fame, in 1897. is endeavor-
ing to collect the $4,000. Surrogate Fitzgerald
has reserved his decision an application to
direct payment.
Joseph Richardson was believed TO have left
at least $50 100000. BY his will he divided all
his property equally between his second wife.
Emma and his son and daughter by former
marriage. George Richardson and Dellaripha
Richardson. with the exception of the Iegacies to
the Central Park Baptist Church and it's pastor.
Miss Richardson and her brother fought the
probating of the will, asserting that their father
was unduly influenced by their stepmother when
he executed the instrument. The bonds and
other securities of which his estate consisted
could not be discovered. and the Surrogate's as
sstant was engaged for many months in ex-
amining the stock brokers with whom Richard
son dealt until his last illness.
Eventually securities to the value OF about
S3. 600 600 were handed over 10 +. HotchkiSs,
who had been appointed temporary administra-
tor Miss Richardson. her brother and Miss
Emily Emmett niece Of the old man, claimed
these, and it was only after they had been
adjudged in contempt of court that they con-
sented to turn them over to the temporary ad
mInistrator.
Surrogate Fitzgerald upheld the WILL and
George Richardson. his sister and his cousin
brought suits in the Supreme Court to recover
the value of the securities. which were in their
names and also the interest due the bonds.
George Richardson who was named eXecu-
tor. with his stepmother, died soon afterward,
and Mrs Richardson resigned. Eventually Mrs.
Richardson and Benjamin Nicon were appointed
administrators. They have got no nearer to
admin. STEERING the estate for their lawyers have
been engaged in defending the claims brought
by the creditors of the estate, Miss Richard
son. Miss Emmett and the representatives of
George Richardson. test case. in which Miss
Richardson and Miss Emmett were successful
in proving their title to securities worth S23,OCO,
is now in the Court of Appeals. and should the
decision of the Appellate Division be affirmed
the plaintiffs will own the estate and nothing
will be left for the widow or any one else.
Counsel for the Rev Mr. Warren asked that
the legacy TO him and that to his church be
paid now. There was a mortgage on the church
which MIR. Warren desired to pay off.
Mr. Clnch said the administrators had suite
of offices sumptuously furnished. and paid SO
week to a typewriter. besides other expenses. all
aggregatIng over $50 a week, which was coming
out of the estate.
TT is alleged" he said. that this estate is
Insolveut, but if there is no reason why the
services of these administrators should not be
dispensed with. and the estate put in the hands
more economically. The attorneys for the ad-
ministrators have filed claims already amount
ing to S1S3 900. and their labors have but begun
We have bills for experts to Mr.. Richardson's
sanity amounting to S66,4OO, although only one
of them was called the trial. Counsel have
already got nearly $4,000 in cash, and the ex-
perts $4,000, and the estate is being eaten up
by LAWYERS fees
Howard Taylor, on behalf OF the creditors
agreed that the cost OF administration
scandalous. but said there would be enough left.
even If his clients were successful to pay Mr..
Warren the two legacies.
Surrogate Fitzgerald reserved decision