New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-21
SAGE WILL FIGHT ON.
Contest OUer the Probating of the
Instrument Begins To-dQg.

The contest over the probating Of the will Of
Russell Sage will begin to-day in the Surrogate's
Court II promises 20 be one OF the most com
plicated and costly fights against the probating
OF will that has ever taken place in this coun-
Try. Objections are 20 be made 20 the probating
OF the will by counsel in the names OF several Of
Mr.. Sage's relatives.
The most formidable part OF the contest will
take form in papers filed by State Senator Ed
gar T. Bracket in behalf OF a greats grand
nephew OF the testator, Edson CoChrad an
eight-year-old boy. OF Troy n. Y. His petition
is made in the name Of the Adirondack Trust
Company. OF Saratoga Springs, the guardian OF
the childs estate. There are three points
which Senator Brac kett will contest the probat-
ing OF the will They are:
First-That undue influence was exerted upon
Mr.. Sage in the making Of the will by some per-
sons unknown 10 the contestants and. there
fore. il Is not his will
second-That Mr.. Sage was Of unsound mind
when the Will offered for probate was drawn.
and, therefore, il is not his will
Third-That the instrument filed was not
win
Senator Bracket arrived at the Hotel Man
haitian yesterday prepared TO make long stay
If necessary in his fight for his client In speak
ing Of the contest he said:
suppose the course Of events will be about
this We shall meet tomorrow; proof Of service
Of the citations on all the heirs at law and next
OF kin viii be fled with the Surrogate, and who
ever desires will file answer TO the petition
for probate conJesting the will
l do not know what any one else Will do. l
shall represent only an infant. Edison NJ Coon
rad. OF Troy y. Y, who is eight years old and
VINO is a Of a grandniece OF Mr.. Sage. l in
tend 10 file objections 10 the probate on BEHALF
of this infant. and 10 inquire somewhat into the
circumstances OF the making Of the will. Such
allegations must, Of course, be filed at the tire
OF the return Of the citations. There are other
mr. sd Ia rar AZ I'd
no such allegations were filed then, but the or
derby method OF procedure is 70 file such ale
CATIONS on the return day IL a contest is desired.
and that is just why we are here.
Another lawyer who Will appear TO fight the
viii in the interests OF a relative is Ne IN p
Bonney Of Norwich n. Y. Mr. Bonney repre-
sents Dwight Chaplin. Of Oneida " Y a
nephew Mr.. Bonney is law partner OF Will
tam r Wilcox, the Postmaster. who may also
appear in the nephew's behalf Mr. Wilcox said
yesterday that his firm had been retained by
seven nephews and nieces Of Russell Sage. the
principal contestant being young Chaplin.
The argument to-day will probably not be Of
long duration. The method presumably will be
for Senator Bracket 20 file his opposing and
contesting allegations. The Surrogate will then
fix a day when the issues shall be tried
Six weeks have elapsed since the Sage will was
filed The delay in the filing OF the nroog -.
Is caused by the fact that many OF the banos
Charles live outside OF New York ana IN n-,-
Der OF instances notice had 20 be given bv -
licatiOn