New-York tribune., 1907-01-04
FIGHT ON BELDEN WILL
Son to Test VaHdity of Instrument
GiUing Property to Uncle.

1t is a most involved and remarkable action at
law that has been brought in the Supreme Court
against William Beden by George c. Belden. his
nephew. William Belden the associate OF
JIM Fisk. Henry Belden, his brother whose son
sues a partner of Jay Gould. The suit is to
validity Of the will of Henry Belden. which
drawn up by ex-Judge Charles Donahue, coun-
sci for William Belden, by which the latter OBJ
tained practically all of the estate left by tho
brother. amounting about 100000. to the exclu-
sion of his wife and children.
Ex-Judge Donahue and Charles E. Belden. an
other brother. who mentioned In the will as
administrators and trustees with William Belden,
are co-defendants.
Henry Belden in 1891, began negotiations to OBJ
tain a contract to supply Jersey City with water,
which resulted in the formation of what was known
the Jersey City Water Supply Company. The
contract awarded in 1899 to Patrick II: Flynn
bid made by himself and Henry Beden in the
interest of the present Jersey City waterworks
Previous to this William Belden had made up
differences with Henry which had estranged them
for years. and the time the latter became a
physical wreck had become his chief adviser In
August, 1899, Henry Beden threatened with n
large judgment, and Williams suggestion, it is
alleged he assigned his interest to him. There
was understanding. though, IT is said, that
William to be merely the agent of his brother.
Henry Belden became insane and was sent TO an
asylum on Long Island. Thereupon William. IT Is
alleged, took the position the property
signed to him his which position he has since
maintained He sold his brothers stocks for $780,
600 in cash and one-quarter interest in whatever
ultimate profits Flynn might receive on n final
accounting of the water company's affairs
Suits pending in New Jersey between
all the parties. in which William Belden claims
that Flynns profits will be 100000 and that his
share will be s50O.O00. Henry Belden died in All
gust, 1902. without having regained his sanity.
Henry Belden. jr., who is an engineer in the firm
of Wells Bros. & Co. took out letters OF admins
tration and brought action in the Supreme
Court for accounting by William Belden
whereupon the latter produced his brothers will
for the first time He offered it for probate, and
It admitted by Surrogate Thomas giving him
all OF his brothers property. A suit for the reyo-
cation OF the will before Surrogate Fitzgerald also
failed.
Charles l.. Craig attorney for George c. Belden.
Henry Beden devoted TO his wife and chill
dren and would have been the last person 10 divert
his property in this way
William Belden has had interesting career.
Just before the panic of BLACK Friday Belden
was n heavy purchaser of gold for Jay Gould In
the belief that the government would buy in much
OF It Instead, Washington sold. and then came
the crash. Belden disappeared and II is SAID. re
mained in hiding IN the Grand Opera House, which
property owned by Jay Gould
Belden sold Belden Point. on City Island TO Coils
T. Huntington. and later tried to regain IT, de-
claring that Huntington only 10 hold II until
he could again take Il or Huntngton's hands. He
never again. however. came into possession OF the
land.