New-York tribune., 1911-03-07
GEN. ECKERT'S DECLINE
Evidence of His Failing Powers
will Not Be Disputed.
UNDUE INFLUENCE CHARGED
Grandson Tells of Two Attacks
His Uncle, Thomas T. Eckert,
Jr., Made on Him.

The trial of the contest OF the VIII o
General Thomas r. Eckert. formerly presl
dent of the Western Union Telegraph com
many. was resumed yesterday before Surro
gate Cohalan after an adjournment of
week. James Clendenin Eckert older sol
of tho testator, the contestant. received
only $4,000 outright by the will ana hfC
interest in $4,000 while his younger
brother. Thomas T.. EclSert jr., is maze th'
chief beneficiary and receives the bulk o'
the estate. valued AT about 2WO"o Ih'
contestant closed his case yesterday h'
has tried to prove that his father was no'
OF sound mind when he executed the VII
and that his younger son used undue III
huence on him, as did also Richard u
Page. jr., General Eckerts secretary
Delaney Nicoll. counsel for Thomas T
FcLert. ir.. said at the adjournment yes
tordav that his client may decide not &c
Introduce any evidence 10 dsprove the mass
nj testimony that has been given oy VIII
nesses for his brother. much OF u tehul"s
10 show the mental weaknesses or Geherd
Eckert I'm the last few years Of his HE aho
also the influence that his younger son eX'
ercised over him ia certain matters
Miss Joanna Fckert, daughter or James
C'Iepdenin Eckert. was the hrst witness
She fold of a visit 10 the summer nome ~
General Eckert In Elheron, \. J'' III july
1910 three months prior 10 the genera !
death She said that her grandfather mac
sslsed her why she had not been 10 see MN
oftener. and she had told him that it was
because of her mothers illness. 1t has been
did not reRdlD
with favor the wife Of his elder son. MISS
Eckert had told the general tha' "e,
r,other was a nervous wreck and ne nan
sat back and cried. Henry NJ. Earle VINO
renresonts the cont ,stant, wanted the VIII
r.es IN tell what General Eckert was doing
rben she came in. He was hoIdlhs
nor,enapar with his eyes wide open but the
naner was INSIDE down." Miss Eckert said
She remarked that her grandfather fre-
ouentlv had asked about her mother
Miss Eckert went on TO tell about a vis''
she made 10 the home OF General Ecker
ten years ago on that occasion she saio
that her uncle, Thomas T. Eckert' jr" mac
attacked her brother. James Clennerln
Eckert. ir.. dragging him down flight oi
stairs and threatening TO Kill him wnen ne
said that ne Noulu 'ohipi"'' -
Eckert.
James Clendenin Eckert, jr., the mex
witness, said that the general spoke lnco
herentlv. and that he showed much anse'
when any one asked him TO repeat hl'
words. He also would go TO sleep when
person was talking to him. Young Ecker
described several incidents TO show INA
the general was in fear Of his younger son
One OF these was when the old man put
cat ont OF the house He had asked III
grandson not 10 mention TO Thomas
Eckert. ir., his dislike for the cat. Ih'
witness corroborated the story or MI
uncle's attack on him. and through 'n
questioning OF Surrogate Cohalan II devel
oped that his uncle had attacked MIN
another time.
"I once asked the general" said the Wit
ness. why Western Union stock haf
dropped Tom broke In and said. 1t II
hecause that damn Colonel Clowry ha'
been buying real estate The general ha'
said. WHY Tom" you should nor spear
OF my friends that way.
Colonel Clowry succeeded General Ecker
| as president OF the Western Union. Th'
witness said that after General Ecker
| moved to his home in s6th street he had t'
send his name up 10 him before he coult
see him. and that once Thomas T. Eckert
jr, had told him that he could not see th'
general. Avery Eckert, on taking th'
stand. said he had heard Thomas t
Eckert. tr, boast that he had complete
| control over his father, and could twis
him around his finger"
The case vii go on to-day.