Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1914-12-12
New News Of Yesterday
A Fee Big Enough
to Retire On
By Holland.

year or two after the death of
Commodore Vanderbilt an attempt
was made by one who was near of kin
TO break the will. The lawsuit at
tracted a great deal of public interest.
At the time of the commodOre's death
he was estimated to be the richest
man in the United States. and he I'M
doubtedly was. He bequeathed large
sums to his heirs-at-law and the bulk
of his property, estimated at 100000
600, he left to his son, William II. Van
derbilt In business circles il was
commonly understood that this be-
quest-which at the time was the
largest one that had been made by
any citizen of the United States-was
made in favor of William H. Wander
bilt chiefly for the purpose of enabling
the latter to maintain control of the
vast Vanderbilt system of railroads.
Distinguished counsel was. OF
course, retained in the proceedings
which were brought before the pro-
bate court. William II. Vanderbilt re-
tanned as chief counsel Henry l.. Clin-
ton. who was at that time numbered
among the leaders of the New York
bar and who had gained national
prominence.
II was my duty to attend the ses-
sions of the probate court and | wasA
especially attracted by the personal
appearance of Mr.. Vanderbilt He
was distinguished for wearing the
most colossal pair of side whiskers TO
be found on the face of any man in
New York, excepting a tailor Mr.
Vanderbilt was very fond of these so
called Dundreary whskers and he
stroked them fondly and constantly.
while ne was i'm the courtroom He
sat beside his counsel. Mr.. Cir ton.
who appeared to pay little heed to
/ him. Mr.. Clinton was a man of fine
physical presence. somewhat nervous
! and supposed to be a little arbitrary
| in the courtroom, although he was a
most charming companion in sociaI
/ life.
Whether it was due to Mr. Gin
toms advice or for some other reason,
il was deemed best to offer a COM
promise and If that were accpeted then
10 end the case. Among lawyers 10
was always the impression that Mr..
Clinton feared that if the case weru
pressed there might be some revela-
lions upon the witness stand which,
while in no sense of a dishonorable
character. nevertheless might embar-
rass the family in its conduct Of the
Vanderbilt railroad system. What
ever the reason was. a compromise
was reached. and the sensational IAN
derbilt will contest was ended.
After the matter was settled Mr.
Vanderbilt asked Mr.. Clinton for his
bill for professional services. There
upon Mr.. Clinton sent bill for near
Nv $500 600 Mr. Vanderbilt protested
regarding the sum as altogether dis
proportionate to the service rendered,
but he wrote Mr.. Clinton, saying that
il the amount was insisted upon he
would pay the bill, but of course would
never again employ Mr.. Clinton. pro-
fessionally. In reply Mr.. Clinton
said-as quoted to me by distin-
guished lawyer Of New York-that he
should insist upon payment of the bill
as rendered, for when he received
payment he expected to retire from
the practice of his profession. so that
it would not be possible FOR Mr.. Van
derbilt TO retain him again even if he
wished to do so. The hill was paid
and Mr.. Clinton did retire 1t was
said at the time that it was tho lare-
est single fee ever paid to any New
York lawyer.
Copyright 1914, by +. J. Edwards. All
rights reserved)
/