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# FOUNDING A MUSICAL COLLEGE. TESTIMONY ABOUT THE CHANGES IN SAMUEL WOOD'S WILL. The most interesting testimony taken in the samuel Wood will contest, yesterday, was that of Mrs. Simonson, who was the housekeeper of the decedent for several years. She said that she had frequently heard Mr. Wood speak of the bequests of his will, which, he said, founded a hospital similar to St. Luke's. The first suggestion of a musical college came from Dr. Elmer, who told Mr. Wood that no one would remember the man who founded a hospital, but a musical college would perpetuate the founder's name. In March, 1875, while Mr. Wood was very ill, Dr. Elmer came to the house and said that if any change was to be made in the will it must be done at once. He directed stimulants to be given to Mr. Wood, and then went after Titus B. Eld-ridge, the lawyer, and the witnesses. Mr. Wood told Mr. Eldridge that he wanted to make three changes in his will. First, he wanted to establish a musical college instead of a hospital; second, he wanted to make his nephew, Abraham Hewlett, executor, instead of Mr. Behenck; third, he wanted to give discretionary power to his executors to settle his lawsuit. Mr. Wood said he did not want Mr. Sebenek, because he was too smart a lawyer. Mrs. Simonson said that she had frequently heard Dr. Elmer tell Mr. Wood that Mr. Sebenck was a rascal and would never try his lawsuit, but was prolonging it to make money out of it. Dr. Elmer, the witness said, once told Mr. Wood that Mr. Senenek had promised that if he (Dr. Elmer) would help him with Mr. Wood he would give the Doctor one of the finest houses on Fifth-ave. after Mr. Wood's death. Dr. Elmer was also said to have directed that if any of the trustees of the musical college called they were not to be admitted to see Mr. Wood. The contest will be continued next Tuesday. # RESPONSIBILITY FOR A BANK FAILURE. The prosecution rested yesterday in the trial of the indicted directors and officers of the Mechanics' and Laborers' Savings Bank at Jersey City on the indictment charging them with conspiracy to defraud the depositors of the bank. The opening speech on the part of the defence was made by Gilbert Collins. Just before the State rested, James Donelian testified that he was one of the depositors of the bank and that when it closed the balance due him was $1,000. In 1874, Secretary Donellan told him that the Board of Directors was composed of wealthy men. After the bank closed, Mr. Donellan told the witness that the failure had been caused by President Halliard's taking the bank's funds. Mr. Donellan also told him that prominent lawyers had informed the directors that they were all personally responsible for the money due the depositors. On his cross-examination the witness said he did not remember sending a letter to Mr. Saceran telling him he had only six days to live if he did not pay him his money, but refused to state whether he sent circulars with coupons printed on the top to the directors of the bank. The State offered in evidence the book of minutes, the ledgers, cash books and blotters of the bank and the schedules prepared by State Examiner Van Camp. In his opening speech, Counsellor Collins said the evidence produced by the State did not prove that the defendants had conspired to cheat or defraud the depositors of the bank, but that they had done all they could to avert the suspension.