Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-10
VANDERBILT's WILL.
Mrs. f. Fletcher Bishop Testifies as to the
COmInodore's Belief in Spiritualism


Comnodore's Belief in Spiritualism
New YORK, Oct. SIN the Vanderbilt case
to-day Mrs. E. Fletcher Bishop testified that
she had several conversations about spiritual
ism with tie commodore. The first was in
1868, after his first wife's DEATH He expressed
his belief in spirits and said he employed sew
eral spiritualistic physicians and that they
gave him great consolation. In 1873 he adyis-
ed her husband to employ them, saying he did
so after his wife's death and was enabled
through them to know what she was doing in
the other world. Another time
in 1872, he told her he
had revelation from his dead son, GEORGE
lie said George advised him to make William
the head man, as the girls didn't know how to
take care OF money, and Cornelius was an in
valid Also the commodore said he had en-
ployed several spir.tualistic physicians. who
gave him great consolation with spiritual mani
festatIons. He said Cornelius was delicate and
incapable OF attending to business, and might
be placed IN an asylum. In 1874 the commo-
dore told witness his wife had been revealed to
him through spiritual doctors, and she advised
MN to give the principal part of the property
to William, who would take care of it, and
that the other children didn't love him SO
much.
Mrs. Stone, recalled by Mr.. Lord, testified to
conversation she had with the commodore
when she went to him about hiring school
room for her. This in 1874, when she
hired boarding-school. He proposed an up
town hail. and she objected, because it was in
use by Splrltuahsts. He said that was no OBJ
lection atall, as ne got business communications
from spirits and William knew it, He said he
could do nothing for her. She said, [ suppose
unless get some spiritual advice. He said
yes. she went away, and William 81. overlook
her on the street, on Broadway. He told her
he overheard the conversation. and advised her
to come back next day and tell him she had
consulted the spirits and they could do nothing
Tor her, that she had d message from his dead
wife to leave her property to his son William.
and that he (William) would furnish
what she needed if she did SO.
She agreed and they then separated. She de-
llvered the message next day to the commo.
dore He said he had already been told the
same thing by spirits, and he was going to do
1t and was preparing his will, and when he left
the Office William followed her out as before.
He offered $50 which she refused, and he said:
VERY well, Il and went back
Another effort was then made to prove by
witness that after the will, the commodore
still believed In spiritualism, that he declared
the Will was the offspring of false spiritual
messages procured by his son, and that the son
admitted it. The testimony was excluded for
the present.
Mrs. Stone then stated that in February, 1875,
she called on the commodore to get position
for her brother as conductor. Before he an
swered, VIM. FL. Vanderbilt said, "He can do
nothing for you" The commodore spoke up
quickly and said, ssYou can't have it ali vour
own way yet; you can't walk in my shoes now.
have made q will in your favor as you said
the spirits directed, and that ought to satisfy
YOU"