The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-02
THEIR STRONGEST WITNESS.
MRS AUGUSTA ,. EVANS WTLSOy, THE
SOUTHERN AUTHORKSS.
Commodore Vanderbilt Conndinx TO her kis
Opinion OF hia children and his wire "A
Woman who Commanded his Reverence.

Commodore vanderbIt Conndipz 70 her ~.
Opinion OF his children and his wire a
Woman who Commanded hi. Reverence.
A deeply yelled and slight-built woman
walked into the Surrogate's court yesterday
morning on tho arm OF William II. Vanderbilt.
Few recognized her rs the well-known author
ess, Augusta J. Evans. When Mr.. Clinton
escorted her to the witness stand. and. in &C.
cordance with his request her veil was raised
she displayed face OF singular placdity. and
a composure almost amounting to Occurrences.
She was dressed in deep black. She testified as
follows:
What Is your name2"
Augusta Evans Wilson,"
You are known to the public Ms Augusta J. .
Evans the authoress, but your husbands name
is Wilson 2"
Yes, sir. My husband sits behind YOU"
We're you acquainted with Mrs. Commodore
Vanderbilt"
/ have known Mrs. Commodore Vanderbilt
about twenty-five years. | became acquainted
with Commodore Vanderbilt through his wife
l visited them in the year 1875. met the Com
modoro before he married his second wife in
1868 l had several conversations with him in
ls75-9pc q very long one. during drive in
Central Park. He drove me in buggy with "a
pair Of horses which he desired mo 10 see
After driving through the Park aud np Harlem
lane. he took me around to show me villa
which he said he had given to Miss Hawley on
account OF the engagement which ne said exist
ed between her andhis son Cornelius, In show
ing mo the villa he spoke OF his children. He
said he had had n great deal Of trouble with his
son Cornelius that the only one Of his children
VINO had always been source OF pride and
comfort to him was his son William II. Wander
hilt that many years before his son Cornelius
j. mad contracted matrimonial engagement.
and he visited the maiden To dissunde her from
Cornelius j hnrutlsp Thought =
was possibly marrying him from the cXpecta-
ton o. fortune, and lie had never intended to
the more money Cornelius J. had to spend the
more harm he would do: that he considered a
ful engine Of mischief and while he intended
that Cornelius j. should always be comfortable.
he was resolved that at his death Cornelius j..
should have no fortune to spend. He said that
az his death he expected that William H. and
his two sons would perpetuate the nnme and
honor ~ MS i9mily that ne had specially tested
position where he would be tried and no favors
would be shown him and he could ascertain
what sort Of stun he was made o."
To whom did he refer as young Cornelius -
He said his Bily's Cornelius He told me
he expected William and his two boys would
Did he name the names Of the two boys?"
Only one; Billy's Cornelius. First he said
two. boys. and afterward Billy's Cornell He
said his own Cornelius had given him grent
deal OF sorrow hut that he had compassion for
him. and he hardly considered him RESPONSE
and happiness and peace Of his life had been
derived from his second marriage: that his
wife had. since her entrance into his family.
been the paciicator and special mediator be-
tween Cornelius J. and himself. and when he
had refused TO receive letters from Cornelius,
and returned them unread. Cornelius j. pre-
vailed upon Mrs. Vanderbilt 10 read them or
repeat their contents, and that she had done 50,
sometimes standing behind his chair, and read
him portions OF his son Cornchuss letters boz
fore he was aware 81 her intentions. aud that
she had specially mediated between them, and
endeaVored 90 bring about moro harmonious
relations. but he hal told her that she did not
know COlselius. | remember specially when
he said that tho beautiful consistency Of his
wifes Christian character had done more "a
draw him to religion than all the churches he
had over been in or all tho sermons thar ever
had been delivered; that he had watched her
| consistent Christian home life DAY by day. and
| that while no was very fond Of DR.. Deems. and
! admired him and liked TO see him around.
| his wifc's beautiful consistency Of character
| had influenced him far more In favor Of religion
| than any sermons TO which he had ever lis
| tened. He said that In the course OF his long
life and career, that involved the knowledge OF
great variety Of character. he had found her the
| purest and noblcst woman that he ever saw. and
| that she had commanded from him a reveren u
| that no other human being ever did"