The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-05
DID SPIRITS INSPIRE HIM?
A NEW DEPARTURE TO M TAKEN IN
the GREAT WILL CASE
Surrogate Caivin's Decision, that May Pro-
long the Vanderbilt Contest-The Commo-
dorc's Belief In spirits-TheIr Influence.

Surrogate Caivin's Decision, that May Pro-
long the Vanderbilt Conte.t-The Commo-
dore'- Belief In spirits-Their Influence.
Tho argument on the admissibility OF Mrs
Eleanor Fletcher Bishops testimony In tho
Vanderbilt will case was continued yesterday
Mr.. Lord had proposed to prove by Mrs. Bishop
certain conversations with the Commodore
upon the subject OF spirtualism with q view to
confirm the alleged evidence OF conspiracy be-
tween William II. Vanderbilt and Dr. Stoddard
to deceive the Commodore by pretended spirit
ual communications from tho Commodore's
first wife.
Surrogate Calvin. at the close OF the argu-
ment. said:
lam not prepared TO answer this question al the present
moment after the argume ut which has been made. and
would desire that other class Of testimony al ould
be given between this and and then have
cess Of an hour TO determine this question But II Is
proper for me to say right here that have pretty well
considered the cston that the will Of the Commo
dore shows In every line Of evidence Of method Of in
tcllect and OF system and PLAYWRIGHT or wrongwhich
obviously must have been the result Of intelligent
independent mind. EeNerthole.s this Court in the
in 81 ,he question whehes y was made BY h own
from the terms " the will, exclude evidence tend
Or want q mental e%p%eiy IL IL t1Ss@SoSi
have sesn to Ss coSI hat e are aas
tons to be considered at Tie close of the case II
mony was not worthy q belief which is all the testimo
Should SS ohsSS to aS TOu n Mot S S
J'ctd Sol should conclude ultimately that there was
the tesators mind to substitute other Judgment
ina All Inc !. SUNNY ,oe & m NE Will stand
ta ,isor. and although all the testimony might tend
aon that was the MUD NJ Commodore Vanderbilt that
aIt tns WIZ and not the mind Of somebody els either
duty ~ dc nGt think ought to pass upon that ques
- DO, NJ
titled:
ye ai % Wet Twentieth street, knew Commodore
had conversation which hi sons were spoken OF IN
~ 'posse 81 h, sous and .pcec OF HI. son William
1tion about his acquaintance and among them
dore. ,a,sL William !. nice BOY says 1; he isS
mnilti -ruu y. lcs. says he. SAYS !, You do
a. YOU pleas with hum saysi he very aniaLei
Nc clinton aashinr,-A good boy,
Mr. hrd- llsmc,her'- .oni
if 2 an. an apron BOY and presume good as"rsa
wa. lnce yer, wid aud waywari Ills cherac,cr VA.
sueh',at heard OF y Tie ,aid, Yes, says Well
i too much brain IN lm for me time being guess he
l. all level now" lie nodded aud asscnted, as 1t he
Mr.. Lord cndoavorcd 10 have Mrs Ia Ban
i,~tiiy A. o. whether she had ever told VIM. H.
him dead. The Surrogate refused To admit the
Alter a recess Of two hours Surrornte Calvin
read a long decision. in which he cited variety
Of authorities bearing upon the relation Of the
belief IN suri'ualiSm to the sanity of persons
masking wills. Ia conclusion the Surrogate
said:
am ~ tho opinion that testimony tending
To- show the tcstator's belief IN spiritual COM
muuicAtiuns at the time the Will was executed
and that the will was made under its direct in
nurncc. is admissible"
The Surrogate referred to the celebrated case
OF the English widow. aged -. who willed enor-
nous sums OF money 10 the Spiritual Medium
Home, under the belief that she was directed to
do 80 10y the spirit ~ her dead husband. lie also
referred To- another case in which u woman be-
devils.