The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-05
3enator Island Stanford > Firm Be-
lisvsr In ths Theory Of
Spiritualism.
Ralo Alto Conceived and Built
Under Advice From the
Other World.
Mn. Btansord, his wife, Has "Msatal Com
m~unisationa.s But No Physical
Contact with Spirlts.

EAN FRANCISCO, Dec. A.-It rumor ID to b,
relied upon California has much to than
the spirit world for. It has been limited TO
some time that Gov. and Mrs. Stanfort
have been won over to tho cause of spiritu
alism. Intimate friends of the Stanford
have bean speaking in subdued tones OF
tho wonderful revelations which insplret
the building Of the Leland Stanford, Jr.
university, and tho endowment of the in
stitution with lands valued At millions OF
dollars. Ambitious students will be sur
prised to learn that the stately pile al
Palo Alto was designed By spiritual revela-
tion. From authentic sources comes the
story OF various interviews held by friends
with the governor and his wife upon the
subject Of tho origin of the idea which
created the great college. During n OF
the conversations tho question was asked
what inspired the erection Of the temple
OF knowledge. To which the millionaire
replied that the spirit Of his son appeared
10 him one night and made known that it
was the wish Of the dead that tho living
build d great monument which would hand
down the name OF Stanford to posterity.
III is thy duty TO humanity spoke tbs
spirit.
Every detail Of the construction of the
university. every plan for its maintenance,
was carefully impaired. This rsvslation
occurred several days after the death of
Leland Stanford, Jr. The governor made
the fact known to his wife. After this spirits
came by day and by night and brought
messages from the spirit land, containing
suggestions Tor the benefit Of the institu-
ton, and no step was taken by the Stan
fords without first holding consultation
with the realm Of the mysterious.
Society says that Mrs. Stanford does not
hear spirit voices nor see the spirits. She
holds conversations by what may be termed
mental com munications." One night az
the governor lay awake a delegation fro M
the world beyond appeared before him.
The world demands" said the spirit,
''that those whom il has enriched shall dur
ing life remember those less fortunate. A
great task is before you-the education of
tho poor. For this purpose at least one
third of your fortune must be set aside"
The style OF architecture, the extent of
grounds, selection OF faculty aud plan Of
endowment was again explained. The gov
srnor acted upon the inspiration and car
nowned school was the result.
yes said Mrs. Stanford's sister to a
friend, MRS. Stanford is q firm believer in
mental communication The divine con-
ception of the university was also revealed
TO her az in a dream. MI. Stanford sees
the spirits and converses with them, and at
times voices come to them through the
darkness"
Strange 40 the story may seem. II is un-
doubtedly founded upon fact. The gov
ernor 1t is generally known, has become an
advocate OF ~spiritualism. Ha believes in
- ii AL --L- ~ r. -
with the other world. The story OF the
origin OF the university comes from reli-
able sources, and is not the outcome of SEN
sational rumor. In denying it, the gov
ernor must give the lie direct to some of the
first people Of California.
A good story 10 told of the governor, but
moi as yet substantiated. 1t 10 said that
OF the railroad king for the nomination for
president of the United States. This led
TO an animated discussion is spirit land,
and after a lengthy consultation of tins
spooks, the answer was flashed back that
Stanford could never be elected president,
and that his chances for the nomination
were very small. This yarn ia said to have
originated with thu Farmers' alliance.
Stanford ahhors the average medium, how
ever, and looks distrustfully upon all who
seek him to offer spiritual advice. Mediums
are said to hover around the vicinity of
Fourth and Townsend strests like flies.
Several unsuccessful attempts were made By
a reporter to obtain an interview with the
governor. but the spirit OF the Southern Pa
ciiio's trusted servants were ever present
near tho governors sanctum and diligently
Swallowed the suspected interviewer. An
interview was obtained with a member of
the law department, q gentleman ~intrusted
with much, If not all, of Gov. Stanford's
private affairs. The story was repeated to
him, and in answer he said:
Yes, / have heard q great deal of talk
concerning what YOU men have done, but
there is not q particle Of truth in tie ru-
NOR. The senator is bothered to death
with communications from mediums and
Eplrltuallsts from all over the country.
Every mail brings in dozens of letters. He
has never paid any attention to these epis-
ties, nor made any attempt to suppress
them. There has been much said Of the
governors spiritualistic tendencies, and
2 whole lot of it is idle talk. The idea of
the building Of the Leland Stanford, Jr.,
university was suggested long before the
death of the boy"
This denial is very weak, however, as
Stanford has heretofore announced publicly
That the idea of the university was suR-
gested to him after the death of his son.
Another employe of the railroad company
admitted that there was iona truth in the
story, but said that the fact had been
greatly exaggerated.
Stamford" he continued. sis somewhat
inclined to spiritualism, and 80 is his wife.
He has certainly erected an everlasting
monument to his faith if the ghost story be
true."
A professor of tho institution, when Dues
toned, smiled, but refused to speak. A
student of the establishment said the bows
had heard something about the story. but
had not debated upon it. The reporter
gazed at the stately pile, but failed TO note
anything spiritual about its outward CON
struction, but nevertheless, this is the first
authentic account of the origin of the Lee
LAND Stanford, Jr., university.