The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-27
CRANK AT vANDERBILTs.
Wanted Miss Vanderbilt 20 Give "A
Million Dollars 90 Elevate the
Mnaaes.

Masses.
From the New York Sun. Aug. 25.
Newport. r. L., Aug 24.-The household
of Cornelius Vanderbilt had a scare to-
night, caused by a crank who persisted In
seeing Miss Vanderbilt or some one of the
family, and was only debarred from his
purpose by the butler
He turned out 20 be a rather harmless
crank. whose wheels we're buzzing at i6
TO l rate, for he was q free silver maniac.
Everybody had a good laugh when II was
all over, although for a short tine there
was a badly scared lot of servants at "The
Breakers"
The crank was a stranger at Newport,
and was never seen here untii this after
noon, when he was noticed on the street
by seVral persons TO whom he talked in
a rambling way about "a crown of thorns"
and cross of gold,' and injustice to the
workingman.
He walked down Bellevue avenue after
going TO THE Breakers" and his pecu-
liarfties attracted knot Of loiterers. The
police we're looking for him 10 lock him
up as a dangerous character, but he dis
appeared suddenly, and had not been found
up to q late hour tonight.
1t was about $50 o'clock, and few min
utes after Miss Gertrude Vanderbilt and
tend her at her marriage with Harry
Payne whitney tomorrow, had left 20
board the yacht Valiant where Mr.. W. K.
Vanderbilt gave a dinner in honor Of the
bridal party, when weary-looking figure
was espied by one Of the maids entering
the driveway on Ochre Point avenue, up
on which THE Breakers" faces. The maid
watched the man walk along the walk
and approach the portico. She waited no
longer but bounced into the room, barred
the doors, which are constructed Just
like those at the Fifth avenue residence
in New York. Banging them shut right
I'm the face Of the man She called tho
butler. The latter took in the situation
quickly. though his knees weakened
trihe and his voice was not much above
a whisper.
I'm from Elkhorn, Neb. I'm popu
list and a free silver man. My name is
Opdyke, Erasmus G. w. H., etc. Opdyke,
and I've walked quite spell to get here,
said the caller.
The mans corduroy trousers had seen
better days, his face was haggard, his hat
fell down over his eyes. and he kept his
hand in his hip pocket.
80 this is the Vanderbilt mansion" lie
unused. This Is the result Of pauper labor.
Here indeed has the American laborer
been cheated Of his rights.
II want to see Miss Vanderbilt" the
man then exclaimed, speaking passion
ately, land / want TO see her now. I'M
derstand she is a kind woman, that she
gives money TO the poor, and now ! want
TO give her an idea for a wedding gift, u
regular dandy" The mans eyes lighted
up.
well, but say. old man." chimed in the
butler who was recovering his nerve,
Miss Vanderbilt is not at home. She has
Just gone out to dinner. She will be sorry
to have missed you, | know; but may be
,vo4, can coma a round fo-nOrroW
II must see her now" reiterated the
crank firmly what I want her 20 do is
to elevate the masses. TO elevate tho
massesi what glorious chance! She
must give a million dollars TO the popu
lists and we will elect Bryan, then there
will be money 70 save. Elevate the masses!
That's the stuff"
Miss Vanderbilt IS all right on the
masses" interposed the butler; but she
is not here now, and Mr.. Vanderbilt Is III
in bed"
"AH right; he'll do" said the crank,
cheerfully. as sc made dart for the door.
He only got as far as the threshold ana
the buffers burly form interviewed.
Now. you think I'm beggar." said the
Nebraska man. understand I'm not. l
want to see the money evened up. I'm
free-silver man, and I've got ideas. The
financial magnates Of the world are not to
have all the money Why don't they dis
tribute that which has been wrung from
the laboring man? Now l want TO see
somebody here"
As the man assumed a more threatening
attitude. the butler made further efforts
to pacify him and gradually worked him
off the stone steps, with promise 20 give
him an audience to-day.
ITO elevate the masses with free silver,
that's my mission" he murmured. as his
form faded away in the darkness. He reit-
Grated this when seen down OF Bellevue
avenue an hour later and explained fur
Their that he had been farmer IN Ne
braska.
The stranger seemed 70 be rather pleased
with his reception al the Vanderbilts, and
thought he could bring them around to his
way Of thinking al another call He said
he had a wife and children out west and
would 90 back 70 them after free silver
won. A