The Washington herald., 1907-08-27

New York. Aug 26.-The lunacy COM
mission appointed by Supreme Court JUS
tice Maddox. of Brooklyn. ito inquire into
the sanity Of Edward Ward Vanderbilt,
a weIl-to-do lumberman. who was mar
ried June l last to Bishop Mary Ann
Seannel Pepper, the high priestess Of the
Brooklyn Spiritualistic Church, In that
borough. began taking testimony this
morning in the Kings County courthouse.
Little Bright Eyes," the spirit of an
Indian maiden. who has made Mrs. Pep
per famous. was alleged in the suit TO
have had a great deal to do with the
case. Mrs. Pepper-Vanderbilt has ad-
mitted that Little Bright Eyes con-
trolled her absolutely while she was in a
trance. and that she did things and said
things while under the influence Of this
spirit that she had no recollection of aft
erward.
Spirit Letters by Mail.
One of the peculiar features Of the
Bright Eyes" spirit letters was that
they were delivered to AIr Vanderbilt by
one of Uncle Sans letter carriers. having
come through the mails via Germany
while Mrs. Pepper was travelling in Ed
rope.
Miss Minerva Vanderbilt. the petitioner.
alleged that these letters Influenced her
father TO marry the bishop also 10
make a will in the bishops" favor, and
to make presents to her Of houses. money,
wearing apparel, and candy. Some OF the
letters purpcrted to come from Wander
= yTfa nj
signed Mamma" All of the letters were
written in violet INK. which seems 70 be
favorite color IN the spirit world.
Mr.. Vanderbilt who Is siXty-six years
old, small and spry. fought the suit OF
his daughter 10 declare him incompetent
His present wife, the Bishop" aided
him IN every way possible. They both
retained lawyers. and proposed 10 hght
it out 70 finish. Mr. Vanderbilt de-
clared stoutly that he was as sane ss
any one. and was perfectly able 70 take
care of himself and his money without
the aid OF any OF HIS relatives.
Mrs. Pepper-Vanderbilt was represented
at the hearing to-day by Lawyer Abram
H. Daley, Of Daley, Williams & Rich
ardson. Max Arnstein appeared for the
petitioner.
PItIes Her Father.
Lawyer Arnstein. in his opening ad-
dress, said that his client, Miss Minerva
Vanderbilt. felt nothing but the interest.
deepest and sincerest pity for her father
That he was the victim OF scheme.
trick. and device 10 separate him from
his property" concocted by Mrs. Pepper
Vanderbilt. would be proved. declared the
daughters counsel
we viii show that Little Bright Eyes,
who was supposed 10 be an Indian maiden
in the spirit world. was none other than
Mrs. Pepper herself" said Mr.. Arnstein.
Mr.. Vanderbilt, the alleged incompetent
was called as the first witness on behalf of
his daughter 20 prove his own alleged in
competency. He gave his answers clearly
and incisiveiy, and looked unusually Wig
Orous for a man OF MS age. The testimony
ne gave ranged through spiritualism and
kindred subjects
Both be and his first wife had con
stantly attended seances, he said. Among
the mediums whom he had seen were
Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Hussey. and a Or. TEN
pie.
Won't you define a medium for the
benefit OF the jury?'' asked Mr.. Arnstein.
He is person who receives cOmmu-
nication from a power beyond himself -
That was ali that Mr.. Vanderbilt would
commit himself to-
Among the various kinds of mediums
! he had seen was Mr. Carlo. "a speaker
under CONTROL who delivered lectures
while In a trance. and Mrs. Hussey. who
moved tables Others had the gift of
prophecy. the gift Of healing, and the
gift of finding lost articles.
/ Counsel wanted TO be enlightened on
the question. Where does thought come
from?" Mr.. Vanderbilt said be didn't
/ know.