The Washington herald., 1907-09-07

New York. Sept G.-Mrs. Mary Ann
scannell-Pepper-V Vanderbilt. the medium
wife Of Edward Ward Vanderbilt whose
sanity is being inquired into by a com
mission in lunaey and a sheriff's jury in
Brooklyn, was given the opportunity to
prove her alleged ability 10 read sealed
letters. with the assistance Of her spirit
friends. when the examination was re-
sumed to-day. but the medium failed 10
demonstrate powers in that regard.
She declared that she was unable TO tel
what Mr.. Rosenberg. counsel for Miss
Minerva Vanderbilt. who wants her father
declared legally incompetent, had written
and placed within a sealed envelope. and
expressed her indignation that she should
be put to such a test in the court room.
Mr.. Vanderbnts attorneys Appealed to the
court to head of Lawyer Rosenberg. bus
the court sided against the medium.
The question Of the mediums ability tc
read the contents OF sealed letters was
brought up when Mr. Rosenberg asked
her if she had ever received a letter from
George W. Pepper. her former husband
in which he referred TO his first wife
She said that sae had received such
letter, in which was inclosed letter from
Pepper TO his first wife. She declared that
she did not open the letter. Yet knew
what was contained therein
When asked how she knew what was
contained in the letter, she replied.
Through a heavenly influence.
Says She Read Letters.
Mr. Rosenberg asked the witness If she
had not received at various times at her
home and at the First spiritualistic
Church letters bearing on the envelopes
the initials "B- F.. meaning Bright Eyes
She replied that she had. She was asked
# she had al any time been able To tel
what was contained in the letters wita-
out opening them. and the medium re-
piled that she had She said that Size
was always in trance at such times.
and never knew what was going on. bu-
she said she had been told many times
in BROOKLYN and at the camp meetings At
Lake Pleasant and Saugus 3Ie. that size
had been able 10 read the contents of
sealed letters. She said also that she
wrote answers 90 the letters. but never
knew when she did so. being at all such
times unconscious
Now. madam, J am about to hand YOU
a sealed letter, and 1 would like you II
tell me what l have written in it," said
Mr. Rosenberg.
Mr.. Sturgis. counsel for Mr.. Vanderbilt.
was on his feet in a second. protesting
that such proceeding was not relevant
and should not be allowed in the exami-
nation Herbert r Ketcham. the legal
member Of the commission. decided that
such a proceeding was perfectly compc-
tent, and directed Mr. Rosenberg to go
ahead.
Amid silence, during which the scratch
ing Of the lawyers pen could be heard
throughout the room, and while the spec
tators stood on tiptoe watching the ex-
pertinent. Mr. Rosenberg wro;1 few
lines on sheet of note paper. sealed the
note in an envelope, and handel &c to Mrs
Pepper-Yanderbilt. The letter bore tile le-
gend:
Mrs. May Scanneu Pepper-Vanderbut.
and in the lower right hand corner were
the initials e E
Fails to Read This One.
During the proceeding the wife Of th-
defendant became very nervous. Her face
grew scarlet and her fingers twitche.I
Her lips moved as If she were about 10
speak. but she remained silent. Mr. Stur-
gis looked at Mr.. Rosenberg with scov-l
on his face. Smiling and rising SLOWLY
from his chair Mr. Rosenbe.g z said:
Madam please read this without OPEN
ing the envelope"
The witness was silent for several sec
onds. holding the letter in her hand. Mr.
Suugis entered another protest. but Mr.
Ketcham replied, IF the witness can
demonstrate her ability to read this sealed
letter under these circumstances the cas-.
viii be at an end
There was another wait Of several so,
onds. then Mrs. Pepper-Vanderbilt replieF
in a low voice, while her face grew redder
than ever:
NO; can't read it"
Why can you not read this sealed let
ter?' asked the lawyer
There are several reasons why
can't. replied the fiustered witness. IT
cannot be read under such circumstances
as these" After moments silence the
medium said: I never claimed l could
read sealed letters"
Did you not announce from the plat
form on one occasion that you had made
up your mind TO stop reading sealed let
ters?" asked the lawyer
Medium loses Temper.
q never said such a thing replied the
witness with a show of Indignation.
What 1 did say was that no more sealed
letters should be placed on the pulpit. as
I never claimed to read them but said
that any one who wanted to could place
a flower on the pulpit. and I would see
what I could do"
Again Mr.. Sturgis protested against
Mr.. Rosenberg's line OF questioning. The
latter then turned sharply toward Mr..
Sturgis and said to the court:
Il viii show that the witness claimed
Continued on page 3, column z.