New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-14
THE SPIRIT TN PEPPER,
1T WRITES TO WHOEVER.
Il Ghostly Matchmaker, IT'S Said,
Betzceen Vanderbilt and Medium.

The hearing the petition for the appointment
OF a commission to inquire into the sanity of Ed
ward Ward Vanderbilt. who recently married Mrs
Mary Ann Pepper, the Brooklyn spirtualist, was
conducted before Justice Maddox. in the Supreme
Court yesterday morning. Decision was reserved
Mrs Vanderbilt did not herself attend the hear
ing. She was represented by ex-Judge Abram H.
Daley, member OF the Spiritualistic Church OF
the Fraternity of Soul Communion, who was
armed with a long affidavit from the bride. Mr.
Vanderbilt was in the big crowd which swarmed
into Special Term to hear the testimony. as we'll
as his daughter, Miss Minerva Vanderbilt who IS
one of the three petitioners They took seats on
the opposite sides Of the room.
Sfss Minerva Vanderbilt's attorney. NJ l. Arm
STEIN in opening the case, produced evidence that
before his marriage Vanderbilt had been accus-
toned to send candy. wearing apparel and checks
Little Bright Eyes" the alleged spirit control
of the medium. At the time the man was con-
WINGED that he sending the things to spirit
This said Arnsten. should bring his case under
the section of the Civil Code which relates to in
competents.
The attorney declared that the gifts had been
received by Mrs. Vanderbilt and used by her. The
letters which Vanderbilt received from Little
Bright Eyes and Mama supposedly his dead
wife urging that he look after the mediums ma
teral welfare. were. he said all IN Mrs. Wander
bits handwriting. They had been posted in Ger
many
Arnstein asked by Justice Maddox who Lit
Tie Bright Eyes He replied: She is sup
posed to be the spirit of Indian girl and the
spirit guide who enables Mrs Vanderbilt TO get into
touch with the departed. We prepared to show
that Mrs. Vanderbilt is herself Little Bright Eyes
and that Little Bright Eyes exists only in her
imagination.
Vanderbilt IS siXty-siX years old and thoroughly
devoted to his dead wife. His marriage was
brought about by alleged spirit communications
from her and from the present Mrs Vanderbilt
control. He further led 10 give the medium
presents before marriage with her and to make
his viii leaving her the bulk Of his property.
Wherever this woman has put her foot she mas lsit
behind her ruined homes and trail or misery Slie
is INSCRIPTIONS and has been travelling about the
country posing as medium, and mas aCqulreu
Brooklyn and elsewhere. All ask Is an oppor.
tunity TO thrash this affair out before jury OF
twelve competent men .
Mr Sturgfs Vanderbilt's attorney. declared that
Tho bos eIr on glA and
produced a number of athdavits from NandernlIi
friends and acquaintance in an attempt 10 estdo-
lish his sanity. He had affidavit from ms client
denying that he had been influenced in his rela-
lions with the medium by his belief IN splrltua4shl
Justice Maddox interrupted him 10 ask: II a
man We're under such an influence would ne De aple
to appreciate II to the extent OF Knowing Whe'her
his conduct directed by IT.?
EX-Judge Daley submitted Mrs vanderbilt s
affidavit. The medium denied assertions made
against her moral character and declared tnat she
had never used her powCrs-WhCh, she said, were
born with her-for fraudulent purposes She sad
that Vanderbilt had given her the house where she
day, MAY = and another house. in sOth street. as a
wedding present in June Both were mortgaged
she maintained, leaving her an equity OF about
Sl0500
Mr.. Daley said that such gifts were not dispTo-
portlonate for q husband worth 100000 The at1-
daVit declared that Vanderbilt had proposed 20 the
her from the calumnes which her enemies were
heaping her head.