The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-08-27

New York, Aug PA commission
IN lunacy appointed by Supreme Court
Justice Maddox OF Brooklyn TO inquire
into the sanity OF Edward Ward Van
derbilt, who married Mrs. Mary Ann
Scannell- Pepper, the spiritualist, on
June last. began taking testimony
yesterday in the Kings county court
house Mr. Vanderbilt was on the
stand all day. and gave the impress
sion that. aside from having certain
fixed ideas about Little Bright Eyes.
. the spirit-whtcA- his medium -wifa- al
leges controls her, he knows what he
Is about.
The inquiry begun was the outcome
of proceedings brought by his daugh-
ter Minerva, a young woman OF 90.
to have him declared incompetent on
the ground that he is giving away his
property TO his present wife and Is
making no provision for his children.
Miss Vanderbilt was supported at the
hearing today by her fathers aged
brother and sister. James o. and Miss
Florence Vanderbilt. Her only sister,
Mrs. Florence Del Risko. who is older
than herself. was present. but appeared
70 side with her father.
Mrs. Pepper-vanderbIlt, whose pres
ence was expected TO enliven the pro-
ceedings. was not there. 1t was assert
ed that she Is in Europe.
Pepper -vanderbilt's personal counsel.
was on hand to protect her interests.
as he explained. His presence there
led the opposing counsel to Inquire
as to whether she is party to the
proceedings and will be bound by them.
Judge Daley declared that she was not
bound by the proceedings, but was en-
titled TO have her interests protected.
The case was heard by sheriff's
jury OF i6 men. Edward W. Wander
bilt. who is sc years old, but appears
TO be spry for his age, went on the
stand late In the forenoon. and was
still there when adjournment was
taken at 3:45 o'clock. He was cool
throughout and answered all ques-
tions. some very perplexing, without
hesitation.
ONE OF THE SPIRIT LETTERS
During Mr.. vanderbilts examination
q letter mailed In Germany, when Mrs.
Pepper was there last summer, was
shown him,and when he said the hand
writing was that of Mrs. Pepper and
had undoubtedly been sent 10 him, the
letter was admitted in evidence. This
letter was in two sections. the frst
part supposed TO be from his dead wife
and the second from Little Bright
Eyes. "Medy." alluded TO in the letter,
Is the Indian spirit girls endearing
.
Dear Papa am glad this Is the
last letter we will have to write from
this country-because II takes so long
before you receive IL. The oneness OF
life In the physical needs an express
sion, and this Is the only way / have
of expressing myself TO you. The
trees. crops. flowers, can speak palmer
TO your consciousness than | can with
out this medium. for you see the mani
festation OF them and mine has re-
turned TO mother nature. However, ]
am as real and my influence greater
in your spiritual being. We have much
to tell you when once more we meet
face to face. I am sure she will re-
turn to Lake Pleasant the 10th. so be
ready for Sunday and so we will see
you then. ! hope Bright Eyes will
write all about Il. And now, in the
spiritual consciousness OF the eternal
oneness. am,
MAMMA"
MRS. PEPPER GOT CHECK.
One of the many questions asked con-
cerning this letter was whether the check
Bright Eyes spoke OF receiving was made
out 10 her. Mr.. Vanderbilt said that he
made out draft to Mrs. Pepper and al
ways addressed all letters I'm her name
and not Bright Eyes The letters B. f.
on an envelope addressed to Mrs Pepper.
which was exhibited 10 him on the stand.
stood for Bright Eyes, he said.
The only other OF the many letters writ
ten TO Mr.. Vanderbilt through the insplra-
ton Of Bright Eyes. but In the handwrit-
Ing OF Mrs. Pepper. which was introduced
In evidence. was the following.
My Dear Earth Friend-Your box OF
fruit and candy came today. How good OF
you TO send II 10 mel My Medy appre-
ciates II. too. But your lady and l said
they did not see Inspiration Hlll. The
chain came. and thank you so much for
". The folks feel badly here over DIR. wy
man because he made a choice against
his best friends and the people he In going
with were not his friends but friends OF
my Medy until the people who are going
took them away by receiving the schenks.
do II with man and woman In New
York. Mr.. Fisher. He don't know wy
man very well. but Yet IL 20. won't try
= have him come here. He has made his