New-York tribune., 1907-08-27
CANDY FOR BRIGHT EYES.
The Little Spirit Thanked ar. Van-
der5M for Goodies.

Edward Ward Vanderbilt, the old Brooklyn F1n-
Der merchant who several months ago became the
husband Of the Rev. May s Pepper. head OF ths
Fraternity of Soul Communion, the SPiritualisr
Church in Brooklyn. took the stand yesterday be-
fore the sheriTs jury and the commission ap-
pointed by Justice Maddox TO inquire into his san
ity. The proceedings were brought by NIr- Van
cerbiIt's daughter Minerva: his brother. James.
and his sister. Florence. 20 determine his COM
potency to direct his affairs
Mr. Vanderbilt said he owned real estate valued
at 5000 and had S50aO in stock. and that his IL
come was between $4eo and 5000 year Hs
told OF deciding property. valued at $1,000 TO Mrs
Pepper shortly before their marriage His only
compensation he said. 81 and valuable con-
siderdtions in the form OF Companionship-I
Counsel for the plaintiffs tried 10 show that Mr.
Vanderbilt was mentally affected BY the death OF
his first wife. whom he married in 1S5i and "l-oss
death occurred four years ago
.,It was three weeks before I could attend 20 ny
business" said Mr. Vanderbilt. but her death only
affected me the as the death OF a fo-ty-year
companion would affect any man"
When asked about his spirituaIistc beliefs. HIr-
Vanderbilt said:
There is no future HE. Life IS eternal Tbs
body dies but the mind. the doer and knoweF'
exists" His wife. he said. still lives IN splrlI Oy
his side and makes her presence known By mani
fcstations to him through spirit mediums Ar.
Vanderbilt gave IT as his opinion that spirit mar
r,aee was the only real marriage. but he denied
that he was guilty Of spiritualstic bisamy-
Man" he explained. needs a woman for
rr,s.cal companion. but he can osly be Weaoe3
in spirit once - O
Mr. vanderbilt said that his first vile was .
SnlrituaIist He expressed a profound Oe-s- =
d ,,-orl< of various mediums and told 10" u-eS
,,-s5 tables and chairs by some mysterious poNe1
,,l were. able to heal the sick Some nedluiiS' -
ia v,-ara not possessed OF these powers. 0cI "e''
..,spirationaI speakers" who put INTO WoruS .
biensrfras from spirit land He said he fau sT'S
doubts as to the ability mediums ITO nlateTiAi1'
epfrits.. so that one might talk 70 and eIlorsc'
then, II had never been demonstrated TO E-h-
although he had attended many MATCHMAKING
seauces. 49,.
picture OF Little Bright Eyes. an 4H,-l'A
child whose spirit has been friendly WlSh MIS-
TenDer and Mr. Vanderbilt. was introduced ana
be admitted that he had purchased IT tor MS MS
wife when they both attending Mrs rep
rer,s church Several letters signed oy Ltu'
r~igbt Ewes were introduced as evidence Ihey
bora u German postmark and were dated al tne
time Mrs Pepper travelling IN Europe Mss
Minerva Vanderbilt alleges that the letters ursed
her father 10 make a will in favor OF Mrs rep
far and the spirit also advised that he make pres
ents of houses and other property to her AthouSn
Little Bright Eyes is supposed TO have niaiie1
the letters in a spirit pOstoiice. they came thrOuSh
the usual channels of the Brooklyn Postotice one
letter 10 Mr. Vanderbilt from Bright Eyes thanks1
him for candy. fruit and other things not sup
posed TO bother spirits