The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1935-07-03

LlOIll 4 d6G ~
ing her child. Mrs. Whitney coun-
tered with an affidavit from Mrs
Vanderbilts mother, Mrs. Laura
Fitzpatrick Morgan, which said
her daughter was unfit guardian
for Gloria.
- Had Lived With Aunt
Little Gloria had lived with Mrs.
Whitney since June "a. 1882, fol-
lowing tonsil operation. Mrs.
Vanderbilt went to Europe for a
visit of several months. After her
return the child went to visit her
mother here on Septmeber 16.
1884. 1t was from this visit that
she was returned to the home of
Mrs. Whitney and out of which the
legal battle grew.
That battle became one of the
most bitter in American legal his
tory. Sisters opposed their mother
in charges and denials concerning
intimate family affairs. Prominent
persons of two continents were
embroiled in testimony that at one
time caused reporters and specta-
tors to be barred from the court
room.
Evidence Against Mother.
Supreme Court Justice John F.
Carew heard charges and testi-
mony against. Mrs. Vanderbilt, then
questioned the defendant herself.
Summarily denying all charges OF
immortality, or intimacies with a
prince, of cruelty to her daughter
and of teaching her daughter to
make cocktails, Mrs. Vanderbilt
demanded custody of the child.
Once she told of paying $500 for
a dog because it would have been
cruel to take it from the child
after her nurse had brought it.
On that score Judge Carew lee
tured Mrs. Vanderbilt.
''You have got to be cruel" the
Justice said. 81 have chastised my
children. -. a little spanking once
in while is very good thing for
a child. Maybe the child should
be spanked"
Before he handed down his order
that took little Gloria from her
mother except on week-ends and
some holidays Justice Carew said
he had decided that the. child
Gloria Vanderbilt is not to have
for the future the life that it had
from the death of its father until
June, 1882"
Talked with Gloria
The judge talked with young
Gloria who told him she had rather
live with her aunt, Mrs. Whitney,
where there were cousins to play
with and pony to ride. Later the
trial brought out letters of the
children to her grandmother, tell
ing of her unhappiness travelling
with her mother in Europe and
with no child companions.
Most sensational testimony was
given by the chauffeur, the nurse,
a maid, Maria Caillot, and the de-
PENDANTS mother.
Both the nurse and Mrs. Morgan
testified concerning Mrs. Wander
biit and Prince Gottfried Won Und
IN Hoheniohe OF Germany at the
Vanderbilt villa In Biarritz. The
maids testimony involved Lady
Milford Haven.
Another close friend OF Mrs.
Vanderbilt was A. C. Biumenthal
OF New York. witnesses related.
Sister Tried 90 Help
Lady Theima Furness. Mrs. Van.
derbilt's twin sister. came from
England 10 aid her sister. Mre.
BENJAMIN Thaw. Jr.. eledst sister.
turned against their mother In de.
Tending Mrs. Vanderbilt.
Queen Marie Of Humania. rushed
from EurOpete deny accusations
against him and Mrs. Vanderbilt.
with him came his wife. whom he
married after his engagement 10
Mrs. Vanderbilt was broken be.
eaise of her mothers objections.
Finally, Justice CnreW teak the
child from her mother except Tor
neffain daYN, rho mother APPEAL
- the decision.