Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1868-04-16


assortment Of books in the country. The
bulk ot his property descenicd to his son
William b. Astor, who has frequently
been estimated the richest man in the
world
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT
was horn on Staten Island May 81. 1874.
His early education was deficient
quite as much to his own distaste for booh 8
as TO his lack Of opportunity. lie was al
ways, however, bright intelligent and
tull Of energy; and what he failed to
! draw from books, he more than made good
in practical observations and applications
At the age Of sixteen he determined to
strike out for himself His first project
was to become the owner of sail boat
He applied to his father for aid, but was
not al first successful. After considerable
/ importantly he was promised the nccessa-
Iry amount ne hundred dolars-upon
/ the completion Of a certain task on the
farm. With the ready aid of a few COM
/ panions, to whom he impaired his secret,
the task was soon completed, and the first
Vanderbilt" boat was ahoat under the
command Of its owner. Like most first
efforts this virgin essay at scaman5hlp
was not wholly without its adverse Incl
dents. The boat ran upon rock and it
required all the skill and coolncss of its
inexperienced commander, to run it ashore
] before it sunk The wreck was not a to
I tai one, however, and after few hours,
the injury was repaired, and the intrepid
navigator brought up IN proper style at
the ~tapeton dock.
+ The bent Of the youthful mind thus
plainly Swallowed forth the probable des
tiny Of the man, who has since been
known 10 be the largest owner of steam
/ boat property in the world. IL 1877
3lr. Vanderbilt commanded his first steam
boat, which, on account Of its SIZE, was
christcned by him 1.-The Mouse of the
Mountain. In few months he was pro-
NOTED to larger craft, the Bellona,"
which Piled between New York and New
Brunswick, which was then the great
route to Philadelphia
Ia 1921 he leased the New York and
E.lzabethport ferry for seven years and
1T the end of that time for seven years
more, making an excellent success out Of
4 previous failure.
Ills great financial prosperity commen-o
ced VITA the California gold excitement
II 1919, culminating IN the establishment
ana control Of tic Nicaragua route, which
WIS completed in July, l.5I The amount
II business done over tins route, and the
enormous rates charged for freight and
PASSENGERS, could have but one result, 50
tlr is the owners were concerned.
Ii 1893, Mr. Vanderbilt, with his fam
ily, took a pleasure excursion to Europe
in Ills own vessel, the North Star, which
Was built and furnished for this purpose
H.. visited most of the European ports,
ana Was treated with great courtesy by
the authorities and eminent citizens Of
i.nglaud, France, Austria aud Russia.
During our late civil war, when the
Government was in straits for vessels to
carry on is naval operations, Commodore
\ autierbiit made free offer Of his splen-
diJ ship, the Vanderbilt. which. though
not accepted procured for him quite na-
tional reputation.
During recent years. Mr.. Vanderbilt
has devoted himself to railroad interests
with the same energy and success that
has characterized his whole life. As
President of the New York Central, Hud-
son River, and Harlem Railro IDS, he has
wrought wonders, both for the public and
the stockholders, conclusively showing
that good dividends are not incompatible
with the security and comforts TO the ira
yelling public.
By referring to tho-date Of his birth, 1t
will be seen that Mr. Vanderbilt is now
Il years oid--au age which would seem
to demand retirement and rest Instead
ot-tAcsc. however, he WAS never more
burthcncd with labor aud responsibility
and never more active and capable in the
discharge Of his great trusts. \ brain
like fas can never rest wtllle there Is vital
force 10 give 1t scope.
ALENtNDER t srEwART
i native Of Ireland He came to this
country while young man, and was first
employed in teaching He soon engaged
III small way as a merchant His first
store was opened III 1877, and was con-
Quoted, III all its departments. BY himself.
His adaptability 30 his new pursuits soon
became manifest in his prosperity. y:
fortunate juaeture, he purchased the site
uy1on when now stands the structure for
- many years known as Stewarts Mar
bic Palace. on the corner of Chambers
Street. Broadway and Readc Street In
erecting TINS immense building, on the
east side Of Broadway Mr. Stewart COM