The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-09-29
Uonderkuf.

I bit"t iaihboh hihtt ADVhhVb"'o N"h
derbilt, recalls to mind some Of th,
characteristics Of this celebrated man
Beginning life as the captain Of liz
tie cutboat, that plowed the waters OF
New York bay in the time Of Robcrt
Fulton. he distinguished himself as .
daring and desperate fellow, who
fought aud cursed his way through
the world. Cornelius Van Der Bildt,
as the name was originally spelt, was
early recognized as plucky fellow,
easy To get into a quarrel and always
ready to fight his way out Of diff.
Guilty. When party Of Jersey cap
italists resolved TO contest Fulton's
rights to the exclusive steam naviga.
tion Of these waters. and constructed
an opposition boat, Vanderbilt was Sc.
lected as her commander. She was
engaged in the Hudson river trade,
and started upon her raids to break
up Fulton's monopoly. AT nearly ev-
cry landing, law officers 'raided upon
her and her captain, who was arrested
three or four times day, only to give
bail AMI get under steam again. For
over two years the war was carried on
in the courts, and in en- appeal 20 the
Uuited States Supreme Court, Fulton
was beaten. aud the principle was es-
tablishcd that the waters Of the bay
was public highway Ior the commerce
Of the world " which to compete. AZ
ter that Nunderbilfs success was rap
id aud sure, aud he is now reputed 10
be worth $50, ,O00, ,OO0-all of which.
alas! he must leave behind him tor
others TO enjoy.
Many incidents are told of his gam
bling propensities that show the pluck
and coolness Of the man, Many, ma
ny years ago, he was a passenger On a
Mississippi steamboat, bound to the
Crescent City. Van was singled out
by the gamblers and was roped into
game of poker. He lost as a matter
OF course, heavily, and at last admit
ted that he was cleaned out. lie re-
tired for a moment, and promised to
renew the game,
Hieing away to ue captain, he
learned that the steamer could be pur-
chased. Then he returned To the
game, aud at the opportune moment,
he called" his opponent, remarking
in all seriousness. IN stake this boat
against your pile"
The gamblers laughed. IL mean
it," said Vanderbilt; "I'll bet the boat
on my hand"
That's a good joke Judge" said
his opponent; "but you'd better own
this crai first
"Call the captain, steward" )" said the
Commodore. quietly.
The captain came.
Captain, will YOU oblige me with n
check k-book-excuse me gentlemen"
Van laid down his cards, drew a
check for s275,00O, handed it to the
captain, and, turning to his adversary,
said:
"Well, sir, call your
"What does this mean?" asked the
gay gambler, turning to the captain in
surprise.
at means that this gentleman has
just purchased and paid for this boat.
"The devil he has"
Il call YOU" said Vanderbilt.
lie won on the "show up" more
than he had lost, and. rising, he left
the gambler and his chums TO wonder
who had bluded them so badly. This
legend does not record how Wander
bilt disposed Ct his purchase, but his
friends claim that it was little "put
up job" between him and the captain
to "beat" the professional gamblers,
and TO teach them trick. The Com
modore has a great iniatuation for
play, and il is said he makes his ex-
penses every season out of the nabobs
he meets ut Saratoga. His poker days
are. however, about numbered, AS he
can scarcely hope to run his 'corner"
in the next world with Dean Rich.
mond, Dick Schell, Tom Scott, and
the oil! boys who have faced him here
in many hotly contested game
I New York Letter,