The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-11-02
TIE DYING COMMODORE.
HIS Wife, Estate and Hcir-F"tWTc Of the
Near York Central.
New York Graphic.


Commodore Vanderbilt lives on, much
euaciated, and suffering more from
chronic hemorrhoids than from his blad-
der. The latter, when affected, threw
him into cold chills. He may linger on
for weeks, possibly month or more, but
has disposed of his mind, estate and fam
iIv affairs, and has nothing of this life to
occupy his thoughts. While saying lit
tie to his religious adviser on spiritual
things, he has at times Conversed with
his family and friends on a5tuture state
in homely and original manner, show
ing that he has orthodox views of
the origin and fate of man and trust in
the mercy of God to his helpless crea-
lures. Hisdiscussion of religious subjects
partakes in clearsightedness and decision
of his worldly conversation. He has
never spent much of his life talking.
Mrs. Vanderbilt and her mother have
been as faithful nurses Of this aged man
as if he were q sick lad, and his con-
sideration for his wife is pleasantly pa
thetic part of his rugged career. She
was the means of having him endOw
Vanderbilt university, which, unlike
many other such requests, is founded on
no contingency, but is forever selt-suP-
porting, and is as much a subject of pride
with William II. Vanderbilt as with his
father. Between William II. and the
commodore a new and warm affection
sprang up about five years ago, much
stronger and more perceptible than in
earlier life, when William H. was a
farmer and the senior was battling with
the speculative and material world.
It is believed that nothing will follow
the decease of Commodore Vanderbilt to
the prejudice of the perfect continuance
of the Central and Harlem railroads un-
der one absolute and unqualified man
agement, indeed one ownership. In that
road arc 900, 900 shares Of which at least
two-thirds are in the hands of father and
son. The death of either will impair
the firm and vigorous administration Of
this property, and the proprietOrshiP of
the stock is now 50 solidly held that no
assaults upon it will merit attention.
1t would be premature to say anything
about the commodore's disposition of his
estate, and he has kept his own counsel,
but his friends entertain no doubt that
he has not been foTgetful Of good for the
city Of New York, not only as concerns
the near future, but the long to come
revenues of his property. Some time
ago when a rich man died without any
charitable provision, Vanderbilt said he
"died like an ass.
William II. Vanderbilt, who will
hereafter be a prominent character Of
this community and country, is a pecu'
liar product of his fathers policy in HUI
man nature. He believed that no mar
was fit for the very great duties of life
until he was at least forty years of age
He therefore placed William II. at al
agricultural college until he was seven
teen years old, and then made farmer
of him and recommended him to marry
Young. The son took for a wife thu
daughter of q Presby terrain minister nea
Albany and returned to the farm OF
Staten Island, where he remained unit
he was forty-tour years old, having beer
married twenty-three years at the dat
of that age. Then, when he had Learned
to labor, to manage, and to superintend
the commodore called him to New YOr,
and made him vice president of the Han
. lem railroad. The splendid farm O
t Staten Island is now VIM. II. Wander
r bilrs property. He planted lane {
r cherry trees a mile long and has one feel
g Of timothy Of one hundred acres. A
n the railroad office at the foot of Thirtiet
!. street the son went to work in the mos
G assiduous manner until he mastered tn
c railroad business, and has probably Il
d superior on this continent as an admin
. trative offer. VIM. II. Vanderbilt WI
y born at New Brunswick, n, j., May
1921. He has eight children-the eide