Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-08-10
COMMODORE VANDERBILT.

little on the 4th inst, but there was
no excessive excitement, and it is not
expected that his demise will cause
any serious disturbance in the street.
His wealth is estimated by competent
judges at from $40, ,OOO, 900 to 800, ,OOO..
900. 1t has seemed that the strength
OF the vigorous old man was to yield
only to the slow approaches of decay.
and his friends, while not expecting
that he could ever recover his health.
have been putting off the possibility
OF his death into the future. 1t was
therefore somewhat Of q surprise to
his family and physician when, on the
evening of Thursday, his symptoms
became SO threatening that fears of
his Immediate death were entertained.
His son, w. Ii. Vanderbilt, had started
to join his family at Saratoga, and was
asked by telegraph to return immedi-
the Church Of the straHS$seffs, $efs ;iHSsH was sa@f
moned from Cornwell, where he had
gone on two-days' visit to his family,
but before his arrival the most unfa-
vOrable symptoms of the attack had
passed away. Next morning after
about an hours sleep, he began con-
versation with DR.. Deems, his pastor.
He spoke fully and freely of his reli-
gious beliefs, convictions, and hopes,
expressing the firmest faith in the au-
thority of the Bible and a personal
Saviour. Conversation subsequently
turned upon imputations derogatory to
him, which he had borne, and from
which he said if he had been so disposed
he might have relieved himself. This
he said he forbore from doing so that
he might not ruin others.
WILLIAM II. VANDERBILT.
spoke with deep feeling to a reporter
in regard to the condition of his father.
He said 81 think it is wonderful
that he was able to survive the dan
gerous relapse of last night. Nothing
but the most rugged constitution could
have borne up under it. was with
him during the long period of danger,
and he seemed perfectly resigned to
his condition-perfectly ready to die.
From the beginning of his sickness his
mind has been.very clear and active,
and he has known for many days that
he could not live much longer. Dur.
ing this time he has been interested
in all his business projects, as he was
in health; and all matters are fully ar-
ranged so that his plans will be carried
out as if he had lived. lie has been
very anxious to keep his full faculties
of mind unimpared to the very point
of death, and we are all praying that
he may. For this reason he has stead
fastly refused 70 take any narcotic or
stimulents which would he likely to
put him in stupor.
When advised by his physician to
to take some brandy he refused.
''No,' said he, 81 don't want to go
into the presence of my maker while
under the influence of liquor" Last
evening, while Frustrated by the chill,
he seemed to lose somewhat his activ-
ity of mind, but, when he began to
rally this morning, his full conscious.
ness returned. At noon to-day, while
I was attending him, in company with
his physician, his pastor, the Rev. Dr..
Deems, and some others, he began to
talk quite freely about various Incl
dents of his life, and he relates some
things which are new to me. He talk
ed constantly for nearly two hours
and without much appearance of fa-
tigue, only stopping occasionally to
moisten his lips
Commodore Vanderbilt is now in
that condition to which all men of ex-
treme old age are liable. The vital
organs, however strong, have lost that
elasticity which enables them to throw
off disease, and the result is 4 continu-
Gus ebb and flow of vitality. In such
a condition the symptoms of one hour
are no sure index of those of the next,
and at any moment a relapse may ter
inmate stage of existence seemingly
favorable to recovery.