The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-05
COMMODORE VANDERBILT.
END OF the RAILROiD MONARCH'S
LONG AND BUSY LIFE.
nj. Final sickness aud Death-A sketch Of
his Life and Great Enterprises-How he
made his Immense Fortune - Princeiv
liins-Ilia EcccntricitIes and nabtts.

10 that cause most Of his ailments were ascribed.
Many Of his friends supposed almost to the last
that ho had no other disease, but his physicians
knew that more dangerous and deep seated
disease OF the bladder had preyed upon his re-
markably robust system, and during his last
sickness this became complicated with severe
attack Of hernia. For months past the Commo-
dore had been ailing, and It was painfully evil
dent to his friends that his physical vigor was
slowly relaxing. The wonderful brain was grad
ually, by its ceaseless activity, wearing out the
almost equally wonderful body that had nour-
lshed It for over fourscore years. Tho extraor-
dinary strength OF the old Commodore's con-
stitution was frequently remarked by his
physicians.
Speaking OF the Commodores sickness re-
Gently william Orton, President of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, said that for year
past he had noticed that the Commodore
was gradually weakening physically. While his
mind seemed to retain Its vigor and acuteness,
his body appeared to be giving way.
81 would not have been much surprised to
hear at any time within the last twelve MONTHS
said Mr.. Orton, "that Commodore Vanderbilt
had gone to sleep and never awoke again.
The Commodore changed very much In ap-
pearance during the last year of his life, and
especially during his last sickness. His tall
form became bent; his face and hands grew
thin and pale, and his brilliant, piercing eyes
sank deep behind the heavy brows. The acute
pain he suffered at times in his bowels sharp
ened his features and unstrung his nerves
On Tuesday night, April IS, he was prostrated
by very severe pain, and he passed an almost
eeepess night. He had been Ill for two or three
weeks. and DIR. IAnsly, his family physician, had
attended him but awcek before the doctor had
been accidentally injured and the Commodores
disease had made sudden and rapid progress
during the physicians absence. Dr. Boden-
hamer was then called ill., and he found that
very serious complication of diseases OF the
lower bowels and bladder had set in. The Com
nodore wanted an operation for hemorrhoids
performed, but the physician considered him TO
be IN too weak a condition, and, besides, as he
said, the hcmorrhods were the smallest and least
dangerous Of the diseases that AFFLICTED the pa
tient. The great danger to be avoided was the
setting in OF pertoneal Inflammation.
After day or two OF suffering, the pains were
anayed, and the Commodore grew better lie
was unable at first to leave his bed, but gradu-
ally, a. the acute symptoms Of his diseases sub
sided he gained strength, and could sit up for u
little while at time in an easy chair to eat his
meal, and talk with the friends who called to
see him.
Slowly for a week he grew better, and was able
to walk from his bedchamber into an adjoining
room. lie preferred to walk unassisted, aud. as
far as he could, attended to his own wants. He
knew that his condition was critical aud asked
his physician to watch him closely.
Dr. Bodenhamer called twice daily to see him
Tor several weeks. After rallying sufficiently to
be considered out Of all immediate danger the
sick man remained for weeks in about the same
condition. lie could not 60 down stairs but
nat much in an upper parlor, and smoked
several cigars daily
The cigars that Commodore Vanderbilt loved
to smoke are said to have been noted among his
acquaintances for their special strong flavor,
and by smoking them late at night, during his
sickness he sometimes got restless and was un-
able to sleep. The following day he would have
NJ OF melancholy, and appear mentally and
physically greatly depressed. After an hour or
two, If surrounded by cheerful company,
these blues" would pass OF. He was subject
t. such temporary depression of spirits during
all the latter part Of his life and after day OF
hard work he would come home and seem utter
ly cast down. His sickness lent force to this
morbid mental habit, which his physician said
was entirely the result Of nervousness. 1t was
generally the recurrence OF the Commodore's
"bues' that gave rise to the frequent reports
down town during last month that the Rail-
road King was dead or dying. Undoubtedly
false reports Of this kind were purposely circu-
lated In Wall street, where every item Of news
about the Commodores sickness was eagerly
seized upon.
In the latter part Of May the Commodore,
after undergoing delicate surgical operation,
was attacked with chills, and he sank so low
that IL was feared he would never rally. DIR.
Linsly, Dr Flint, Dr. Elliott, and other phys-
clans consulted about his case and visited him
daily, and until his death one or more Of them
slept IA his house every night. After this he
grsw much weaker, and never rallied sufficient
ly TO walk again unassisted. The hot weather
affected him unfavorably, and he was frequently
changed from one room to another. About
June - he began to sink very slowly, seemingly
from gradual giving away Of his powers
During the weeks Of his weary confinement
The Commodore exhibited remarkable patience
and rc'gnation. He would not let business
Alone, for his active and unclouded mind re-
qnfed cmullyment almost constantly The
R'"ni railroad system, in the development Of
which hc had spent his life and energies was
always In his thoughts; and he eloquently and
enthu-ia iicaly talked Of the wonderful devel-
oWnen' Of railroad transportation which he
predicted would take place in the future Of this
country. The battle between the New York
Central and the other trunk lines aroused hi.
full energies, and he declared that he was right,
md that he would neither yield nor be beaten.
IT, said he had arranged his business so that 1t
would he left IN the hands OF those whom he
considered best able to carry It successfully
after h DEATH
TN" '"mmodore's conversation was remark
hhN rh' Hr| Il during most Of his sickness lie
t''h' - llfrt to talk Of incidents Of his own
lie ann Doe -ln'tmes kept those around him
laughing heartily hy his merry anecdotes and
qNnh' ANA humorous remarks. He spoke with
s'h'larlpn ol the Nashville University, which
u" i"ln1"i hl q eift of SJn1UU, to which he
I'rrNhfi .ldrd ,luDOpl This, he said, was his
" 90 I'. hiN il'fly help that he thought the
.'lh q. 'eli o. give tn The South
NhDht lh" middle " June he was visited by
T. 1h"p 1rhrre. President Of the Nashville
lHNti7iN. hiid thon, almost Al the edge Of the
rave l.' ipiumudO'p added SAuO,U to the en-
u,"lhrN' lN.i Ni ihui i-tituiiNn.
ll' hnl''.fri 90 he perfectly aware of hls near
i'N ~ u"din, ana expressed no fear of II. "
ih"" am an oid mau, bee said, and when my
.,nnrL rrs III I. lahe me ava! from my work,
From Jdur - until August his condition was
Vrlrhl. b he failed little until the 81 Of
NNfunl' W. EN- he grew ripidly worse, ana WAS
"a ugnt To 10 dying. lie was near 10 death for
brNtrHl days. Dr. Deems Was with him tuucn