The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-12
THE CoMMoDORE,s WILL.
What IL to be Done with his Vast Estnte-An
Asylum for Railroad Employees.

The arrangement announced in Wednes-
DAYS SUN, by which william II. Vanderbilt Is to
make up the deficiency In the portions OF his
less fortunate relatives, II s now understood, Is
already In progress. Steps were taken on We'd
nesday toward making the proper transfers, and
In few days, II Is supposed. the heirs who are
most dissatisfied with the last will and tesla
ment OF the late Commodore will have no reaso on
to complain. This IL done, not only from sense
OF justice on the part OF Mr.. Vanderbilt, so
friend OF the family SAYS, but as compromise,
so as to avoid the litigation which might arise
were the Commodore's distribution left unal-
tered. That an attempt will be made TO break
the will In the event OF Mr. vanderbilts not car
rying out his suppose ed Intentions to the above
effect Is considered certain.
From tho same source was learned the reason
OF the CommOdores cutting OF some OF his
daughters with only a life interest in their be-
quests. lie had lent during nis LIFETIME; Tor IN
al nee, to n son Of Mrs. Allen 100000. which the
latter. VINO aftsrward went into bankruptcy,
never paid back. Consequently his sin IA visited
upon his mother. and Mrs. Allen only gets the
life interest OF $4OOO0 In place Of half million,
and the property Ia placed In trust to prevent Its
Mrs. Osgoods having no children is the cause Of
her receiving the lite interest OF only $3OO,OOO,
and both In her case aud 10 that OF Mrs. Lahtte,
the ComIuodo did not feel himself bound TO
proviue for their present or future husbands
after his daughters decease: Cornelius j. Van.
uerblts receiving only "A life interest, and that
OF smaller amount than any OF the Commo-
dore's children, IL explained on the ground that
the legatee had already anticipated his patri-
mony, and the Commodore had no mind that
his SOU creditors and not his son should be
benefited by what he was left
be read in every clause Of the will, was to keep
the control OF the New York Central 10 the fam
Of the stock" he used to say, they will be
making combinations to Gust william from the
an nose OF them hs sr ses VII to take
trol OF the road passing from his family, and felt
snter that william and hts sons would be less
ON this theory IN his lifetime, he had given to
his grandson. young Cornelius. an immense
amount OF shares, SO that with what has been
| left hun by the will. william II. VANDERBILT IS
eldest son Is now worth some six or eight mil
| lions Of dollars.
Commodore Vanderbilt however, did not tell
ali his will In his will. and there Is no doubt that
| secret Instructions were left with the resduary
| legatee involving the transfer OF fee sums Of
money. These provide for the building of re-
treat for disabled and aged employees III the
Commodore's vlrio IS rilways. and also put In
| comparatively comfortable circums tances q
large number OF persons who have served him
From me Ersaing Post
| The report that some of the heirs OF the Van.
dcrbilt estate Intended u dispute the vail ity o
the old Commodore's will .ppesrs to be sci
at rest by the statements Of Mr.. William II. V IN
| derbilt to "A tribune reporter. Mr.. rnderhil'
said that so far Us no knew the will had given
| largo sum OF money h Id been placed in hi
hanI- for the benefit OF his fathers old friends
| ana s.iTauts, anu added tntt MS taihcr alwNs
| liked TO dlstrinute his charities In his own way
| \ few Gays before his death the tommo lore
| said that he mad already provided for many oil
| uis friends and relatives Dv urivute gifts OF
various suns-of $1,000, $4,000, or $3O,ODJ--ind
| he also made at tiat time several verbal be-
| quests whtrh would be attended t..
| Mr. Vanderbilt slso said tnat his father had
| long dCtcrmirCd TO found an asylum for railrO
| men broken down or disabled ia III, service. an,
| that "A site for such an Institution would o.,
| selected as soon ~ 9bssiOle. hewOrN Of build
| iug would helin spon aitrrw RI. and II wa
. lao - L.
| be extended 10 men OF all railroad lines cripplel
OF worn out IN service.