Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-01-25
COMMODORE VANDERBILT.

lives, and what they frown upon is
blighted and must die.
COMMODORE VANDERBILT.
"Reminiscences Of His Private
Life.
Since the death of Commodore Vanderbilt
many of his old friends, whose lips were seal
ed in regard to his personal characteristics
while he was living, have conversed much
among themselves and with other friends
about the pleasant times they have had in his
company and have spoken of some of his dis
tinguishing traits 1t is said that the vast for
tune which he had collected and the power
which he necessarily welded were constantly
in his mind. He was consequently always q
master among his friends. He disliked to be
contradicted when lis views were expressed,
for he felt he had made great achievements
during life at which other men wondered As
friends declare that many transactions proved
successful through chance Considerable
money was made, and much was kept safe by
fortunate occurrences over which he had no
influence. As an example, It is stated that
the ship North Star went aground on rock
bound coast, but at a point where there was
short extent of sandy beach, SO that little
harm was done. If the accident had occurred
twenty feet either way, the vessel would have
been crushed against the rocks, and the cargo
and the vessel lost. As it was, the cargo was
taken out, the vessel was hauled off, and re-
turned to port in safety.
His private life was not an extravagant one.
He lived in simple and methodical manner.
His favorite breakfast was the yolk only of
three boiled eggs, cup of black tea,
with twelve Jumps of sugar in it, little toast,
and lamb chop. He always ate this alone in
his room, but the other meals were taken
with the family. Every day he took drive
through the west side of Central Park, to
Central Bridge, and as far as Fleetwood Park.
These drives were taken every afternoon, but
within the last ten years the Sunday drive was
altered to 10 O'Clock in the morning, to avoid
the great crowd on the roads in the afternoon.
He always had company, but his friends rare
ly sat in the same carriage with him. Some
times there would be several carriages. Gen
orally stop would be made at Sibbern's or
William Florence's for a drink. The Com
modore always took wine-glass three quar-
tiers full of gin, with six Jumps of sugar. This
was about the extent of his drinking. Within
the last two years he gave up the gin during
his drives on the road and substituted half
glass of lager. His management of horses
was considered perfect. He knew the condi
tion of his horses and whenever there was a
thrush" on the road in which he took part his
horses would eventually win. When driving,
he always had cigar, for he was an inveterate
smoker, and with this exception he was prob
ably more free from the foibles and weakness
es of the world than any of his companions.
On trip from New York to Albany, on an
express train, be was known to have smoked
seven cigars.
The greatest passion of which he was pos
sessed was his delight for card playing In
former years the games were always played |
at either the Union or Manhattan Club, and
consisted only of whist, of which he was very
fond. Those who have played many games
with him state that he was very adroit and |
clever player. He had most remarkable and
wonderful memory of the cards after they bad |
been played. He always received poor play
with frown and praised good one. He
once had for partner, VIM. Cooke, railroad
man of Bridgeport. He declared that Mr..
Cooke made the best play he had ever seen
during his long experience at the game.
Hearts were trumps and the Commodore's
ong suit was spades, the whole of which he
held with the exception of the king and card
of small denomination, which were held by
Mr. Cooke without the Commodore's knowl-
.dge. 1t was the Commodore's lead, the
rumps having been exhausted, and he was
iebating in his mind how to capture or get
id of the king, so as 10 run out his suit. He
It length led the ace, on which his partner
played the king, thus giving the Commodore
he control of the suit. If the small card had
'een played, his partner would have had the {
eading card in the suit afterward The Com {
nodore often referred to this play and de- t
Jared it was the finest he had ever seen. @
During the last hours of his sickness his old t
riends remembered him and frequently visit !.
him. when discussion of the past would 3
nsne. Every evening, when sufficiently fl
yell, concert would be held, the performers o
eing the members of the family and visiting
riends, for his qualification. A parlor organ n
'as procured and the concerts were carried on II
'gularly. Both hymns and songs would be a.
ing, and sometimes the Commodore would "a
'in in, as he was exceedingly fond of music. al
ne of his nephews would sing comic Dutch "
ing; favorites of the Commodore were n
Dixie ''Scotts wha hae wi Wallace bled, 4 \,
I'd many popular songs. An amusing Incl e,
mt occurred at one of these gatherings. A si
7mn was selected which depicted the life of sh
man afttr he had passed the allotted time of " "
e, three score years and ten. The music w
IS of very plaintive tone. After one verse re
d been sung, and when the middle of the nc
cond, the Commodore, who had been in -
,tly listening throughout, suddenly cried, III,
'topi enough of that: no set-up jobs on me
We us some more live-y music" The HYMN ge
IS dropped, and the well-known minstrel Wv
,g of ''1he Old Folks at Home" was sub
tuted. This was only few evenings be-
e he died.-[N. Y Tribune O..
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