Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-09

NEW Ohh, 0Ai. T.. NOAi%LIOdo*S
Vanderbilt died this morning at nine
minutes to II O'Clock.
For the last few days Commodore
Vanderbilt's physicians have been hour
~ expecting his death. He died almost
without q struggle. A change for the
worst took place in his condition about
4 o'clock this morning, and he express
ed desire to see the Rev. Dr. Deems,
his spiritual adviser. The latter was
soon present, and the Commodore said
to him: 81 think am nearly gone.
Doctor" DIR. Deems prayed, and the
members of the family who were pres
ent sang hymn. His physicians were
at the dying mans bedside and did all
that medical aid could suggest to make
his last moments peaceful. The funeral
will take place Sunday morning.
Cornelius Vanderbilt WAS born on
Staten Island in May, 1874. He was one
of the self-made nilIionaires of Ameri-
ca. He began life on his own account
bv rowing boat between Staten Island
and New York. He was distinguished
at the start for his resolute. indomita-
BILE and daring Will, qualities which,
before he was nineteen, procured him
the command of North river steam
boat. He began his moneyed career by
chartering steamboats, and running OPP
position to all the old lines. The little
money he made at first he invested in
stocks, and while he was noted
for his honor, reliability and firmness,
he was decided in his business and
could drive as hard bargain as any
one. Mr.. Vanderbilt, or the Commodore
as he was popularity called, knew the
value of doing business on a strictly
cash basis whatever were the goods be
bought, and he bought everything that
was to be solo, his cash down always
securing them for the lowest price.
After making quite fortune out OF
the river steamboats, Mr, Vanderbilt
turned his attention to railroads, where
his accustomed energy and shrewdness
soon placed him at the top of the tree.
An attempt was then made to break him
down by cornering the stock. He want
ed to consolidate the Harlem railroad
with the Hudson, and secured enough OF
the Legislature, as lie supposed, to car
nv the measure. A few days before the
vote he was informed that the enemies
had cons pired to reject the bill, and had
sold all the Harlem stock in The market.
The Commodore Immediately bought
up the market, and on the rejection OF
the bill his enemies were ruined on
every hand.
Not satisfied with his achievements
on the land and on the rivers, Mr.. Van
derbilt resolved to try the ocean. The
Collins line was then in its glory. The
Commodore commenced his opposition
in manner that made it perfectly ire
sistible. The Collins line was subsidized.
Mr. Vanderbilt offered to carry the
mails for term of years without dol
lars cost to the nation, and to bind him
self under the heaviest bonds that the
service should be performed better than
before. His we'll known energy and
wealth We're conceded, his offer was ac-
cepted, and the opening of the new line
threw Mr.. Collins into bankruptcy
One of the finest of these vessels. named
after himself, he fitted up as man-of,
war at his own expense, and presented
to the nation during the civil war.
Not content, however, with control
ling the traffic by river, ocean, and
land, he aspired to govern electricity as
well, and the Western Union Company
the largest telegraph company proba-
bly, in the world, is stamped with the
genius OF this wonderful man.
His property is estimated at $50, 900
600. He was liberal, but fitful in his
charities punctual to his engagements
to q minute; and in commercial anG
national affairs had no rival in shrewd
ness and good judgment. He was affa
BILE in his manners, and pleasant anc
genial companion.
Mr.. Vanderbiit's great passion was
for horse flesh. Every afternoon ht
could be seen driving his team at Cen
trail Park. He was probably the tastes
driver, except Bonner, in New York.
FLoRIDA.-Itis just as certain tina
this little State voted for Tilden as it il
that it voted for Drew for Governor ant
the other democratic candidates fo
State officers. Drew and all of his asso
ciates were formally inaugurated or
Wednesday, the old radical officers al
retiring.
Now, on what principle of reasoning
or of Justice can the electoral vote o
that State be denied 10 Tilden when tn
majority for Tilden is just as clear a
the majority for the State officers, ant
when it has been SO decreed by Attor
ney General Cooke, and by every Other
honest accountant?