New-York tribune., 1877-01-05
THE LAST HOTRS.

week ago yesterday Mr.. Vanderbilts condition
became very critical and death was hourly even mo-
mentarily expected. "It seemed, said an intimate
| friend of the Commodore speaking of his camness,
resignation, and religious faith. that he enter
ing upon death I had never seen it before"
1t was believed that be would not outlive the GEN.
tennia year. He had one or two periods of
rallying, and on Wednesday evening the
family gained some cheer Two three
Oldtime and intimate friends called, including Will
liam Turnbull. The Commodore had greatly i'm
proved since the morning, was sitting in chair.
and talked tluently aud nationally. The conyersa-
| ton turned on general subjects. At 10 o'clock he
wheeled back into the plainly furnished second
story back bedroom lie took some nourshment,
and was placed in his bed for the last time.
After his friends had taken leave the Commodore
conversed with Mrs. Vanderbilt on religious topics
with clearness. This was II hours before his death.
She spoke to him concerning the grounds for his
faith, and he expressed himself deliberately and de-
cdedly. Among other things the said: "No shall
never cease to trust Jesus. How could | ever let
that gop He spoke also of consciousness Of his
ignorance in regard to spiritual things, as for in
stance, of the work of the Holy Ghost He said that
his ignorance did not stand in the way of mis- faith.
He declared that he trusted in the Bible and tried
to understand it, and whatever the Bible said he
firmly believed
About o'clock yesterday morning marked
change for the noticed. At o'clock he
had grown much weaker, and at daylight signs Of
approaching death were unmistakable that mes
sengers dispatched to the different members of
the family in the city, and to his spiritual adviser
the Rev. DIR. Charles L. Deems OF the Church of tho
Strangers, requesting them to come immediately.
Dr. Deems arrived at the bedside about o'clock.
There came also the COmmOdore's son, VIM. III. Van
derbilt, with wife and children; the Commodore's
daughters. Mrs. Daniel Torrance, Mrs ID. B. Allen
Mrs. George A. Osgood Mrs. Nicholas lie Bau, Mrs.
James NJ. Cross, and Mrs. William X. Thorne his
granddaughter, Mrs. Meredith Rowland, and her
husband. Mrs. Torrance was accompanied by her
husband and daughter and Mrs. Osgo "a, Mrs. Cross
and Mrs. ThOrne Were accompanied by their hus-
bands. Mrs. lie Bau is widow. Mrs. Horace +.
Clark and Madame Laftte, also daughters Of Com
modore Vanderbilt are in Europe. His son Cor
Delius Vanderbilt. jr., not present. His maiden
sister Phoebe, and brother, Jacob II. Vanderbilt,
at Staten Island, at the bedside of their sister,
Mrs. Charlotte Egbert who is two years younger
than the Commodore, and is very ill. There were
also present about the bedside of the dying man,
Mrs. Vanderbilt her mother Mrs. Crawford, and
her brother, Robert Crawford and wife; DR.. Jared
Linsly and DR.. 4. Elliott, attending physicians;
Dr. Austin Flint and DR.. w. III. Van Burcn, consult
ing physicians; the Commodores friends e. f. DE
children.
Mr.. Vanderbilt found great difficulty in speaking.
and while he maintained the clearness of his under
standing, could utter only few sentences during
the last two hours of his life. He listened attcn-
lively to passages of Scripture which were
peated to him from time TO time. When one of his
daughters asked if they should sing he msunder-
stood her. but afterward turned to his wife, who re-
manned at his side, and said with some difficulty :a(
I" / thought YOU would sing" Mrs. Crawford startedN
the hymn, "Show pity, Lord, o Lord forgive; Let a
repenting sinner live.D A few of his favorite
hymns were also sung, with palises between them.
He evnced the greatest interest in the singing, and
even attempted to JOIN i'll singing Come ye sinners,
poor and needy" His voice was hoarse, and almost
inaudble. While he had yet strength enough
when this hymn was sunghc invariably tried to take
part usually adding at the close | am poor. am
needy weak and wounded. sick and sore."
DIR. Deems proposed prayer, at which Mr.. Wander
bilt seemed pleased His strength now ebbing
so rapidly that it was that very soon he would
not be able to expectorate 1t was feared from this
that there would be painful struggle at the last.
Dr. Deems prayed that God would be pleased in His
mercy to vOuchsafe 10 the sufferer easy departure
out of his great pain into everlasting life The
Commodore appeared to follow the Whole prayer,
and when it closed with the benediction, he
repeated with the minister, In falng voice, tho
closing words, "The blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost"
He afterward attempted to speak, but could not ar
tculate distinctly enough to be understood. When
few moments had elapsed his mind required to the
PRAYER, and he turned to his wife and uttered al
most his last words: THAT was good prayer"
"Yesn replied Mrs. Vanderbilt, because il ex-
pressed Just your feelings now" He nodded assent.
The obstacle in his throat ceased to appear to be
painful to him. The last audible word which he ut
tered was Home" He closed his lips for few
moments with the expression on his face which his
friends were accustomed 10 see when he
was thinking intently some subject.
His eyes frightened, his lips parted. he
closed his eyes, and after drawing few quiet
breaths he peacefully expired at minutes Of IL
o'clock. Although death had been long expected its
coming was none the less severely felt and all pres
ent gave way to tears. There 20 persons in
the bedroom when the Commodore breathed bis last.
| COMMODORE VANDERBILTS VAST ESTATE.
"It is an invariable rule" said an official Of the
Tax Office, whose long experience in the position
| which he now holds has made him an authority
all matters of real and personal property in this city,
Z" that common report exaggerates the fortunes Of
very rich men, even when the actual possessions are
| enormous. Mr. Stewart for instance was popularity
supposed TO be worth from $50 600 900 to $50 OOOO-
| 600, but $25 900 900 would have been much nearer
the real mark. Mr.. Astor was put down the time