The New York herald., 1877-01-05
SKATCH OF A BUSY LIFE.
How the Poor Boatman's Son Became
Millionaire.
WORKING INTO FORTUNE.
The Magnificent Monuments Of
His Successes.

nine minutes to eleven O'Clock. al his residence No
10 Washington place. Though well advanced in years
he enjoyed comparative health and strength far be-.
yond the allotted limo OF man. and despite his great
age apprehensions Of his death felt until
April last, when the spell OF sickness which
resulted IN his death began Shortly after his attack
In that month he far recovered that he be.
ieved to be in danger but the I'd OF August last he
suffered relapse and since that has hovered be-
tween lie and death. The of his demise Will not
much surprise, the daily bulletins Of his
dition have led 10 general expectation OF the
ILLNESS.
During the long months OF his illness the patient
varied greatly in his condition after ralyng, that
some of his friends were sanguine he would regain
strength enough TO prolong his life for few years at
least But to the pracsed eye OF the who at
tended him his deceaso was near at hand. His ex-
traordinary vitality admitted, but the change for
the worse, though slowly and barely perccp,:be from
day to day. was going steadily. He suffered most
during the morning, improving the day wore
on and sometimes becoming quito bright and
cheerful at night Music had enlivening effect
upon him, and 1t when his relatives gathered
around singing for him in the evening that he felt
most at Often when in pain and troubled look
ing he would ask to have them sing for him, as
they sang in low tones some hymn or melody his
conntenance would change and pleased expression
light it up On Wednesday night at ten O'Clock he
reported to be somewhat stronger, which only
that the decline was momentarly checked. This
a short time after he had listened his usual evening
concert, which always had soothing elect on him.
He retired at his usual hour, after receiving
visit from Mr.. TurnbulL At about four O'Clock yes
terday morning Dr. Elliott, who attendance
saw that his patient was failing rapidly and sent at
for the Rev. Dr.. Deems, Mr. vanderbilt's
so waS
nothing TO be done for his temporal welfare Every
thing that wealth and his physicians skill could de-
wise had been supplied to prolong the life that
was ebbing out Feeble as he was Mr.
Vanderbilt was perfectly conscious OF his fast
approaching death. and held a close and iervent
vcrsatton with his religious counsellor The young
and devoted wife, who has incessantly watched
her dying husband, present to the last, aiding in
every way to ease hts path into the other world. At
eight O'Clock in tho morning, when 1t became evident
that Mr.. Vanderbilt was in articuto mortis the
bcrs Of his family telegraphed for.
Among those present at the closing Of
lily; his six daughters and their husbands. Mr. and
Mrs Cross Mrs. d. B. Allen, Mrs. George A. Osgood,
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Torrance and daughter, Mr. and
Mrs. William X. Thorne, Mrs. NJ. B. La Bau, his grand
daughter and her husband, Mr.. and Mrs. Meredith
Rowland; his nephows Mr'C V. Deforest and Mr.
Samuel Barton Mr. Worcester, Mr.. Elliott +. Shepard
Rev. DR.. Deems and Drs. Linsly and Elliott
THE LAST SCENE
An intimate friend OF the family who present
at the Commodores death gave the following dcscrp
tion OF the scenc:-Lato last evening DR.. Deems
called on his way from church meeting and he
told in response 10 his inquiries that the invalid was
somewhat brighter compared with his condition in
the morning. The Commodore talked good deal on
W fter the nv
departed he conversed for somc time with Mrs. Van.
derbilt religious subjects very closely. She asked
him to the ground Of his faith, and he expressed
himself very deliberately and decidedly. Among
other things he said:-
'No; shall never cease to trust Jesus How could
let that go9'
He spoke also OF his consciousness of his ignorance
in regard to spiritual thngs-for instance, the exist
ence and operations OF the Holy Ghost but said that
ignorance did not stand in the way OF his faith. He
understood the Bible far no could, and whatever
the Bible said that he believed to be true.
Tho invalid found great difficulty In speaking, and
could make bu. few utterances during the last two
hours of his lie. Ho took little interest the pas
sages OF Scripture recitcd to him from time TO time.
Upon a suggestion by of the ladies that some sing
ing might be had. he misunderstood the speaker, but
shortly aitor turned TO his wife and said: -
81 thought you would sing"
few of his lavorte hymns then sung at briof
intervals. He showed great interest IN the singing,
and attempted with his hoarse voice to join in
hymn which always pleased him.
Come yc sinners, poor and needy,
Weak ana wounded sick and sore.
Before he was SO low, when that hymn was sung he
invariably tried to participate in the singing adding
at he close -
II am poor, and am needy am weak and wounded,
sick ana sofc-'
DR.. Deems proposed prayer, to which he seemed
gladly to agree At that time It looked though his
strength was falling rapidly that the friends about
him thought the final struggle had como at last Among
other things the pastor prayed that .'God would be
pleased in His mercy to vouchsafe unto the sufferer
easy departure out OF his great pain into everast-
ing hle." The Commodore evidently followed tho
whole prayer, and when IL was closed
with the benedicuon he repeated with tho
minister, the 'bIessng Of God Almighty, the
Father the Son and the Holy Ghost" Then
his voice failed. He aftcrward attempted to mako
several remarks. but could arucuato with sum
Gent dstincness to be understood. After the lapse of
some time " turned to his wife, who sitting be
side him, and, recurring to the prayer he gave utter
nncc to the last words he ever spokc:--
''That was good prayer"
'Ycs," replied Mrs. Vanderbilt. 'bccause It OK.
pressed just your sentiments now."
He nodded assent The obstruction In his throat
did not now painful lie closed his mouth
few minutes, he had often been seer by his friends
TO do when thinking deeply some subject His eyes
frightened, and then his mouth opened which he
closed his eyes He brcathod few times quietly, and
at nine minutes 10 eleven O'Clock expired.
GREAT SUFFERING.
The Rev. DR.. Deems, Commodore yandcrbilts
PASTOR said TO HERALD reporter yesterday. that he
gricved over the death OF the good man, simply
having lost parishioncr, but very and dear
friend.
"Aiicr ALL" said the reverend gentleman, at has
come like surprise. have looked for II so often,
and 80 often has 1t been postponed that can hardly
realize that my dear old friend has gone. have
seen him every day. except eight, since the Goth day
OF last April, and | have seen more to admire in him
during his sickness than when he was we'll lie