New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-03
DEATH OF G.. j. VANDERBILT.


THE sHoorING-PorNTs ABOUT THE DEAD MANS
LIFE.
Cornelius J. Vanderbilt, the second son of
Commodore Vanderbilt, committed suicide yes
terday afternoon at the Glenham Hotel In this
city. Tie had been in poor health
for many years, and had recently returned
from the South where he had been on
tour in the hope of gaining strength
and benefit. 1t had not been noticed
that he had been suffering from unusual
depression of late, though the epileptic trouble
with which he was afflicted made him very
despondent at times. The funeral services
will take place in this city on Tuesday.
DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY.
Cornelius J. Vanderbilt the brother of William
II. Vanderbilt shot himself in the head at the
Genham Hotel, No. 310 Fifth-ave. at p. n. yes
terday. Ho remained in unconscious state
til j:lj p. m, when he died lie last entered the
Glenham Hotel sometime Saturday. lie was in
weak condition then and went to bed.
He occupied rooms Nos. 20 and so on the ffh floor,
facing the avenue. His only companion was George
Terry who has travelled with and attended him for
years. Al short time before . o'clock Mr.. Terry
left him lying in his bed in room No so, aud went
to the adjoining room, No. 70, which is separated
from The other by folding doors lie noticed moth
ing peculiar about Mr.. Nandcrbiits appearance.
lie had been in the only short time, when he
heard the report Of pistol lie ran into Mr..
Vanderbilts room and found hmn holdinga revolver
in his hand, and saw blood Streaming down The
right side of his face He bad si1, himself through
thc right temple. lie was lying on lis back md
made little movement. Tie weapon which he had
used was q small Smith &, Wesson revolver. Mr.
Terry AT once summoned N b. Barry. the proprietor
49,.
West Thirty-third-st, was sent for. Word was also
sent to William II. Vanderbilt, 4 SEQ Lord,
L. o. Perrin, Mr. Terrence, Nlr. Van
dcrbilfs IrotheI-in-law, and some other
friends and relatives. Or. Weir arrived within
short time He saw at once that Mr.. Vanderbilt
had no chance 10 recover. The bullet had entered
his braiu aud there could be no hope OF his living.
William II. Vanderbilt arrived about the same time
and remained until half-past 1. He departed then,
expecting that bis brother would lingcr for some
hours. but was summoned again after his death.
He returned about half-past 6. The sufferer died
without having spoken at 5:15 p n.
Coroner lrady was then informed. II. 7. Atlin-
son. the sex on of the Church Of the Strangers, was
sent for TO take charge of the body. Coroner Brady
arrived at about G:3O p. H., and the undertaken at
the same time. The Coroner viewed the remains
and gave the necessary permit for tho removal Of
charge of + ie body.
At the lotel n tribune reporter saw L. o. Per-
rim Of thu city one of Mr.. VandcrbIlts friends
Mr. Perrin said al first that Air Vanderbilt had
died in al epiep fit.
"He has been subject to them for twenty-five
vearsD be added. and he was seized with ore this
afternoon
1t was impossible to get anything more definite
for some tine. The proprietor OF the hotel
would say lttlc, and the clerk had received
orders to give cut no information nr. Perrin,
after consultation, somewhat later, gave the facts
as related above II addition he saidi " Mr. Van
derbilt has been in poor health for years-so much
SO that lie has h. a companion with him con-
stantly. Mr. Tcry, of this city. Ho has been
engaged in no business. and has come and gone at
his pleasure lie has travelled great deal both for
health and for pleasure. He has recently been at
the Hot Springs, Arkansas, and he went from there
to Florida. He returned fFOm the South and
came to this hotel two weeks ago Saturday.
So far rs know and can judge there roa-
son WHY Mr. Vanderbilt should commit suicide. lie
had no financial troubles lie had plenty of money
TO make life pleasant He has lived i'll Hartford for
some years. lie lost his wife. formerly Miss
Williams. of Hartford several years ago. He had
Just completed new residence there and was about
TO move into it, He was a of temperate and
speculated a little in Wall Street some time
ago but be has not OF late. Nothing
unusual in his manner has been observed recently.
OF course cpilcptc people subject to fits of
DEPRESSION and while laboring under one of these
he may have shot himself The exact reason for the
act or the precise circumstances attending it, no one
can know as Mr. Vanderbilt was alone and he did
not speak after he shot himself
Mr.. Perrin supplied to the press the following
written statement concerning the sad affair aud the
ARRANGEMENTS for the funeral:
Cornelius Vanderbilt, age hfy-One, died April 2
The funeral services will be held at the Church OF the
strangers, Tuesday, April A. at o. a. m inc lnterneht
will be at Hartford Conn. special train, carrying tne
remains, will leave the Grand Central Depot ut lo5o
a. III.
Mr.. Perrin said he had never noticed any suicidal
tendency in Mr.. Vanderbilt. He had no great
family troubles AS for the pistol, Mr..
Vanderbilt had been i'll the habit of carrying one.
although he had not had one with him while III the
South.
a. do not know how he managed to get at it, he
continued "The pistol had been kept in bureau
drawer near the bed. His clothes lay not far from
hin do not think the pistol was in tho trousers.
cannot say whether he had got at the pistol
before and had it concealed in the bed
OF not. l can't imagine how he succeeded
in getting it, IL contained but one chamber a nj
was small. There is no doubt but that no shot HIM
self, but whether by accident or design, or While
laboring under temporary alteration Of mind,
cannot say"
Mr.. Perrin was in a state Of great excitement, |
although lac succeeded in conceang it good deal
He had known Mr. Vanderbilt for many years vas |
intimately acquainted with him and his business
lie gave no explanation for the first announcement
that his death was due to epilepsy. william H.
Vanderbilt was not TO be seen ut the hotel lt
was stated that he had gone home Mr. Perrin hast
cned ND 90 the room here the body lay az midnight
He was asked if Mr. Terry could not be seen. No." |