New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-04
n 7 VANDERBILTvS SUICIDE.


prcrSr INDULGENCE IN HIS FORMER PASSION FOR
c,,rp,ING-GRRAT DEPRESSION IN CONSEQUENCES
,ossrs-IHE FUNERAL TO TAKE PLACE TO-
DAY.
There we're some distressing developments yester-
dav. which threw considerable light on tho causes
that led 10 the suicide of Cornelius j. Vanderbilt,
nj the Glenham Hotel. on Sunday afternoon. The
reason for the act assigned by his acquaintance
and friends on Sunday night was dependency pro-
duced by the suierngs from epicptic fits, to which
Mr.. Vanderbilt was subject from his
boyhood. 1t was learned yesterday that
within the last few months he had INDUCED
largely in the passion for gambling. which was
weakness OF his early manhood, and that his losses
had been heavy. He also had been harassed by
the opportunities Of persons claiming that he owed
them money for services which believed TO nave
been connected with games of hazard Added 10
worriment over these matters was the anxiety
which he expressed in regard to his litigation with
Scott Lord one of his counsel in the contest over
the will of the late Commodore Cornelius Wander
bilt. The depression of mind caused by severe
epieptic attack two days before his death, was ag-
grayated bv an unfortunate indulgence in his great
est failing on the night before his suicide. This is
believed TO have been the primary motive for his
act
II was in his early manhood. when he was not en-
gaged in active business, that Mr. vanderbilt
formed doubtful habits and made unfortunate ac-
quantances many of which he tried to shake OH Ill
later years After the settlement of the Vanderbilt
will contest in April 1879. by which Cornelius J.
received a large of money, partly Ill cash ana
pa tly placed in trust he abandoned almost e1~s
tirely his gambling indulgencos. For some tmo
afterward he was pressed by legitimate creditors
and those who had taken advantage of his early
oratc
former class, however, had been salts
factorlly arranged although he was an
moved by the claims of the other class. lie
sncculated somewhat in Wall Street, but the state
rents made regarding his speculative gains or
Iosses are conflicting. He interested TO some
extent i'll mining properties. and at the Time OF ms
death was president of the Vandewater Gold ana
| Silver Mining Company, at No. 10 Hroadway' TIC
assumed that position after the recent reorganza-
ton of the company Some loss in his investments
was caused by the long continued depression IN the
mining interest. During the last few months he
yielded TO his old passion for gambling, and Is un
derstood to have lost considerably. " Eph Sim
mons the notorious gambler. a close companion
of Mr. Vanderbilt, but somo time ago their ac-
quaintanco was terminated, and Simmons has been
urging large claim for services" against his
friend.
MOVEMENTS PRIOR TO THE SUICIDE.
About two years ago Mr. Vanderbilt travelled in
Europe accompanied by George Terry, his travel
ling companion. His acquaintance with MI Terry
dates back twenty years, but the latter has not
been his companion except for a few years. Dir.
Terry formerly was clerk in the United States lio
tel, and aftcrward in the Hoffman House. In last
January MIR. Vanderbilt went TO Chicago with Mr.,
Terry and his private secretary and business man
agcr, Major E. d. Luxton, 10 attend to business
L. ofto, NJ W,
derbIlt went TO Hot Springs, Ark. and then TO
Florida for his health. lie returned TO this city on
March 20, and with Mr.. Terry took rooms at the
Glenham Hotel He had for several years boarded
| mt the Grand Hotel and had been expected
there on March %. To avoid the impor-
unties Of creditors and. to use the words OF per
son who knew of the matter the " hangers-on that
always worry wealthy men," he left instructions
that his address should not be given 10 callers
at the Grand HOtel.
On last Friday Mr.. Vanderbilt was taken with an
cpcptic attack at breakfa in the basement cafe
OF tho Glenham where he took his meals in order to
avoid the G OF Safh IN 5G be ad
long interview with f. o, Perrin and l.. and g. b.
Ashley, his attorneys, respecting his business mat
tiers and litigations. The claim of Scott Lord for
fees additional to those paid him Tor acting
for Mr. vrnd?rbt i in the beeD contest scSt
over h ndfor" Whom WIN na% Was to come np
yesterday morning Mr. Perrin says that MI Van
derbut particular in lmpreSsing upon his mind
the necessity OF meeting him at the Glenham on
Sunday morning at IL O'clock and was consider
ably worried over the matters discussed at the
sutation. On Saturday evening Mr. Terry LETT
MI Vanderbilt downtown i'll Broadway. II was
not until Sunday morning, about o'clock, that
Mr. Vanderbilt came INTO his hotel. lie had spent
the night at No. IL Ann-st we'll known gamb-
ling house. lie awakened Alr. Terry and spoke Of
his losses and his business troubles. seeming 10 be
gr atty depress ID lii spirits. Later Mayor LaXton
him Oh business affairs, over winch there was
au an Xous discussion. At last MT. Vanderbilt UNI
dressed and lay down to try TO get some sleep, first
| sending word 10 the hotel Office that he could see
| no Bcrrne
| ] | o'clock appointment be should be told to come
! later At l:lj p. III. the suicide was committed.
| Mr. Terry had been taking nap Tor about an hOur
and hall when he was aroused by the report OF
the pistol from the adjoining room. Mir. Wander
blt ii sald had always been IL the habit OF car
| ryIng pistol or revolver.
| ARRANGEMENTS 70 TIE FUNERAL
The body of Mir. Vanderbilt was removed from
the hotel at a. III. yesterday to the Church Of the
| Strangers. Arrangements for the burial were
made with William ii. Vanderbilt by II. T. Atkin-
son, the sexton of the church. After the funeral
| services at the church to-day at 9:15
a. ILL., the body will be sent by a special
| train at 1890 a. III. from the Grand Central
Depot toillartford, Conn. The internent will take
| place i'll the cemetery lot where Mr. Nanderbilts
wife, who died some years ago, and several MEM
| bcrs of the family are buried. The body was viewed
by the Coroner and his jury yesterday, but no
| other persons were permitted TO see
it, except DR.. Charles +. Deems the minister
| OF the CHurcn OF The Strangers.
William II. Vanderbilt could not he at his
house yesterday with regard to his brothers death.
Cornelius Vanderbilt his eldest son. who was
found at the Grand Central Depot by q TRIBUNE
reporter, saId There Is nothing new to-day, so
far as l know. respecting the unhappy affair of
Sunday. did not go to the Genhan Hotel on
Sunday, but saw my father after he had been
there. lie said that his brother was unconscious
all the time, and nothing could have been done to
save him. have not seen my
uncle since his return from the South
know nothing about Air. Terry; he
was intimate with my uncle for fully twenty years
| believe they met rst in Hartford. II Is impOssi-