Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-04
WEARY OF LIFE.
Cornelius J. Vanderbilt, Brother OF the
Great Railroad Magnate, Blows
His Brains Out In
New York HOteI-Menfal Derangement,
Brought On by Years OF Suffering,
Supposed to be the Cause.

: 7
nue., yesterday afternoon at o'clock, anC
died from the effects of the wound at
| O'Clock. From the time of the shooting unit
| his death Vanderbilt was unconscious. Many
| friends of the dead man and members OF his
| family were present. The motive for tbs
| act given by friends is that it was the result
| of mental terrnSement, brought ou-by year
| of suffering from epileptic fits. No other
reason could be given, as his financial affairs
were said to be in most prosperous condi-
tion.
Vanderbilt came to the Glenham Hotel two
weeks ago last Saturday from Florida, where
he had been spending several weeks. He
had previously visited Hot Springs for the
benefit of his health, which for the past year
has been very poor. lie was accompanied
by his friend and travelling companion, Geo.
Terry, Of this city, who has been with him
continually for many years ia his journey
ngs and at his home. Nanderbilt's condi-
tion was such that assistance was likely to be
needed at any moment, when he might be
taken with one Of his epileptic fits, and for
this reason a companion was indispensable.
They engaged suite of rooms on the fifth
floor of the hotel. Vanderbilt occupied one
room alone. He was in his room much OF
the time, and has been out but seldom since
his arrival here. This morning he felt more
unwell than usual and did not leave his bed.
Mr.. Terry was in the room during the greater
part OF the morning attending to the sick
mans wants, but noticed nothing unusual in
his actions or appearance. Before l o'clock in
the afternoon he left the room for the adjoin-
ing apartment which he occupied TO attend 10
some private affairs, leaving Vanderbilt, as
he supposed, sleeping. He had been out
about an hour, and had closed the door COM
municatiDg with the two apartments for fea r
of disturbing the sleeper. Meanwhile he
had heard no sound. Suddenly he was
startled by the loud report of pistol COM
ing from the adjoining room. Hastily Jump
ing up he rushed to the door, and opening it
was Mortified to see Vanderbilt struggling
apparently in the sgonies of death. In his
right temple was an ugly bullet wound, from
which the blood slowly oozed. He still
clasped in his outstretched hand small
seven chambt red revolver. One of the bar
rels had been discharged. Terry identified
the pistol as one which Vanderbilt had
been in the habit of carrying for sev-
eral years. Shortly after this the strug-
giles of the wounded man ceased, and
the only evidence that life was not
extinct was his slow and labored breathing
DIR. Robert +. Weir, the family physician Of
Vanderbilt, when he arrived pronounced the
wound fatal, and said there was not the
slightest hope of saving his life. Several
attempts were made TO restore him to con-
sciousness, but without success. Vanderbilt
Meanwhile messe ngers were sent for his
friends and family. The latter live in the
city, but the deceased has not been on speak
ing terms with them for years. His brother
William H., arrived at the hotel between
and 5 O'clock, and was shown to the room
He said but little, and when told his brother
could not live remained only a short time to
make arrangements IN regard to the dsposi-
ton of the body, and then drove away. His
IL. al.
nelius, and other of the dying mans neph-
ews who reside in the city, and who remained
with him until he died. C. o. Perrin, Dr.
Weir and Scott Lord, Mr.. Vanderbilts law
yer, were among the others present at his
death, which occurred few minutes before
6 O'Clock. The funeral services take place
this morning i'll the Church of the Strangers,
and the body will then be taken to Han tford
for interment beside that of his wife. The
affair was kept very quiet and it was 10
o'clock before the police were informed, and
the news soon spresd over the city. e. o.
Perrin states that Nanderbilt's mind had
bsen falling far many years in consequence
of being subject to epileptic fits. Neither
Jerry nor himself, however, suspected that
he would ever, even in the most violent
mood, kill himself. He had never spoken
of committing suicide lie always carried
pistol merely for seli-protection. At times
from the dreadful disease, but in order to
escape It's influence he was obliged TO travel
most of the time This had been his mode
of life for the past few years, and although
he had just finished large house in Hart
ford, Coma, he was not able to live there
much of the time. Perrin said he did not
think Vanderbilt was in any financial diff
Guilty, for since the reported compromise with
his brother in the will contest he had re-
ceiyed from it, it WAS understood, a large
amount Of money, at least 81 100000, nor
did he think he had been speculating. The
body lay in the Glenham Hotel last night
and was removed to the Church OF the
Strangers this morning.
Coroner Brady said: eve found the body
OF Mr.. Vanderbilt lying on the bed. The
pistol had been removed from his hand, but
the fingers were clenehed as if be still held
it. The bullet passed clear through his head,
and we found it three inches from the sui
cide's face, hattened by contact with the
bones of the skull. | examined his papers
very thoroughly, but found nothing in them
in any way calculated TO throw any light on
the cause of the suicide. There were quite
a number of notes, but, with the exception of
a bill for S33 FOR medicine, they all repre-
scented money due Vanderbilt. They prob
ably represented an amount reaching $500
or more. There was no message or writing
Of any kind. gained the impression that
he had been greatly excited about his illness
and the suit Of Scott Lord against him. He
had had an epileptic fit and, as usual after
having one, felt discouraged. The suit of
Lord had been turned over to a referee, and
hearing in it was set down for to day at IL
O'Clock.