Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-04-03
A VANDERBILT SUICIDES.
Cornelius, The Unfortunate, Ends His
Life BY Shooting

NEW YORE, April S.--Cornelius ). Wander
bilt, brother of William q. Vanderbilt, shot
himsels st Glenham hotel, Fifth avenue, this
afternoon at o'clock and died from the ef-
ieets Of the wound at O'Clock. From the
time os the shooting until his death Wander.
bilt was unconscious, Many friends of the
dead man and members of his family were
present when he passed away. The motive
the result of mental arrangement
brought on by years of suf
fering from spileptic fits. No other
reason could be given. as his financial affairs
were said to be IN most prosperous condi-
ton. Vanderbilt came to Glennam hotel two
weeks ago last Saturday from Florida, where
he had been spending several weeks. He has
previously visited the Hot Springs, Arkansas,
for the benefit of his health, which for the
past year has been very poor. He was accom.
panied by his friend and travelling COMPANION,
Geo. Terry, this city, who has been with him
continually for many years in his jonrneyings
and at his home. Vanderbilt's condition
was such assistance was likely TO be needed at
any moment when he might be taken with
one Of his epileptic fits and for this reason o
companion was indispensable. They engaged
a suite of rooms On the fifth floor ct the no.
tel, which is the one Vanderbilt always pat
ronized when in the city. Vanderbilt occu-
pied 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 net leave his
his bed.
Mr.. Terry was in the room during the
greater part of the morning attending to the
sick mans wants, but noticed nothing unus.
ual in his actions and appearance as he seemed
to be in perfectly sound mind. Just before l
O'Clock he left the room for the adjoining
apartment which he occupied to attend to
some private affairs, leaving Vanderbilt. as he
supposed, sleeping. BE bad been out about
with the two apartments fos fear OF
disturbing thu sleeper. Meanwhiis he had
heard no sound. Suddenly he was startled by
the loud report OF pistol coming from the
adjoining room. Hastily jumping up he
rushed to the door, and opening 1t cas horri.
fed to see Vanderbilt struggling apparently
in the agonies OF death. In his right temple
was an ugly bullet wound, from which the
blood slowly oozed. He still elapsed in his
outstretched hand small seven .chambered
revolver, one of the barrels of which had been
toll as one which Vanderbilt
had been in the habit of carrying for several
years. Shortly after this the struggles Of the
wounded man ceased and the only evidence
that life was not yet extinct was the slow and
labored breathing.
Dr.. Robert F. Weir, family physlcian of
Vanderbilt, when he arrived pronounced the
wound fatal and said there was not the
slightest hope of saving his life. Several at
tempts were made to restore him to conscious
ness, but without success. Vanderbilt never
spoke after he fred the shot.
Meanwhile messengers were sent for his
friends and family. The latter live III the city
but deceased has not TEN on speaking 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 short time to make ar.
raneemepts in regard to the disposition of the
body and then Grove away. His visit was
nelius, and others of the dying mans
nephews who resid. in the city, and who re-
manned with him until he died. G. o. Perrin, DR..
Weir and Scott Lord. Mr.. Vandsrbil's law
yer, were among the others presea, at the
ieatfl, which occurred q few minutes be-
fore six.
The funeral services will take place to NOR
row morning in the Church of the Strangers,
and the body will then be taken to Hartford
for interment, beside that of his wife. The
affair was kept very quiet and it was 10 O'Clock
soon spread over the city E, O. Perrin
stated that Vanderbilt's mind has been
failing for many years in consequence of being
subject to epileptic fits. Neither Terry nor
himself, however, suspected he would ever,
even N the most violent moods, kill himself.
He has never spoken of committing suicide.
He always carried pistol merely for self pro-
lection. At times he was free for considerably
long periods from the dreadful disease, but in
order to escape its influence he was obliged to
travel most of the time. This had been his
mode of life for the past few years, and al.
though he had just finished q large house in
Hartford, Conn, he was not able to live there
mich of the time.
Perrin said he did not think Vanderbilt was
in any financial difficulty, for since the re-
ported compromise with his brother in the
will contest, he had received from 1t, it was
understood, large amounts of money, at least
one million dollars. Nor did he think he had
hco of