The Lake Charles echo., 1884-04-05
The Worlds Richest Man.
OVER $1,000 ADDED TO HIS WEALTH
EVERY HOUR.

At the beginning of every year
says the New York Norming Journal
Mr.. w. IL. Vanderbilt makes it an in
variable custom to take careful in,
ventory Of his immense property. His
strong boxes are then opened, their
contents counted, and from the total
the profit for the year is reckoned. In
January, 1888, lie told an intimate
friend who had dincd with him that
day that he WAS worth $l04, 100000.
"l believed am, said Mr.. Wander
biIt, the richest man in the world.
In England the duke OF Westminster
is said to be worth $4,000, 900, but it
is mostly in lands and houses. 1t does
not yield him 2 per cent. A year from
now | will be worth more than $780,
600, 200, and will have an income
equal to 6 per cent. on that amount" !"
When his talking fit had left him
the modern Midas repented his hasty
speech, and asked that it be not re
ported, claiming his words were but
bOastfuI and his wealth exaggerated.
A few days ago Mr.. Vanderbilt sent
some papers to agemtleman with whom
he has busiVess relations. On looking
them over the recipient was aStonished
to find the rough draft of a memoran-
dunn in the Cars peculiar handwrit-
ing. 1t was dated January l5, 1884,
and was evidently his last balance
sheet, which by oversight has been
folded inside another paper. Of course
the secret could not be kept and the
figures reached the Journal. An error
or two may have crept in on their
travels, but in substance they tell the
following: Mr., Vanderbilt has regis
tered IN bis name, and in coupon bonds,
$54, ,O0O, 900 in per cents, maturing
in 1907. lie has lately added to these
100000 in 81 per cents, and yet
retains a tTihe over 81 10000 in 8 |
per cents. The 4 per cents are worth |
1874, and the market value Of his gov
ernments to-day is $40, 100000,
But the bulk of the wealth of the
king of milionaires is invested in rail
road securities. He holds 100000
shares of Michigan Central stock, 300,-
900 shares of Northwestern, including
10000 of the preferred stock, and a
block of Omaha, 100000 shares of
Lake Shore, and 10000 shares of
New York Central. Besides this are
smaller amounts in a score of other
stocks, among which are Rock Island,
of which be bad $4,000 shares, and
LackawaHna, where the total was
$4,000. Of the others he had in all
n $40, a grand total Of $50, $40 shares
If stocks.
Of various railroad bonds there was
IN aggregate of $22, 10000, and of
State and city bonds S3,20O,00O. In
miscellaneous securities, manufaCtur-
ng stocks and mortgages the sum of
bout 81. 100000 was shown to be in
'ested.
Reckoning at yesterdays prices the
yaIue of Mr.. VanderbiIt's railroad
tocks is $ss, 100000, of his govern
nents $40, $50, ,42O, of his railroad
,onds 26,857, ,42O, of his other Sc
trife over $5,0OO,00O. The
ggregate is $2Ol 1882, Alb.
The Czar put down an item of real
state, etc, $S,OOO,OOO, In this is in
luded his splendid Fifth avenue man
ion, which, with its furniture and
ontents, costs nearly or quite So, ,000,-
90. His magnificent art gallery,
Nth its gems from the best modern
masters, represents almost 81 100000,
he estimate being that Of local con
oisseur who is familiar with the gal
cry. His stables on Fifty-frst street,
occupying one Of the most desirable
sites in the city, represent
while the equine beauties
here luxuriantly lodged would not be
disposed Of for as much more. Maud
!, would bring $4,000 at a forced
ale, and her owner would not dispose
# her at any price. Early Rose and
Aldine are also held above price.
The Gar can take life comparatively
asy on an income of S.2,000,000 a
ear, and watch his wealth pile up
Without any effort Of bis. From bis
governments he draws S2,375,00O q
ear; from his railroad stocks and
,onds, 81, 1894 $50; from his miseella- I
Ieous securities, $575, ,695--or SIO,-
.42,ol5 from his investments alone.
thus exery day they earn for him
rs, ,3s4 25, Every hour sees him
j, lsO so richer, and every minute
means $l9 81 added TO his board,