Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-12-14
SUDDEN DEATH OF WILLIAM
Fl. VANDERBILT

very suddenly, at his residence in
Fifth avenue. His end was dramat-
ic in the extreme. He was engaged
in pleasant conversation with Mr..
Robert Garrett, when without warn
ing, he dropped dead at his feet. His
death was caused by apoplexy. Mr..
Vanderbilt's last day was one of the
pleasantest and quietest of his life.
Up to the moment of his death it was
wholly given over to those domestic
pleasures of which he was especially
fond. He rose at Z O'Clock feeling
in excellent spirits. A great load
had been taken off his mind by the
satisfactory settlement of the West
Shore controversy, which he had fol-
lowed with such close attention that
it weighed upon his mind, and ever
since his return from Buffalo. q month
ago, he had felt greatly wearied at
night. But on Monday night he was
in merry mood. He spent the ev-
ening at home playing whist, one of
his favorite diversions. He spoke
of his excellent physical health be-
fore breakfast, observing that he felt
better than for the last month, and
referring to the satisfaction with
which he regarded the West Shore
settlement. He took breakfast with
his. son-in-law, Mr.. Twombly, and
his son George. Having given up
the idea of the drive, he went after
breakfast into the library, where he
read the morning papers until his
confidential secretary, Mr.. Rossiter,
came in. Mr.. Rossiter came In about
a. m. and stayed till 10. When
he went away Mr.. Vanderbilt dressed
warmly for the street. At 10 80 he
went to the studio of j. Q. A. Ward,
the sculptor, at No. 119 West Fifty
second street. Mr.. Ward is model
ing bust of Mr.. Vanderbilt in
bronze which is to be given to the
College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Then he returned home. He saw his
son George as he went into the house,
and in answer to an inquiry as to
how be felt, replied that he was sin
first-class shape. | have enjoyed
the walk down to Wards very much, :"
he added. SIT put my blood in cir
culation and freshened me up. 1t is
an elegant day." At o'clock lun-
cheon was announced. The meal
was scarcely finished before the card
of Robert Garrett, the president OF
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, was
handed to Mr.. Vanderbilt. He told
the footman to show Mr.. Garrett into
the library, and there in few
minutes Mr.. Vanderbilt joined him
He drew the portieres and the
two railroad magnates were closeted
together. Robert Garrett is the las
man who saw Mr.. Vanderbilt alive
They talked about railroad affairs
During the conversation Mr.. Wander
bilt appeared to unusual advantage
his eyes were clear and bright, hi
voice strong, and his articulation
| distinct. He talked with a good dea
t of vivacity and made a number o
: shrewd suggestions. He was seated
in his own arm chair in a careless
: half reclining position, and his visit
f or sat on sofa opposite. Student
s Mr.. Garrett observed hitch in MI
: Vanderbilt's voice. 1t seemed t
grow thick and his words came wit
e difficulty. Mr.. Garrett was alarme
t to see a painful twitch in his host
:, face. Another and a fainter on
e passed, just the slightest spasm. MI
: Vanderbilt half rose from his chai
! paused, tottered, and then fell fo
) ward upon his side at the feet of h
If astounded guest, with whom but
moment before he had been engage
l. in lively conversation. Before M
l. Garrett could lean over him al
g place his hand upon his heart it hs
oT ceased to beat. Within thir
( seconds of the time when the lndi
is tinct articulation was noticed he W;
es dead. A blood vessel in his bra
IS had broken, the physical catastropl
" known as apoplexy. MI. Garrett
a presence of mind did not desert hir
He raised the dead mans head al
al placed it upon low ottoman. Th
nc he pressed the button of an electl
u bell. 1t was exactly twenty minut
&c past 2 o'clock when Mr.. Vanderb
- fell to the floor; twenty minutes l.
ca Ell DR.. McLane arrived. He exa
~ ined the stricken man, and turni
ne to those around him, said: ssHe
dead He died as he fell M
NJ Vanderbilt had been told that he h
he tainted. 1t was useless to cones
'ct the truth from her longer. She
VI ceived it with every token of
Nc most acute distress.
re- Mr.. Vanderbilt was the son
raj Commodore Cornelius Vanderb
lat who died some years ago worth 81
ly- 600, 900. William H., the subject
CT this sketch, was 60 years of a
yer His estimated wealth is 5000, 000,O
no and he was probably the richest n
re. in the world. His income was s
Inc to be $40 minute. His funeral '
at held on Friday last. His death m;
las no important changes in railre
stocks.