The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-09
VANDERBILT DEAD.
The Great Railroad Magnate Stricken
Down by Apopiexy,

The Great Railroad Magnate Stricken
Down by ApopleW.
During a Conversation on Business
Matters in His Home.
He Falls from His Chair and Dies
Without Struggle.
His Estate Said to be Valued at Over
5000, 900, 900.
NEW YORK Dec 8.-William III. Vanderbilt,
the millionaire dropped dead at 230 O'Clock this
afternoon at his residence. The cause of death
was paralysis of the BRAIN
Inside the Vanderbilt palace on Fifth Avenue
tonight the servants and friends tiptoed about
with grave and saddened faces. The door bell
was rung every moment and the wide portals
swung open to admit other friends who came to
mourn with the mourners. The children of the
dead money king were gathered in his bedroom
about his corpse. None of them had been with
him in the hour of his death, and to none had he
time to speak word of farewell. AS he lay upon
the carved bed in the large square room the win
dows of which overlooked the avenue from the
southeast corner of the south wing of the build
ing Vanderbilt looked as if he had fallen into
gentle sleep. His features were peaceful and
natural as if he had just ceased talking and lain
down to rest. His death had been painless as it
was sudden.
After arising today, he had held his usual morn
ing conference with his brothers-CorneliuS and
William K.,-who were the active managers of
his railroad properties, and afterward with Mr.. F.
" Rosster, his private secretary and treasurer
of the New York Central railroad to whom he en-
trusted large share of the management of his
private business affairs. These conferences were
held in Mr.. Vanderbilt's study, on the ground
floor Of the mansion. 1t was his favorite room.
where he wrote and transacted all his business.
During the morning conference today, he had
been more than ordinarily alert and active, so
much so as to excite comment to which he replied
in a good-humored and peculiar vein.s
He had eaten good breakfast, and was looking
forward with pleasant anticipation to a ride up
the Boulevard with his son-in-law, Hamilton Mex
Twombly, in the afternoon.
During the morning he went down to the studio
of j. 0. A. Ward, the sculptor, to sit for bronze
bust of himself which the trustees of the College
of Physicians and Surgeons wished to place in the
vestbue Of the college, for the erection of which
he recently gave half million dollars. He re-
turned and took lancheon at 1870, with his wife,
his son George and Mr. Twombly, and at the table
he was noticeably bright and cheerful
AT o'clock Robert Garrett, president of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, called upon Mr..
Vanderbilt who greeted him cordially and en-
gagged in long and animated conversation with
him about railroad matters The conference last
sofa and facing the millionaire who leaned
forward his arm chair as was his habit when
thoroughly interested, was suddenly aware of
slight ndistinctness in yanderbit's speech that
grew into inartieulate sounds, and as he leaned
over to catch his words Mr.. Vanderbilt pitched
forward without word warning and fell
heavily to the floor on his face. Garrett sprang
to his feet with an exclamation, and seizing pill
low from the sofa laid it under his friends head.
Then he summoned Mrs. Vanderbilt and George,
the youngest son. Messengers were also sent in
haste for physicians One from the neighborhood
responded first and was followed almost immedi-
ately by the family doctor, DR.. James W. Nc
Lean.
Mr.. Vanderbilt, while he had for two years past
been the victim more or less OF indigestion with
its attendant ills and kindred serious disorders,
had lately, despite frequent reports of his DEATH
been apparently mending. Like most people Mr..
tions one of them was that if he ever passed the
age of Go, which for some reason in the famy's
history he looked upon as critical age he would
be good for twenty years more. In conversation
with a near friend more than three weeks ago
he stated this as his belief when the subject was
brought up, and rejoiced in the knowledge that
the tIrning point was nearly reached. Had he
lived to May 9Th next he would have been 65. He
was born at the Stated Island homestead in 1921.
The funeral will be on Friday next at 10 O'Clock
from st. Barth0OmeWS Church, Madison avenue
and 44th street, of which Rev. DR.. Cook is the
pastor. Mr. Vanderbilt was vestrylnan in the
church, to the construction of which he contrib
uted largely. At Mr.. Vanderbilts own desire he
will be Inferred in the family Inausoleum in the
NIorayian Cemetery at New Dorpt, Staten Island.
Such simple restrictives as were at hand had
been hurridly applied but human aid was in vain.
Mr.: Vanderbilt never spoke or moved after he fell
and died within few moments without a struggle.
To all intents and purposes he was dead the in
slant he fell on the floor.
1t was 2 80 when DIR. Mclean lead the stricken
widow from the room where her husband had sat
and working in the full pride of health
and strength five minutes before. DR.. Mclean
his death the result of sudden strOks
of paralysis due to the bursting of of large blood
vessel at the base of the brain, of kind that is
fatal at the moment, and stated that death was as
painless as it was sudden. The doctor knew his
patient most intimately and promptly certified to
the cause of his death to avoid the unnecessary
of coroner's inquest and autopsy.
AS soon as it was ascertained beyond doubt
that MI. Vanderbilt was dead men servants were
summoned and they helped to carry the body Of
their dead master up stairs to the bedroom he
had occupied in life. Mrs. Vanderbilt was pros
trated with grief and telephone messages were
sent to her sons and to the residences of her sons
in-law to inform them of the death of Mr.. Wander
bilt The children soon arrived, and as the report
spread with the rapidity of lightning through the
city, they were followed by nearer friends OF the
dead magnate, and universal CONSERVATION and
grief prevailed at the NEST unexpected news.
Mr. Vanderbilt lett will, but its provisions are
to any one except his family and his
counsel, Mr.. Depew: His railroad
systems will be managed as heretofore. The sons
will manage the estate and properties the same
a if the master hand at the helm. and
in financial circles need result. Mr.
Vanderbilt hadt long ago abandoned the street
and stock market, and he owned no real estate as
an investment.
The children Mr.. Vanderbilt leaves are in their
regular succession as to age from Cornelius, who
is about 40 years old, down to William K, Fred
erick W. and George W., and four daughters, Mrs
Elliot F. Shepherd, Mrs. W. ID. Sloane, Mrs H.
Mex. Twombly and Mrs. DR.. Seward Webb.
The deceased was generous in his impulses
in tastes and richer than any single
member of the Rothschild's family. The Duke of
Westminster is said to be worth $200,0O0.000
but Vanderbilt was richer because the Dukes
money only pays him about per cent, and it is
mainly in lands and houses. Vanderbilt had
much larger income, and he was the richest man
in the world. Last year he held $54,000,000 of
four per cent bonds but later he reduced this
amount to $35,0O0,000 of government 312 per
cent and his government bonds were worth $780,
100000
At one time he owned 100000 shares of Mlchi-
gan Central, 80 900 shares of Northwestern, and
10000 shares Lake Shore. In addition he had
10000 Chicago & Rock Island, 10000 Deleware
ana LackaWdnla ana ABOUT zO,UOU Shares III
other railroads making in all about $4,000
shares of railroad stock Also $22,00Q,oo0 worth
of railroad bonds, S3,2oo,000 of state. and city
bonds 50 900, 900 in various manufacturing stocks
and mortgages He valued his house on Fifth
Avenue with its art and treasures at $3,000,000.
His ordinary household expenses were $780,
900 year; He loved horses and was good
Judge of them. He sold Maud S. for $4,000.
Vanderbilt was worth $2o0,o000oo. His fortune
shrank last year materially through big decline
the bull movement of the past few months
brought it up again. His income was
calculated as follows: $2,327, 600 a year
from government bonds; $7,394,000
from railroad stocks and bonds, and S556,695;
from miscellaneous securities making total of
over S1O0o0.O0O a oear or $28 900 day or $19.-
75 minute. But he made no ostentatiouS dis
play of his wealth aud was charitable.
NORTHERN PACIFIC TAX CASE.
The Judgnento of the Dakota Supreme
Court Reversed.