The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-12-16

WILLIAM II. VANDERBILT.
The Noted millionaire Drops Dead Mt his
Uouae---A short sketch of his Career.

The Noted Muiionare Drops Dead ut his
IIouae---A short sketch of his Career. =
William II. Vanderbilt dropped dead
at his lloinu on Filth avenue, New
York ON the afternoon Of the 9Th inst,
of paralysis OF iiic brain. lie was in
the morning, aud up to two O'Clock in
the afternoon, apparently la lcrtGct
health and spirits. Between one and
two O'Clock, Robert Garrett, President
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company, called to confer with Mr..
Vanderbilt, and remained a considera-
bic time. While Vanderbilt was talk
ing, Garrett sat n SOFA aud faced
II millionaire, who Leaned forward ia
his arm chair, as WAS his habit when
thoroughly interested. The President
of the Baltimore aud Ohio Railroad
Company was suddenly made aware of
q slight indiStinCtneSS in Nandcrbiit's
speech, that grew into an inarticula;c
sound. AS Garrett Icaucd over to
catch his words, Vanderbilt pitched
forward without word or warning,
and fell heavily to the floor on his face.
Garrett sprang to his feet with an ex-
clama,ion Of alarm, and Selling a
pillow from the sofa, laid it under his
friends head, then summoned Mrs.
Vanderbilt and George, the Youngest
son. Messengers were sent for physi-
clans. Ouc from the ncighborhood
responded first, and was followed al
most immediately by the family doctor,
JAS. w. Mclean. Such simple re-
storativcs as were at hand had been
hurricdly applied, but human aid was
useless. Vanderbilt never spoke or
moved after he fell, aud died IN a few
minutes, without Il struggle. 70 all
intents aud purposes he was dead the
Instant lie fell forward en- the floor.
Dr. Mclean pronounced his death the
result Of sudden stroke of paralysis,
due to the bursting OF u large blood
vessel at the base OF the brain, and
stated thai his death was painless ms it
WAS sudden. The doctor knew his
patienS most intimately! and pronp ~
certified 10 thC cause Of the death 20
a~voidathc unnecessary formality CT Il
corOncr's inquest aud AN uut0D<v.
The funeral took place on Friday ut
10 O'Clock, from st. Bartholomcw's
church, at Madison avcnuc and Forty
Cook is pastor. Vanderbilt WAS II
struction of which he contributed
i"' y u vi w ~ CLi
was charged with the funeral arrange.
ments. At Vandcrbilt's own desire
inc was inferred in the family mGuso-
laum in Moravian Cemetery at New
dorp, Staten Island, which has lust
been completed. 1t was one OF the
last acts of his lie to turn over by
decd, for one dollar in hand paid of
good and lawful money, ali the old
farm property of the family on Staten
Island, to his Younger sor, George,
to do with as he desired, and for Ibis
purpose the father and son went over
to tic island together Saturday last,
incidentally inspecting the JUS complct-
ell mausolcum.
Mr.. Vanderbilt was probably The
richest man in America, his wealth
being estimated at $50, 0O0, 900. OF
this he inherited about So, 900, 900
from his father Commodore Cornelius
Vanderbilt, which he doubled in the
course of his life. fiitv Of Mr.. Van
dcrbiits millions are said To be invest.
ed in United States four per cents,
and the checks which he receives for
interest arc larger than those paid TO
any other of Uncle Sans creditors.
His income was $500 a minute. Mir.
Vanderbilt was >iytv-scvru wears old.
lie recently gave $500, 600 to the Col
lcgc of Physicians and Surgeons. In
his splendid brown stone house on
Fifth avenue, almost opposite 10 1t.
Patrick's Cathedral, arc many pictures
by the foremost CT living amiS;.. lie
had given over 500 900 To Wander
bilt University at Nashville, and had
some time since resigned active con-
troll Of his New York Central and
Hudson River and Lake shore and
Michigan Central Railroads, which
his father had operated before him.
AT the time OF his death Mr.. Van
dcrbilt was engaged upontwo missions
which were dear to his heart. One
was to keep shopkccpcrs out Of Fifth
avenue, which he feared would destroy
the beauty and disturb the quiet Of
that fashionable ~thorOu@hfarc. There's
idcnts OfFifthavc are fast scattering
into the side streets. Vanderbilt did
not wish either to or To be sur
rounded by traffic. He thought that
the impending ANNOYANCE could lie
deferred, if not avcrtcd, by defeating
the scheme for a street railroad. TO
that end he has devised IL stage line
to supply rcsidcts with handy transit
and make them content without rails.
lie was giving his personal attention
to this matter, and, to all intcnts and
purposes, had become a champion of
Slagc-coaching against railroadinG.
Curious TO relate his other hobby
was his tomb on Staten Island which
was being built aud which he visited
every day. The mortuary structure is
well along toward completion. The
masonry is to be done suon and then
only decorative Will be lacking. The
millionaire WAS much absorbed in this
tomb, Which will nave cost 500, 900
when all is ready 10 receive his body.
Mr.. Vanderbilt leaves three sons and
two daughters.