The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-09
While Discussing Railway Matters with
Robert Garrett He Falls from His Chair
and Expires in Few Minutes.
The Family Physician Announces that
Death Resulted from Apoplexy.
The Business Methods and Enormous Wealth
Of the Dead Man-An Income of $40 0,0O0,-
600 a Year-His Personal Appearance.
A DEAD MONEY KING.

A DEAD MONEY KING.
William III. Vanderbilt Drops Dead in His
Library of Apoplexy
New YORK, Dec. 8-William FL. Vanderbilt
is dead. Without a moments warning, the
message came for him, and he was no more
The gilt iron cross over the gate that leads to
the grounds Of the Roman Catholic Orphan Asy-
lum, on Fifth avenue, cleaned brightly under
the electric light tonight. Seen from the grand
entrance of the Vanderbilt mansion, directly
opposite, against the sombre gray of the marble
Cathedral, it was the only cheerful thing on the
wide, deserted avenue, that seemed also stricken
as with sudden death. Rays of its brightness
were reflected in the windows OF the huge
brown-stone pile, behind whose closed
curtains one of the richest men in
the world lay dead, stricken suddenly,
and without warning. The busy hum
of traffic, and the noises of the street were
hushed in the block. Carriages turned out, and
passers by stopped 20 inquire if it was true that
the millionaire was dead. Being told that they
had heard Alright they went their way, sobered
and silent tarrying, mayhap minute. to gaze
pityingly on the huge stone pile Inside, serv-
saddened faces. The door bell was rung almost
every minute, and the wide portals swung open
to admit other friends who came to mourn with
the mourners. Upstairs. behind the drawn
curtains of the millionare's bedroom, were sobs
and tears The children of the dead were gath
cred there about his corpse None of them had
been with him in the hour Of his death. To none
of them had he had time to speak word of
farewell AS he lay upon the carved bed
in the large square room, the
windows Of which overlook the
avenue from the northeast corner of the south
wing of the building, to the left of the main en-
trance, Mr.. Vanderbilt looked as if he had fallen
into a gentle sleep. His features were peaceful.
and as natural as if he had just ceased talking
and laid down to rest. His death had been as
painless as it'was sudden.
Mr. Vanderbilt was always an early riser.
When, in his young days, he worked his Staten
Island farm. it was his custom to rise with the
sun, and he used to say that he had often arisen
at o'clock to go to New York, and returned to
his breakfast and his plow at 7. OF late years
he had made it practice to leave his bed at 7,
and throughout the increasing ill-health of the
After arising to-day he had held his usual
morning conference with his sons Cornelius and
William K, who were the active managers of
his railroad properties, and afterwards with Mr..
e. V. Rossiter, his private secretary, and treas
urer of the New York Central railroad. to whom
he intrusted large share of the management of
his private business affairs These conferences
were held in Mr.. Vanderbilts study, on the
ground floor of the mansion, in the corner to
the left of the main entrance. 1t was his favor
ite room, where he wrote and transacted all his
business. During the morning conference to-
day ne had been more than ordinarily alert and
which he replied in a good humored
jocular vein. He had eaten a good
breakfast and was looking forward with
pleasant anticipatons to a ride up the
boulevard with his son-in-law, Hamilton Mex
Twombly. At II o'clock he sent to the Grand
Central Depot for his old time friend, Chauncey
NJ Depew, president of the New York Central
railroad, with the message that be wished to see
him. Mr. Depew was engaged in a conference
and sent word that he would not be able to
come for an hour or two, and Mr.. Vanderbilt de-
layed the appointment till / o'clock and to oc-
cupy the interval, went down to the studio Of j.
@. A. Ward. the sculptor. in West Fifty-second
street. to SIT for bronze bust of himself which
the trustees of the College of Physicians and
Surgeons wished 20 place in the vestibule of the
college, for the erection of which he recently
gave 100000 He returned and took lunch at
1890 with his wife. his son George and Mr..
Twombly At the table he was noticeably
bright and cheerful.
At o'clock Mr.. Robert Garrett, the president
of the Baltimore e. Ohio railroad called upon
Mr.. Depew at the Grand Central Depot, and find
ing him still detained there. went up to Mr..
Vanderbilts house to inform him, and take Mr..
Depew's place. Mr.. Vanderbilt greeted him
cordially, and engaged in long and animated
conversation with him about railroad matters.
The conference lasted more than an hour, and
Mr. Vanderbilt sent word to Mr.. Twombly that
he would be compelled to forego the intended
drive. The two railroad magnates were discuss
ing the new terminal facilities Of the Baltimore
e. Ohio, the new inlet into the city it lad Sc
cured by way of Staten Island, and MIR. Wander
bilt showed lively interest in the results that
would follow for the island of his birth, from the
new enterprise. 1t was while the talk turned upon
this the scenes of his childhood. contrasted with
the tremendous achievements of his old age
Mr.. Garrett, sitting on a sofa and facing the
millionaire who leaned forward IN his arm
chair, as was his habit when thoroughly inter
ested-that the president of the Baltimore & Ohio
was suddeI!yy made aware Of slight indistinct-
ness in Mr.. Vanderbt's speech, that grew into
an inarticulate sound. AS he leaned over to
catch his words. Mr.Vanderbilt pitched forward,
without ward Of warning. and fell heavily on
the floor on his face. Mr.. Garrett sprang to his
feet with an exclamation of alarm, and seizing
a pillow from the sofa, laid it under his friends
head; he then summoned Mrs. Vanderbilt
and her son George. Messages were
sent for physicians. one from the