The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23
WILLIAM 4 VANDERBILT.
Sudden Death of the Richest
Man in America.
Suo,umbing to a Stroke Of Apo
plezy in his Library

William H. Vanderbilt, the great railroad
magnate anil richest mar in America, If not
in the world, was stricken with apoplexy O
few minutes after 2 o'clock P. NJ, on the sth.,
and died almost instantly. He was in the
library of his residence in Fifth avenue, New
York, at the time, and was sitting in
his easy chair and conversing with MI.
Robert Garrett, president of the Balti-
moro and Ohio Railway, and up to
the very moment of the attack was
apparently in his usual health and spirits.
Not q hint or a moments warning did either
he or his family have that his health was IN
80 precarious O condition. He was stretched
dead on the floor at his guests feet almost as
suddenly as though his brain had been
pierced by a rifle bullet.
Since 1881, when he suffered a shock Of
paralysis, not long after the sale OF 23o,0W
shares of New York Central, his health had
been a matter of almost constant solicitude
with his family, but for several
ter and brighter. He frequently spoke
of the Improvement himself, and was often
congratulated upon his hearty appearance.
tie elung tenaciously to life, and often said
of late that by the time he was slxty-five he
would be rejuvenated and set out on another
long life He was sixty-four when he died.
Mr.. Garrett arrived at MIR. Vanderbilt's
house about half nm hour after Mr.. Wander
bilt had left the luncheon table. He was at
once shown into the library, whore Mr.. Van
derbilt received him. 1t was then about a
quarter to 2 o'clock.
Mr.. Vanderbilt and Mr.. Garrett talked for
about half an hour on the relations Of their
respective railroad systems AMI the new
Staten Island project of the Baltimore and
Ohio. The talk having thus drifted to
Staten Island, Mr.. Vanderbilt spoke
of his early manhood there and
the Vanderbilt property there. he was
talking of tie Vanderbilt family tomb and
mausoleum when Mr.. Garrett noticed that
his voice became thick and indistinct. Glanc-
ing quickly up, he saw that the muscles OF
the face were twitching violently, and at the
same moment Mr.. Vanderbilt, with an effort
to articulate which ended in a gasp, started
to a half standing position, and pitched heavi-
" forward with his face downward. MIR. Car
rett started up AMI caught him in his arms and
ion at the same time from off the sofa and
putting it under the dying mans head. Mr..
Garrett then rang an electric bell, which
summoned Louis. Mr.. VanGerbilt's valet.
He called Mr.. George Vanderbilt and Mr..
Twombly. 1t was then thought that MIR.
Vanderbilt was in a fainting tit only. and
his wife and daughters were so informed.
Dr.. J. W. McLane, tho family physician.
and other doctors were called in, but they
could do nothing, as the vital spark was ex-
tinguished.
DR.. McLaue said that the cause Of Mr..
Vanderbilt's death was clearly apoplexy. He
had never before manifested any symptoms
of an apoplectic tendency, however, and the
attack was a complete surprise to tie doctor:
1t merely showed, h, said, that the blood
vessels of the brain had become brittle, and
under the stimulus of a hearty meal and OF
animated conversation one Of them had
broken.