The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-12-10
One of the Richest Men in the
a1Q World, Dead.
EROM CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE
His Vast Wealth; an Income Il
SI9.75 a Minute-FuneraI
Preparations.
Vanderbilt.

ment's warning 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
Asylum, Fifth Avenue, cleaned
brightly under the electric lamp to-
night. Seen from the grand entrance
of the Vanderbilt mansion, directly op-
posite, against the sombre grey of the
m rble cathedral, it was the only cheer
full thing on the wide, deserted avenue,
that seemed also stricken as with sud
den death. The 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 worldlay dead, stricken suddenly
and without warning. The busy hum
of the traffic and noise of the
street were hushed in the bio k.
Carriages turned out and pass
ers-by stopped to inquire if it was
true that the millionaire was dead.
Being told that they heard Alright they
went their way, sobered and silent,
tarrying mayhap a moment to gaze
Ou lA1C SIOuC III
side the servants and friends tiptoed
about with grave faces. The door bell
was rung almost every minute and the
wide portals swinging open to admit
other friends who came to mourn with
the mournerS. Up stairs behind the
drawn curtains or the millionaire's bed
room were sobs and tears. The children
of the dead were gathered there about
his corpse. None of them had been
with him in the hour of his death; to
none had he time to speak word of
farewell. As he lay upon a carved
bed in the large square room.
the windows of which overlook
the avenue from the northeast
corner from the south wing of the
building to the left main entrance, Mr..
Vanderbilt looked as though he had
fallen into 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 in later
life that he had often arisen at O'Clock
to go to New York, and returned to
breakfast and his pillow at 7. OF late
years he had made it practice to leave
his bed at Z, or not much later, and
throughout the increasing ll.health of
the last two winters, he had adhered To
this practice. After rising to-day he
had held his usual morning conference
with his sons Cornelius and William
X, who were the active managers OF
his railroad property, and afterward
with Mr.. Z. V. RosSitter, his private
secretary, and treasurer of the New
York Central railroad, to whom he en-
trusted the last share of stock. Despite
frequent reports of his death he had
been apparently mending. There had
been an improvement in the general
tone of his health that was particularly
to-day. On Monday night he
attended the performance in the Metro
polItan Opera House, and nothing was
further from his mind
than sudden death. Like most people,
Mr.. Vanderbilt had his own private |
SuperStitions, and one of them was that |
if he ever passed the age of IS, which for |
some reason in the family history he |
has looked upon "a a 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 he rejoiced in the !
knowledge that the turning point was |
nearly reached. Had Vanderbilt lived |
till May Sth, next, he would have been |
So years of age. He was born at the |
Staten Island homestead, on that |
date, in the year 1921. The near.
ness of the time which he con-
sidered critical, gave him no apparent |
concern however. He did not expect. |
neither did he fear death. It came to |
him, il very swiftly, very gently. He
lid not know it when il seized him.
By arrangement of the nearest
riends with members of the family. II
vas decided that the funeral should he
IN Friday next, at 10 o'clock from ST
church, at Madison
Avenue and Forty-fourth Street, of
which Rev. DR.. Cook is pastor. Mr..
Vanderbilt was veStryman in the
hureh, to the construction of which he
lad contributed largely. The sexton of
he church was charged with the fun
raj arrangements. At Mr.. Wander
alt's own desire, he will be inferred in
he family mausoleum at Mora
ian Cemetery. at New Dorpsic
which has Just been completed. IL
Fas one OF the last acts OF his life to
urn over, by deed of one dollar. ali
be old farm property of the family on
taten Island, to his son George, to do | '
nth as he desired, and for this pur- I
Ose, the father and son visited and '
rent over the island together, last Sat I
rday incidentally inspecting the "iust- {
ompleted-mausoleum." Mr.. Wander
lit had made will, but what its pro-
isions are are not known to any one
Inside of his family. and his confiden- d
al counsel and friend, Mr.. Depew O
ut the Vanderbilts were very united
lmily. Mr.. Depew ventured the pre- q
lotion that the millionaire's death
ould make no change in the existing :
0nditions. The Vanderbilt railroad
Tstems will be managed and owned as /
eretOfore. The sons will man
&c the estate and the proper
es. all of which are here
he same as if the master hand was at
lie helm. No commotion in financial ?
relies need result. Mr.. Vanderbilt had |
'ng abandoned Wall Street and the
ock market. He owned no real in
as an investment. Like the
commodore (his father he had no faith
real estate, but believed that for men
active affairs, it was the correct thing
} invest in properties, that could be
Irned into money instantly If needed.