Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-12-17

William II. Vanderbilt dropped dead at
his home on Fifth avenue, New York, al 8
o'clock on the afternoon of the Sth instant,
of paralysis Of the brain. On the morning
of that day, and up to . o'clock in the after
noon, he was apparently in perfect health
and spirits. Between and 2 o'clock, Rob-
ert Garrett, President of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company, called to confer
with Mr.. Vanderbilt, and remained con-
siderable time. While Mr.. Vanderbilt was
talking Garrett sat on u sofa and faced the
millionaire, who leaned forward in his arm
chair, as was his habit when thoroughly in
terested. The President of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company was suddenly
made aware of II slight indistinctness in
Vanderbilt's speech, that grew into an mar
ticulate sound. AS Garrett leaned 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 exclamation of alarm, and
seizing pillow from the sofa, laid it under
his friends head, then summoned Mrs
Vanderbilt and George, the youngest son.
Messengers were sent for physicians. One
from the neighborhood responded first, and
was followed almost Immediately by the
family doctor, James w. Mclean. Such
simple restoratiyes as were at hand had been
hurriedly applied, but human aid was use
less. Vanderbilt never spoke or moved af-
ter he fell, and died in few minutes, with
out a struggle. TO all intents and purposes
he was dead the instant he fell forward on
the floor. DIR. Mclean pronounced his
death the result of sudden attack of paral-
ysis, due to the bursting of large blood
vessel at the base of the brain, and stated
that his death was as painless as it was sud-
den. The doctor knew his patient most in
timately, and promptly certified to the cause
of his death to avoid the unnecessary form
ality of a coroner's inquest and an autopsy.
Mr. Vanderbilt was 81 years Of age.
The funeral took place on Friday last, at
10 O'Clock from st. Bartholomew's church.,
of which Rev. DR.. Cook is pastor. Wander
bilt was vestryman in that church, to the
construction of which he contributed large
ly. The sexton Of the church was charged
with the funeral arrangements. At Van
derbit's own desire he was inferred in the
family mausoeum in Moravian Cemetery
at Newdrop, Staten Island, which has just
been completed. 1t was one Of the last acts
of his life to turn over by deed for one dol
lar in hard, paid of good and lawful money,
all the old farm property on Staten Island,
to his youngest son, George, to do with as he
desired, and for this purpose the father and
son went over to the island together on Sat-
uTudy pleCeullIS illo ue1ll', ihCluehl"iy III
specting the also just completed mausoleum.
His wealth is generally estimated at
5000, ,OOO, 600, and his annual income at S1O,-
OOO, ,0OO. OF his wealth he inherited about
$4,000, 600 from his father, Commodore Cor
nelius Vanderbilt, which he more than
doubled in the course of his life, and his in
come has been reckOned at $l0.75 per min-
ute or over $2S 900 day.
Fifty of Mr.. Vanderbilt's millions are said
to he invested in United States four per
cents, and the checks which he received for
interest were larger than those paid to any
other Of Uncle Sans creditors. He recent
ly gave $500, 900 to the College of Physicians
and Surgeons at New York. In his splen-
almost opposite to st. Patrick's Cathedal,
are many pictures by the foremost of living
artists. He had given over 100000 to
Vanderbilt University at Nashville, and
had some time since resigned active control
of his New York Central and Hudson River
and Lake Shore and Michigan Central rail
roads, which his father had operated before
| him.
At the time of his death Mr.. Vanderbilt
was engaged upon two missions which were
dear to his heart. One was to keep shop
keepers out of Fifth avenue, which he fear
ed would destroy the beauty and disturb
| the quiet of that fashionable thOroughfare.
The residents of Fifth avenue are fast scatter
ing into the side streets. Vanderbiltdid not
wish either to move or to be surrounded by
traffic. He thought that the impending
annoyance could be deferred, ifnot averted,
by defeating the scheme for street rail-
road. TO that end he has devised a stage
line to supply residents with handy transit
and make them content without rails. He
was giving his personal attention to this
matter, and to all intents and purposes had
become champion ofstage -coachingagainst
railroading.
Curious to relate his other hobby was his
tomb on Staten Island, above referred to-,
which was being built and which he visited
every day. The mortuary structure was
well along toward completion. The ma
sonry is to be done soon and then only dec
orative work will be lacking. The million
aire was much absorbed in this tomb, which
will have cost 100000 when all is ready to
receive his body. Mr.. Vanderbilt leaves
three sons and two daughters.