Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-12-16
Vanderbilt DEAD.
The Great Millionaire Falls Victim to
Paralysis in His New York Residence.


The Great Millionaire Falls Victim to
Paralysis in His New York Residence.
NEW YORK, Dec. 9.-Wm. III. Van
derbilt died suddenly at his residence
in New York city yesterday afternoon,
while chatting with Robert Garrett,
president of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad, in regard 20 the latter COM
pany's new terminal facilities by way
of Staten Island. Mr.. Vanderbilt
showed a lively interest in the results
that were to follow for the island of
his birth from the new enterprise, and
it was while the call turned upon this,
the scenes of his childhood and early
work. contrasted with the tremendous
achievements of his old age, that Mr..
Garrett, sitting on a sofa and facing
the millionaire, who leaned forward in
his arm chair, as was his habit when
thoroughly interested, was suddenly
made aware of a slight indistinctness
in Mr.. Vanderbilt's speech that grew
into On inarticulate sound. AS he
leaned over to catch his words Mr..
Vanderbilt pitched forward without
warning and fell heavily on the floor
on his face. Mr.. Garrett sprang to
his feet and Selling a. pillow from the
sofa laid it under his friends head,
then summoned Mrs. Vanderbilt and
George, the youngest son. Mes
sengers were sent in haste for
physicians. One from the neigh
borhood responded first, and
was followed almost Immediately
by the family doctor, James W. Nc
Lean. Such simple restoratives as
were at hand had been hurriedly ap-
piled, bnt human aid was in vain.
Mr. Vanderbilt never spoke or moved
after ne fell under the sudden stroke,
and died In a few minutes without
struggle. To all intents and purposes,
he was dead the instant he fell upon
the floor. Mr.. Vanderbilt was nearly
65 years of age.
The children Mr.. Vanderbilt leaves
are, in their regular succession from
Cornelius, who is about 40 years of
age, down: Cornelius, William K,
Frederick W., and George W., and
four daughters-Mrs. Elliott f. Shep-
ard, Mrs William D. Sloane, Mrs.
Hamilton Nick. Twombly, and Mrs.
DIR. Seward Webb. Cornelius and
William K. are both actively engaged
in the management of the family rail-
road interests, and will so continue.
Cornelius is the chairman ofthe board
Of directors of the New York Central
and the Michigan Central systems,
and William K. holds the same office
in the Lake Shore and Nickel-plate
systems. Frederick W., who is about
80 years old, is a director in all the
roads.
Mr.. Vanderbilt was, it is thought,
richer than any single member of the
Rothschild family. The Duke of West
Minister is said to be worth $2OO,OOO,
900, but Mr.. Vanderbilt was richer,
because the Dukes money only pays
him about 2 per cent, being mainly in
| lands and houses. Mr.. Vanderbilt had
a much larger income. Last year he
held $54, 100000 of 4 per cent. bonds,
and later he reduced this amount to
$35, 100000 of government 3b15 per
cents. His government bonds were
worth almost $75, 100000. At one
time he owned 100000 shares of
Michigan Central; 100000 shares of
North Western, and 100000 shares
of Lake Shore He is said
to have sold considerable Lake
Shore lately. In addition he had 3d.
900 shares of Chicago & Rock Island,
10000 of Delaware & Lackawanna,
and about 10000 shares in other
railroads, making in all about $780,
900 shares of railway stock; also
! 500, 100000 worth of railroad bonds,
100000 of state and city bonds,
and 1000, 900 in various manufact-
uring stocks and mortgages. He val
ued his house on Fifth Avenue, with it's
art treasures, at 100000. His or
binary household expenses were $780,
900 year. In 1884 he gave a ball
that cost $4,000. He loved horses,
and was a good judge of horse-fesh.
He sold Maud S. for $4,000. Mr..
Vanderbilt was worth 5000, 100000.
Although his fortune shrank last
year materially through a big de-
cline in stocks, and through bust
ness depression, the "bull'' movement
OF the past few months brought it up
again. His income was calculated as
follows: So, 372,OOO year from gov
eminent bonds, 81, 1894, 600 from rail
road stocks, and 1878, 695 from mis-
cellaneous securities; total over $1O,-
100000 a year, or $4,000 a day,
81 200 an hour, or $19.75 a minute.
He made no ostentatious display OF
his wealth and was charitable, al
though in this he had to be quiet, or
ne would have been overrun by im-
posters. Hewas shrewder in business
than many supposed he was. He
knew enough to sell 100000 shares OF
New York Central stock five years ago
at $1.2O, and buy governments at
par.
| NOT ALL OUT.