Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-09
DEATH OF vANOERBILr.


Wliiiam ID. Vanderbilt, the millionaire
dropped dead at $50 this afternoon. at hi.
residence. VIM. Fl. Vanderbilt was the rich
est man in the United States. He leaves .
property valued at s2OO, 900, 900. He was
son of Commodor Cornelius Vanderbilt, anc
was 81 years of age. The cause of death va.
paralysis of the brain, He was born at New
Brunswick, N. j., May, 1921. 1t is thought
that his death will have depressing influenct
on stocks.
Henry C. Lewis said that the death nc
doubt would have some effect ON the markel
as II would be used by those who Away.
sought to make capital out Of calamity, bu,
this would not be of serious character and
that there was nothing to fear.
j. Perrepoint Morgan said that Wander
bills's death would have little or no effort on
the market The West Shore negotiations
would go on as before and cablegram had
been sent to London with the notification OF
his death which no doubt would be received
there with q great deal of regret
Inside the Vanderbilt palace on 9TH avenue
tonight. the servants and friends tiptoed
about with grave and ssddened faces The
door-bell was rung every moment, and the
wide portals were swung open to admit other
friends who came to mourn with the mourn
ers. The children of the dead Money King
were gathered in his bedroom about his
corpse. None of them had been with him in
the hour of his death. To none had he time
to speak a word of farewell. As he lay upon
carved bed in large, square room, the win
dows of which overlook the avenue from the
southeast corner of the south wing of the
building, Vanderbilt looked as if he had fall
en- into IA gentle sleep. His features were
peaceful aud natural, as if he had just ceased
talking and lay down to rsst. His death had
been as painless as it was sudden. After
arising to-day he had held his usual morning
conference with his sons, Cornelius and
VIM. X, who were active managers of his
railroad properties. and afterward with Mr.
+. V. Rossiter, his private secretary, and
treasurer of the N. Y. Central r. r., to
whom he entrusted large share of the man.
agement of his private business affairs.
These conferences were held in Vanderbilt's
study, on the ground floor of the mansion
1t was his favorite room. where be wrote
aud transacted all his business
During the morning conference to-day he
had been more than ordinarily alert and ac-
tive, so much so as to excite comment, to
which he replied in good-humored and joe
ular vein.
tie had eaten good breakfast and was
looking forward with pleasant satisfaction to
ride up the Boulevard with his son-in-law
Hamilton Mex. Twombly. During the
morning he went down to the studio of j. o
A. Ward, sculptor, to sit for bronze bust of
himself, which the trustees of college of
physicians and surgeons wished to place in
the vestibule of the college, for the erection
Of which he recently gave half million of
dollars. He returned and took luncheon at
II 30 with his wife, his son George and MIR.
Twombly, and at the table was noticably
bright and cheerful.
At o'clock Robert Garrett, president of
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, called upon
Mr.. Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt greeted him
cordially and engaged in long and ami
mated conversation with him about railroad
matters. TIE conference lasted more than
an hour. Garrett sitting on the sofa and fac
ing the millionaire, who leaned forward in
his arm chair as was his habit when thorough
ly interested, was suddenly aware of slight
indistinctiveness in Vanderbilt's speech that
grew into an inarticuate sound. As he
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 and
seizing pillow from the sofa laid it under
his friends head, then summoned Mrs. Van
derbilt and George, the Youngest son. Mes
sengers were sent in haste for physicians.
One from the neghborhood responded first
and was followed almost Immediately by the
family doctor, DR.. James w. Mclean. Such
simple restoratives as we're at hand had been
hurriedly applied, but human aid was in vain.
Vanderbilt never spoke or moved after he
fell and died within few moments without
a struggle. To all intents and purpose he
was dead the instant he fell on the floor. 1t
was 2. 80 when DR.. Mclean led the stricken
widow from the room where her husband had
sit planning and working in full pride OF
health and strength five minutes before.
DR.. Mclean pronounced his death the re-
suit of sudden stroke of paralysis, due to
the bursting of a large blood vessel at the
base of the brain, of kind that is fatal at
the moment, ana stated that his death was
as painless as it was sudden. The doctor
knew his patient most intimately and prompt
ly certified to the cause of his death to avoid
an unnecessary formalitv of a coroner's in
quest and autopsy. As soon as it was sscer-
tanned beyond doubt that Vanderbilt was
dead, the men servants were summoned and
helped to carry the body of their dead master
up stairs to the bedroom he had occupied in
life. Mrs. Vanderbilt was prostrated with
grief and telephone messages were sent to
to inform them of the death of Vanderbilt.
The children soon arrived and as the report
spread with the rapidity Of lightning through
the city, they were followed by nearer friends
of the dead magnate. Universal consterHa
ton and grief prevailed. Like most of peo-
pie Mr.. Vanderbilt had his own little private
superstitions, ard one OF them was that if he
ever passed the age of 65. which for some
reason in the family's history he looked upon
as a critical age, he would be good for &c
years more. In conversation with a neal
friend more than three weeks ago, he stated
this as his belief when the subject was brought
up, and rejoiced in the knowledge that the
turning point was nearly reached. Had he
lived to May next, he would have been 65
He was born at the Staten Island homestead
in 1921.
The funeral will be Friday next at IL
o'clock, from ST. Bartholomew's church
Madison avenue and 44th street, of which
Rev. DIR. Cook is pastor. Vanderbilt wa,
vestryman Of the church, 10 which he con.
tributed largely. At Vanderbilt's own de
sire he will be inferred in the family mauso
leum in Moravian cemetery at Staten Island
Vanderbilt left a will but its provisions are
unknown to anyone except his family and
his confidential counsel Mr.. Depew. Van
derbilt's railroad systems will be managed
as heretofore. The sons will manage the
estate and properties the same as if the mas
ter's hand was still At the helm.
No commotion in financial circles is heard
Vanderbilt had long ago abandoned the stree
and stock market He owned no real estate