Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-12-17
NO. II.
Vanderbfirs Family.

I HdITltu III lotip anu ciSnt ShiiuiShs NOt-
neius, the elder son, was left 5000, 600 by
his grandfather, the Commodore, whose fa-
vorite he was. He is bright active young
man, and is supposed to be the brains of
the family. He lives in an elegant house
on Fifth avenue, and will, no doubt, succeed
to the bulk of his ia hers estate.
William X. Vanderbilt, the second son,
/ lives in beautiful residence opposite the
house of his father He has fortune of
from s5,OOOOOO to Ss,OOO,OOO in his own
right. He married one of the celebrated
Yznaga girls, who were noted for their
beauty. He pays a great deal of attention
to social duties, and two or three winters
ago gave fancy dress ball which was the
/ talk of the town during the season. On the
street it is said that Willie X, as he is ia
military called, will speculate. and that he
/ has Jared the fate of all Youngsters in Wall
street. Not to put too fine point on it,
/ the rumor has been circulated number Of
times that the young man was broke"
]
last circulated, Mr.. William H. Vanderbilt
got very angry, and declared publicly that
his son was worth $4,000 600 and could buy
all his detractors several times over. Will
/ liam X has an elegant country seat at lslip,
/ Long Island. where he entertains his own
and his wfe's friends in royal style.
Frederick Vanderbilt, who has evinced
more business capacity than his brothers,
displeased his father very much by his mar
rage some six years ago with Mrs. Torrance,
the divorced wife of the Commodore's ne
phew. but a reconciliation soon took place,
and last year Mr. Vanderbilt presented his
son with the house formerly occupied by
/ himself at Fifth avenue and Fortieth street.
Mrs. Seward Webb, formerly Miss Leila
Vanderbilt, is the youngest OF the daugh-
tcrs. and was the iavorite with her parents.
who strongly opposed her marriage with
Young DIR. Webb, son of the late Gen.
James Watson Webb, for two years. FL
nally consenting, the marriage took place
four years ago. George Vanderbilt, the
Youngest child. who is now about twenty
one years old, is the only unmarried mem
Der Of the family, and lives with his parents.
He is very delicate and of frail physique,
and is of reserved and studious tempera-
ment. Only last week tho dead millionaire
transferred to him all the property on Stat
en- Island, including the old New Drop farm.
He had already been left 81 100000 by his
grandfather, the Commodore, and this was
doubled by his father when he came Of age
last year.
Mrs. w. H. Vanderbilt is a singularly
unostentatous woman in every way, and
has never deserted her friends of earlier
days in consequence of her accession TO
such great wealth. A woman Of the world
10 some extent, she has yet never cared TO
entertain very largely, and has chiefly done
so bv receptions and dinners. Before Mrs.
Webb's marriage she generally gave ball
every winter, but last year the great house
was never opened for any large entertain
ment.
THE FIFTH AVENUE PALACE.
Mr.. Vanderbilt's palace at Fifth avenue
and Fifty-frst street, in which he had lived
for nearly four years is worthy Of n Doge
of Venice. 1t cost between $4,000, 900 and
S3,OOO,OOO, and nothing approaching it in
elegance is 10 be found in this country.
The double bronze doors which give en-
trance to the palace alone cost SIS 600, and
the bronze railing and other bronze work
around the house was furnished at an ex-
pense Of $50 1000 No two rooms in the
great architectural pile are alike, and the
Furnishings are princely in their magniii-
cence. The picture gallery is the largest
apartment in the house. 1t is 32 by 48 feet,
the height of two stories, and lighted from
above by curiously constructed combi.
nation Of roof and skylight, a6ording on
every foot Of its extensive wall perfect light
Tor the display Of paintings. Mr.. Wander
bilt had been in the habit Of giving art re-
ccptions. and tickets for these were eagerly
sought by connoisseurs and society people.
Very recently, however, he announced that
he would give no more public views Of bis
art works, and for the last year the treas
ure- which he had collected from two conti-
nents have been visible only 10 his intimate
friends and visitors of the family. A grand
fancy dress ball was given in the new man
sion on the night Of March 26, 1883, and on
this occasion, for the first time, the Astors
and other shining lights Of the first society
Of the city appeared in Mr.. Vanderbit's
drawing-rooms The bail was the event Of
the season, and was said 10 have cost the
opulent host 10000
HIS PICTURES.
The famous pictures owned by Mr. Van
derbilt aggregate about 81 100000 in value,
and form probably the most complete col
lection Of works representing the modern
art Of France in the world.
wealthy New York lady's will provides
that her numerous dogs, cats and birds
shall be cremlted and that their ashe. shall
be scattered upon her grave. The neigh
bors are eager for the provisions Of her will
TO be carried out at once.