New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-12-16
DEATH OF VANDERBILT.
William II. Vanderbilt Drops Dead OF
Paralysis In his Resid ence IN New York

William III. Vanderbilt Drops Dead Of
Paralysis In his Residence in New York.
William H. Vanderbilt, the richest
man in America, if not in the world,
dropped dead in his own house,
on Tuesday afternoon. He appeared to be
in good health pto the moment of death.
He had held conferences with various people
and at the time was discussing railroad
matters with Mr.. Garrett, president OF
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad.
It was while the talk turned upon the
scenes of his childhood and early
work contrasted with the tremendous
achievement Of old age, that Mr.
Garrett, sitting on the sofa facing
the millionaire, who leaned forward in his
armchair, as was his habit when thorough
y interested, that the president OF the
aware OF a slight indistinctness in Mr..
Vanderbilt's speech that grew into
an inarticulate sound. AS he leaned
over to catch his words Mr. Van
derbilt pitched forward, without !, word
of warning and fell heavily on the floor on
his face. Mr.. Garrett, springing to his feet
with an exclamation of alarm, seized the
pillow on the sofa laid it under his friends
head. He then summoned Mrs. Wander
bilt and George, the youngest son. Mes
sengers were sent in haste for ply
sicians. One from the neighborhood re-
sponded first, and was followed almost i'm.
mediately by the family doctor, Dr. James
w. Mclean. Such simple restoratives as
were at hand had been applied, but human
aid was in vain. Mr.. Vanderbilt never
spoke or moved after he fell under the
sudden stroke, and died within a few min
utes without "a struggle. To all intents
and purposes he was dead the in
slant he fell forward upon the floor.
Universal CONSERVATION and grief prevailed
at the most unexpected news. Mr.. Van
derbilt while he had, for the past two
years, been victim more or less of indi-
gestion, with it's attendant ills and kindred
disorders, had lately, despite the frequent
reports OF his death, been apparently mend.
ing.
Mr.. Vanderbilt had made a will, what
it's provisions are is not known to any one
outside the family and his confidential
counsel and friend, Mr.. Dcpew. But the
Vanderbilts were avery united family. Mr..
Depew ventured the prediction that the
millionaire's death would make no change
inexisting conditions. The Vanderbilt rail
road systems will be managed and owned as
heretofore. The sons will manage the es-
tate and the property, all OF which are here,
the same AS il the master hand was still at
the helm.
Mr.Vanderbilt was, it is thought, richer
than any single member Of the Rothschild
family. The duke OF Westminster is said
to be worth 81, 600, 900, but Mr.. Wander.
bilt was richer because the dukes money
only brings him about 2 per cent, being main
lyin lands and houses. Mr.. Vanderbilt had
Il much larger income. Last year he held
$54;OOO,OOO OF per cent bonds and later
he reduced this amount to $35, 100000 OF
government 3b per cents. Hisgovcrnment
bonds were worth almost $75,OOO,OOO.
At one time he owned 24O, 900 shares of
Michigan Central; 800, 900 shares of North
western, and 200, 900 shares OF Lake Shore
lately. Inaddition he has 80, 900 Chicago
4 Rock Island, &c, 900 Delaware & Lacka.
wanna and about &c, 900 shares in other
railroads, making about 800, 900 shares OF
railroad stocks; also 500 .OOO, 900 worth of
railroad bonds, $3,2OO,OOO of state
and city bonds, and 100000 in
various manufacturing stocks and mort
cages. He valued his house on Fifth
avenue, with it's art treasures at
$3,O0O,OOO. Ills ordinary household
expenses were 5000, 900 a year. In 1884
he gave a ball that cost 100000. He
loved horses, and was agood Judge ofhorse-
flesh. He sold Maud s. for 100000. Mr..
Vanderbilt was worth 100000, 900. AL
though his fortune shrank last year ma
terially through Il big decline in stocks and
through business depression, the 'bull
movement" OF the pastfcw months brought
1T up again. His income WAS calculated as
follows: $2,372,UOO Il year from govern
ment bonds; S7,395, 900 from railway
stocks; IS 7G, 695from miscellaneous securi-
ties. Total, over $4,000, 900 year, or
$4,000 day.
Mr.. Garrett describes the death scene as
follows: He VAS seated in his own arm
chair in a careless, half reclining position,
and his visitor sat opposite upon :. sofa.
Suddenly Mr. tGarrett observed q hitch in
Mr.. Vanderbilt's voice. It seemed to grow
thick, and his words came with difficulty.
Mr. Garrett was alarmed to see painful
twitch in his hosts face. Another and 1.
fainter one passed-just the slightest spasm.
Mr.. Vanderbilt ihalf-rose from his chair.
paused, tottered, and then fell forward
upon his side at the feet OF his astonished
guest, with whom but a moment before he
had been engaged in lively conversation.
Before Mr. Garrett could lean over him
and place his hand upon his heart it had
ceased to beat. Within thirty seconds
from the time THAT the indistinct articilla.
lation was noticed he was dead A blood
vessel in his brain had broken known as
:apoplexy. He never knew how he died or
guessed that the END of his life had come.
His sensation may be described, if describ-
ed at all, as Il moment Of stupor, then OF
blindness, mental, chaos, andythe end.