The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-20
WATCHING vANDERBILTs TOMB.
Detectives Still There, but the New Mauso-
leum Almost Completed.

Detectives Still There, but the New Maus0-
leum Almost Completed.
All through Decoration Day, when a national
instinct seemed to call the people out to do honor
to their dead, the grave of him who was the rich
est man on the continent remained bare of any
testimonial of love or of remembrance
Only a faded wreath hung from the
iron grating that guards the receiving
vault where the remains of William FL.
Vanderbilt have found temporary resting place.
All about the grave-y yards of the country bios
somed, and the humbest tenant beneath those
green mounds whose doors never outward swing
had heaped above him those fragrant tokens of
remembrance that love strews above her dead.
1t seemed an odd contrast that while every tomb
in all the neighborhood should be dressed with
flower laden fingers this one should stand alone
unmarked save by wreath of withered roses
that had given up their lives days before.
The same watchful care that guarded the
bones of this dead Croesus the first week of his
burial still continues, and day and night sentries
pace before the tomb, and detectives sit
near by. For five months this unceas-
ing vigil has been kept, and through
ali the winter SHOWS, through the tender
green of spring, and now into the fullleaved
strength of summer that little band of keepers
has never closed its eyes before the temporary
tomb. Very lonesome this watch has been, and
few people come to see this guarded grave.
Once month or SO some member OF the Van
derbilt family have driven to the spot for few
minutes stay, and they are about the only Wis
itors the watchers have seen.
Everybody knows where the receiving vault is
Just outside of New Dorp, on Staten Island.
All about the country is dressed in its most CO.
quettish coat of green, and the hills that reach
down in graceful sweeps seem there to shut in
the peaceful spot from all rude intrusion. The
little red house-onestory, one-roomed and all
as temporary as the tomb-is the only sign of
living thing at hand. Here Pinkerton g
eight detectives live and sleep, and watch,
and from this rude shanty a little trail
across the turf had been worn bare and hard by
the pacing feet of the sentres Two by two
they march solemnly up and down, down and
up the little path their feet have worn. Day or
night the curious visitor can see them swing
ing to and fro before the tomb as monot-
onously and regularly as some great
human pendulum, All are heavily armed,
and at the little window in the red house
that looks out upon the roadway man
sits all day with Winchester rife in his bands
Two sentries are always on guard, relieving each
other every four hours. Electric wires connect
the house with alarm stations in New Drop and
a hundred other precautions are taken to keep
the most daring robbers from ever making an
attempt to violate the sanctity of the tomb.
The last time any of the family visited the
tomb was the Saturday before Decoration Day,
when Mrs. W. II. Vanderbilt drove up with her
eldest son, Cornelius, and her youngest, George.
the party went inside, remained about ten min
utes, and then drove I'D the hill to where the
new mausoeum is approaching completion, up
the winding road quarter Of mile or so.
The new tomb looks almost ready
for occupancy. There is very little work to be
done upon it, and one of the men in charge said
that it would be completed next week. 1t over
looks the old Moravan Cemetery, and the site is
the prettest in all that neie hborhood. The
family have not yet completed arrangements for
moving the remains. but it is thought the new
interment will take place the last of the present
month. 1t will be strictly private and only the
immediate family will be present at the simple
service that will mark the removal