The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-02-04
vANDER6ILT'S INTENTIONS.

What the Great Railroad King Intended to
Have Done--A Monument In Contempia-
tion at the Time of His Death That
Would Have Given Him Enduring Fame
The Sloans' Great Gift.
NEW YORK, Jan. 26.-The true signi-
ficance of the great gift of $3.50, 900 to the
College of Physicians and Surgeons by
Mr.. and Mrs. Sloan is Just revealed
When William II. Vanderbilt signed and
executed his ninth will-the one admit
ted to probate-the fact was mentioned
by his lawyer that it contained no great
testamentory character.
"No," said the testator, tI have not
much respect for the spirit which gives
money to the public in wills. For man
to give away money after he has got
through with it is no credit, and to give
it to library instead of his children is
only to change its direction. All that a
man means to do in public charities, he
ought to do when he is alive and has
something to part with. 1 mean to es-
tablish a big art museum and put five or
ten millions of dollars in it. Then |
mean to leave my children enough so
that they can be wisely philsnthropic
after am gone"
He Immediately put irtO operation a
plan for Il colossal art museum, but his
wish to get the lots where the Catholic
Orphan Asylum and Cathedral are To-
Gated was resisted by that institution,
and negotiations were pending when he
so suddenly died.
Mrs Sloan and the other children have
now taken upon themselves the burden
OfNbenevOlence. and while they do not
feel that the public can rightfully make
anv demand upon them. more than upon
any other citizens. they recognize the fact
that their father did not build for himself
the sort of 4 monument he might have
done, and they are consulting on what to
do and how to do it.
Cornelius and VIM. X Vanderbilt are
now respectively first and second vice
presidents of the Hudson River and New
York Central railroads, the former is
chief of finance and the latter head of
transportation, but it is understood at
the next election their rank and response
bility will be increased. Their characters
are quite different, though side
whiskers, square face and grey
eyes give them sharp re-
semblance in personal appearance.
Cornelius is forty-one years old, deeply
and actively religious man, quiet in his
habits, superintendent of a Sunday
school, worth ninety million dollars, and
liable to be worth three or four times
that amount before he dies. He has been
at the desk ever since he was sixteen
years old, and is a hard and constant
worker. Twelve years ago he made a
wife of Alice G. Wynn, of Cincinnati,
and they have four or five children.
VIM. X. Vanderbilt is q different sort of
a man. His mother brought up all of her
nine children to be religious, but W. X.
got over going to Sunday-schOol i good
while ago. lie finds sOlace at the club,
likes to drive upon the avenue as his
grandfather did, and has Just ordered de-
signs for a new yacht that will be larger
than the old COmmudOre'S North Star
larger and finer than even GOuld'S and
Rennett's cruisers, the Atalanta and
NamOuna He hates the desk as
much as his brother likes it,
is very active in his temperament, ath-
letic and with Superabundant vitality. He
likes to take risks as the old Commodore
did, and like him is iraSCib!e and some
what brusque in his manner. Like him
he dislikes vanity, that is, he is not
amiahle or cOnciliatOry. and does not
care much what folks either think or say
of him. Ten years ago he married
Southern lady, who is much devoted to
the gay world They reside in the great
white marble house in the style of an old
French chateau at Fifth avenue and
Fifty-second street. and they summer Oh
Long Island. They have four young
children
1t is believed by those best acquainted
with him that Cornelius Vanderbilt will
easily become 4 good deal richer man
than his father WIS, and that in his own
time he will be the founder and patron
OF some noble secular establishment that
viii serve as memorial of his name.