The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-25
THE VANDERBILT RICHES.
An Extravagant Family, But Still I'm
Very Comfortable circumstances.
New York World.


Very Comfortable circumstances.
New York World.
William H. Vanderbilt was by long odds
the wealthiest man in the world. The
lowest estimate put upon his fortune was
Sl60,00o000. Chauncey NJ. Depew said it
aggregated 500, 000,O00 and that figure
was probably not far wrong. To each of
his eight children was bequeathed $1,000
600; 5000 900 was set aside to provide an
income for Mrs. Vanderbilt and the re-
mainder was directed to be divided be-
tween the two eldest sons, Cornelius and
William K. Vanderbilt. In round num-
bers they received SIS. 800. 900 each. which.
with the requests Of 100000, increased
their shares to $50, 10000 Cornelius Van
derbilt at the time was estimated to pos
sess $5,000,000. The present estimates of
their fortune take into consideration the
natural Accommodations and allow for the
expenditures, for it is known that the VAN
derbilts use great deal of money.
The accumulation of money by Commo-
dore Vanderbilt was more notable than
that by Mr. Gould, or perhaps by any other
man who made himself a millionaire
through his own efforts. 1t was more diff
ficult TO make money in the days of Com
modore Vanderbilt than it is now, yet the
commodore in his lifetime amassed for
tune of fully $4,000, 600. This amount was
more than doubled by William III. Van
derbilt, principally through the extension
OF his railway interests. Next 10 the Astor
fortune there is no fortune so securely in
vested as that of the YanderbiltS. 1t con
sists almost entirely of government bonds
and the securities of the Vanderbilt rail-
roads, which form one of the most pros
porous systems in the country. The Van
derbilt stocks suffer less III the mutations
OF the stock market than almost any other
class of securities, and the Vanderbilt for
tunes. accordingly, sustain small changes
Ia periods OF financial stress.
At one time William III. Vanderbilt was
an operator in the stock market on great
scale. Both he and his two eldest sons,
Cornelius and William h. lost heavily in
the tumultuous financial times of 1874, and
then abandoned speculation altogether
Cornelius Vanderbilt was the favorite of
his grandfather, the commodore, whose
name he bears. He is ali excellent BUSH
ness man of conservative WAYS. When not
absent from New York he is TO be found
every day at his Office in the Grand Cen
trail station. A door from his office opens
into the Office of Chauncey VI. Depew. the
president of the New York Central Il Hud-
son River railroad. He depends on Mr.
him did, and takes infinite pleasure in Mr.
Depew's clever sayings and funny stories.
He and MIR. Depew lunch together regu-
larry
Mr. Vanderbilt is interested, perhaps.
more in church work than in financial
affairs. He erected a very handsome
building for the railroad branch of the
Young Mems Christian Association and
often takes part in its meetings He is
never heard as speaker except at these
meetings. He attends the fashionable
st. Bartholomew church in Madison
avenue and may be seen any Sunday after
noon winding his way home from service
with prayer book and hymnal in his
hand. He has never displayed any politi-
cal ASPIRATIONS. His name was once sug-
gested for mayor, but the proposition met
with prompt disapproval.
Aware that he has more money than he
can spend even by the most lavish outlay.
William X. Vanderbilt leads perhaps the
most elegant life of any American. He
pays little attention TO business for the
good reason that there is little necessity
for it. He has the reputation at the Union
Club, of which he is n member, of being
one of the most expert whist players in
New York
Fred W. Vanderbilt, who occupies the
old mansion of William H. Vanderbilt. at
Fifth avenue and Fortieth street, was for
merly one of the most successful specula-
tors in Wall street, but he stopped stock
operations at the request of his father
when the latter discontinued his own ven
lures in the financial whirl. Like William
H. Vanderbilt, he is a lover of speedy
horses. and his stable contains some of the
best roadSters that show their quality on
ST. Nicholas avenue. 4 fayorite diversion
of his is billiards. Few professionals can
handle the cue with more adeptness.
William III. Vanderbilt's youngest son,
George w. Vanderbilt, never displays any
leaning towards finance. He is a thorough
book-worm, and has a library of which
there are few equals. i few years ago he
was animated with an ambition To become
a newspaper reporter, but was finally dis
suaded by his family from entering Jour
nalism. He was willing 10 begin AT the
bottom and work up. He expected in
time, of course, to be great editor" He
has turned from stocks to lands IN his in
vestments. He is one of the large land
holders on Staten Island. and has great
tract in the South.
William H. Vanderbilt built house for
each of his children, with the exception of
Fred w. TO whom, as stated he gave his
own former residence, and of George w,
the only unmarried one, who resides with
his mother in the great brown stone sfrnc-