Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-24

Said to Have Been EngaKed In q
Stormy Scene With His Son.

Said to Have Been Engaged In q
Stormy Scene With His Son.
A dispatch from Newport, r. l.. publish
ed in today's New York Journal, says:
The recent serious illness of Cornelius
Vanderbilt is still the theme for talk here.
Many Of Mr.. Vanderbilt's most intimate
friends and associates have expressed the
utmost surprise that one Of his physique
should have been the victim Of a paralytic
stroke, especially when his abstemious life
and habits are taken into consideration.
No event which has ever happened in this
generous, courtly gentleman's life has ever
affected him SO much as the determined
enort by his son, Cornelius, jr., to marry
Miss Grace Wilson, and the cause for this
terrible blow Is now told for the first time
and is vouched for fully
as Iar PACK as last August. young Van
derbilt, who has since proven himself a
young man of great determination, conflded
to his father his desire to make Miss VIII
son his wife. At first the Vanderbilts, the
father especially. smiled and said nothing.
and made no serious opposition to the
young mans suit. believing that his feel
Ing would in time die out. A trip for him
was planned, first abroad, then west but
ne stuobornly refused to leave New York.
Miss Wilson's Strong Attachment
Miss Wilson had shown a great and de-
cided preference for young Vanderbilt but
no one of her set ever dreamed that she
contemplated so serious step as matri-
mony with the boy, for the discrepancy in
their ages made every one think that she
was only amusing herself with him. 1t is
stated now, however, that at a tea given
last FEBRUARY to q lot of girls she positive
ly affirmed her intention of marrying young
vanderbilt. and So the news commenced to
spread rapidly.
1t naturally got to the ears of Mr. Van
ocrbllt, and i'll consequence a stormy in
terview was held between the father and
son early In April. The father first gently
pleaded. then commanded. The sen showed
perfect indifference to the wishes of his
1ather, and, remaining obdurate went at
once to the house of Miss Wilson and i'm
piored their engagement be formally an
nounced.
Wilson's Announce the Went.
A meeting Of the Wilson family was held,
and they were then made fully cognizant
of the Violent opposition to the union of
the young people. Notwithstanding all this
and knowing that the young mans career
in life would be seriously affected, If not
completely blighted, the Wilson's gave
dinner al which the announcement CT
their daughters marriage in May to young
vanderbilt was made and duly chronicled.
Mr Vanderbilt at once made codicil to
M ms VIII, cutting off his eldest son with
S6WO year In trust invested. The we'd
ding did not occur in May, for the delicate
lad was attacked by nfiamma.ory rheu-
mattsm and the event was postponed, at
first indefinitely, and then set for the first
week in August. Daily the lines deepened
In the face of the anxious father and his
friends knew that his mental trouble and
anxiety for his sons happiness and health
were making sad inroads on his own
health.
AS last resort, a week ago Tuesday
morning, Mr. Vanderbilt went, with Drs.
Janeway and McBurney, to admon!sh the
obdurate young man against the step he
was about to take, and TO urge him to trav-
Ell and regain his shattered health. Young
Vanderbilt declared that nothing would
alter his determination to make Miss Will
son MS Wife, and that il need be- he would
repudiate the whole family which loved
him SO dearly.
struck Down at His Sons Feet.
1t was at this juncture that Mr. Wander
bilt arose, his face livid with rage and an
ger, but before the anathema which he
would have hurled at his disobedlent son
could be uttered he clutched at his throat
and fell from the stroke of paralysis which
startled the world
W men 1t was announced that death might
follow. Mrs. Vanderbilt and her daughter
went to Aer son who persstenty refused
to approach his father and pleaded with
Seek reconciliation. This young Wander
bilt refused most positively to do, and then
lIrs. and Miss Vanderbilt went on their
knees and prayed the boy to do as they
asked. He stubbornly refused to see his
father or to inquire as to his condition.
Since Mr.. Vanderbilt has been conscious
ana has been able to talk he has requested
that the marriage be at least postponed I'M
til late in the fall, but even this request it
is understood, has been denied.