The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-20
Commodore
Vanderbilt
And His Wife,

It Is a tact almost too well known TO
need repetition that many great and
successful men have owed their promi-
nence TO the earnest aid % their wives
who have been faithful in constant en-
deavor 10 help their husbands sur
mount the ladder Of fame and fortune.
y story often told BY Daniel Drew 81
Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt forci-
bly, illustrates this beauty OF woman's
devotion. Luck undoubtedly played
part in the beginning OF Vanderbilt'S
career. but he made money because OF
his energy and sh- wdness. though Mrs
Vanderbilt aided him very materially
at one time when he thought a good In
vestment was about slipping through
his hands owing to his lack OF sufficient
capital.
When Vanderbilt was an enterprising
young captain connected with the Un-
ion line for Philadelphia and Baltimore.
its wondrous advertisement. reading
Through to Baltimore In one Day" a
position that he had obtained almost
solely through a dispensation OF luck.
as may be told some other time. his
steamer, Emerald. left her wharf daily
Sundays excepted at noon on the
north side OF the Battery. with passeu-
gers for New Brunswick and Philsdel-
pha. Many people Travelled on the
boat as far as the former city. for
round trip there was u favorite excur-
sion OF those days.
New Brunswick's hotel. or half way
house. was unkempt and III kept. Mrs.
Vanderbilt saw her opportunity and
suggested TO her husband that they
should take the hotel. Tefit IL and run
it in a style that would attract guests.
Vanderbilt thought well Of il. and after
leasing the hotel he took his family
from his fathers little house at Staple
ton 10 live in New Brunswick. As Mrs.
Vanderbilt had suggested the scheme.
her husband told her that she might
run the hotel lerself and have the prof.
it's. Mrs. Vanderbilt was a strong. in
dustrious. frugal woman. and she turn
ed the hotel upside down. cleaned Il
and made il attractive. She named 10
Bellona Hall. after the steamship Bel
Iona, which her husband then COM
manded. and in a very short time this
fame OF IT had spread 10 New York and
parties were made up TO visit II be-
cause Of the excellent table 20 be found
there. IT also increased the profits OF
the line for which Captain Vanderbilt
worked. and his salary was increased
to s. 600 per year. For Y years Mrs.
Vanderbilt managed Bell0na Han. with
profit to herself and pleasure 10 her
patrons During these years Captain
Vanderbilt had been studying steam
ships and investigating the chances for
profit in traffic on the Hudson and along
the sound. He wanted 70 De one of the
transportation magnates % New York.
and, although his fortune was small. he
had valuable ideas. gained from years
Of practical experience as a steamboat
captain. and he felt sure that q he could
get the right opening he need not fear
the greater wealth Of his rivals. lie
had complete faith In Mrs Vanderbilt's
hotel management and knew that she
had saved some money.
In 1929 a grand opportunity came 20
him. The controlling interest IN q
steamship was offered 20 him for tho
sum Of $1,000. HIS savings amounted
10 s. 900 bat he did not know where be
could obtain the halauCe-- Naturally. DC
turned 10 his wife for sympathy telling
her Of his desires and explaining the
plans BY which fortune would b. ia his
yTasp II he could only buy the steamer
She listened 20 him atteut!vely. You
,niy need Slz 0eG more. dear husband.
Why. here IL u.s." she said as II by ac-
ident she pulled out a great roll q
money from under the bed IL must
nave been the proudest moment ~ her
re Not f0r an instant had her has.
and auppossd che possessed q tenth Or
he amount She had saved every cent
rom the profits - the hotel
Captain Vanderbilt bought his boat
M few years later ~ was the owuss
2 q fleet: bat hts rise In life was ovinl
ntirely o. his wifC'E careful economy.