Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-10
THE VANDERBILT FORTUNE
How II Originated some
Quarters of n Century Ago.
Roston JonrnalO

On the HIGH cliffs which skirt the Rari-
tan river. lust below the canal Quiet Is
the famous old Bellonia Hotel, Where
Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt mace
bis start I'm life. and laid the foundation
~ his great fortune. The building Is IL
lapidated. but as solid as in the carry
wears of the nineteenth century.
The hotel was built I'm 1903 by the Ne"
York and New Brunswick steampoat
company. with boatmen and shippers IL
becarne "a fayorite resort. and country res
tTonfe Who drove into town hardly felt
satifed tin they had dined nj the Behoilid.
Twice day the coaches of the trenton
Line pulled mp before the inn.,
In 1s29 the Bellonia passed into the
bords of Cornelius Vanderbilt. who was
unknown, except that every day or so ne
would sail mp from Perth Amboy WIN Il
boat-load of fish and oysters, ana ha"k
them about the town.
How did Vanderbilt get the money from
fish bedding 10 buy the BeHonia! lie
didn't. .,..,
Farlv FIN 1872 william Gibbons, capltal-
fist. made a night drive from New oIh 20
Perth Amboy. II was imperative ina. ne
ebouid cross Arthur XIII 90 TottenVllle'
The night was stormy. Gibbons be-
sought the ferry-mau 10 take nm across
but ne refused. lie then wandered mo
am old ferry tavern where hardy boalhleh
were gathered. A.. ,,o.,,o "a
row me across?" me called out
one old salt said:
"Why. Cap'n. you're dott'
Gibbons cried: Name your price; I've
got 10 got" o,d
Just then the door swung OPEN ana
"Corny'' Vanderbilt stalked IN.
vanderbilt ordered drink ana sWai-
lowed il i'm silence. Then he Responded:
.,yveu car,n I'm your man; let's START
Rutt0nine ND his coat, Corny got out ms
boat with pair of oars an oilsKlh ana
- lantern. The capitalist climbed upon
the rear seat, and held the lantern. fei-
baps an hour later the two men. ai'er
perilous voyage, trod Staten lsiahd' SOAK
ed TO the skin.
Vanderbilt had just been married, ana
Gibbons could not persuade him 10 remain
overnight on the island. The rich man
handed him card, with some money ana
told him to call at the steamboat com
pany's office i'm Battery Place When ne VS.
tied New York.
Some weeks later Vanderbilt ala go anu
was cordially received When ne was
about IN leave Gibbons gave him pack
age. and told him 10 go wharf, where
he would find an oyster smack for MS own
use
With this boat Vanderbilt began 10
make money. Not many months Iater
he had saved 500 and leased the Bellonia
Hotel. Fortune seemed TO have smiled
upon him. for about the same time ne
was made captain Of the first steamer be-
tween New York and New brunswick
the Bellonla, through the aid OF Gibbons.
Vanderbilt had plenty Of competition.
Opposing lines were started and he had
10 hustle TO maintain his pre-eminence
While he was on the water Mrs. van
derbilt cared for the guest who came 10
the Bellonia. She frequently took hand
I'm caring for their horses. and divided
the rest OF her time I'm looking after the
house and bar She, one OF whose de-
scendants was TO be a duchess, washed
and scrubbed 20 accumulate fortune.
She had a good eye FOR business.
After awhile Mrs Vanderbilt felt A de-
sire 10 leave more like the aristocrats
about her, and moved her household into
a house yet standing I'm Burnet street
Here IL was that William II. Vanderbilt
was born. Captain Vanderbilt was pro-
NOTED and wanted 10 give up the tavern,
but his wife was not willing TO Kill the
goose that laid the golden egg. and con-
tinued 10 welcome travellers. The good
cheer OF the hosiery was famous.
Charles Spaulding kept an excellent prl-