The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-09-16
DEATH OF A VANDERBILT.
Grim Messenger Calls the New
York Croesus.
ILL A FEW HOURS.
Efforts of Two Physicians to Save
the Distinguished Patient
Prove Unavai1ing.

New York, Sept. 12.-Cornelius Van
derbilt is dead. Death occurred at 3:1o
o'clock this morning, at his home at Eif-
ty-seventh street and Fifth avenue, this
city. There were with Mr.. Vanderbilt
at the time of his death his wife, his
daughter Gladys and Reginald, his young
est son.
Mr.. Vanderbilt arrived at his Fifth
avenue home from Newport with Mrs.
Vanderbilt at 8 o'clock last night. He
appeared in excellent health and spirits
and retired soon afterward.
About midnight he was seized with a
serious attack and the household was
aroused. Everything possible was done
for the patient, but lie grew rapidly
worse and died at u quarter past 5
o'clock.
Mrs. Vanderbilt and her daughter,
Miss Gladys, are Frustrated by the shock
and physician: are attending them.
Nothing more can be learned at the
house at present, but detailed state
ment will be prepared later.
A Second Stroke of Paralysis.
Mr.. Vanderbilt's death was caused by
a stroke of paralysis. the second which
he suffered. The first attack was in
July, 1896. The stroke which caused
Ntdth oCtuIItu dDouI luluulSul ne pa
tient was semi-conscous until death.
Drs. Janeway and Butler were with him
when he died. Chauncey NJ. Depew
reached the Vanderbilt house at 1:3O
o'clock. He remained but ten minutes.
When he came out he was greatly af-
fected, and with tears III his eyes, said
he was too deeply grieved to give any in
formation at that time.
William X. Vanderbilt, brother of the
dead man, arrived soon after Mr.. De
pew. He was much agitated. He said
when asked for information: My broth
er died suddenly ut 5:15 o'clock from
heart failure brought about by an at
tack of acute paralysis which occurred
at midnight. When he died his wife,
his daughter Gladys and son Reginald
were with him
The coroner'S office was asked to send
coroner to the house. and Coroner Hart
responded. The reason for this IS that
Mr.. Nandcrbilt's regular physician was
not with him at his death and strange
doctor was in attendance who had been
called in to the case less than twenty
four hours before death ensued.
Dis isposition of the Estate.
The disposition of Mr. Vanderbilt's es
tate is matter of some doubt. COrne-
lius Vanderbilt. Jr., was alicnated from
his family by his marriage TWO years ago
w
r. Wilson, the banker of this city, and it
is thought probable that this son will
not be the principal heir. The opposition
to Young Nanderbilt's marriage was
based upon his youth and the fact that
Miss Wilson was eight or ten years his
senior.
William X, Frederick W and George
are surviving brothers of Cornelius Van
derbilt After the first stroke of paraly-
sis Mr.. Vanderbilt leased a residence in
Washington, ID. c., and upon advice of
his ply sicians. lived there for three
months. refraining from entertaining,
however. aud living very quietly. His
sojourn in Washington was of evident
benefit and upon his return TO this city
In April, 1899, he appeared to be nearly
rs strong and as well as he ever had
been. Plans were made for a trip TO
Europe.
Cornelius Vanderbilt, a son of William
II. the tirst, was born in New Dorp,
Staten Island, on November 22. 1913.
founder of the family. The young Corne-
lius went through the common schools
and then entered Il bank, not as president
nor ornamental director, but as a plain
clerk, at a plain salary. He went early
to his desk and left late. On Saturday
Staten Island. but he returned on Sunday
night, so that he might be early at his
desk on Monday morning.
Enormous Wealth..
With this man of infinite resources and
infinite responsibilities, one day was very
like another. A suite OF three rooms on
the Eifty-seventh street side of his Fifth
avenue house was devoted to his personal
use. The rooms and furniture are done
in mahogany, green satin and brass, rich
ly but not ornately conceived.
How great was Mr.. Nanderbit's for
tune? Only guessv ork can answer the
question. He had something like S10,-
00O.O0o when his grandfather died. His
father left him SD. 100000 besides, and
q reSiduary interest in the estate. whose
value no man can more than guess. 1t
has been estimated at $50 ,o0O0O0. If he
kept what he had and added thereto it
is plain that the fortune must now be
far in excess of S150. 0.00O, 600.
Cornelius Nanderbilt's imposing man
sion in Fifth avenue. between f'ifty-sev-
enth and Fifty-eiShth streets, facing all
three highways. guards the southern ap-
proach to the broad plaza opening upon
the entrance to Central park. 1t is a
masterpiece of architecture, and expense
was not spared in its construction.