Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-08
y THE VANDERBILT FoRTrNE
i'"" IL originated Some Three-Quar-
tiers of n Century Ago

From the Boston Journal
On the high cliffs which skirt the Rari-
tan river just below the canal outlet is The
famous Old Belionia Hotel where Comma
oore cornelius Vanderbilt made his start in
lie ana laid the foundation of his great
fortune The building is dilapidated. but
as solid as in the early years of the nine
teenth century.
The hotel was built in 1903 by the New
York and New Brunswick Steamboat Conn
pany. With boatmen and shippers it be-
came a favOrite resort, and country resi-
dents who drove into town hardly felt sat
istied till they had dined at the Belcn.a
Twice day the coaches of the Trenton
line pulled up before the inn
In 1898 the Bellona passed into the hands
of Cornelius Vanderbilt, who was unknown,
except that every day or so he would sal.
fish and oysters and hawk them about the
town.
How did Vanderbilt get the money from
fish peidiing TO buy the Bellonia? He
didn't.
Early in 1922 William Gibbons, a capital
list, made night drive from New VI. 10
Perth Amboy. II was imperative tina, he
should cross Arthur I'm to TottenviIle
S. /. The night was stormy. Gibbons be
sought the ferryman to take him across
but he refused. He then wandered into an
gathered.
Where's the man with the nerve to row
me across?' he called out.
One old salt said:
why, capn, you're daft"
Gibbons cried: Name your price; I've got
to CO.
Just then the door swung open and
''COrrry'' Vanderbilt stalked in.
Vanderbilt ordered a drink and swallowed
it in silence, then he responded: Wei,
cap n, l m your man; lets START
Buttoning up his coat Corny got out his
boat, with a pair of cars. an oiShin and
lantern. The capitalist climbed upon the
rear seat and held the lantern. Perhaps an
hour later the two men, after perIlous
voyage, trod Staten Island, soaked to the
skin.
Vanderbilt had just been married and
Gibbons could not persuade him to rema n
over night on the island. The rich man
handed him a card, with some money. and
told him to call at the steamboat COM
pany,s office in Battery place when he Wis
tied New York.
Some weeks later Vanderbilt did go. and
was cordially received. When he was about
to leave Gibbons gave him package and
told him 10 go to wharf where he would
find an oyster smack for his own use.
With this boat Vanderbilt began to make
money. Not many months later he had
saved 5000 and leased the Bellonia Hotel.
Fortune seemed to have smiled upon HIM,
for about the same time he was made cap
tain of the first steamer between New
York and New Brunswick, the Bellonia,
through the aid of Gibbons.
Vanderbilt had plenty of competition. OPP
posing lines were started and he had to
hustle to maintain his pre-eminence.
While he was on the water Mrs. Wander
bilt cared for the guests who came to the
Belonia. She frequently took a hand in
caring for their horses, and divided the
rest of her time in looking after the house
and bar. She, one of whose descendants
was to be duchess washed and scrubbed
to accumulate a fortune She had good
eye for business.
After awhile Mrs. Vanderbilt felt a de-
sire. to live more like the aristocrats about
her and moved her household into a house
vet standing in Burnet street. Here it
was that William H. Vanderbilt was born.
Cant Vanderbilt was promoted and wanted
to give up the tavern, but his wife was not
willing to kill the goose that laid the golden
egg and continued to welcome travellers.
The good cheer of the hosiery was famous
Charles Spaulding kept an excellent pri-
waite school at No $40 George street in
those DAYS, and to this young w. H
Vanderbilt sent, having for schoolmates
bows known later in life as Gov. Ludlow,
Bishop Richard Goodrich, Col. Jacob j.
Janeway, Judge Charles ID. Deshler and
other prominent Jerseymen
In 1884 the steamer Bellonfa was burned.
Vanderbilt was Immediately transferred to
another boat which he ran for several
wears His shrewdness Won the confidence
of his employers, and when a vacancy
Cured in the New York office ''Commo-
dore" Vanderbilt was made superintendent
of the lire Upon the death of Mr.. Gibbons
Mr.. Vanderbilt became president of the
company.
He moved to New York with his family
and the Be konia Hotel passed into the
hands of Col. Peter Cheney, who later
served with the Jersey troops under GEN
eral Mcclellan in the civil war. 1t is now
a tenement.