The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-13

allowed him TO attend regularly to business.
Except when on his vacations. he spent SIX
days q week in his once. In matters OF busi-
ness engagements. he was most conselen-
tious Nothing but necessity ever kept him
from committee meeting. and he always sent
a note OF explanation when compelled to be
absent. This was one OF the traits that MADE
him we'll liked by his business associates. An
other was his absolute NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
In his intercourse with those whom he did not
know we'll he exhibited all the Vanderbilt
caution. man who was getting up a book on
railroad history once went to him with re-
quest for an autograph. explaining for what
purpose he wanted IL. After some hesitation.
Mr.. Vanderbilt wrote his name on piece OF
paper; then. as II on an afterthouRht. took
pair Of shears and carefully trimmed on the
paper close down to the ink. His next move
was to draw three red ink lines through the
autograph. These precautions made 1t I'M
possible that the name should be aff1xed to
spurious check.
HIS CHARITIES AND OTHER GIFTS.
Mr.. Vanderbilt gave four hours a day to the
charitable associations to which he belonged
and to the consideration OF his own private
benefcences. He was. OF course. in daily re-
ceipt OF many begging letters. but none OF
these was ever noticed unless the claims OF
tho applicants for his bounty were well anthem
ticated. He was very much interested In the
railroad branches OF the Young Mems Chris
tian Association. to which he gave not only his
money but his time. and he was personally
active in establishing this branch OF the insti-
futon. lie was very much interested
in the work OF st. Bartholomew's Home In
East Forty-second street. and In 1897 pre-
scented to 1t an addition costing S250.OOO His
mother gave the original building. He built.
at Yale. Vanderbilt Hall. the dormitory in
tended as memorial to his son. William H..
who died there while student. His gifts to
Yale amount to about $l.5O00O0 He gave
100000 to the new Episcopal Cathedral and
had been munilcently generous to st. Bar
thoomew's Church. OF which he had long been
parishioner. He was officially connected with
many charitable institutions and religious
bodies Ho was q member OF the Finance
Committee OF the Episcopal Board OF Foreign
Missions. m em Der OF the Executive Commit
tee OF tho International Y. NJ c. A.. a trustee
OF the Seamen's Mission Of the Episcopal
Church. a trustee OF the Hospital for the Rup-
turod and Crippled. trustee OF the Museum OF
Natural History. a trustee OF the Metropolitan
Museum Of Art. trustee Of the General Theo-
logical Seminary OF the Episcopal Church,
vestryman OF St Bartholomew Church.
trustee Of the Bible Society. a trustee OF st.
Luke's Hospital. a trustee OF the Society OF St.
Johnsland. Vice President OF the Young Mems
Christian Association. and Chairman OF the
Grand Central Station Branch.
He was not q club man by tenn permanent. al
though as natural result OF his Importance
in society and business. he belonged to MANY
social organizations. At tho time Of his death
no was member Of the Metropolitan. Union
League. CITY. Union. Knickerbocker. Cen
fury. St. Nicholas Players. Tuxedo Grolier,
Lawyers. Downtown. Country. Riding. Rae
ouet. Transportation. Turf and Field. and New
York Yacht Clubs. He was also member OF
the Mendelssohn Glee Club. the 81. Nicholas
Society. the National Academy Of Design. the
New York Genealogical and Biographical soc-
ETY.. and the American Geographical Society.
Mr. Vanderbilt presented Rosa Bonheurs
painting. THE Horse Fair" to the Netropol-
itan Museum OF Art in 1885. having paid
$50 900 for 1t at the sale OF the Stewart collec-
tion of pictures in 1897.
HIS FAMILY.
In 1858. Mr. Vanderbilt married Miss , ro
Gwynne OF Cincinnati. He had six children.
OF whom the oldest. William H.. died when
junior in Yale College. Cornelius. Jr.. the
oldest surviving son, is a graduate of Yale. and
was lately married to Miss Grace Wilson.
Tho daughter. Gertrude. has Just been married
to Harry Payne whitney. william G. Whitney's
son. The other children are Alfred G.. ReRi-
maid and Gladys. The third son. Alfred. sailed
from Vancouver on trip around the world six
weeks ago.
SINCE HIS FIRST ILLNESS.
Mr. Vanderbilt was stricken with paralysis
on July IA. 1900. In the library OF the house In
which he died yesterday He was standing
speaking when the stroke came upon him. and
he fell to the floor. For days he was uncon-
scious. Finally he recovered sufficiently to be
moved. and on July 25 he was taken at mid
night to the East River and put on board
Frederick W. vanderbilt's steam yacht
Conqueror. on which he won't to New
port. After q rest and slight improve
ment In his condition. he began to
travel. visiting many health resorts In
this country and In Europe. He seemed to
improve. and his friends entertained hopes OF
his ultimate entire recovery. During his
travels he was accom- panied constantly by his
wife, to whose ministrations much OF the gain
which he made In health was attributed. Last
spring Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt spent in
Europe. returning to this country on June
90 They went Immediately to Newport.
where they entertained largely. Mr.. Van
derblt's health seemed to improve. He
took an active part In the social life OF tho
community. going out some times four svon-
ings In the week and entertaining twice each
week at his home. He expected to return to
Newport to-day and sent out Invitations to a
dinner to be given tomorrow in honor OF Miss
Julia Dent Grant and her iance. Prince Michel
CantaouZene.
SENATOR DEPKW's TRIBUTE.