Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-09-13

tirely the detail work which he had pre-
viously taken upon himself.
His promised return at this time did not
take place, however. Either inclination or
change of opinion on the part of his physi-
cians-of whom the celebrated Partisan
scientist. DR.. Charcot. was one-prolonged
his stay abroad. He remained In Paris
most of the time until December, when he
went 10 MarSeilles, and there went aboard
his yacht for leisurely winter cruise
across the Mediterranean to Algerian and
other North African ports, afterward pro-
ceeding up the Nile. On the journey he
was accompanied by DR.. CharcOt, and he
was not then expected to return to the
United States until the summer of 1898.
Chauncey NJ. Depew. speaking of Mr..
Vanderbilt, said:
MIR Vanderbilt and [ were the most in
innate friends. We were on intimate terms
for thirty years. He was u most bright
minded man on all questions. He felt the
great responsibilities of his work and be
lieved he owed obligations to all. He be-
lieYed he should be an active citizen in all
matters, and gave much attention to pub
lie affairs.
Cornelius Vanderbilt was born on Staten
Island November 27, 1Si3. William II. Van
derbilt, his father, was at that time a
farmer, and Cornelius, at the age of 16,
left school and secured a place as messen-
grandfather, the commodore, learning of
this, sent for him and asked why he had
not applied to him for place.
Because l did not want to ask you for
anything was the reply.
This pleased the commodore. and it is
said that he made a codicil to his will a
few days later, leaving Sl,0oO0N to his
grandson.
Cornelius left the Shoe and Leather bank
to go into the employ of Kissam Bros
bankers, but later his grandfather asked
MIN to enter the railroad service. The
young man was making $50 month and
declined to leave his place unless he got
more money. He was given sos and ac-
cepted it. He was then about q years old.
"a nf
assistant treasurer of the New York q,
Harlem railroad.
His rise was rapid and he succeeded his
father as head of the Vanderbilt system.
MI. Nanderbilts active career was prac-
| ticaily closed when he suffered paralytic
stroke in 1896.
Despite his enormous business interests
| he found time to devote to church and Sun
day school work, which he began early In
| lite. He gave freely to the railroad branch
Of the Y NJ. c. A, and to the work of st.
BartholOmew's p. E. church in this city.
Mr. Eanderbilts great business cares
made his life necessarily methodical, and
he was noted for his punctuality.
Mr.. Vanderbilt went to Europe last spring
by Mrs. Vanderbilt and his daughter,
| Gladys. They went to Newport the same
| day, and Mr.. Vanderbilt improved con
stantly in his health. On August he gave
a house party at his home, The Breakers
The last social affairs in The Breakers were
| upon the departure of Alfred Vanderbilt
| for a round-the-world trip. He left for Se-
attle on July 26, accompanied by William
| Proudilt Burden, Ernest Iselin and Douglas
| II. Cochran.
When Mr.. Vanderbilt was 90 years old he
married Alice Gwynne, the daughter of a
Cincinnati lawyer. His first born son, Will
IAN H., died in 1892 while he was student
| In Yale university.
Mr.. Vanderbilt left five children, Corne-
lius, Gertrude, Alfred, Reginald and Gladys
| Cornelius married daughter of r 4. vii.
1 a xr1l
later Gertrude became the wife of Harry
Payne Whitney, son of former Secretary OF
the Navy William c. Whitney.
| The disposition Of Mr.. VanderbIt's es.
tate is a matter of some doubt. Cornelius
| Vanderbilt, Jr., was alienated from his
family by his marriage two years age
T.. Wilson, the banker of this city, and ii
Is thought probable that this son will moi
be the principal heir. The opposition tC
young Vanderbilt's marriage was based
upon his youth, and the fact that Miss
Wilson was eight or ten years his senior
At the time, of his death Mr.. Wander.
Dit was president of the Canada Southern
railroad, vice president and director of the
Beach Creek railroad president of the De.
| troit q Bay City railroad, director of the
Cleveland Cincinnati, Chicago. & st. Loui:
railroad, director of the Dunkrk Ale.
gaeny valley q Pittsburg railroad, director
0roIiae OIL the HUDSON River Bridge Company
| president of the Joliet * Northern India
rallroad, president of the bennington &
st. Clair railroad. president of the New
hork S Harlem River road, president OF
the Niagara River Bridge Company. pres
| ldent OF the Spuyten Duyvil &. Port Morris
| car Company. director of the West Shors
southern 4 Detroit Railway Company. iii
rector of the New York Central a Hidsor
roads. IAN
NEWPORT, NEWPORT, R; L, Sept. 12-rhe an
nelius Vanderbilt in New York this morn
ing was heavy blow to the residents O
HFgwRort, Fsn1,Iio same among whom he had been
affected by the news.
Mr.. and Mrs Vanderbilt left Newpor
Yesterday for New York. On his depart
health. He had taken a prominent plac
in the summer life at Newport. and hi
eInt,ertairments have been of the mos
ness. in 1896, he had lived quietly at hi
villa during the summer. entertaining bu
little. but during. the past season he ha,
taken greater interest in the social #
fairs of the city, being especially interest
ed in the Newport Casino, of which he wa
Tor many years president. He was reg
the tennis tournament and horse show an,
drove out daily with his wife.
He had always kindly nod or a wor,
Tor his many friends and acquaintance
| lie was regular attendant at the service
of Trinity church and contributed largel,
TO its support. He was generous give
| 10 iocal cnarity and annually gave q libera
sum in aid of the local Y. NJ. C. A. Hi
purse was ever open to the sick and dis
| tressed in Newport. and on his departur
| in the autumn each year he left a con
siderable fund for distribution among tn
poor during the winter
Two of his children. Mr. Cornelius Van
derbilt. Jr.. and Mrs. Harry Payne Whit
ney. occupy cottages here.
Mr. Vanderbilt purchased 1.-The Break
ers' from Pierre Lorillard in 1884, and oc
cupied the villa until the fall of 1888. whel
1t was destroyed by fire. The followin,
year he began the construction of 'sTh
Breakers" which is one of the most pala
tial and extensive estates In Newport, it
cost alone being estimated at s1,OOO00O