The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-30
Customs Inspectors at Boston
Drag the Brides Silks From
Her Trunks.
GATHERING DISPLAY AT DOCK.
1t Takes Two Hours to Show Rich
\ Contents of ThirtyFive
Pieces of Baggage
to Crowd.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Boston, Mass. Aug. c9.-Reginald Wander
bilt had formed 9 great opinion OF Boston
as a port of quiet departure, but he Is not
Impressed with 1t. 1t is said, as Il port OF
entry.
The reason Is that he has not only paid
the largest customs duties ever collected
from one individual in one day at that port.
but his and his wife's luggage was sub
mitted to a most methcdical and detailed eX-
animation. although Mr.. Vanderbilt declared
his dutiable goods most literally, and he was
not requested after the examination TO pay
fees upon a single article outside OF MS
original declaration.
When Mr.. Vanderbilt selected Boston
as the port Of departure on his wedding
tour he arranged to return 10 his summer
home at Newport by way of the Hub. The
reasons for this were that It would be more
convenient. and he could procure in Boston
a privacy he could not expect in New York.
If he had taken his trip abroad with his
bride on one Of the big ocean liners they
would have been a storm center for the
curious. and he therefore arranged to have
a portion OF the Dominion Line steamer
Commonwealth transformed into magnif-
cent suite. and the trip was begun with
every comfort. even luxury. The return. so
far as Mr.. Vanderbilt is concerned. is said
to have been announcement. and he chafed
under the methodical acts Of the Boston
customs officers, the amount Of duty to be
paid being only secondary consideration.
GREAT CROWD ATTRACTED.
When the Vanderbilt baggage was de-
posted on the pier from the Dominion
steamer Mayfiower. the immense pile Of
! trunks. handbags and boxes attracted much
p-f M fh0
as closely as the inspectors would permit
when the name OF Vanderbilt was linked
with the exhibit. The baggage covered a
dock. and after it had been roped of two
inspectors and the usual clerk were detailed
10 make thorough examination
Mr.. Vanderbilt had previously declared
his dutiable effects. and he seemed partic-
ularly anxious that all Of the trunks and
boxes v should not be oserhaules thereby
brides first shopping tours abroad. But the
Inspectors proceeded with their duty, strict
eae and and a Inc Of lug
The total amount Of duty paid by Mr.
xamasr6sts was mot 5000 as has been pre-
The contents Of his luggage represented
everything that a bride might fancy on her
first trip abroad with q generous husband.
S VINO was, was anxious to supply everything that
There was no Indication Of a regular shop
! ping expedition. but there were beautiful
they had not been bought with q special
object. but had been bought as Mrs. Van
derbiles fancy dictated.
CHOICE KNICK-KNACKS.
There were beautiful laces, linens and
silks. some OF which had passed through
the hands OF the dressmaker and some
fresh from the manufacturer, in which the
bride will make her bow to society next
winter as the wife of one of the richest
men In the world There were also fimsy
things for the Newport season. There was
not great deal OF Jewelry and nothing
of such remarkable value that 1t might
there were some choice knick-knacks.
Some OF the boxes contained few pieces
Of bric-a-brac, not such as an art collector
would procure on careful orders, but such
view Of placing a touch Of her individuality
In her new home
Collector OF tina Port George H. Lyman
said:
Il can't see why such fuss is made over
the collection Of the Vanderbilt duty and
the delay in the examination. True. it was
large collection. but it was not uncom-
mon when you consider all the circum
stances II there is complaint about delay
will say that it was only natural con-
sGering the large amount of baggage to be
examined and possibly the elaborate char
acter of some of the contents of the trunks
There are no superficial examinations at
this port. Every examination Is made in a
Mr.. Vanderbilt complains of delay 1t was
because my men enforced the law"
1t was intimated that among Mrs. Van
derbilts luggage were several Paris gowns,
one OF which was exceedingly beautiful
Before the examination had been concluded
Mr.. Vanderbilt had resigned himself to the
inevitable, and he paid the duty without a
murmur.