Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-06-20
by DiUorce---
and Took

Newport and every heirloom and token
that denoted headship OF the family. This
place was particularly dear TO the first
Mrs. Vanderbilt, because Il was there that
she had passed her honeymoon, when
expectations OF happiness we're unclouded.
II was there that he had his finest horses.
that he accumulated his most valuable
personal belongings and that he made his
real home.
His second wife was equally attached
to Oakland Farm, for she had planned to
make II the principal scene OF her social
triumphs. After her husbands will was
read she paid a sad farewell visit to the
beautiful place. She said goodby to the
old employees, looked over the gardens
and stables and packed up all her belong
ings. Mrs. French Vanderbilt, who has
been living at Harbour View. Newport, is
ready to move into Oakland Farm with
her son.
How much Importance Alfred Vanderbilt
attached to Oakland Farm is partly shown
by the wording OF his will, in which he
says;
IL hereby give TO the executors OF this
my will, as trustees OF the trusts and OF
each OF the trusts created by this, my WILL
full power and authority. In their discre-
ton, to sell at public auction or private
sale. at such times or places. in such man
ner, and Jpn such terms and conditions
as they shall deem expedient, or to lease or
TO rent or 10 otherwise dispose OF, I'm such
manner. for such periods and upon such
terms as they shall deem expedient, any
and all my real estate, wheresoever the
same may be situated, excepting only my
said real estate known az Oakland Farm,
as well as any and all personal property,
constituting a part of any such trust, and
to execute and deliver any and all deeds,
leases or other instruments necessary or
proper for the accomplishment OF such
purposes"
Alfred Vanderbilt left to his oldest son
the coach Venture, which first made the
reputation of It's owner as the leading
amateur coachman OF the world. The
testator also left to this son the family
portraits and the busts Of his father Cor
nelius Vanderbilt beQueathed 10 him by
his fathers will, and finally the cherished
gold medal voted by Congress to the little
fellows great-great-grandfathe Comma
dore Vanderbilt at the close of the Civil
War. This medal is regarded as a great
honor in the Vanderbilt family. Alfred
Vanderbilt further desired that in the
event of his oldest sons death without
sons, the medal should go TO the testator's
oldest brother, Cornelius Vanderbilt who
was partly disinheritsd for marrying Miss
Grace Wilson against his fathers wishes.
The provisions OF the will on these points
say:
81 give and beoueath to my son. william
II. Vanderbilt my coach known as the
Venture.
81 give and bequeath 20 my son, William
II. Vanderbilt, the portraits and busts be-
Queathed to me by the first article Of the
Will OF my father, Cornelius Vanderbilt.
and the gold medal voted by the Congress
OF the United States 20 my great-grand-
father, Cornelius Vanderbilt at the close
OF the war OF the rebellion, in 1866, and
which medal was bequeathed to me by the
sixteenth article Of the Will OF my father.
II my said son shall not survive me. then
give and bequeath said portraits and said
bust and said gold medal TO my BROTHER,
Cornelius Vanderbilt"
With all these heirlooms and tokens OF
distinction as head OF the family, Alfred
Vanderbilt left pToportionate share OF his
estate to his Oldest son. For instance, he
stipulated that his trustees should SET
aside ample funds for the upkeep Of Oak.
land Farm and other property left TO the
oldest son.
A trust fund OF s5.OOO,OOO established by
Alfred Vanderbilt's father for his benefit
was left entirely TO the oldest son. Alfred
had already settled S16,000,0 900 on his first
wife on their divorce, and this, OF course
win go to her SON
II is significant that Alfred Vanderbilt
place In the Adirondacks, Sycamore Lodge
was bequeathed TO his widow, Mrs. Mar
garet Emerson Vanderbilt. II was this
place 10 which the deceased sportsman
used TO retire for relaxation when his re
lations with his first wife were becomlnl
strained Il had no pleasant association,
for her and would have been an unwelcOm,
gift. even IL It had been left TO her son.
In leaving Oakland to his oldest son
Alfred Vanderbilt followed the example o
Colonel John Jacob Astor, who bequea 'he,