Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-20

Newport, and every heirloom and token
that denoted headship Of the family. This
place was particularly dear TO the first
Mrs. Vanderbilt because it was there that
she had passed her honeymoon, when
expectations of happiness we're unclouded
1t IVES 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
mako it 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
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. al 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 TO otherwise dispose OF, in such
manner for such periods and upon such
terms they shall deem expedicnt, any
and all my real estate, wheresoever the
same may be situated, excepting only my
said real estate known as Oakland Farm,
as we'll as any and all personal property,
constituting 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"
the coach Venture, which first made the
reputation Of its 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 to him by
his fathers will, and finally the cherished
gold medal voted by Congress 10 the little
fellows Observation-Disclosures. >Commo.
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 disinherited for marrying Miss
Grace Wilson against his fathers wishes
The provisions of the will on these points
say:
Il give and bequeath to my son, William
II. Vanderbilt, my coach known as the
Venture.
81 give and bequeath to my son. William
II. Vanderbilt, the portraits and busts be-
queathed TO me by the first article of the
VIII or my father, Cornelius Vanderbilt
and the gold medal voted by the Congress
OF the United States TO my great-grand-
father, Cornelius Vanderbilt. at the close
OF the war Of the rebellion, in 1865 and
which medal was bequcathed to me by the
sixteenth article of the will OF my father.
II my said son shall not survive me- then
] give and belueath said portraits and said
bust and said gold medal to my brother,
Cornelius Vanderbilt"
With all these Eerlooms and tokens of
distinction as head of the family, Alfred
Vanderbilt left proportionate share of his
estate 10 his oldest son. For instance, he
stipulated that his trustees should set
as!d" ample funds for the upkeep of Oak
land Farm and other property left to the
oldest son
trust fund of $4,000, 900 established by
Alfred Nandcrbli's father for his benefit
was left entirely 10 the oldest son. Alfred
lhd already settled $1G,000,G00 on his first
"ifc on their divorce, and this, Of course.
viii 20 10 her son
IT !s significant tina, Alfred Vanderbilts
place IN the Adirondacks. Sycamore Lodge.
was bcducathcd TO his widow, Mrs. Mar
garet Emerson Vanderbilt 1t was this
place TO which the deceased sportsman
used 10 retire for relaxation when his re-
!ations with his first wife were becoming
strained. 1t had no pleasant associations
for hcr and would have been an unwelcome
gift, even II 1t had been left 10 her son.
In leaving Oakland to his Oldest son,
Alfred Vanderbilt followed the example of
Colonel John Jacob Astor, who bequea+ he'd