Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1898 — George W. Vanderbilt. [ARTICLE]

George W. Vanderbilt.

George W. Vanderbilt, who has recently made a little provision for his heirs by insuring his life for $1,000,000, need not resort to that experiment except for amusement, for Mr. Vanderbilt Is worth $20,000,000. Altogether he is a peculiar fellow. He is passionately fond of collecting curious things, such as old rare books, odd coins, Egyptian beetles, ancient Hindu weapons, and old hookahs. He spends only $20,000 a year on himself and about $200,000 in charities, on other people who have no money at all. Once Mr. Vanderbilt thought he would like to see life from the reporter’s point of view and rented himself to a newspaper at a very moderate salary. He retired fron) journalism not because he did not like his new duties, but because intense application to hard work wore down bis health, and he felt that he would not be doing justice to himself if he persisted in an occupation that was injuring him without the necessity of doing so. Mr. Vanderbilt recently made .a tour of the world and brought back with him a tremendous collection of curios, which he added to4ds already valuable store. He is a most studious, kind, simple man, and his whole life has been marked by an extreme devotion to his mother. His wealth has spoiled him In no way, and he is popular among young men who are not rich in the worldly wealth.