Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1899 — HEIR TO $45,000,000. [ARTICLE]

HEIR TO $45,000,000.

Alfred Gwynas Vanderbilt Gets Bulb me the Greet Batata. The last will and teatament of Cornelius Vanderbilt was filed in New York Friday. Its terms reveal a strange, romance of lore, revenge and generosity. The story in brief, as shown by the will, is that of an angry father, chagrined at the stubbornness of bis eldest son tn persisting in marrying the girl he loved, catting that son off with what is practically a pittance when compared to the great fortune involved. A generous brother, who received the balk of the fortune, gives liberally of his share, and by doing so probably avoids a bitter will contest. Cornelius Vanderbilt’s will disposes of an estate the gross value of which is placed at $80,000,000. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt. the second son, receives the bulk of the fortune, about $50,000,000, and he is thus made the head of the family. Cornelias Vanderbilt, the eldest son, whose marriage to Grace Wilson angered his father, receives $1,500,000. Only $500,000 is given to him absolutely. He js to receive the income from the $l,000,00t) for life, the principal then to go to his children. The other children and the ‘ widow are provided for as follows: i To Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney is given a portion similar to that of the other children, with an additional bequest of $1,000,000; in all $8,500,000. . To Reginald C. Vanderbilt is given $7,500,0001 To GladysMV. Vanderbilt is given 57,500,000. j To the dridow is given a bequest of $2,000.000, real estate, paintings, etc., rained at $1,000,000, including the mansion on Fifth avenue and that at Newport, and the income from a trust fimd of $5,000.000: in all $8,000,000. The delay in filing the will for probate and the family conferences h.-ld receutly are explained by an announcement by Senator Depew. It was as follows: When Alfml Vanderbilt returned he decided. from brotherly affection and for family harmony, to take out of his own inheritance and giTe to his brother Cornelius a sum sufficient to make the fortune of Cornelius the same as that of his brothers and sisters. This has been accepted by Cornelius in the same spirit. This means that Alfred will tarn over to Cornelius $6,000,000. Cornelius’ acceptance of this and his consent to waive a citation of the will is proof sufficient that there will be no contest for the Vanderbilt fortune.