Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt Years

Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr.

In 1932, Helen decided to get out of an ill-fated marriage she had entered with a local boy and travel to Reno for a divorce. She felt bad about having married the wrong man and had no idea what lie ahead on her path; however, when one door closes in life, another opens, and Helen would soon find out that her life would change in ways she could never possibly imagine!  Helen’s trip to Reno was quite a jaunt for this small-town girl. Oh, did I say, “small town”?, be assured there was nothing ever small town about Helen Varner! She was very sophisticated and set her cap early on for more than Clarksburg could ever offer her. Helen was not a slouch either, she had been called a “voluptuous vision” more than once. Considered radiantly beautiful and sexy, everywhere she went, men fell all over her. Why, even in high school, she was voted the “prettiest girl in school”. Helen knew that her looks, and personality could be her greatest asset in life. Miss Varner attended the Art Institute of Chicago for one year, a locale she found much more sophisticated than what she experienced in secluded West Virginia.

The quiet morning of Clarksburg was assaulted by the long blast of a steam whistle, Helen jumped, a bit nervous now, as she boarded the train. She settled onto a comfortable mohair bench. Outside the window of the coach her mother (Maude), and her twin sisters (Marie and Mildred), waved to her with linen handkerchiefs and tearful eyes. Helen waved back with a feeling of excitement and trepidation in her heart. Suddenly the train started lurching and tugging, amid robust blasts of the whistle, as it steamed away. Clarksburg West Virginia faded into the distance as the train picked up speed and snaked its way through the West Virginia countryside toward Nevada. Eventually, Helen transferred to the famous Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe, likely "The Chief", (the Super Chief came after in 1935). On the way west the train stopped in Albuquerque, New Mexico sometime around breakfast. Helen left the train to dine at the Harvey House and enjoy some fresh air on the platform before continuing her long journey. She noticed two men watching her, unaware that one of the gentlemen happened to be Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. (the IV). Several versions of how Neil Vanderbilt and Helen met have survived the years but basically it can be told as follows:

Helen walked back to the railroad station platform where she reached into her handbag looking for her cigarette case. As she reached for her matches, she heard a man’s voice say, “would you like a light, Miss?” She turned around and found the voice belonged to the well-dressed man from the platform. “Why yes, Thank You,” said Helen as the man’s gold plated lighter engraved with a large “V” flashed brilliantly in the sun. Helen demurely leaned forward toward the flame with lowered eyes and inhaled. In a moment, she turned while exhaling the blue smoke, and murmured, as she smiled, “I don’t think we’ve met?" The tall gentleman bowed slightly and said, “Cornelius Vanderbilt ma’am, but you can call me Neil.” “Pleased to meet you, Neil,” Helen said, “my name is Helen Varner.” Helen observed the man, a Vanderbilt, she knew the name, everyone had. She grew up near a Vanderbilt estate called "the Biltmore." “I wonder how he is related?” she thought. Cornelius interrupted her racing thoughts by saying, “wonderful weather, don’t you think?” “Why yes,” Helen replied, “quite a lovely day!” They stood there and chatted pleasantly until the train was ready to leave. As the story goes, when Vanderbilt spotted Helen, who was a ravishing beauty, he changed his ticket and started out west on "her" train instead of his original destination, which was to New York City. He just had to get to know this beautiful young woman! However, to hear Neil tell it in at least one newspaper interview, he and Helen met in Albuquerque while she was sketching, and he was writing in October of 1931. Either way, meet they did, and Cornelius became enthralled with Helen. Somewhere along the journey the train was said to have either pulled off on a siding or broke down. They were delayed for a short time while Neil and Helen, with a few other passengers, left the train to stroll near the rails. Helen later said, "Neil picked wildflowers and presented me with a bouquet." Later that evening Helen and Neil made their way to the dining car. (At that time some of the first such air-conditioned rolling stock in the country.) As they entered people turned and smiled as they were led to a table. Helen was always aware men watched her every move, but this was different. People nodded and smiled respectfully, as if they were royalty. The maître 'de turned to Neil and said, “I hope this will be suitable, Mr. Vanderbilt.” “Yes, it is fine,” Neil said casually, as he ordered champagne. After a lavish dinner the car emptied and the train slowed as it approached Needles, CA. Helen felt it was time to retire. “May I walk you to your compartment?” Neil said, as he stood up and helped her out of her lounge chair and into her wrap. At the door to her compartment, he reached out and took her hand, “I hope I can spend more time with you,” he said gently as his lips brushed the back of Helen's hand. “I would like that,” Helen said quietly, as she blushed. “How 'bout breakfast, say, 8 A.M?" he said, “It’s a date,” Helen murmured, as she gently shut the door, her heart racing….

Soon Helen was settled in and relaxed to the gentle lullaby of the clicking rails, her mind filled with the details of Neil's life. A commanding gentleman, one of the most eligible bachelors in America, he was the only son of Cornelius Vanderbilt the III, the “Brigadier General” as they called him, and Grace Graham Wilson Vanderbilt. His mother, a formidable society matron, was the reigning Queen of New York high society. The press liked to refer to her as the "Kingfisher" because she could easily entice the highest members of European Royalty to her lavish dinner parties at the Vanderbilt mansion in New York. Neil had one sister named Grace who he very much wanted Helen to meet. Cornelius Jr. was the Vanderbilt "black sheep" regarding his pedigree. Quite the free spirit, and this, he and Helen had in common. Oh yes, his great-grandfather was the Commodore, the family’s illustrious founder. But Cornelius marched to the beat of his own drummer. He went to the finest schools, travelled to Europe, and grew up at 640 Fifth Avenue, amid a multitude of servants, certainly, one of the finest addresses in the country. Inheritance? Very generous, with a mother and father, who it appeared, always paid his expenses and doted on him. He loved beautiful women or so Helen had read one time in a society magazine, and he had been married twice already. The last one was named Mary Weir Logan, yet he was a only 32. Helen, herself was only 24. He was quite out of her league or was he.... Helen mused? Helen prided herself as being a refined young lady, worldly, with finesse’ and class. She certainly was not privileged but came from a comfortable background. Her father (deceased) had been a well-respected regional physician. Helen was adept at being able to blend in flawlessly and graciously with any crowd. It was after 3 A.M. before Helen finally dropped off to sleep, her dreams now filled with the grand life Neil laid at her feet…. Eventually Helen arrived in Reno, a dreary windswept town. Cornelius had gone on to Los Angeles where Neil was attending some business. Helen quickly initiated her divorce proceedings and settled in until everything was finalized. One day, the phone rang, it was Neil, he would be in Reno the next evening, “would she meet him for dinner?" Of interest is that Neil, as one of his financial ventures, owned and operated what was called back then a "divorce ranch" near Sutcliffe Nevada, called "The Lazy Me", by Vanderbilt, and another time called "Sagebrush". It is possible that when Helen arrived in Reno, she stayed there for the entire time it took her divorce to come through. A good example of this type of ranch can be seen in the blockbuster 1939 movie called "The Women", based on the play by Clare Booth Luce.

For the next three years Cornelius arduously wooed Helen, chasing her relentlessly around the United States. He introduced her to his family and friends in New York City, they traveled together and shared their dreams. According to 1935 newspapers reports, Helen had also traveled throughout Europe by late 1934. Neil preferred Helen to call him Neely, even though her nickname for him was Corny. He had a beautiful red Irish Setter shipped to her home in Clarksburg, which became him was Corny) favorite companion which she christened “Lassie." Vanderbilt showered her with gifts, many lavish and expensive, from fur coats to jewelry. But the gift Helen treasured the most was sent to her from a reservation in the Southwest. It was a copper bowl made by American Indians, perhaps Navajo. This work of art purchased by Cornelius Vanderbilt was said to still be displayed in Helen Frye’s home at Sedona over 40 years later. Helen had great love and admiration for the American Southwest and Native Americans from early on, this, an affinity she shared with Neil.

Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. after wedding, Alvarado Hotel (former Harvey House, now demolished) Albuquerque

New Mexico, January 4th, 1935. Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. Fishing trip (November of 1935)

Aside Helen and Neil seen on their Honeymoon, one may be the Grand Canyon where they stayed, and the other a lodge in the Sierras (yet to identify)