Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-04-14


years past, chiefly On account OF his ,'"'.'"'o
wealth; and since his death, bis wan mas D,v"
published at length. 1t is ccriainly renarA"p'e
that MIR Astor, coming to this country Poo''
should in the course of fly years active NC,
accumulate an estate at the average ra'o VI "a'
n million year Much Of i was unuouo'oo'
owing to his good fortune and sagaci'y IN taxing
advantage of many opportunities for honorable
speculation, but no inconsideruble part Oh nus
fortune has been made by forcing sales o. mort
gagged property in times of pecuniary scarci'y' ana
buying il at half its value, and taking advantage
Of, and expressing those who eonhded IN nm
The love OF money chung 10 him 70 the LAST.
For many years past he has been very iniirm,
md mostly confined 10 the house; yet his love
of money was so tenacious and strong, that he
retained the whole control of his immense estate
It is said, and whether confined to his bed or not,
required the books to be- brought to him every
night, showing the expenditures and receipts
during the day, and the deposit to his credit, all
Of which he infinitely examined. Aud when his
infmiiy and weakness were such that he could
not read the accounts himself, they were read to
him. This habit was continued, we are inform
ed, until near the tine of his death.
We have no desire to disturb the ashes Of the
dead, or to heap reproachcs upon Mr. Astor's
memory; but there is something due, to truth
and justice--to those who have been unjusty
stripped Of all, and left by the unfeelng hand Of
avarice to drag through life in poverty and want
1t has happened to US to become acquainted with
some Of the means By which this immense estate
has been accumulated, and VIC give narrative
of one of them falling more particularly within
our own observation.
In the year 1914, mechanic and friend Of
MIR Aston leased OF him three lots Of ground in
New York, for two terms Of p years, at speci-
fed sum for ground rent, Mr. Aston agreeing TO
loan him about $4,000 to erect buildings thereon.
The money was advanced, the buildings erected,
and the lease prepared, but not executed. The
mechanic entered into possession, and until about
the year 1921, paid the ground rent punctually
and passed accounts annually with Mr. Astor,
showing at the latter period, balance of indebt-
edncss, ON general accounts, Of about the sum
originally borrowed. About the year 1920, the
mechanic failed, making an assignment Of all his
property, and providing first for the payment Of
the balance due to Mr. Astor. The assignee'
left the houses in possession Of the assignor, with
directions to pay the income of the houses and
lots to Mr. Asior but after year or two, the
mechanic wishing TO remove 10 Newark, an ar
rangement was made, by which MIR Astor re-
ceived possession Of the property, with the agree
ment that he should keep possession, and apply
the rents to his demand, until the whole was paid
with interest
| Things remained in this situation until abou
the year 1912, when the assignecs, who had re
fused the solicitations Of the assignor to call Oh
Mr. Aston for an account, reconveyed the estate
to the assignor. The mechanic, who was then
very poor, called on Mr. Aston for an account
and the latter was at this time 50 infrm that hi
death was looked for, but he rudely repulsed bi,
former friend, claiming the property as lis own
Subsequently, bill in ehancery was filed agAins
him. lie set up the aiiuie Of limitation, allcdg
ing that some months ailer be received the prop
erty from the lessee, on the agreement sboy,
stated, he refused to keep it on those terms, ant
demanded immediate payment of the amour
due him. that the lessee, confessing his inabilit,
to do this, relinquished bis right and interest il
the property to Mr. Astor 1t appeared, how
ever, in evidence, that up to the year 1880, NJ
Astor had kept the receipts and expenditures o
this property in a book by itself, separate from
his other estate, describing it rs Mr. 5 9TH
mechanic's) houses. The suit was terminated
and Mr. Astor succeeded in his defence upon tn
ground Of the statute Of limitation. 1t was est
mated that be had received about SIS, 900, owe
and above the actual balance due him, with abou
nine years Of the term to RIM. In that speculd
ton, Mr. Astor made some 25 or $4,000.
The mechanic died two or three years since
in poverty and distress. MIR Astor's death, il /
supposed, was not easier or happier for tn
amount in his hands justly belonging to his oh
friend. AT all events, they are now, probably
in point Of property, equal This is one of tn
spcculations of Mr. Aston that appears of record
and we might relate many others of simila
character.
"DAILY FREE PREss."-Our friend Genera