The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-11-03

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: furneral the Herald, with that spirit
of enterprise ycharacterizing its con-
duct then as now, published his entire
| will, covering five closely printed
columns. This will indicated the dis
position of his vast wealth indicated
| William B. Astor as his principal
legatee VIM. B. Astor was now the
richest man on this Continent. There
is power in millions of money a
power surprising the sway of scepter-
ed sovereignty, power exceeding
fame, a TO yer excelling every thing in
the world beside. Itis true, as al
ready stated, that for many years pre-
vious. to the decease of his father he
had almost exclusive control of the es-
tate. But he was not the poSsessor
then as now. As his fathers agent
he was treated with the .deterence
more commands. Transformed
from the agent into the positive pro-
prietorship of accumulated millions
his power became greater, and the
humble Difference shown the agent ex-
panded itself into profound salaams.
Such is the power of money
Shining dust dug from the bowels
| OF the earth, which men fell down before
And worship and call God. b. 35 q. /
rhis sudden possession of extraordit
nary wealth turned the eyes Of every
body upon William B. Astor, 1t made
him neither giddy, arrogant nor profit
gate He continued his course ofreg
ularity, industry and moderation. /
As sUccEsson TO MS TATuER $ FOR
The first thing Mr.. Astor did upon
succeeding to his colossal Inheritance
was to carry out the bequests of his
father. He sent one of his own sons
to Waldorf, in Germany-his fathers
brithpace-to attend personally to the
disposition of the funds assigned for
bestowal there. A large discriminat-
ing power was left with Mr.. Astor
as to the best mode of investing this
money. His wisdom as financial
manager in turning to the best and
most permanent account this fund, as
also the large and healthtul growth Of
charity in his own heart, are shown
in his judicious disposal of the $50, 900
thus intrusted to him. After putting
up the proper buildings for an institu
tion who>e elemosynary character
should embrace the pooreof Waldorf
of all ages, sexes and religious beliefs,
he managed to invest So, 900 for its
permanent maintenance. 1t is now in
a most fourishing condition. The
aged and infirm poor, irrespective of
eeiSr through disease OF other causes,
are here given n pleasant home; Or
phan children from the ages of six to
fifteen, left without support, are here
given instruction and trained to active
and industrious habits, and there are
also ara :tments for the blind and deaf.
and dumb, and q nursery for infants.
The name of the institution is the As
tor House. '''>'.e. ,.-''s - ~ 'i.a.-
II take great pride in the Astor
House OF New York." Mr.. Astor has
been heard to say, when referring to
this institution, '.but a greater pride
in the Astor House of Waldorf. The
massive granite blocks and pillars of
the former may crumble and fall to
the ground, or its columns and cor
ridors become choked with weeds, but
the latter will continue in existence
while the town of Waldorf exists and
there are any poor people in it."
Not satisfied with carrying out the
exact specifications of the Will, VIII
liam B. Astor took on himself to
rectisy some of its palpable errors and
omissions. 7r. flEael
"My father has done you great in
Justice" he said to Fitz-Greene Hal
leck, the former friend and secretary
Of his father taa,i ~ o .s..ar .
I ."In!what respect" asked the poet. ).
"Leaving You only 5000 annuity.
; "He paid me. for all the services I
rendered him and l had no additional
claim on him." a''oa a7f- r'at'I ,r.'-6 /
Il think you have claims ON the ess'
tate pursued Mr.. Astor, ""and as a
mark ofappreciation of your past fdel.
ity l have raised your annuity to
s1,5O0m yas1-s" M % 't's.7
"Thank you. thank you,"n spoke up
this noble and gifted son of song. and
he could say nc more. The, closing
years of his beautiful, but sad life
were by this act of timely. liberality
lifted above care and his path w;lyito
the grave strewn with pleasant flow
ers +- ..a;2
"1or saved a large amount of prop
erty in. China for my father" g. he
said to a sea captain who had been in
his fathers employ, for whomshe sent
soon after the latter's death.
Yes. your faith RS agent died."
answered the sea captain, '1hc proper
ty was imperiled on this account, and !
saved it, and turned over to your
father 500, ,009." a aA, '''s''
And ne never paid you any thing"
'tNot q dollar" -. .......... Ia.
''I'll paw" and he, filled ont check
for s25,00o,, and gave it to the sea
captain. - y ,ae5g 80 s:hj a:sls1
The minor bequests of John Jacob
Aseor, and additional sums given away
By William B. Asior absorbed about
81, ,000oO0 of the estate. The rest
fell to NNm.5B Astor. -Fa-'t l-ii'<5'a'
."" TGE AsroR LIBRARY. =''' '.''.'
The original fund for founding the
Astor Library, as is well known, was
$4,000 of which 100000 was to
be expended in the site and building,
5120, 900 iu, the, purchase, of books,
and $3.50, 900, the remaining sum, per-
manently invested as a fund to main |