Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-01-23
Vol. XIX. Whole No. 939 No, 4
Anecdotes of William B. Astor.

In the chronological Journal VIC find
a good biography of William B. Astor,
in which the following characteristic
stories are told:
TWO CASTOR HOUSES"
1t was about twenty-four years ago
that John Jacob Astor died and was
buried in the vault of St. Thomas
Church. In his will, a most elaborate
legal document, William B. was indi-
Gated as the principal legatee. His
patrimonial Inheritance, with what he
already possessed, made him. the
richest man on this continent. The
first thing he did after coming into
possession of this estate was to carry
out the bequests of his father. He
sent one of his own sons to Waldorf,
In Germany, where his father was
born, to superintend personally the
dispositions of certain funds bequeath-
edfor the establishment of charitable
institution. A building was erected,
and Si3, 900 invested for its permanent
maintenance. The aged and infrm,
irrespective of color or religious be-
lief, orphan children from the ages of
six to fifteen left without support,
blind and deaf, and dumb persons. and
homeless infants are there provided
with comfortable home. The name
OF the institution is the Astor House,
and is now in a most hourishing con-
dton.
Il take great pride in the Astor
House of New York, Mr.. Astor has
been heard to say, when referring to
this institution, but 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 corridors
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,
AN OLD STORY SET RIGHT.
70 Fitz Greene Halleck, the we'll
known poet, who had been the
friend and secretary of his father, he
said, My father has done YOU great
injustice
In what respect asked the poet.
Leaving you only 5000 as an an
nutv'
lie paid me for all the services
rendered him, and had no additional
claim on him.
4 think you have claims on the
estate, pursued Mr.. Astor, and as
mark of appreciation | have raised the
annuity TO 81 300
Thank you, thank yon,' spoke up
this noble aud gifted son of song, and
he could say no more. The closing
years of his beautiful but sad life were
by this act OF timely liberaIitv lifted
above care, and his pathway TO the
grave >trewn with pleasant flowers.
\ SEA CAPTAIN.
10 sea captain who had been in
his fathers employ for many years,
and who had conducted himself with
rare fidelity on more than one occasion
Of embarrassment and imminent loss,
he said
You saved large amount of prop
erty in China for my father
YES; your fathers agent died, the
property was imperiled on this ac-
count. and saved it and turned over
to your father 500 500
And ne never paid YOU anvthing|
Not dollar.
I'll pay YOU and he filled out
check for So, 900 and gave it to the
captain.
WORTH 10000
We may say, in reply to the ques-
ton which has occurred doubtless to
the reader, How much is he WORTH =
That we do not precisely know, and it
Is said that Mr. AstOr himself would
be somewhat at loss to answer it
with cXactncsS. but some sanguine in
diVlduals estimate it at So 900, 900,
and it increases rapidly every year
with the advance in New York real
estate. AS to his income. we are told
That 1t exceeds that Of the Emperor Of
Germany. The same, however, NAV
be said of Stewart and Vanderbilt.