The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-15
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| 'o'o o''iAeh W organize similar eXpedl-
ton was stupendous enterprise. The
starting point was Montreal. Aston sent
two leaders thither with iull range of
powers, and having enlisted a sufficient
force they stated for Mackinaw, and
thence went TO st. Louis, where their num-
bers were increased to go men. This in.
crease was made In order to ensure safety.
They wintered on the banks of the Nodowa.
and in the spring of 1911 resumed their
| march, the Tonqun having in the mean
time reached Astoria. The sufferjpps of
the party were intense as they crossed the
Rocky mountains, and eventually il divid-
ed, each division making the best route DOS
sible. They were then 1000 miles from
the mouth of the Columbia. On Febrn
airy 8, 1913, nearly nine months after leav-
ing winter quarters, and 20 months after
leaving Montreal. the explorers reached
Astoria. This was the most remarkable
expedition ever fitted out by solitary IN
dividual actuated by commercial enterprise
The distance traversed from st. Louis was
$500 miles. The next year a party was
dispatched across in return, and reached
Ut. Louis in the spring of 1878, having
been ii months on the way, and having
suffered very distressing privations. How
strange does this tedious and terrible travel
now appear, when compared with the pal
ace coaches which make trip In a week
Inc grand enterprise, to which Astor had
devoted, so much capital, proved failure.
owing to the war, during which Astoria
was captured by the British but it is
proof of the boldness, originality and dc.
termination which characterized the great
merchant. The original papers containing
the details of this exploration may be found
at the Prince street office, and are more
honorable to the family than the records
OF the Immense estate which are there pre-
served.
THAT rRUsTEEsHIP.
The statement is made by the press that
VIM. B. Astor was only the trustee Of his
fathers estate, and that in making his will
he only devised to his sons their grandfa,h
er's property, while his own estate was to
go to their children. This statement is in
correct. VIM. B. Astor had no such trust
placed In his hands. He was the absolute
possessor of his fathers vast estate after
paying some legacies which Comparatively
speaking) were small. 1t is true the old
mans will referred to Williams children as
the eventual heire, but this was a matter of
advice. Although other trusts were created
by the will, it is nowhere said that VIM. B.
Astor was trustee OF his own children. The
old man, however, knew that the latter
would not be neglected. To call himself
trustee" was the habit of the deceased,
and the will could be thus construed. 1t
was one Of the peculiarities, however, of
the lately deceased capitalist that he as
sumed this view of the case. Much as he
worshiped money, he desired as much as
possible to avoid the responsibility connect
ed with wealth. He also wanted an ex-
cuse to use against such applications for
charity as he could not turn rudely out of
doors. He therefore adopted the idea of
trusteeship, and when applied to for benev-
client objects he could say this is not mine
it is only under my management In
this way he cunaingly avoided the claims
OF charity. 1t would have been well for
him had he indeed felt that he was trus-
who demands strict account Had this
view controlled him he would have been
very different man. l did not think that
the old man would carry the trusteeship
humbug into his will, but had no doubt it
became fixed fact in his mind.
WHAT HE DID DO.
William B. Aston devoted his whole time
to the management of his business, ard
like other small minds he was given to min
ute details of matters which were really of
no consequence. One of these points was
to preserve dividing line between the
estate of his father and what he acquired
through his own power of acquisition. He
was continually carrying on two sets of ac-
counts, the one concerning his own prop
ertY and the other that of his father. His
own personal wealth began with the legacy
received from his uncle Henry, which in
cluded the Bowery Theatre and other prop
erty estimated at $500, 900. This was care
fully improved, and hence when his father
died William B. Aston (who was then 5S)
was worth nearly $2,0OO,O00. The prop
erty has since then increased, so that it is
now estimated al 5000, 900, and it is this
which he designates to the children of his
two sons. The line of demarkation, how
ever, has no legal existence, and is merely
lmaginary-for the entire estate was in
point Of law the possessions OF the deceased.
The division of the property between the
two sons will, az have said, give each of
them larger estate than that left by the
senior John Jacob Astor. The increase
will not be in territory but in value The
task of division will be difficult one, and
The executors will find it not easy to suit
these brothers, each of whom naturally
wants all he can get.
MORE ABOUT BENEvoLEScE.
1 cannot avoid expressing an opinion that
Astor has shown characteristic selfishness
q bis will. Forty thousand dollars NAV
'eem very large sum, but is it compared
o an estate worth 800, 100000 Is not this
manning charity? How many poor chill
iren has Astor seen while passing Broad
way, yet not dollar for the childrens aid
ocietyf An economical mechanic a few
'ears ago bequeathed $780, to the society
or the prevention of cruelty but the great
capitalist had no such sympathies. A be-
levolent woman founded the Demell ais
'ensary by bequest of 800, 900 but Aston
nd not follow her example. His $40, 600
harities amount to hardly weeks income,
nd seem to have been placed in his will
nieny TO shield 1t from reproach. The
brary has 5000, 900, about months in
ONE, which is not surprising, since the H.
rary 10 the family monument. Speaking
I charity it might seem reasonable that the
congregation which contained the richest
nan in America should show some magni-
,de in its benefactions. l have never
card, however, that ST. Bartholomew
hurch, which Astor attended, reported any
lore than average liberality. Such facts
re the best answer to the suggestions
'ade BY some papers to his benevoIence.
THE PROSPECTS.
The great capitalist has shown a deter
'instion to keep the estate together, but If
escape the law of mutablity it will be a
IRE exception to human experience. AL
lost all the great estates once formed here
ave gone to pieces, and if they had not
10 Actor property would never have reach
J its present magnitude. 1t is in fact made
p Of the fragments Of n dozen grand old
'tates, which have changed owners. One
40 the Richmond Hill property, once
wned by Aaron Burr. Another is The
arts property, and as the great accumula-
On was built up in this manner be resolved
Its elements In spite of the barriers raised