New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-26

OF that on which Lord & Taylor erected their dry goods
palace and it requires act Of the Legislature to
obtain for the Grand Central Depot part OF Its site,
which Mr. Goeet had stOntly refused to sell to Commo-
dore Vanderbilt at any price Mr.. Goelet owns consd-
cradle property in the vicinity OF his own house NJ Nine
feminist and Broadway, intending the opposite corner
About 80 years ago he determined to build himself
country within easy distance OF the business part
Of the city, and fairer more convenient spot pre-
sented itself than among the vacant lots above Union
square, now the fashionable quarter OF the
retail trade, where rents are higher and more
uniform than anywhere else in the city one need not
very recall the appearance of that part OF new"
York ut the time when foundations OF the Goeiet
mansion, which cost about $4,000, were lad III mas
been supposed by many persons that the long low line
OF buildings running back from the southeast corner vi
Broadway and Nneteenthst. were built on lana owned
by Peter Goeet, and that ii was his "eccentrici'y
which forbade the erection OF more imposing stfu''
there This is not the case THIS lana ns DGsn
held under a life lease of the late owner Mrs Mayhhru
who has recently died, and II ls propape now tn, LII
heir William OIve reigDs in her Stead tIat large 9tor
will replace the little shops where
a clothescleaner, shoemaker, and others nave con-
Though a bachelor Mr. Goect has not lived alone IN
his great house For years his sister, the MotcI vi
Elbrdge I. Gerry, and an unmarried siscL, nls
;oelet have had their home with him. ana only TWO Dcs
below the northwest corner of BrOadWay SUN
his brother Robert, with two unmarried sons Gue anu
Robert. jr. Ehridge T. Gerry sald 20 pe I upe 1n
yOyite nephew, married daughter of Robert D. LAYING
a
the wife of grandson of Robert Galatin During his
illness the sick has been constantly attended 6S Mf
has been himself unwell during the past week. Few
persons except the intimate personal FlenuS dea
of his private life and character. 1t is known
TO thousands that he was active anu me- nietno col
zeal in his business habits keeping his own Dooks COZ
ecng his rents III large measure, ana ai'enulhs ~
his affairs generally in the Office IN the basement "
his house He has feeding his birds ana Walh
ing quietly through tho streets on business erIahasi oe
ut,n mill " y
done business for years on the opposite cor ,r
lyon know as much about linn as l." He Is spoken OF
by who has been his personal friend Is one Wio
has been good friend to many VINO haa oc
cupatiOns and spent much OF ms leisure tle III , IL
aid Of arge assortment of all Of tools which
lie has gradually collected These VINO nave seeh
bright eyes, and absorbed expression o; couhenalGe.
His private servant who has lived win mn Tor ao0u 10
years, said 10 closely resemble MT GoeeI III hei.
gait, and manner, having ncoIsciousy grown HAe nun
from long personal association. ~, .ho
Peter GOcet has been popularity regarded as one VI
richest the cliy, AMI no one qiestlos that naS
property is very extensive Estimates vary IN MS case
III The Of all men WORTH several hiIos anu "a
simply impossible 10 state accurately the amount o. I'm, LIS
fortune Few persons believe that lac Is worm ies m
r5,ODOO0O and tue estate mas beeh Naueu a. Nm "n
S2OOOO,OOO. gentleman VINO has Been cOhntct1 we,
him ia business enterprises SAID yesterday p,r
j. the only man III Tue WORE VINO hh1" no" and
Goelct is worth. I have known him Tor years, anu
have no definite idea. 1t is admitted that ne mas %
aged his real estate with great slcN dhe,S anu ;1
II has been his custom 10 grant 2IItar leases WIN
renewals al innate, lhus hidhihE
OF G3 years duration, when desired lie hds
been in the habit OF udhhg buiuihE i" '-7
in many cases, and many buildings nave th''s
come inio MS possession through 1orctiosuiCs
OF the mortgages by which lie guaranteed himself. NOT
wIthstanding the abundant prosperity nc HAS elJycu
and the ample returns which hIS investments haNc
brought hIm Mr.. GOeic Is SAID 10 nave hii u '' ~
WAS coming To ruin. that rents were going To NE SO
low that profit would b. out OF inc ques-
ton, and that he 1anctd Inat ms 10 tnnc
would disappear far rapidly than II was
accumulated gentleman said yesterday LAT ne u'u
nor belle We that these Mr. GOrcts real Opinions
hui that he took whimsical pleasure IA lOOhng OF pre-
Cooler are stockholders IN the ca, meal Bank, whero
their accounts were kept While, a. has been
said il is impossible 10 slate accurately w
orount of Peter Goeets fortune owing 10 the character
OF his property, The method in which he has indnagru
and the reserve winch for half century has Dct one ~
In lef characteristics OF the man, tine rt most ire
Gu,ntly naIlcd and the which would meet WIN
readiest credence, is Tl2,O0O,OOO.