Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-03-23
AsTOR'S GOLD.
Where the Third RiChsst Man
Keeps His Millions.
Pen Picture of the Great New York Land
crd-His Miles of Houses, Heavy
Taxes and Many Chari-
Nt7D York Journal.

The third richest man in the Union Is
John Jacob Astor, the chief owner and
heir of the Astor estate. Unlike many
n.iilionaires Aston has both name and
riches-a name linked with fabulous
wealth for three succeeding generations.
The estimated value OF the Aston estate
is from $90,0O0,00O to 100000, 900, a
veritable mountain of gold. John Jacob
and William b. are its sole owners, the
formers interest said to be two-thirds.
For nearly a century the title of being
"the landlords Of New York" has at
tached itself 10 them. John jacobs in
terests in houses, lots and farms may
be computed in the thousands.
Among the valuable buildings princi-
paly owned by Mr.. Astor as chief heir
to the estate is the old landmark,
The Aston House.
which was sold to his father by his
grandfather, the founder of the immense
estate, for 81. It's present value is said
to be S2,OOO,OO0, being assessed at
l,75U,OUO. The Guarantee and Indem.
MY building, chiefly owned by Mr..
Aston, was purchased short time ago
for 81 100000, while the Astor estate
avs taxes on $50, 100000 OF real estate
situated below Chambers street, most
81 which consists Of business houses on
broadway and Wall streets. There is
c. rely a ward, street or avenue IN the
ciry in which Mr.. Astor does not own
real estate, on which the total amount
Of taxes is over 100000 annuslIy.
Another point Of difference between
Mr.. Aston and other millionares is in
bis investments. In Wall street his
name never appears as Spectator and
seldom as an investor or seller of stocks,
bonds or other similar securities.
Having
An Income OF 10 Per Cent.
on the gross amount invested in real
estate, ne quietly buys more houses or
lands when opportunity for good in
vestment offers. In an inventory made
of his various properties an item of
5000, 900 in cash appeared, as ''money
in trust companies aud banks waiting
investment in real estate"
Mr.. AstOr is man of striking per
sonal appearance, being over six feet in
height, stout, somewhat inclined to cor
pulcnce and straight as an arrow. When
on the street his quick, elastic step and
smiling face, fringed with small, gray
side whiskers, invariably attract atten-
ton. His dress is simple and surpris.
in@ly neat. At business OF on the street
he wears broadcloth getaway or frock
coat, with pants to match, comfortable
locking shoes always lightly polished,
while in his hand usually swings az he
walks large, purple silk umbrella. In
summer his costume is changed to
black serge coat and pants OF some
ligl ter color, while an easy straw hat
res,s lightly on his ivOry-white hair.
Mr.. Aston,
though seldom speaking OF himself,
recently told u friend that although he
had completed three score years, he felt
as well and hearty as he did at forty.
BenevOlence is hlS striking characteris-
tic, one probably inherited from the
founder OF the Aston Library. Many
Of his charities are published, though
the actual amount of good done with
his ever ready cleck book is little
known. In ncar.y all the charitable
Institutions of this city the names OF
himself or wife, and often jointly, APP
pe@r as large givers. During the winter
months MIR. AstOr is either at his Office
al No. u West Twenty-sixth street, or
Iii, home, No. %6o Fifth avenue. Tue
latter is familiar to nearly every resilient
If Fifth avenue, and is conspicuous for
LOiding but its plainness and the spa
cuus grounds which surround it. II Is
bu.t OF fine moulded brick, with trim
uli rs Of brOwnstOne, and has double
sUailway leading to the front entrance.
TIE interior compares faGora0iy
with Any Palace.
Turing the late illness Of his wife, Mr..
Aslor's time was chiefly devoted to
cheering her weary hours at the bed
side with the same untlriug affection he
has shown throughout the many years
OF his married life. His principal recre-
ations are visits to his elegant country
seat at RheineClltfe. on the-HudSOn and
yachting. The country seat is an an
ciemt looking establishment kept in the
tiLtst order and is a Renaissance of
Uidcn time. Well shaded with trees Of
every kind its immense lawns and gar
deus are traversed by long drives and
walks.
Here, In the long days Of the summer
months, Mr.. AslUr sits on the cool
piazza or under some shady tree aud
reads. He is having built one of the
finest pleasure yachts yet launched in
the waters of this country, tn coat of
which is placed at trifle over S!DD,O)0.
1t will be completed early il the coming
summer.