The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-05-16
A GREAT LANDLORD.
Pen and Ink Sketch OF the Third
Richest Man In the United States.

N GlNEAI lhNDhAOlDs
Pen and Ink Sketch OF the Third
Richest Man In the United States.
The third richest man In the union,
according to the New York Morning
Journal, is John Jacob Astor, the chief
owner and heir OF the Astor estate.
Unlike many millonaires, says tho
Journal writer, Aston has both name
and riches--a name linked with fabu-
lous wealth for three succeeding gene
rations. The estimated value of the
estate is from 500, 900, 900 to 800, 0O0,-
600, veritable mountain of gold. John
Jacob and William b. are its sole own
ers, the formers interest said to be
two-thirds.
For nearly century the title OF be-
ing "the landlords of New York" has
attached itself to them. John Jacobs
interest in houses, lots and farms may
be computed in the thousands.
Among the valuable buildings prin-
cipally owned by Mr.. Aston as chief
heir TO the estate is the old landmark,
the Astor 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 ~ 100000,
being assessed at $l,750,000. The
Guaranty and Indemnity building,
chiefly owned by Mr.. Aston, was pur-
chased o short time ago for 81, 600, 900,
while the Astor estate pays taxes on
$4,000 600 Of real estate situated be-
low CHI ers street, most OF which
consist business houses on Broad
way n II street. There is scarce
iyaN rect, or avenue in the city
in VIII :. Astor does not own real
estat, which the total amount Of
taxes 100000 annually.
Ant oint of difference between
Mr. A I'D other millionarios Is in
his in ents. In Wall street his
name + appears as II Spectator
and selu IN rs an investor or seller of
stocks, bonds, or other similar securi-
ties. Having an income Of l0per cent.
on the gross amount invested in real
estate, he quietly buys more houses or
lands when opportunity for good in
vestment offers. In an inventory made
of his various properties an item OF
$4,000 600 in cash appeay1d us "money
in trust companies and 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
corpulence, and straight as an arrow.
ka otr kiu fu,taly al la a IN
step and smiling face, fringed with
small gray side-whiskers, invariably
attract attep ion. His dress is simple
and surprisingly neat AT business or
in the street he wears q broadcloth cut
away or frock coat, with trousers to
match, oomfortable-looking shoes, al
ways lightly polished, while in his
hand usually swings as he walks u
large, purple silk umbrella. In sum-
mer his astume Is changed to black
serge CO and trousers of some lighter
color, an easy straw hat rests
lightly ot is ivory-white hair.
Mr.. As :, though seldom speaking
of himself, recently told q friend that
although he had completed threescore
years, he felt as well and hearty as he
did at 40. Benevo nee is his striking
characteristic, one probably inherited
from the founder of the Astor library.
Many of his charities are published,
though the actual amount of good done
with his everyday check-book is little
,nown. In nearly all the oh ,ritablt
Institutions of this city the names o.
imsolf and his wife and Otter
ointly, appears as large givers. Dur
ING the winter months Mr.. Aston is
either at his Office at No. Fl Wes
Twenty-sixth street, or at his home a.
No. 1888 Fifth avenue. The latter is
familiar to nearly every resident o.
Fifth avenue, and is conspicuous fol
nothing but its plainness and the spa
cious grounds which surround it, 1t Ii
built of fine nodded brick, with trim
mings of brown stone, and has
double stairway leading to the from
entrance. The interior compares fay
orably with any palace.
During the late illness of his wife
Mr.. Astor's time was chiefly devoted
to cheering her weary hours at the bed
side with the same untiring affection
he has shown throughout the man,
years Of his married life. His principa
recreations are visits to his elegan
seat at Rheineclifle-on-the-Hu Hudson AM
yachting. The country seat is an an
cient-looking establishment, keptin tn
finest order, and is "reminiscences o
olden time. Well shaded with trees o
every kind, its immense lawns and gar
dens are traversed by long drives ant
walks.
Here, in the long days of the sum
mer months, Mr.. Aston sits on the coo
piazza or under some shady tree an,
reads. He is having built one of tn
finest pleasure yachts yet launched il
the waters of this country, the cost o
which is placed at a tride over 5000,
600. 1t will be completed early in tn
coming summer.