Arizona weekly citizen., 1884-01-05

It embraced an entire block, and was many stories high. Passing down to the center, he observed, in small, but plain letters, "Hudson Bay Fur Company" He looked in and saw many men and boys at work-packing, asserting and arranging the skins. He ventured in- side of the door, and watched the work men for some time, wondering how 1t was possible to secure so many skins of so many specIes of animals. He re- turned to his simple lodgings, and stud jed over what be had seen. Early next morning he went back to the great warehouse to watch the workmen and see how they handled the skins. This he repeated day after day, until one Of the men in charge took notice of the foreigner, and began to ask him ques- tions. Taking courage, the young Ger man, who then understood and spoke the English language very imperfectly, asked questions in return. In the course of a month he had learned much about the fur business, and was seized with desire to go to America and engage m collecting the furs on his own account on a small scale. He at first thought of trying to secure passage in one of the Hudson Bay compsny's vessels, but afterwards concluded to go to the United States; he took steersge passage in 17S3 fir New York, where h soon invested his lite capital h furs, and went from shop to shop buying up small lots and earring them to a small store room he had secured on back street, where he sepa ated and assorted them observed the men doing in London. He did not make much on hIs first in- vestmeDt, but as he learned more of the business he succeeded better. Putting his entire energies in the business It was not long before he was quite an expert furrier. Then he begun to accumulate, and in the short space of six years by economy and industry he increased his capital to S200,OO0. He was now able to engage in the business on a more ex- tensive way, and after many dissppoint- lnents and mishsps, he succeeded in 1911, in establishing a house for the collection of furs at the mouth of the Columbia river in tho far northwest, which at that date was a vast and d. most boundless wilderness. From this date on he continued to extend hls trade connections until they reached every sec tion of the globe, and in little more than half century he had accumulated fortune of S30,000,00O which at that date-1S48, when he died-wss the largest fortune any man had Rccumu- lated Tn life time. The reader of the above narrative, will easily recognize the man who smsssed so great fortune, as no other man save John Jacob Astor, until the present generation &C., cumulated so such money. The bulk of this wealth, as every intelligent reader knows. went to his son. William B. Astor, who possessed but little of the speculative spirit of his father. Being invested in real estate in New York, he allowed it to accumulate on his hands, and at bis death in 1875, his fortune was estimated at s50OOO,OOO. It then pas sed to his sons though we believe 1t has never been segregated but is still held in a kind of family strong box to hide 1t from the world.
 The third generation have resolved to give grand ball on the 2lst day of Jan uary next, which IS to outshine all pre- vious efforts of the kind in this country. It will take place at the residence Of William Astor, which contains the finest hall in this country. The floor Is of white marble, and Is wide and spacious On the right side as one enters Is the celebrated fireplace in blue and white china, finished in brass, and on either side of it are tall chRndelabras to cor respond, Rad which attracted so much admiration at the Philadelphia Centen- nisl Exhibition.
 What the menu will be cannot be guessed; 1t is said a great variety of game will be served. What B contrast will the one hundredth anniversary ball be to the humble quarters where the elder Astor partook of his frugal meal on the list of January, l7S4!
 But this comparison is of little i'm portsuce. The questions most likely to be asked are, did the elder Astor con- tribute any worthy equivalent to the human race ior the vast amount of his accumulated wealth? Have the decend- euts of John Jbcob Astor done anything that the world thould remember them for. or have the pople of this country
 been benefited by heir vast sccumuls- tions? It is true thst the elder Astor
 gave S350,000 to found free library in
 his adopted city, but tAis Riit may be
 peter understood .esPo" eEoooo t-=> uls abou. sn wortT1 s0OoOO
 ubo might die to-morrow' and -s SOOO
 .-ss snO - as,a5lishing free hbrary in
 T-..on We should not look upon such oi,t as 8 very great donation: The
 irnior members of the A''or fanny naso
 an 'u aora less, considering their means a wo are of the impression that the Ainel n ;..n naople will decide sgainsi s1v a~SI io,
 lcan paat honor to the Astor iann! IG E. sn! sood Ed they have done in the s so ,b, lr the goUu tiair money bags full 'o 1n
 tsPs s6 ;Hsy yS 5a s2 if the family i5GE
 whom this vast fortune was ara"- ,.
 not been greatly benefited oy It,
 led , w;Il bury i