The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-14
TIE RICHEST MAN IN AMERICA.
A Title That Is Not Held COntinuOusly-John
Jacob AstOr Regains His Right to II.
lpeciaI to ths ,naianapolis JoarnaL.

BpeciaI to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal
NEW YORK, Nov. l3.-rhe title of ''richest
man in America" is not held continuously An
Astor, after losing it to Vanderbilt, has now
fegsined it.
John Jacob Astor tho richest man in America,
Is devoted patron of opera, and it was just
after he had limped into his box at the Metro
politan one evening this week, that an artist
caught sight of his face and succeeded in OBJ
tanning what the millionaire is ever careful to
keep from the public, picture of his features.
The powerful landlord is tall and vigorous at
over sixty years Of age, and If he were poor
man, or only moderately wealthy, be
would not have made himself unduly
conspicuous by limp. This defect
in his gait is the result of possessing a carte
blanche upon the good things of the world, emf
nent among which are chamragnes and ancient
Burgundy. A liberal indulgence in the orna-
mental varieties of food and drink has induced
gour, and Mr.. Astor has just recovered from a
severe attack In appearance he suggests the
typical Englishmsn. His face is rudy and full,
and is embeished with long sde-whiskers of a
reddish gray color. These whiskers are not al
lowed to grow directly out from the cheeks, but
by persistent brushing have been trained to
hang down over the collar somewhat in the
Dundreary style His eyes are subdued gray.
His figure s erect and stalwart, and his dress
fashionable, but plain.
After his own notions Mr.. Astor lives ecohotii-
bcal!y. He does not stint himself at the table,
and he has two or three boxes at the opera but
as he does not work, either for his living or the
of sfofo 10 g.
waste not penny on business iuxures He
rarely rides when he can walk, and when he
rides 1t Is In public stage, il one is available
rather than IN his own or a hired coupe His
kilograms are 'skeletonizedr and in other trivial
ways ne acts upon the penny -saved-penny-
earned theory No one car tell the amount of
his wealth to-day He is very slightly interested
In stock companies. The Western Union Tele-
graph, the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
railroad the Chemical Bank and afew other con-
Germs ntefes him. The overwhelming bulk of
his property is in real estate on Manhattan
leland or just across the Harlem in the annexed
district More than half of this in value is
south of Chambers street or in district just q
mile long on its longest diameter. In it is the
Astor House, modestly estimated at $2000,00O,
and numerous blocks and buildings along
Broadway and Wall street This part
OF his property pays at least III per
GENT per annum, and Its value varies only
slightly from year 20 year Ii Is from the vast
SKdCec VI louu III the uOEtIcTH part VI tuO City
that the increase to his wealth comes. He Is
constantly putting aside what he can spare from
his rent receipts for the purpose of investing in
more land. 1t is said on good authority that
sum amounting TO Sc, 600, 900 in cash is kept on
deposit in trust companies, to be applied to new
purchases whenever q good bargain is secured.
The condition of his property makes a favorte
topic for the political economists Every child
born in the city adds to his wealth. 1t is the in
crease of population alone that makes Mr. Astor
richer As yet. however. the great landlord has
not sicnfed any intention of "whacking up"
with the reproductive public He is benefting
steadily by what John Stuart Mill called the
Fsunearned increment of wealth, and bids fair
to be. before his death. richer than any man who
aver lived
When William II. Vanderbilt was alive he
pvertopped John JACOB Astor. but the railroad
.Gngs death caused such subdivision Of the