Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-11-26


The title Of s'Richest Man in America
is not held continuously. An Astor, after
losing it to Vanderbilt, has now regain
ed it.
John Jacob Astor. the richest man in
America, is devoted patron of opera,
and it was just after he bad limped into
his box at the Metropolitan one evening
this week that an artist caught sight of
his face and succeeded in obtaining what
the millionaire is ever careful to keep
from the public-a picture of his features.
The powerful landlord is tall and vigorous
at over sixty years of age, and if he were
4 poor man or only moderately wealthy he
would not have made himself unduly con-
splcuous by limp. This defect in his
gait is the result of possessing carte
blanche upon the good things Of this world
eminent among which are chamragnes and
ancieat Burgundy.
A LIBERAL INDULGENCE
In the ornamental varieties of food and
drink has induced govt, and Mr.. Astor
has just recovered from severe attack
In appearance be suggests the typical En-
gilshman. His face is rudy and full, and
| is emhelllshed with moustache and long
side Whlskers of reddish gray color.
These Whlskers are not allowed to grow
directly out from the cheeks, but by per-
sistent brushing have been trained to hang
down over the collar somewhat in the
Dundreary style. His eyes are suhdued
gray. His figure is erect and stalWart.
and his dress fashionable but plain. After
his own notions Mr.. Astor lives economic
ally. He dues not stint himself at the
table, and be has two or three boxes at the
opera, but as he does not work either for
his living or the extending Of his estate,
he finds it advisable to waste.
NOT A PENNY ON BUSINESS LUxURIEs.
| He rarely rides when. he can Walk, and
when he does ride it is in public stage, if
one is available. rather than in his own or
hired coupe. His kilograms are '.skeie
tonized," and in other trivial ways he acts
upon the penny saved penny earned y
theory. No one can tell the amount OF
his wealth to-day. He is very slightly in
terested in stock companies; the Western
Union Telegraph, the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western railroad, the Chemi-
Cal Bank and few other concerns inter
est him. The overwhelming bulk of his
property is in real estate on Manhattan
Island or just across the Harlem in the
annexed district. More than half of this
In value is south of Chambers street, or ii
a district just mile long on its longest
diameter. In 1t is the Astor House, mod
estly estimated at $2,000,000, and numer-
Gus blocks and buildings along Broad wa.
and Wall street. This part of his proper
ty pays at least 10 per cent. per annum
and its value varies only slightly fron
year to year. 1t is from the vast tracts o.
land in the northern part Of the city thai
the increase 20 his wealth comes. He is
constantly putting aside what he Cal
spare from his rent receipts for the pur
pose Of investing in more land. IL is id
On good authority that sum amounting
to Sc 100000 In cash is kept on deposit in
trust companies to be applied to new pur-
chases whenever good bargain is secured
The condition Of his property makes ia
yorite topic for the political economists;
every child born in the city adds to lis
wealth. 1t is the increase of population
alone that makes Mr.. Astor richer. AS
yet. however, the great landlord has not
signifed any intention of
''WHACKING UP"
with the reproductive public. He is ben
citing steadily by what John Stuart Mill
called the ''unearned increment of wealth.
and bids fair before his death to be richer
than any man who ever lived.
When William II. Vanderbilt was alive
he overtopped John Jacob Astor, but che
railroad kings death caused such sub
division of the property that the landlord
is left away ahead of any competitor. His
brother William, a struggling real estate
tspeculator, worth abont $50, 600, 900, does
not come as near to him as Jay Gould,
and in fact stands just about even with
Cornelius Vanderbilt. William handles
his business on the same plan adopted by
his richer brother. Their offices are to-.
they own most of the Astor property in
common. The disparity in their fortunes
was the
RESULT SIMPLY OF INHERITANCE,
Their father, who inherited the bulk OF
the old fur traders John Jacob's) money,
invested it III real estate, and left two.
thirds of it to his eldest son, the present
John Jacob. A striking feature Of his
wealth is that most of it is uninsured
There is 80 much of it that the occasional
total loss of a house or two or an entire
block amounts TO less than the premiums
to be paid annually upon the whole.
Mr.. AstCr is qualified for the title OF
Colonel. In the war of the rebellion he
served on Gen. McClellan's staff as abide.
camp, with the rank Of Colonel. He was
a volunteer, and served with honor. His