The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-22
STORIES OF TIE ASTORS.
Gossip About the Richest Family In
America.
Especial Correspondence.

OF common interest. Ills IL especially
true Of the Astors, family that has been
identified with the growth of New York
aud always distinguished for its c0nserva-
tism.
John Jacob Astor, the originator Of the
| American family Of that name, came to
this country about the same time rs the
LOrillards, the famous tobacconists, but
felt himself rather above them in the So
cial scale, by reason of the fact that his
father in the old country was butcher,
and therefore u Weather man than most
Of his neighbors. lie was sharp trader
and the closest kind Of an economist all
his life, and was amassing fortune even
while lie and his children were living in
such humble quarters that the tax gath
erer passed them by almost in contempt
/ His knowledge Of The butchers trade
doubtless acquired before leaving home,
made him "a judge Of skins and furs, and,
| keeping the run o. the fashion rs ID cOl0rs
/ in furs, for texture in the old times WIS
not 50 much matter Of consideration as
now lie selected the best when be bought,
and, having paid Tor them, was not too
/ proud 10 carry the bundle home upon his
/ back. Notwithstanding the proposal Of the
/ importer 30 deliver them free O. expense.
ooh. no, " said John Jacob on one Of these
occasions: a. do not question YOUR hon
csty, but II I leave these furs here 10 be
packed and sent 10 me later in the day
some friend Of your clerk may come
along pick out the best Of the lot and
substitute an inferior article: then
should io-o 81 or G3by thecXchangc Oh,
40; I'm not proud, and TIT carry the bun
die myself"
William b., the father Of the present
John Jacob Astor, was educated in this
close and calculating school. Even in
early youth nc was inspired with notions
Of the stric;cst economy, and above all
with the idea that tie growth Of New
York was as inevitable rs the revolution
OF the sun. The oldest inhabitant scarcely
ever saw William l.. in Il carriage during
the lifetime OF his father. lie invariably
walked-an inherited popularity, by the
way, Of bis descendants, although they
are pedestrians from higher motives than
economy, and it is said 10y those who re-
member him that he passed the cross
streets as if he felt sure Of losing his life
in the attempt. A stranger uotirg this
timidity, inquired his name, and being
told, observed that tie must be q china
Aston, he seemed so fearful Of being dam
aged.
Old John Jacob had another son who
bore bis own name, but Of whom few bf
this or the previous generation have ever
heard. He was well educated, and until
about his 20tn year gave great promise of
becoming distinguished man. His in
tclect then suddenly failed, and he forgot
even the letters Of the alphabet lie was
more than six feet in height, and pos
scssed Of greater personal beauty than
any other member Of his family; but, be-
coming unmanageable, was placed on an
elegant estate near the foot Of West Four
tecnth street, in charge of n Dr. Fair
bank, and he could frequently be seen fol-
lowing the physician about more like u
faithful dependant than the heir 10 vast |
possessions. IN the Doctors hands he |
was always docilc, hut even in his 10th |
year he was unable 10 do more than COM |
prehenl some Of the simple lessons con-
tanned in Q child's primer. Although
fond Of the book. he rcbelled when the |
powers Of memory were overiaskcd. His |
father provided literally for the maintcn- |
ance OF his unfortunate son." as he /
called him in his WILL and the poor fellow |
died some twenty years ago without hay |
ing regained his intellect.
When John Jacob the eldest, built and
finished the Astor house, the rents Of the
stores on the ground floor were SO much
greater than any others in the ncigbor-
hOOd-they were $1,000 year-that the
Did man, fearful that the tenants would |
be unable TO pay the amount, frequently
visited ana iectured them on the necessity |
Of industry and economy. Some IL those
shops" have since rented for 5000 per
annum, and the tenants grew rich at that.
II is currently believed that the present
John Jacobs investments in paper Sc
turtles are nearly all made in the Sc
fusion OF the back parlors Of The Farm
rs Loan and Trust company, where no
mortal eye save that Of the boy president
# that institution sees what enormous
amounts Of accumulated wealth are
monthly slowed away. 10 Is reported
hat he owns upward Of 5000 first
lass buildings, and any quantity Of
'acGnt land in the city of New
York and its adjacent suburbs.
nd that he can buy and pay for addi-
ional property worth a million Of dollars I
ach month IN the year and still have s
uough left to meet the expenses Of house }
.ecping But, rs | said, the business is
in such manner as 10 attract :
he least possible public attention. The {
Astors have apparently lived as If they
expected sooner or later u peoples revolt S
ganst the monopohzing Of houses and
lnds, and believed the first victims would
e those who are the richest in this
7orld's goods. When that time comes. 0
owever, the present John Jacob will at {
EAST make good fight, for he is n brave |
ian, and during the war showed that he
adj no fear Of bullets or aversion TO the I
nell OF gunpowder. /
IL Is to be said Of the Astors that. while |
ley live well and in excellent style in d
leir homes, they have always conducted v
with extreme quietness and a
lodesty in their intercourse with the ont v
de world. Their aecumu,ations Of real c
state are made without flourish Of Il
umpets and they will build dozen or il
vo ponderous nine or ten story edifces n
the most valuable part of the city, and G
ever permit themselves 10 he seen DOING Y