The evening world., 1890-02-26
Offered for Probate In the SurrO-
gates Office this Morning,
Over $iooOOO,OOO Worth Of Prop
eriy to Ills Son Waldorf.
Museum OF Art 100000, Astor
Library s45o,Ooo, st. Luke's
Hospital 100000.

A document disposing Of over 600, OOO,-
900. and probably $3.50, 900, 900. worth of
real and personal estate was offered in the
Probate Clerks Office Of the Surrogate's
Office to-day.
It was the will of John Jacob Aston,
head of the family of that name and the
wealthiest man in America, who died at
his Fifth avenue mansion on Washing
tons Birthday.
About noon Charles f. Southmayd
came into Probate Clerk Bernard j.
Finney's room in the Surrogate's Office
and filed the will of John Jacob Astor.
He wal accompanied by William Wal
dorf Astor, who was dressed in deep
blnck, wore a silk hat with mourning
band, and black kid-gloves.
The will covers two and one half sheets
of parchment. two of the sheets being
written on both sides. OF the third sheet
but one-half OF one side Is written upon.
1t tool Mr.. Southmnyd just about one
half hour to draw up the petition for pro-
bate and Young Mr.. Aston then read and
signed it.
The text of the will is as follows;
l, John Jacob Aston. Of the city Of New
York. do hereby make, publish and declare
this to be my last will and testament, that is
to say:
First-I give and bequeath to my friend.
Alexander Hamilton. now residing at or
pear Irvington. the sum Of $50, 000.
Second-I give and bequeath the follow
ing legacies. viz
the corporA.oh hno"n as Oh Luhes
hospi'Al' sioo' w. sne ooipo.n
xpo"n - tue ne'ropon'an museum " Ar',
Soo' wv. W 'ho ooIporsuVh - 'ne
We" iorh oAhcer hospiuai, sioo, oov, anu
my cousin' 'HnieS n
s"O.voo'
ihiru.i give 10 sne corpoIsIion known
as 'ne ifus.eos y 'e As DAis.
rom my personal es'a.' ,he sum Oh
ssoo, wv, 70 De palu ~ inc ehpiA'1n
OF TWO years from my uen'h. anu DO
invested ana kept inVesleu oS sala COR
porAIoh any S'ooAs sul"S
or properly Oh any o'her descIipnon WnaI-
soeveI' eitner .oHl or psisonAi. ~ 'no uS
efetion OF ,ne trustees Oh 'he saia oorpora-
non ssSiea 'he iruS'eo' u " A''oi -"
DrarS'
And ! will. and direct that the net income
OF the said fund of $500, 900, from time to
time be applied to and be expended in the
purchase of books to be added to
the library. and not to be
used for the ynle OF or for the increase
OF salaries Of officers or employees. nor for
the purchase Of furniture or other current
expenses. nor for any other purpose than
the purchase of or binding Of books.
And I will and declare that the special
declarations above contained in this third
article in relation to the investment
Of said bequest. as q permanent
fund. and the application OF the
income thereof. as aforesaid. are not
to be so construed as to create any trust
not legally permissible. nor SO as to impair
the legal ownership and control Of the fund
and Its income and proceeds by the corpora
ton IS fully as may be legally necessary to
the validity Of the beduest to 1t Of the sum
aforesaid.
Fourth-I give. and bequeath to the said
corporation, known as ! The Trustees of
the Aston Library" the further sum OF
ESQ. 900, and / request that this sum be
by said corporation invested. and kept
invested ass . permanent fund, and
that the next income thereof be applied
10 paying the trustees Of said corporation
from time to time fees or allowances for at
tending the meetings Of such trustees, at
thu rate Of $40 70 each attending trustee
al each nesting, and that II, and
q thare may be, an accumulation
OF such fund, after making such payments.
so As 10 permit the raising of the rate of
such regular fees or allowances, and the
payment thereof out Of the net income of
such fund without trsnching upon