New-York tribune., 1914-12-01

LUIS hHseleS, NOV. ou.-JO OnH VI W en-
del, one of the largest holders Of real
estate in New York City, died to-day
at the home of his nephew, H. c. Hol-
wedel, at Santa Monica. Mr.. Wendell,
who was seventy-fve years old, was
stricken with paralysis two weeks ago
after trip West.
John G. Wendell was one Of New
York's biggest land owners. The value
of his holdings has been placed at
more than s50,0O0,O00, and he was re-
ported to have had in his possession
more property along Broadway than
any other single individual.
Mr.. Wendels grandfather and the
first John Jacob Astor were young men
in New York together. They both had
faith in the future Of the city and in
vested all their savings in real estate,
with the result that great landed in
terests fell TO their heirs. "The Rus
sell Sage Of Broadway" or "The Hermit
of Fifth av.," as Mr.. Wendell came to
be called, was one of these. Early in
his life he determined to follow the
established principle of the family
never to sell property. He declared he
had all the money he wanted, and the
most tempting offers failed to induce
him TO part with any land. This led to
many eccentricities, which puzzled
spectators anxious to do business with
him.
His home in this city was at Fifth
av. and 39th ST., opposite the Union
I 1tth Of ha
been placed on the property, which in
cludes a vacant lot, which Mr.. Wendell
refused to place on the market, because
his dog TO romp in.
It was generally believed that senti-
ment led the aged man to cling to land
that had been owned by the family for
so many years. But whatever the
motive, Mr.. Wendell clung to his prin-
ciple with vigorous tenacity when long
ing eyes were cast by operators on
choice sites scattered about the city.
The Hoboken Board of Education once
fought for six years to buy Wendell
land for a school, and finally gave up
in despair.
Fighting off people who want TO buy
or seize our real estate" said Mr..
Wendell a few years ago, has been a
constant occupation of the family for
more than 200 years. The city has been
the main offender. But in all that time
not a plot has been sold"
There is city block and half of
one story buildings on the west side OF
Broadway, between 36th and 38th SITS.
and back to Seventh av. on 37th st.
These are Wendell holdings, as are
those near by in Sixth av. Not foot
of it is covered by theatre, hotel or
gathering place for any form OF amuse-
ment, although it has been coveted by
motion picture men and puryeyors to
gay life along the Great White Way.
Asked for the reason, Mr.. Wendell said:
81 want TO keep the little buildings
as they were when they came to me.
There are also both moral and legal
reasons. In the frs place, ! will not
be responsible for the Vaccinations OF
the Evil One. | have plenty to do with
out being responsible for immortal
souls. Theatres, saloons, motion pict-
ures-bah!"
That accounts for some of the choice
parcels of property scattered all the
way from the financial district to the
SOS, which give an inkling OF New
York as it was many years ago. But
there are some who have protited by
his unusual business dealings. In
Thompson st. he owned a tenement
house, with 26-foot front and 95-
foot depth. Behind this, in West
Broadway, he held lot 100 by 68 feet,
which was not built upon. Though the
latter property has been valued at S8l,-
900 and the tenement house at $4,000,
Mr.. Wendell refused to sell the open
plot. as he wished it to serve as
playground for the children of the
tenement house.
Mr.. Wendell was seventy-five years old
and a bachelor. His winter home was
at Santa Monica, Cal. He leaves three
maiden sisters, Georgianna, Mary and
Rebecca.