Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-10-20
WILLIAM ASTOR,
TITLED BRITON,
DIES INLONDON
Millionaire Who Exiled
Self From u. S.
Passes Away.

| I<OAuOlp OCl. SO.-- v lSCOu4L A5lOL
of Hever castle died of heart dis
ease Saturday morning. He hN1
been failing in health for year.
The body is lying in the resi-
dence of his son, Waldorf Astor,
member of parliament, in st. James
square.
Through Viscount Astor's wish
his body will be cremated, and it
is understood the ashes will be
placed in the private chapel of his
One-time country home. CIiveden,
at TaplOw, Bucks, now occupied by
Waldorf Astor.
Led Only in Society.
Few men of great wealth in Eng
land have been so little known to
the public as William Waldorf As
tor. IL was said he left America
to escape the limelight which news
papers throw upon milliOnaires. II
this was true, he was successful.
During the first years of his res
idence here he established a posi-
ton in the exclusive social set and
entertained that circle in accord
ance with the most conservative
British traditions. But he never
attempted tC become a leader in
sport or politics. two fields in
which rich Englishmen endeavor
to attain publicity and popularity.
Career of AstOr.
Viscount Astor (William Waldorf
Astor) was born in New York in
1S48, the son of John Jacob Astor,
the founder of the Astor millions.
He became an expatriate in the
SOS, renouncing his American cit
izenship and becoming an English
subject. He was made a baron in
1916 and was created first Viscount
Astor of Hever in 1917.
Viscount Astnr had been reckoI.-
ed one of the richest men in Eng,
land. At the time OF his death he
still retained large realty and 9TH
States, particularly in New York
city.
S2O.O9O,COO for Title.
1t took William Waldorf Astor
more than twenty-five years and
an expenditure of .bove S20,O00,000
TO achieve his coveted title, but he
did it in the face of bitter denUnci-
alton from America and ill yelled
ridicule from England. Villifica-
tion and satire alike failed to de-
ter him in his campaign. Steadily,
continuously, with never tagging
zeal and purpose, he cultivated the
king, the government and the peo-
pie of Great Britain. He paid fo-
it the largest sum ever expended
for a title, but he got his baronet's
crown.
Why Did He Leave U. ST
The true cause of William Wal
dort Astor's departing for foreign
soil has never been established.
Some say it was because he was
defeated in a political campaign.
Others credit mere petty motives.
There were also reports at the time
that the move was made at the in
stance of Mrs. Astor, who was a
beautiful heiress of Philadelphia,
Mamie Paul.
His own reason, as quoted in the
of the time, was
America was no country for a
bred in the bone gentleman to 1.-Two
in"
Gave e. S. Flag to British.
One of the most unpleasant
things he ever did. and the only
thing on which Americans ever
really had a basis for resentment,
was the presentation of the Ches-
apeake's American fag to the Brit
ish museum. This flag was cap
tured by the English ship Shannon
in the war of 1912. Mr.. Astor
bought it from a private family in
England for $4,000 and gave it to
the English institution.
1t was about 1880 that Mr.. Astor
began his notorious campaigning
for a title, which was not won un-
til 1915.