Complex sentence: Bids totaled Ł4,840 despite the pall Johnson's demise cast over the proceedings, unfortunately much of it was never paid and the sheriff absconded with most of the money, leaving only Ł900 for Croghan.
Split into simpler sentences: Bids totaled Ł4,840 despite the pall Johnson's death cast over the proceedings. Much of the bids were never paid and the sheriff absconded with most of the money collected, leaving only Ł900 for Croghan.