The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-18
THR SALE OF THE SCHOONER WANDE-
RER.

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Prom the Savannah Correspondence OF the New York Express,
March IL
The schooner Wanderer was sold this morning by the
United States marshal, according to advertisement, in
front of the custom-house. At IL O'Clock a good crowd
had collected, when Mr.. Stewart, the United States mar
shall, proceeded to sell a trunk which was found on board,
containing private papers belonging to Capt. Corrie. He
stated that there was nothing but letters and papers in
the trunk, and hoped some person would buy il and send
it to Capt. C. Mr.. c.. A. Lamar then bid one dollar, at
which price it was knocked off to him. The marshal
then read the advertisement under which he offered the
Wanderer for sale, when MI. Lamar, who was standing
by his side, said, Gentlemen, i claim this vessel as my
property, taken from me by the high hand of the law.
i intend to buy her, and it remains with you to say
whether | shall be compelled to pay a high price for her
or not The marshal then commenced the sale. The
first bid was $500, and from this it ran slowly up to
$3.50, when Mr.. Charles Van Horn, the jailor of Chatham
county, who was bidding against Mr.. Lamar, jumped to
81, 900. 1t then ran along between these two, $25 at a
time, till it reached about So, 500, with the exception of
two or three more $3.50 starts by Van Horn. There was
very little dwelling on any bid, each party nodding as
soon us the bid of the opposite party was announced.
Several gentlemen in the crowd spoke to Van Horn,
begging him to cease bidding, as they did not consider it
right after what Lamar had said, but he went on until his
last bid was So, 975. Lamar bid 81, 900, and the Wan
derer was knocked off to him. He was standing directly
beside the United States marshal, and Van Horn was in
front, about ten feet distant. l was facing Lamar, and,
as the bidding went on, | saw that in his eye which be-
tokened mischief, and watched the motions of the parties
accordingly. AS soon as the sale was completed, Lamar
walked towards Van Horn, denounced him with most OPP
%probrious epithets; and, as he concluded, he got near
enough to strike, which he did cifectually. The blow
took effect on Van Horns ear, turning him completely
around, and forcing him to describe almost a somerset TO
the ground. The crowd cheered bravo most Justify, and
closed around. Van Horn was partially stunned by the
blow, but got up and made u rush towards Lamar. Both
parties are accustomed to go armed, and a scene was an-
ticipated. Cries of 'Pitch 10, Charley - 'Give it to
him ~ ''Kill him - &C., were made but it was not so
easy to tell which side they were intended to en-
courage, as both are known by the name of Charley"
Friends Of both parties interfcred, and the threatened
afiIay was stopped for a time, but it will not end here.
OF course, there was considerable excitement for a time;
and, after the principal actors had retired with their
friends, little groups gathered discussing the matter. One
little individual seemed to be ''spiin' for a dght," and
kept reiterating, ''Ihis is a great southern question:, -
gesticulating with much vehemence.