New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-12
The Sale of the Late senator Summers
Furniture.

washington Dispatch to Boston Globe. June 81
The sale Of what remained OF the house
hold effects of the late Senator Sumner,
which took place at the late residence OF
the Senator to-day, was largely attended by
persons from Boston. New York and Phila-
delphia, as well as citizens from Washing
ton. very large proportion OF those pres
enc were women who are ID the haolt OF at
tending auction sales. The interest IN the
sale began when the auctioneer proceeded
to dispose of the articles in the diningroom.
| Il was noticed that James WOrmley, the
we'll known cOlored caterer and proprietor
of Wormleys Hotel, started all bids for
dinin groom furniture. During Mr.. Sum-
ners life Mr.. Wormley was his intimate
friend. He looked after the senator
| household affairs generally, and, when Mr..
Sumner furnished his house. Mr. Wormley
was the agent who purchased large num-
| Der of articles for him.
| He appeared determined to become the
| possessor of nearly all the diningrOom fur
| riture. and invariably started the bidding.
| The first article sold was splendid side
board, which was much priced BY the Sena'
| tor, and which originally cost SiOU Mr..
| Wormlv bid 500 on it at once, and it was
| knocked down to him at 5000. He subse-
| ouen,Iy purchased the dining table, at
| which so many famous men have sat,
chairs and everything else in the reom OF
| any account. For the chairs, one OF which
Mr.. Summer usually occupied at the head
| of the table, Mr.. WOrmley paid 500. There
| being sharp competition for 1t, II necessary,
| he would have bid 500, for he wants to
| place the entire set of furniture in one
room in his hotel, which he will call the
| Sumner diningroom.
| Everything in the diningroom brought
twice its value, except the sideboard. In
this room dilapiGated hybrush went for
| 81 so, walnut picture rack tor S2o; Two
| walnut easeis at Bill aud s. %, respectively.
| A small scrap basket was sold to Mr.. George
| T. Dowing for 81. In the library, walnut
| Office desk went to A. NJ. Howe, of Boston,
| for Sl79; walnut book shelves to Fred
| Douglass at s. each: walnut book case,
| with glass doors, to c. G. Beaman, OF New
| York, formerly private secretary to the
| Senator. for $50: another walnut book
| case TO Miss Boutwell,, daughter OF Sena-
| tor Boutwell,. for SOL: Turkish lounge for
| S35: walnut armchair, upholstered in green
| damask, to Fred Douglass. for S26; a Turk
| ish rug. to a Boston lady S27: set OF trays,
| to Mr.. C.. C. Beaman, for S2l, and six small
walnut brackets, for 81 each.
| A 10. of sideboard ornaments, such as
| book-rack, rural picture-trames. brackets,
call-bals, etc.. cold at high prices. One
chair in the library, formerly occupied by
Samuel Randall, Of Pennsylvania, IN the
House of Representatives. run up to S3VU,
and was purchased by Boston man under
| the supp0sition that it had been the CHAIR
used by Mr.. Sumner in the Senate. This
| was the best price obtained Tor any piece OF
furniture in the hosse. Two easy-chalrs;
much used by THE Senator during lite, and
| which always occupied conspicuous places
| in the library, were missing, having been
sold privately. Had they been exposed to
pubic sale. they would have brought large
sums as quite a number OF friends OF the
Senator went to the sale for the special pur-
pose OF buying them. The parlor reception
chair. beautifully upholstered. was oough,
BY lady from Boston for So. A carved
walnut carG-table commanded as high a
price as 500. In this connection, 1t may De
stated that Boston lady, who made num-
Der of purchases gave no other name Id
buying except Boston
Many persons came expecting to buy Or
binary fashionable household furniture at a
moderate price. On observing the figures
at which everything went, they left in de-
snair. A great majority of the bidders
seemed to be either friends or admirers OF
| the late Senator, who desired some. me-
mento, no matter at what price. The bid
| dino was spirited at all times, but there
was no complaint Of untairness IN disposlng
of the goods. Tie wine and liquor OF the
Senator will not be sold until tomorrow
morning at eleven o'clock, it being found
| Impossible TO reach tue!u loo"s. 40 -
today was unusually slow, from the tact
that Scarcely anything was sold il lump,
it being deemed desirable for the accomno-
datiou of MIR, Summers friends to sell artl'
cles separately, in order that everybody
might secure souvenir. Among those who
were present at the sale We're Senator Bout
well and Representative Pierce, OF Massa'
chusetts, and Mr.. Harriss, OF mississippi
besides number OF Senators and Repre-
| sentariyes from other States,
| The tall musical clock in the hall was no:
offered for sale, it being sold at private sale
for the extraordinary sum of $4,000. The
sum of $1,000 was first offered. several days
ago, but since that it is understood that
two other parties put in bids, one for $1,000
and the other for $4,000. 1t is related OF
this musical clock that just prior to Mr.
Summers death it executed dirge. Il
always plays short air few minutes be
| fora str;kinu and although not especially