The New York herald., 1879-09-25
MRS. MOORES PURCHASES.

AN ALLEGED AUCTION swISDLE IN WEST
FOURTEENTH STREET POOR PAINTINGS AND
RIcKErY FURNITURE
One of those peculiar Of alleged mock auction
swindling up for investigation yesterday before
Colonel Tracey, private secretary to Mayor Cooper
The complaint is made by lady. Mrs. Mary Moore,
residing at No. 4s West Twenty street. against
auctioneer named Albert Kraemer. OF No. 13l
West Fourteenth street. from whom she purchased
quantity Of furniture. Mrs. Moore arrived
from California in June last residing TOM
porarily at the Hoffman House. According to the
allegations in the complaint it appears "that ono
Zeno Burnham. who was tried and convicted Of
some frauds connected with business Of this kind
some years since and sentenced to State Prison, ID
one of the employees Of Kraemer and aid an 40
cessory in all the frauds" She also alleges that at
tho sale, though "the competitive bidding was
spirited there not with the exception Of herself
bond de purchaser in the house, that all Of the
called bidders were part and parcel Of tho mock
goods and to aid and abet him."
Mrs. Moore sets forth the material facts in Q
sworn statement as follows:-
came to New York the 9th Of Juno last. saw an
% e heo In s Soa a be-
on tho 18Th OF g. the residence Of Colonel Bon.
the things mar mar & there who% they called
=
a % aor Mr. R a soss q:
ali hs that thsrs When went T. The sals
IT. Ss1oa% ss s o he os M
knocked down to Isaght things enough to
furnish house Of eight y While Hill Mr. Kraemsr
sns to ordos
y sS '5ss
s s as COSTING aas
the price Those arc the only hngs that remember that
parties
sn'' Ws basns A' thing. men 'sss sSd
fs ss TO Ss sn of Mr. .n
ssoSo then went back TO 9 the Eth house With Mr. Kraomss
ing "a s
s Sns s s the S M %onay a Of Sea Hssa %
Kraemer the money asked him If he would let the thngs
Then Monday moved the things away and part 9;
% ss s s
s:s. $
been been stuffed with hair Mr. Tras@or when selling il said
Srsthsrs, u the Sss. msnafsssursrs: hs ma
what Mr.. Kraemer said were bronses He said. Here
ths. they not genuine q Of the picture. th..
Ssr the sum he msn,ianed ali lie paint
he Sc to b. tho
amned by furniture and all tat IL Is OF
bad quality. have discovered whore the pier glasses
made. Mr. Kraemer made Representations IN re.
with guarantee for five years signed by o. D. Pease
THE DEALERS REPRESENTATIONS
Mrs. Moore Is apparently respectable lady. about
thrty-nine years old. She attired tastefuly in
black and gave her testimony yesterday afternoon
with intelligent accuracy. She corroborated the
facts set forth in her affidavit and ELECTED the sym.
pathy of those who listened to her straightforward
narrative She testified to having examined the fur
niture carefully after making the purchase.
q. How you tell what the furniture was
stuffed with? A. had an upholsterer with me 40
the time n
@. How did you know that the stuffng made
up of wood shavings? A. have examined it; the
stuff is called Excelsior" and IL made out of wood.
q. Did you not know that all this furniture was
stutng generally consisted of cotton and sea moss.
Q. Was the set examined by you-that which
Kraemer said well upholstered? A. 1t was.
z. You are sure, madame, that one OF the pictures
WAS by Powers? A. Kraemer said some were by
Powers and all by celebrated artists; the name was
at the bottom OF the picture.
q. Was not the name Powiss? A. don't knows
it may have been SO; found afterward that these
pictures wero daubs-just IL tho canvas had been
whitewashed will bring one Of them down here.
Mr.. Louis Tmms of No. 3l5 First avenue. testified
that lie had been upholstercr for about ten years.
aud that he had examined the furniture purchased
at the auction sale by Mrs. Moore; he found the
chairs stuffed with tow, sea moss and waddtng;
there about quarter of inch OF hair on top;
had paid s220. could be bought for $l25 retails
Kraemer has used the house in street for
over year past az an auction ROOM
The investigation will be continued Saturday.