Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-09-16

seven from one plantation and fifty -onl
from another. The sale was for tn,
purpose Of settling an estate. The terms
as advertised in the catalogue, were lone
third cash, and the remainder at twelve
months credit, for approved city paper
bearing vendors lien and mortgage on
the slaves" 1t was further announced
that the slaves would be sold singly, and
when in families, together, and that they
could be seen three days previous to the
sale on application to the auctionecrs.
The sale took place in the rotunda, OF
large open hall, of hotel The assem-
ply of buyers and curious persons was
large, and in many instances the bidding
was spirited. We apend the printed des-
cription af few sample lots, together
with the prices which they brought:
one FAMILY.-Frank Bond, 45 years,
good teamster and field hand. Eliza, 81
years, choice field hand. Sarah, infant.
Louisa, i years. Harriet, 6 years. Mary
Jane, 9 years. Washington, IL years,
likely boy.
The price paid for the above seven in
dividuals was $3.50.
The highest price paid for any one lot
was $500, and was for the following
family of the same number of persons as
the last, described as: Excellent, well
disposed and conditioned in every respect:
Adam, 40 years, No. field hand, fine
axman, sawyer and hewer. Kitty Adam,
34 years, choice field hand. Sophia, 3
years. We.tley, 1 years. Sidney, s
years. Charlotte. 10 years, sprightly
girl Jefferson, II years, smart boy.
Caroline, ii years, "a likely intelli-
gent girl" brought Sl0l0. Albert, II
years, field hand and teamster, was con-
sdercd worth $1,000, the highest price
paid for any individual during our pres
ence at the sale. One man of about 30
years is mentioned as "hne engineer y
There are large number of smart boys"
and "sprightly girls and occasionally
some poor creature is designated as
feeble and in several cases diseases
and natural defects with which they were
afflicted are specified, and a number of
women are marked as pregnant. \ lad
OF II years, Dan Tucker is described
as being "a sprightly boy, nimble of foot
in the dance Though how his agility
in this direction was to be turned TO the
profit of his master we failed to perceive.
Among the occupations which were
mentioned as rendering their possessors
more valuable were those of cook, cooper,
fltcrer, servant and nurse, manager Of
trash gang, bone black burner, splendid
plantation blacksmith, yacuum-pan sugar
maker, hostler, house servant, striker in
blacksmith shop, driver, stock minder,
washer and ironer, basket and collar
maker, scamstress and carpenter
Among their names are Little Gully,
Big Phillis, Tom Buster, Little jim,
Prince, Militia, Winfield Scott, Peggy,
Sinks, Doll, Trecy Ann, Modesty, Kit
and Daphne.
Their ages ranged from three months
to sixty years there being but two Of the
latter age, however. There were two or
three of fifty years, but most of them
were under thirty-fve, and there were
many children.
We were present about two hours, and
during that time seven families, of from
three to seven in number, and five indi-
viduals (forty-three persons in alD, were
sold for S27,Sl0.
But scenes like those described above
are no longer witnessed in our country.
The war of the rebellion unloosed the
letters of she black man of the South;
and although as yet he has not all the
rights which the laws of his country ac-
cord him, the time is not far distant
when the color-line will be obliterated;
and then will begin a new era at the
South, and its numerous resources will be
developed us they never have been, and
never could be, under the reign of chat
tel slavery.