The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-12

timony before Master Barnwell for reference
10 Judge Hudson In relation TO the recent
jIsputed sale OF the Greenylle and Column
ba railroad was begun to-day at ~ O'Clock.
Mr.. Corbin represented the South Carolina
railroad. Mr.. Rbett the Greenville and Co.
lumbia railroad, and Mr.. Lord, General T.
N. Logan, and Colonel W. W. Gordon The
CLYDE Committee petitioners. Testimony
began in behalf OF the petitioners, and OF all
persons excepting 10 the report OF The
Master.
Colonel A. s. Buiord, president OF the
Richmond and Danville railroad, took the
stand first and was examined by Mr.. LORD.
His testimony was as follows: Was present
mt the sale Of the .Greenvile and Columbia
railroad observed the bidding between
Messrs. Courtenay and Cummings; Mr..
| Courienay's position was In front OF the
Masters table. A large crowd was present.
During The early part Of the sale each contest
ant made his bids openly, but later Mr..
Courtcnay nearly always indicated his bids
by raising bis hand. Mr.. Cummings gen.
orally announced bis bids by speaking,
! but sometimes did so by raising his hand ;
he spoke distinctly; bis condition seemed
| TO be one Of considerable excitement. but
be seemed certain as to what he was doing.
! At the last bid | was near Mr. COurtenay,
who was probably about six feet from the
| Master: could see aud understand what he
| said perfectly. Bidding had progressed, as
| stated, for long time, when Mr.. C0urtenay
made a bid Of g, 393,600 1t was cried by
| the auctioneer for quite rs long period as
| is usual in like sales, and then the railroad
was knocked down TO Mr.. COurtenay. When
| this was done Mr.. COurtenay first gave his
name as the buyer, but immediately after.
ward furnished Il list OF names TO the Master
a. those OF the buyers, and made memo
randum i'm book he had. Then package
Of money was handed the Master by Mr..
| BRYAN. About that time Mr.. Cummings
appeared close by and said: 'That Is my
| bid" or dis that my bid ?"-cannot re-
member which term was used. Had not
heard Mr.. Cummings or any one else BID
after the auctiODeer had cried Mr.. Courte-
nays bid OF 1898 600, although was listen
! ing for one. MIR. Cummings seemed to be
passing near the auctiOneer's table through
The crowd. When he spoke the Master
refused to recognize him, as the road
had been Knocked down. bat he persisted
| in his claim OF having bid last. Mr..
Courtenay insisted upon his rights as pur-
chaser, and protested against re0peDng the
sale. After some little time the Master de-
cded to reopen the bids. Mr.. COurtenay
or some one else requested the Master to
require forfeit put up by the opposing
bidder, but the Master declined 10 do so.
Did not see what became Of the money.
| Mr.. Courtenay was overruled and the sale
went on. Think Mr.. Cummings asked, Is
that my bid?" several times during the
carly part OF the sale. Mr.. Cummings was
absent during part OF the sale; once with
permission 0f the Master, and bidding was
suspended during bis absence.
Cross. examined by Mr.. COrbin
Couldn't say that Mr.. COurtenay used the
word protest." but used language appro-
pirate to a protest. Couldn't swear that
Mr.. Cummings didn't make Il bid after Mr..
Courtenay, but didn't hear any. Have not
consulted with any bidders on this subject.
Bv Mr.. Lord Mr.. Courtenay rcmOnStra-
ted for some minutes earnestly against re-
opening The sale. Was watching intently
fer Mr.. Cummings TO bud after Mr.. Courte-
nav had offered g 1913 900. Think | was
nearer the Master than Mr.. Cummings, and
should have heard had be bid. There was
no unusual noise going on.
By Mr.. COrbin: Had never had CONVEX
sati0n with Mr.. Clyde or Mr.. Bryan in
which they stated that they were bidders
with Dir. Courtenay.
Mr.. T. n. X. Tacott was sworn fOrthe pc
titioners. Examined by Mr.. Lord: Was
present at the sale. Both bidders made
audible bids at first. Later on the Mas
ter required them to state the aggregate
amount offered on each bid, but they
soon lapsed out of this. Mr.. Cum
mings made his bids in such Il manner
a. to amuse the crowd. Mr.. Courlenay's
bids were for the even hundreds OF dollars,
and Mr.. Cummings for the odd hundreds.
The bid of 1888 GOO was cried one or two
minutes before the sale was closed. Then
! Mr.. Cummings appeared, saying, "Thaps
nv bid" Did not see bin when Mr..
Courtenay's last bid was made. The tesli-
monv OF this witness covered the same
! ground as Mr.. BuiOrd's, except where 1t is
| detailed here.
Mr.. c. G.. McPhail, western freight agent
Of the Piedmont Air. Line railroad, was
next nut on the stand.
By Mr.. Lord: Was present at the sale eX-
cent for q little while when it first began.
Was present at the last The witness verl-
fed the statement Of the previous witnesses
as to the manner of bidding. Mr. Cummings
always bid audiby, but he moved about a
great deal. frequently going to the edge OF
The enclosure to converse with friends. His
manner was 80 peculiar that | watched hin
very closely indeed. Wanted to know whom
he was bidding for. Was about eight feet
from DIR. Courtenay when be made the bid
OF 81. 800. 500: heard Mr.. Cummings make
a bid lust previous TO this, and then LOST
SIGHT OF him. Witness cOrroborated The
testimony OF Mr.. BufOrd as 10 the one OF
two expressions used by Mr.. Cummings on
coming up, but could not tell which was
used. He had asked. rs that my bid!''
previously at times.
| Cross.examined by Mr.. Corbin: Couldn't
say il Mr.. Courlenay indicated his last Did
by raising his finger; didn't hear him cal
oft the total amount he offered. Mr.. Cum
mipos stood up most of the time; was stand
ing when he made the bid preceding Mr..
| Courtenay's. Both parties spoke 10 the
| Master when Mr.. Cummings claimed The
bid but didn't hear what was said. Couldn't
swear Mr.. Cummings didn't make the last
bid. Took interest in the bidding because
! the matter was OF importance TO his line oil
railway, but had no connection with any OF
bidders. Thought Mr.. Clyde was one OF
those present who represented the Interests
OF his line. Didn't know that Messrs. Blu.
ford, Bryan. and Clyde had interests SINH
lar TO his at the sale. Mr.. Joseph Bryan. OF
Richmond, handed the money to the Mas
ter; didn't see il returned.
| By Mr.. Lord: No special noise in the
crowd.
BY Mr.. Corbin No special silence. Some
individuals were talking. Mr.. Cummings
earnestly claimed the last bid.
BY Mr.. Lord: Certain Mr.. Courlenay
| claimed il also. The other testimony OF this
witness agreed with that OF the two pre-
yiOus ones.
| Nj ord annnilncel That bis other wit