Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-05-04
Jesse James, Souvenirs


Mr.. Robert Napier, of New York az
rived in this city yesterday from s.
Joe, where he attended public sale os
the personal effects belonging to lease
James. The sale, Mr.. Napier said. had
been duly advertised in the local ma.
pers, and he, like hundreds of oihers
was attracted through curiosity to al.
tend the auction. On the front door NJ
the home the following notice was
posted:
"For the benefit of the widow and
children all the household furniture
and effects Of Jesse James will be sold
to the highest bidder here at this
house tomorrow Monday, April 10th.
at two o'clock in the afternoon. Let
all assist the needy.
r. HARE.
Attorney for Mrs. James,"
Ten or twelve hundred people col.
lected in the half-acre lot surrounding
the isolated house in its eleveted posi-.
ton. The crowd, taken as whole,
bore an air of more than ordinary re-
speciality, and vas composed chiefly
Of souvenir seekers, many from con-
siderable distance. The sale realized
$149, 60 for goods which under ordina-
ry circumstances would not have sold
for more than $50. A great many per-
sons hoped to possess themselves with
some trinket that they could carry
about with them. Very few things of
that character were disposed of, but
such, as will be seen by the following
brought fancy prices. During the sale
no sentiments were expressed about
the killing, the public in that section
having appareatly tired of the subject.
was at the sale, but remained at the
World Hotel where they were commu-
nicated with by their attorney until the
sale closed.
Only small portion of such a crowd
could get inside the house. In order
to see and be seen, Auctioneer Dickson
took his stand on kitchen table out
side the house in front of window,
through which the articles were passed
to him, sold and delivered on receipt
of the cash. There was no credit.
After stating that Mrs. James would
give written guarantee TO any pur-
property of her husband, the auction
eer commenced by selling copper
bottom tin wash boiler for twenty-five
cents. A cane-bottom chair, similar
to the one on which Jesse was standing
when Ford shot him, brought $3.50.
Jesse's black-and-tan dog was next
put up, causing spirited rivalry
among the bidders, and became the
property of Robt. Strater, a reporter
of the St. Joe Gazette, for $15.
The tin wash-bowl used by Jesse
after coming from the stable, and be-
fore busting the picture, sold for $3.50.
at the time he was shot sold for 81.
The baby's chair brought seventy-five
cents. The chair Jesse stood on when
he was killed was eagerly bid for by
sevearl persons, and was knocked of
at So. 25. Three similar chairs sold for
So each. A silver plated revolver, pre-
sented to him by friend a few years
before the Blue Cut robbery caused
some animated bidding, bringing at the
close sly. A pair of kid fur.trimmed
gloves brought 81. A leather travelling
bag bought by Jesse in Baltimore, sold
for $21. The bidder failed to material
iso and the bag was resold for SIS. A
pocket-knife used by the outlaw was
taken at So. A straw mattress, on
which Jesse slept, sold for 81, and the
on which the Ford boys slept for $50.
A black walnut bedstead Jesse used
brought 81, and the same kind Of
bedstead the Ford boys lay on brought
1915. The last thing offered was a
gold watch which was started at $50,
but as no one SCENE ed to have any more
money than that amount, the time
piece was withdrawn and the sale
ended.--&. Louis Democrat.