Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-10-27
ONE BIDDER.
Horace Greeley's Farm Sold-Sobody to
Bid Against his Daughter, Miss Ga
brielle, who Pays $4,000.


brielle, who Pays $4,000.
After the death of Horace Greeley
it was intended that his farm at
Chappaqua should be sold and the
proceeds divided between his daugh-
tiers, Gabrielle and Ida, the latter OF
whom was the wif3 of Col. Nicholas
Smith. For some reason this was
not done, and when Mrs Smith died,
more than year ago. the farm was
still unsold. Col. Smith, who had
lived on the farm after Mr.. Greeley's
death, removed to Shelbyville, Ken
lucky, with his three children, and
the farm was rented in part.
Miss Gabrielle Nj. Greeley recently
brought a friendly suit for the sale
of the farm, and it was ordered to be
sold. The time of sale was fixed for
Saturday noon in front of the Post
office on Main street, Chappaqua.:
The Postoffice consists of a little shed
iutting out ON the end of a piazza
which runs along the front Of coun-
try feed store. 1t is set with small
glass panes bearing the numbers OF
the letter boxes, SO that person
driving past can see if he has letters
without alighting.
At noon about twenty of the vii
layers, farmers, and storekeepers who
CHANGED to be in the neighborhood
gathered on the stoop and retailed
old stories about Mr.. Greeley. A few
hundred yards down the road coald
be seen the gate of the Greeley farm,
and Immediately in front OF the Post
Office was the swamp on which MIR.
Greeley expended SO much money in
his effort to convert it into good
ground. Presently the auctioneer,
Israel A. Haight, appeared. He owns
a pickle factory in the town, and is
an old resident. He is small man,
with a ford complexion and stiff
gray moustache and hair. No one
came I'D on the trains from the city
except reporters.
Soon after twelve o'clock Miss
Greeley drove up alone in a top
buggy, with a spirited bay horse.
Miss Greeley was dressed in deep
mourning for her sister. Her brown
hair was brushed down plainly over
her forehead, aud the heaithful color
in her cheeks showed how well her
stay for several months past at
Chappaqua had agreed with her. At
her feet was large bunch OF brightly
colored leaves. She refined up the
horse opposite to the auctioneer, and
spoke to her lawyer, Mr.. Porter.
Auctioneer Haight stood on the
highest of the three steps of the stoop
and said the sale would begin. A
dozen urchins deserted their play
and stood near his feet. Mr.. Haight
read the long legal description of the
property, which said that the farm
consisted Of about seventy seven acres,
orchard, meadow and woodland.
"What am 1 offered for the prop
ertyT
Miss Greeley leaned out of the side
Of the buggy toward the auctioneer,
and said in clear, musical voice,
"Ten thousand dollars"
Thank you," said MIR. Haight.
"That settles it." said dozen
voices; "no one will bid against her"
No one did bid. The auctioneer
pleaded for $500 advance, $3.50, 500,
$50 and $25, but no one made sign.
He dilated on the value of the farm,
said it was going dirt cheap, and
called on the bystanders by name to
bid higher. but there WAS no response.
Then he stock short recess, and
again offered the property.
II will take $40 advance" he said,
"Who will bid $1,000. Won't you,
DIR. -p
The Doctor addressed examined
his pockets in spirit Of humor and
declined to bid.
"Ten thousand dollars once; fair
warning. Ten thousand dollars twice.
Ten thousand dollars third time.
Gone. Sold to Gabrielle M. Greeley
for $4,000.
Miss Greeley smiled pleasantly,
and said she was glad, as she did not
want the old farm to 60 out of the
family. She had no plans regarding
it just at present, but would put it in
repair and probably move there next
year.
There are two houses on the farm,
one near the gate and the other on
the hill. The latter is unoccupied.
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