Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-09-19
HORACE GREELEY's FARM SOLD.

| dORACE GREELE4 = L "A EOIu DOLD
After the death of Horace Greeley il
was intended that his.farm at Chappaqua
should be sold and the proceeds divided
between his daughters, Gabrielle and
Ida, the latter of whom was the wife Ct
Colonel Nicholas Smith. For some rea,
son this was. mot done, and when Mrs
Smith died, more than year ago, the
farm was still uLsold. Colonel Smith,
who had lived on the farm after Mr..
Greeley's death, removed to Shelbyville,
KY, with his three children, and the
farm was rented in part.
Miss Gabrielle M. Greeley recently
brought friendly suit for the sale of
the farm, and it was ordered to be sold.
The time of the sale was fixed for yester
day noon in front of the Postofice on
Main street, Chappaqua. The Postof-
flee consists of a little shed jutting out
on the end of piazza which runs along
the front of a country feed store. 1t is
set with small glass panes nearing the
number of the letter boxes, so that a
person driving past can see if he has
letters without alighting.
At noon about twenty of the villagers,
farmers, and storekeepers who chanced
to be i'll the neighborhood gathered on
the stoop and retailed old stories about
Mr.. Greeley A few hundred yards
down the road could be seen the gate Of
the Greeley farm, and Immediately in
front of the postoffice was the swamp on
which Mr.. Greeley expended so much
money in his efforts to convert it into
good ground. Presently the auctioneer,
Israel A. Haight, appeared. He owns
pickle factory in the town, and is an old
resident, He is small man, with forid
complexion and stiff gray mustache and
hair. No one caIne up on the trains
from the city except reporters.
Soon after II o'clock Miss Greeley
drove up alone in a top buggy, with a
spirited gray horse. Miss Greeley was
dressed in deep mourning for her sis
ter. Her brown hair was brushed down
plainly over her forehead, and the health
full color in her cheeks showed how we'll
her stay for several months past at Chap
paqua had agreed with her. At her
feet was large bunch ST brightly color
ed leaves. she reined up the horse op-
posite to the auctioneer and spoke to her
lawyer, Mr.. Porter.
Auctioneer Haight stood on the high
est of tie three steps of the stoop and
said the sale would begin. A dozen
urchins deserted their play and stood
near his feet. M. Haight read the long
legal description of the property, which
said that tie farm consisted of about
seventy-seven acres, orchard, meadow,
and woodland.
"What am offered for the property2"
Miss Greeley leaned out of the side of
the buggy towards the auctioneer, and
said in clear, musical voice, 1910, ,000."
Thank you," said Mr.. 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 man 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 took a
short recess, and again offered the prop
erty.
"Who will bid $1,000. Won't you,
Dr.-?"
The doctor addressed examined his
pockets in spirit of humor, and declin-
| ed tC bid.
"Ten thousand dollars once; fair
warning. Ten thousand dollars twice.
Ten thousand dollars three times. Gone.
Sold to Gabrielle NJ. Greeley for $10,-
0O0."
Miss Greeley smiled pleasantly, and
said she was glad, as she did not want
the old farm to go 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,