Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-04-05
An Interesting snie or Quartermos-
ter'a Condemned stores In Nes;
York.

New York Tiues]
A red flag waved listlessly in the mis-
over the iron gate which guards the en-.
trance to the state arsenal at Sc EN- |.
avenue and Thirty. fifth street yester
day morning. The stone floor of TIL,
basement OF the building was in an un
usual state of disorder. There wer
piles Of gray army overcoats in variou.
stages OF decomposition, some we
worn and much soiled aud others nearl
new but badly moth-eaten: heaps O.
military hats, with dilapi,lated gil,
bands, dingv military dress coats. trous
ers and blouses and dry goods boxes
filed with empty metallic shells, som
bright and brassy and others as gree
as several coats Of verd girls could max
them. They were condemned quart !
masters stores which we're to be sold
public auction. Around the eauipme ts
there were score or moro junk dealer
and secondhand clothing merchant.
who examined the goods with critica
care. digging their canes into the heaps
and drawing out garments which wer
looked over with .,reat interest anl
commented upon with rare judgme
and experiens At / O'Clock the anc
toner mounted box of pompons, al
absurd little article Of military ma
mentation which resembles an amp
tated lambs tail, mounted on brass
wire handle, and the sale was begun.
There were 113 dress coats viii j.
were offered by the pound. The bid.
were started at cent and after bri :
bit spirited competition the lot Wa
sold to Andrew McMahon, a Jun
dealer, for cents. The military hats
OF which there were 75l. were b ought
for " cents each, and were sold to "
S. Kirk, of Philadelphia, who o SO pm
chased the entire lot of 953 pompon
for So. j. w. i'r.s;er, of this city
bought 1000 blouses for Is cents eac
1000 pounds Of shells for IA cents
pound, and 1871 overcoats for 944 cent
each.
What will you do with the goo, Is
you have boughF?' WAS asked Mr.. Fra
sier, the heaviest buyer.
Il will sell theaovercoats and shell,
to foreign governments, such as Hayt
and Liberia. They are in great
demand for such purposes tt e shell
will be cleaned and reloaded Thos
that are too badly ru.ted to be use
will be sold for old brass. Tho blouse
will probably have to sellfor old rags
as they are almost worthless. I ma
sell some Of the coats to local military
companies in the south composed c
colored troops. They want goods thn
are cheap and make good displa,
They are not as particular as I'll
northern troops are"
II will sell the dress trousers" pai
Mr.. Kane, ito military companies @
to theatrical companies for mi,itar
pieces. The hats and coats will also |
used for that purpose. There is b.
demand for such goods, snd they I'LL
IL ready SALE"
There isn't much money in this sals,
remarked veteran dealer. who too
no active part in the bidding, but
have seen dealers make very handsom
amounts out of these purchases.
few years ago there were sold 1.
the Philadelphia arsenal 10000 a
bulance flags made of the brightr-
yellow cloth. They brought , cents eac..
The buyer dyed them green and re.
and sold them to the Pennsylvania raj
road company for 6 cents each. 1t oni
cost him cent apiece to have the
colored. But sometimes money is 10
Not long ago dealer bought !ar
lot of army overcoat4, for about 81;
each. They are now, on sale in tl,.
city for 80 cents apiece. Mr. l'rasi
would lose Oh his pur> bases if ho di>ln
know place out of the country wh..
he can put them
fhe original cost Of the goods to t
government was over 100000, and IL
amount realized was less than $4,000.