The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-07
PLYMOUTH CHURCH PEWS.
They Were Sold by Auction and Bought
by Old-Time Plymouth Church People.

New YoRK, Jan. 6.-The thirty-eighth au-
nual sale of sittings in Plymouth Church,
Brooklyn. took place this evening. About 5
O'Clock, the time of opening the sale, the
church was filed. Beecher sat upon the
platform, and nea, him z. 8. Clafiin and s.
V. White. Promptly at the hour designated
the pastor arose, and Advancing { o the desk,
said:
you this evening. The auspicious occa sion
has come around which all good men long
for through the year, and In order that we
may express our welcome, we have selected
two OF the handsomest men in the congrega-
ton to cit upon the platform behind me-
referring to Clafin and White. "Yes, and
both white men, too" put in Mr.. Claf in.
''They are quarreling for the hon
ors," added Beecher. This is n most
favorable aspect. The other is that we Sc
cure good conduct on the part of the men.
You are almost all OF you veterans and you
know the way of the evening. The condi-
tions will be read to you by our veteran
auctioneer. who for love, and not for money,
bas served Us many years and has been
growing better and better every year. Now
there Is nothing moro to state except to ex-
press wonder that our rental should always
come on stormy nights; but it must be be-
cause we are set TO make an example before
the more virtues and faith shine forth. and
We come out, an spite OF wind and storm,
victorious"
Z. Z. Hoyt then began the sale. the bid.
dings being premiums for choice of seats
How much for the first choice" he cried.
Two hundred and fifty dollars" said H. B.
Claiiin. Three hundred dollars" shouted
r. L. Bush, from place in the audience.
Three hundred and twenty-five dollars"
added Mr.. Clsflin. Three hundred and sew
enty-fye dollars" came from Mr.. Bush.
-Four hundred dollars" followed FROM
dry goods merchant, and so ran the bidding
by jumps OF $25 until $500 was reached by
Bush ''Our friend bids 30 well that he msy
have it," said ClsflIn at this point, and
Bush chose pew No 81, the rental OF which
Is Sll0 besides the $500 premium. Nov
the Bethel" shouted the nuctioneer. referr-
ing to pew 50. 1t was secured by
Mr. Clsfin without opposition at $500
premium. Third choice was started st 800,
and climbed to $500. and was struck OFF to
s V. White. He chose No. 81, which rents
at $50. The other names and amounts are
f. II. Navengen. 500; A. A. Gage, $3.50;
Aaron Hesley, s325; c. E. Bigelow, $500:
+. T. Mutt, $3.50. being the first break in the
Coulter, $3.50; IA. B. Beecher, $3.50; @. I.
CorviD, Of National fame, s210; II. 8. Bene-
dict $500; Mrs. L. Ludlum, Sl70; w. II.
Bo0rum, Sl75; Thomas 6. Sherman, Beech
er's trial counsel. Sl60: Rossiter N. Ray
mond, S110; Moses s. Beach, $40; J. B. Ford
$50, and ]. III. Leavitt. $75. All old
time Plymouth people. Nine seats N the
gallery were reserved by the Trustees OF the
pews for Mr.. Beecher, and one for the assist
ant pastor. The premiums realized from the
sale of all the other seats aggregated SIS 800;
the rentals added make the smouutrealized
tonight So, ,256. Last year the sum realized
was S34 S39 The highest ever realized was
in 1875, when the amount was s6s. .997 The
highest bid last year gss by Clshin, 500 for
the first choice, the first choice tonight
bringing $500. The foremost bidders OF last
wear were heard bidding tonight, and
Beecher was exceedingly cheerful at the con-
clusiOn OF the sale