The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-09-26
a NAN WITH A RECORD.
Capt. L. a. frierson. the Great Isca, Estate
Auctionecr. in Roanoke.


Auctionecr, in Roanoke.
One of the most remarkable men whom
the new conditions of the New South
have developed was in Roanoke yester-
day. 1t was Captain Il. A. Fricrson, of
Chattanooga. Eighteen years ago he
started in the real estate business in
Atlanta. Thirteen years ago he began
auctioning real estate. He has sold
land ir nearly every new town of impor-
lance in the whole South, and the aggre-
gate of his sales runs up to incredible
figures. Since the first of tho year they
have amounted to between seven and
eight millions of dollars.
In appearance he carries nothing of
the typical auctioneer. He is of medium
height we'll set, fair, serious face. with
blue eyes and that type of nose which
Lavater gives to acute readers of
human character.
II have been in the real estate bust
ness many years" said he. 81 had en-
ploycd auctioncers and had seen points
wherein | thought their methods were
faulty, but had never confidence enough
in myself to attempt their duties But
one day had some outlying property
where name but workmcn would be bid
ders, and | ycn:ured IL trial of my pow
the auctioncer, and addressed myself
seriously To the task until had the at
tention and Judgment OF my audience.
Then started the sale and did very
well. The next day an old friend OF
mine who had been present came TO me
and said: Your talk at that sale has
been ringing in my ears all night.
Hereafter DO your own selling and dis
miss your auctioncers.' / accepted his
advice and have been selling real estate
ar auction ever since
NOW. put your heart upon your
sleeve" said the reporter. What is
the secret of your succcsS?"
Still secret replied Captain Erer-
son, smiling. II have my own way of
doing the whole business; that is all.
study my subject, my methods and my
audiences. | am general who is man
aging campaign. | detect the weak
points, the signs of n waver or a break
the rcstlcssness of crowd, the move
ments of Il single individu2l. the facial
expressions OF the people see before
me. 1t requires careful Judgment to
tell when an audience is at the right
point for effective work"
"What are some of the principal sales
you have madc?"
"Well. at Hartman I sold S653. 600
could have sold one and onc-half mil
lions. At kimball my sales footed up
Si5O,00 in the same time. New Eng
land City yielded S373,00O. at Cardiff
in fifty minutes SlS6,000 was sold and,
all told, nearly Il million went under the
hammer. Then / have made heavy
sales at Rome. Kensington, Tallapoosa
and Cartersvillc Ga. North and East
Chattanooga and many other places. |
have never made n sale in Virginia, but
will make my first about the middle of
October of the Woodland Park property
here in Roanoke. ] am here now to ar
range the prcliminaries.
''Onc Of my invariable rules is that.
when sale is put in my hands. | shall
have absolute control without any inter-
ference. have Il business reputation to
sustain. l am known to thousands of
men who have bought property under
my sales. and have reliance that am
treating them squarely. For these, as
well as other reasons, | insist on this
rule at all times and in all places.
This Woodland Park sale pleases me
very much. am glad to come into
Virginia. have seen the property and
have studied the city. The location Of
the property cannot be surpassed, and l
| feel confident that we can draw
people here who will know the value
of their opportunity. 1t has been nay
experience that from one-half to two
thirds of all purchases AZ these sa les, are
made by the home people. The South
ern people have moro nerve in buying.
They arc more impctuous and know
their OWE country bcttcr than others
| shall not be surprised 10 find that
Notwithstanding the presence OF IL large
number OF outside investors at the
Woodland Park sale Roanoke men will
be the most spirited bidders as well as
fortunate purchasers.