The San Francisco call., 1898-04-22
DR. NERRITT'S TREASURES SOLD Society Folks Bid for Trunks of Old
 Clothes. The Warning Nephews Given One Oil Painting
 Apiece. Pictures That Cost Thousands Are Sold for the Smallest
 Amounts.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call

Oakl9nQ O1Ilce San tranClSCO Cdll,
 sos Broadway, April 21.
 If pr. Samuel Merritt did not turn under his s5000O mausoleum at Mountain View this afternoon, then there is no connec- tion between the dead and the living. His collection of oil paintings, over which he spent years of travel, thousands of dollars and much anxiety, were all dis posed of for the comparatively insignifi- cant sum of about $500.
 Before the sale commenced, Attorney George Reed as representative of the doctors nephews, James and Fred Mer- ritt, selected one picture each for the boys. According to the will of pr. Mer- ritt, the nephews were cut off with one picture apiece, which they were to select. Years have passed by and the nephews have shown no desire to partake of their uncle's bounty, and a few weeks ago the court authorized MT. Reed to have the pictures sold and to make a choice for the nephews
 For Fred Merritt, Mr. Reed selected a picture of "Music,'' by Vignali, an ar tistic painting, the coloring of which made 1t one of the most prominent in the collection. For James Merritt a copy of The Virgin Child" by Raffaelo was chosen. After this little proceeding the sale commenced. Among the crowd were many old friends of the doctor but their friendship did not extend to the length Of desire to increase his estate by giV- ing high prices for his pictures. pr. Mer- rltt had no idea of art. and there is no doubt, in many instances, he was heavily imposed upon. There was, however d strong element of vanity in his make-up and three framed pictures of the deceased formed a large portion of the gallery. One Of them, in a beautiful gilt frame, sold for S1 50; another one for $6, while NJ Jonas paid $S for large oil painting of the doctor in a splendid frame.
 There mi in ha whole collection that was really valuable. It was "The Miser," by Paulyn Artists present valued it at S250, and after the aucttoneer had yelled himself hOarse it was knocked down for SIS to some one who evidently did not know he had a bargain. Major Fred Whitney was pres ent' Of course The major attends every old-horse sale in the same spirit that others attend a horse race. He lays out so much and takes his chances on what he gets. To-day he bought an oil paint ing of the yacht Casco for $S 50 which could be duplicated in any old store for $l D. He also bought a copy of Mag dalena," of which the original by Carlos Dolci is in the Ufficci gallery at Florence For this the major paid S15.
 Harry Gordon, another society leader purchased No. 45 on the catalogue. This number was a trunk of wearing ap- parel. The bidding started at 50 cents, and after feeling the weight of the trunk few times to make sure there was some thing in it Harry bid up to sS, at which
 
 ritt's old pants, coat of the fashion of 1888, three apologies for hats, a bundle of greasy neckties, one great register, three and a half pairs of silk socks, hunting case, an old pocket book and four crushed cigars. These trunks, of which there were two, have not been dis turbed for twelve years, and their con tents were generously mildewed.
 Mrs. F. Finch bought about one-third of the pictures a very low prices. Attorney A. A. Moore paid $7 50 for a large paint ing made in 1860 of the Merritt home stead and Lake Merritt. The picture was drawn so that nothing else is visible but pr. Merritt'S late house, which at that time was the only house in what is now the Lakeside District.
 Administrator Reed admitted after the sale that he lost a bottle of wine on the result He Wagered that the total pro- ceeds would not be over S200. whereas nearly three times that sum was secured for the pictures, which probably cost the doctor not less than s1o000.
 A Dangerous Fire.
 OAKLAND. April 22.-The Oakland Shoddy Works were destroyed by fire early this morning. The works are be- tween the gas company's plant and the Oakland Iron Works, and for a time the gas works were in danger. The fire was discovered by the Watchman and had a good hold before the alarm was turned in. The SiXth-street engine responded promptly and the fire was soon under control. The damage may reach $6000, the machinery and brick buildings being