The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-30

]. W. Ferguson. who is veteran in the
business Of disposing rapidly Of stock for
The best money the animals win bring. is
down from Atlanta to look out for the
governments interests and make buyers
give as much as they will for the mules.
He began his work after the prospective
buyers had made their deposits with the
cashier of the force that was taken out
rom Col Belllnger's Office.
Some OF the buyers had come prepared
to invest extensively. Their deposits ran
10 S2,0I0 or $500 each, while many were
ready to so deeper until they Sot all tie
mules they wanted. one man bought
some thirty head. and his deposit vas
then exhausted. lie did not want 10 stop,
and asked as a special favor that he be
allowed TO continue buying with the an
Outstanding that he would make good to-
day. The permission was granted, hut
the rule is that purchases must be covered
by the deposits.
Buyers who had deposited considerable
sums carefully kept tab on themselves
as the sale continued. AS they bought a
mule they jotted down his number and
his price, running up the total TO see how
they stood with the cashier. AZ the close
Of the sale the dealers gathered around
to get the balances due them from the
sums they had deposited.
Preparation had been made for the com
fort of the buyers. Col. Bellinger had
caused an awning to be erected. and under
that stood those conducting the sale aud
those who wanted mules. 1t was evident
soon after the start that number were
present who wanted a bunch of the ami
mails. Auctioneer Ferguson ratified them
off at the rate of one about every two
minutes and the names Of certain buy
ra of 10 fba pIyes
for their accounts 20 be charged with the
numbers of the mules and the prices bid
Local buyers were out In force. too
II is said by persons who had carefully
watched the sale that at least 80 per cent
of the mules We're bought by local peo-
pie, Among those out were Chairman
Dale of the County Commissioners, who
wanted to pick up a few mules for the
county He bought six or eight of good
size, and several wholesale merchants Of
the city were also present to add to their
stock for the handling of their heavy
trucks.
Every mule was artistically numbered
with paint When gray mule had to be
marked black paint was used and dark
one was besmeared with white. An as
sstant to the auctioneer held cards, on
which numbers corresponding to those on
the mules were marked. and the cards
bore the additional information of each
animals sex. age and color. BY these
means identity was made complete, and
buyers stood no show of having paint
rubbed off and a poorer beast substituted
for a purchase
The auctioneer's assistant shouted out
the information given by each card, as
the mule to which It related was brought
up by a corral darby. Everything was not
accepted on faith, for nearly every mule
had dealer walk up, peer into his mouth
after pulling it open, put on a wise look
and walk away. It was soon found how
ever that the governments information
could be pretty we'll counted upon, and
what the assistant said about the animals
went with the crowd.
Bids were made on a basis Of their
being no values less than $3.50 The auc-
tioneer asked for his increments In those
figures after the first buyer opened up with
bid of $50, $40. S45, $50 or $50, as the
case might be. He would listen to no talk
about 81 more. His talents as a talkel
are wonderful. No indicator was at hand
20 show just how fast he could get it tC
going. but his tongue seemed to work Sc
fast that it got sound waves confused anC
sent them all into the ear in "a tumble
though that continual plea for $3.50 NOR,
was always making itself clear.
As the mules came before the buyers l.
could be seen that they were government
property. One brand. u S.. showed on III,
left shoulder, while on the left side of the
neck was another, o. s. The latter mean,
ordered sold" and when u. S. is seer
with O. S. also decorating an animal Il
may be known that the title of OWNERSHIP
has left the government. The mules were
marked o. S. in distinction from the Other
selling mark, l. c.. which means inspect
ed and condemned" Nine of the mules
have been condemned They are beinf
sod for the simple reason that the gov
eminent has more of them than Il needs.
On a mule being knocked down to tn,
highest bidder he was taken to a neigh
| boring enclosure, where he was tied IN
As each animal was bought the buyel
was given a receipt. and upon the presen
tation of that receipt TO the man I'm charg,
of the animals sold he could procure hi.
own, the number being shown on the doc
ument
All day evidence could be had IN tn,
city that sale was in progress some
where not far distant. Darkies could b.
seen leading knots of mules through IN,
streets They were taking the animals t,
local stables or to the railroads for ship
ment In one or two cases the dealer,
were able TO arrange with the corral Deo
pie TO care for the animals for a day, unt
they will be loaded on the cars to-day.
Railroad men were at the sale The rep
resentatives of the freight department,
saw chance to get in some work and
number OF cars were secured by several
Dealers were attending from Atlanta, Ma
| con, Washington, d. c., Lynchburg Va.
and many other places. The government
provided transportation from the Tybe,
Railroad and from the street car CROSSING
| with the Thunderbolt road.
| About $40 mules are yet TO be sold. To
morrow morning at 10 O'clock The sab
win be resumed, and 1t is probable by moor
of the following day it will have been com
pleted.
BALCONIES OVER SIDEWALKS.
Mr. EifzceraId,s ApnIIcafIOn 10 Conn