The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-04
BARGAINS IN RELICS
Furniture in the Old City Hall
Is Sold to the Highest
Bidder.
Some Lively scrambling for Pieces
Associated With Careers
Of Great Men.

There was an auction In town to-day.
Long before the hour set for the disposal
Of old city hall furniture in this ancient
and strictly honorable fashion, the town
cr1er, namely, ''Little Billee' Clark, the
waggish janitor of the city hall, .patroled
the streets centering about Bridge square,
changing deep throated bell, which pro-
claimed the great event. Billy punctu-
ated his spectacular performance with
frequent exhortations to the gaping null
titude In the lodging house district to re-
pair to the town hail for bargains III mu-
nicipal heirlooms. Soon all the towns
folk came f1ocking to the scene and at 2
o clock the. auction was on .'.. ~
/ In addition to Alderman Harry McLas-
key, chief-of auction, the council COM
mittee OH sale of relics had been care
full to provide one of the best "barkers''
in tho second hand district, and the way
he played S-up the advantages of the
Clipped and battered relics of the old
rough days was beautiful to see. ...
| The bidders, among whom were many
timers several of whom We're there
Solely in search of mementoes followed
deserted building, as rapidly as the fur
nit,lre was disposed e. In spite of its
worn out and generally disreputable ap-
pearance, some pieces Of furniture brought
very respectable prices
| Others there were among the thrOne
who attached more than a passing signif-
canoe to the articles thus sold to the high
est bidder. Here and there were admir-.
ing constituents of popular aldermen
proud of the distinction of purchasing thai
! which had once been so near and dear tt
! the great men of the different bailiwicks
! If there are any budding statesmen be
fore me- cried the auctioneer, II wish tt
direct attention to this desk which nov
offer for sale. Bear in mind, gentlemen
that it was with hands resting on thi.
| identical mahogany lit was actually oak
that Lars M Rand, the little giant of thu
sixth ward, has cleaved the general ea
with his forensic oratory.''
In all probability the desk would no
| have brought more than So under ordinar!
! circumstances but after this outburst j
brought $3.50. -. r. ::
A pale young student Of parliamentar!
procedure was quick to appreciate the ad
vantages accruing from possession of thu
desk over which had once LEANED tina
master parliamentaran, Joseph L. Kiichli
! of the third ward. He secured possession
of it, though it cost him his last farthing
There was a brisk demand also for tn,
| desk over which the weighty utterances o
Alderman H. N. Leighton had decided tn
| letting of many an important municipal
! contract.
/ An eXcitable delegation from the frs
ward managed to secure possession o
Jake Foelrs desk by forming a pool
thus enabling them to meet all Corners. 1
is understood that they will present tn
/ desk to the man who is their JOY an,
pride.
The open ornamental curved desk, the
historic piece of furniture at which sc
many, presidents of former councils sat
and on which We're carved in highly
| original designs the. names Of the .city's
great men, from George A. Pillsbury's
regime down to the present administra-
ton, brought a fancy price after decid-
! edly lively competition.
At the height Of the bidding several aid
.ermen. among them Alderman Leighton
decided o'acontest the right Of the auc-
tioneer to dispose Of, the old aldermanic
desks: They declared it had been gen
orally understood that the aldermen
| should be allowed to: confiscate these
| gentle reminders Of other days. AUG
ttoneer 'McLaskey ruled that they were in
| the right and the remaining desks were
| allotted to the men who want them for
| their hallOWed associa TONS = ;