The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-26

BARGAIN DAY PASSES At
POLICE STATION AUCTION
Sale of Accumulation of Unclaimed
Property Attended by Many
Amusing Incidents.
NEAT SUM is NETTED
Proceeds OF Auction VIII Be APP
piled to the Police Pen
sion Fund.
NEAT SUM IS MELTED

The inherent love Of the average Ameri-
can to take a chance was demonstrated
at the auction sale conducted in the base
ment of the police station yesterday. The
long room in which the sale occurred. the
corridors leading to it, and the windows
opening out upon the alley were crowded
with bidders and sightseers. The man with
Lawyer Marks bid of five" was there as
was also in dark corner with
ever ready and spontaneous offer of ten"
contrasting with the eager horde of buyers
who were willing to trust to luck and We'd
with one another for the possession of
mysterious looking bundles.
Good humor prevailed. chiefly due to the
gibes and jokes OF auctioneer Bill Long.
who wheedled good price for each and
every article, and adroitly steered the bid
ders into competitions which resulted
greatly to the benefit Of the officers. The
list of articles exposed to the mercy of
the hammer varied from automobile fix
lures TO picture" hats.
No matter what "Bill' held up the bids
was rapidly depleted. "Oh. | say, boys,
Look at this What am / offered for this
pair of breeches? All wool and a yard
wide!' Then bid from the dime" man
would bring the trousers suddenly into
his arms, with Longs voice coming
through the confusion, sold 10 my curly
headed friend over there" for the auc-
tioneer had a way of surprising his patrons
by letting an unpromising article go on the
first bid at times
Bicycles did not last but a moment, and
after three or four bids, Bikeman Duncan
was collecting the cash. Superintendent
Kruger stood near the door OF the store
room and smiled serenely as the coin con-
tinued to pour into the cash drawer. A
great quantity of lead pipe was put up for
sale and the auctioneer was in a quandary
when the usual request came, hold it up
so we can see it,
Revolvers of all styles and descriptions
brought many different prices. Some were
good and some were bad, but In every in
stance they were cheerfully and blithely
described as "dOubleactiOn, with all the
hammerless trimmings" With each re-
volver went the admonition To carry the
bidder pocketed his purchase he was liable
TO arrest for carrying concealed weapons.
Old hats brought fancy prices, and each
lid" was guaranteed TO fit, no matter
what the size of the head. IF it don't fit,
ii ought to-" and Bill pushed the sale
watches were held up TO the view of the
bidders and the auctioneer did not wait to
be questioned but prefaced his remarks
with Yes it's running. Timer pieces
that looked suspiciously like the dollar
brand" found a ready market at s110 and
carts, valves, valises, telescopes, canes,
handkerchiefs, pocketbooks, lanterns, baby
carriages, umbrellas, came saw and con-
quered, and were proudly carried away by
their new owners. The sale will net
respectable sum of money which will be
the officers are already at work rounding
up the material, portion of which. when
unclaimed, will occasion another auction
in six months.