Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-07
THE WAGGAMAN SALE
HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS DISPOSED
OF AT AUCTION.

The handsome home of Thomas E. Wag-
gaman, who was declared a bankrupt by
the Supreme Court of the District of Co
lumbia. was today thrown open to the
public and hundreds of persons bid
against one another for furniture, car
pets, pictures. art objects and the very
curtains on the walls. The main floor of
the residence and the two large rooms of
the art gallery were stripped. Auctioneer
Adam A. Wesch1er, representing James
w. Radcliffe, went from room to room.
and the eager crowd followed him. Every
thing went for what it would bring, and
many of the prices paid were startlingly
low. The highest bid received during the
forenoon was for a handsome mahogany
bed room set which brought $127 while
at the other extreme was a cane rocker at
70 cents. A number of prominent Wash
ingtonians were present and among the
buyers, who also included many dealers
in art goods and curios.
The more valuable articles were reached
after II o'clock These included handsome
antique cabinets and tables, china OF rare
pattern, candeIabra, expensive books and
curios collected by Mr.. Waggaman from
various parts of the world.
The Silver-mounted harness, carriages
and other stable belongings were put under
the hammer at 3 oclock this afternoon.
The dark sky and rainy weather outside
gave to the interior of the large, oid-fas n
lOuGQ mousse a MOST OTedTy dppcdTduCe anu
the curious crowds and the voice of the
auctioneer ringing through the rooms added
to the imoressiveness.
Carpets Sold First.
First to go were the carpets from the
floors. They were collected in the lower art
gallery. which is reached only by a narrow
winding stairway from the floor above.
Here Mr.. Waggaman ke.t his more valu-
able possessions ana guarded them safely
from thieves. The windows which are
small and narrow, are high up near the
ceiling, and look out to the street and
the unkept garden. Iron bars protect each
one.
The curious throng clambered down the
little stairway, and in the dim light of the
big room the sale began.
Carpets of considerable size, but some
what the worse for wear brought from s.
to SIS, and others could not be sold at all,
there being but little bid for them. Around
the walls of the room were a number of
fine etchings Of famous paintings, which
went in lots of ten or more. One lot brought
$40 for each picture, and another of the
same kind $1-25 for each picture. Table
lamps went for 81, chairs for the same, Ia
bles for 81. etc.
this room the auctioneer and buyers adj
journed to the upper or main room Of the
gallery which is lighted through a large
skylight
Here a number Of handsome Turkish and
domestic rugs were suspended from the
ceiling on the walls. Two Were said to be
worth close to 81 .2GO but they brought con-
siderably under 500. A cherry bed room
set containing three pieces and bed spring
was sold for $50, which was "a great sac
rifice.'' In the words of the auctioneer.
Large Painting Brings $50.
Great interest was manifested when the
Holy Serulchre, large oil painting, was
announced for bids. Many persons had the
impression that 1t was worth a large sum.
but for some reason the bidders fought shy
of it. Try as he would, the auctioneer could
not get any one to go higher than $32, for
which the painting was sold.
An elegant chess table. inlaid with various
colored marbles, was bought by A. D..
Brockton. Of Alexandria, Va. for only 81.
The mahogany bed room set. which was
mentioned before and which contained bed,
bureau. two chairs. towel rack. wash stand
and dresser. was purchased by Steve Col
Inns for 1927. +. w. Chealey got pair OF
lace curtains for $3.50: s. A. Reeves bought
handsome cherry table for $o.2S, while q
number OF articles were purchased by Mrs:
d. Percy HicAling of 1904 Rhode Island
avenue for small amounts.
Among those present at the sale were Dr..
and Mrs. Charles w. Richardson, Mrs.
Charles. ParkA: Stone. Miss Minnie Strayer,
Percy M. Hughes, Mrs. Dyrenforth, Mrs
F. A. Smith. DR.. and Mrs. ID. Percy Hick-
ling and others from business and society
circles.
Not few persons were attracted to the
bell and remained in the rooms that were
open out OF Idle curiosity. In some cases
purchasers who had their eyes on particular
articles and cared nothing for the rest sta
the progress OF the sale to bring the auc-
ttOueec to their side.