The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-01
DIDN'T NEED EN-.
Woman Buys Burglar Tools at
Santa Fe Sale.
We're in an Innocent Looking
Falise.
MANY WERE FOOLED.
Others Found Bargains When
Least Expected.
Speculative Feature of Sale
Attracts Buyers.

The baggage sale at the Santa Fe
which was completed today was filed
with the usual number of freak Incl /
dents OF spectators securing large pro- [
fits on small investments and others |
who did not fare so well. The practice !
OF the Santa Fe for several years has
been to dispose of the unclaimed bag
gage from time to time in Topeka which
is the headquarters of the baggage de-
partment. Everything which comes
under the head of baggage is sold at
these sales.
The large element of speculation
which exists at one of these sales at
tracts all sorts of curious people.
Trunks. suit cases and packages of all
sorts and descriptions are put up by
the auctioneer to be disposed of to the
highest bidder The interior of these
trunks and other sreceptacles is I'M
known to the buyers. Everything that is
sold IS sold as speculation and the buyer
is aware of this fact when he bids upon
any article. 1t is amazing how much
baggage accumulates in a short time.
All OF this is of no use whatever to the
company and in order to rid themselves
OF the plumber the goods are put up for
sale in this manner.
Passers-by from all walks and pro-
LESSONS IN life are attracted by the
large crowds which hang around and
soon they find themselves in the whirls
of speculation. Women with their nat
ural incentive towards bargain hunting
throng the vicinity of the sale in great
numbers and form a very spirited class
OF bidders.
The second hand dealers of Topeka
look upon these baggage sales as DO
nanzas and. much of the goods which
is put on the auetioneer's block finds
its way to the reeesses of a second hand
store. The. heaviest individual buyer is
a Topeka second hand dealer who al
ready possesses more stock than all
others in Topeka put together He is
stationed there at the sale and bids
on every article which is put up. He
has team there and two laborers who
carry his goods away for him.
Some people in their curiosity ana
anxiety to get rich quick bid way be-
yond the apparent value OF the article
and often have time afterwards to re-
pent Of their follv a large trunk which
commanded an exorbitant price yester-
day afternoon was found to contain
nothiur but some old soiIed female
wearing apparel. It was a bachelor who
made the purchase and he had no use
whatever for the goods.
The best class Of buyers are those
who viii bid only on the face value OF
the trunk or suit case or whatever the
article is In this manner there is sud
chance of profit when the package is
opened and it's contents prove valuable.
some DlQQeTS are very fortunate II
their purchases. One man who is a
cobbler by trade for almost nothing yes
terday afternoon purchased a poor look
ing grip which contained a complete kit
of cobbler's tools.
One handsome suit case which was
put up for sale this morning sold for
SO. Upon being opened it was found to
contain a fine suit of clothes, a couple
of fancy vests, a pair of patent leather
shoes, a few silk neckties,a pair Of Colts
revoIvers and two bottles of liquid which
bore a striking resemblance to Peruna
A great deal of speculation followed the
opening OF the suit case as to the prob
able occupation OF the former owner
but no one seemed to arrive at any con-
clusion.
A set of burglars tools were found in
one of the valises which were sold and
the purchaser was a woman. She will
probably turn them over to her hus-
band Another cheap looking package
was found to contain gold necklace
which dropped out before the package
was opened.
Col. Charles Crews cried the sale and
Pat Walsh, the general baggage agent.
and Tom Whitmer chief clerk in the
baggage department were in charge OF
the sale.