New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-02
HUBER'S UNDER HAMMER
Well Known Museum Depleted
of Its Relics and CurIos.
OWNERS WIFE I'M TEARS
University of Pennsylvania Pur-
chases Indian Collection
for $3.50.

With a whack that started up echoes OF
the mast in every nook and corner OF the
old place the auctOreer's hammer TEL
on Huber's Museum. in East 18th street,
Yesterday morning. and before II stopped
working, shortly before O'Clock IN the
afternoon, most Of the thousands upon
thousands OF old cuTios had left the pos
session of George r. Huber. the veteran
Snowman. to fall into the hands OF con-
rJornerate crowd OF purchasers from va
rious and sundry walks in life.
When Edward G. Martin. the auctioneer.
took position for the sale, which began
among the relics the fourth floor, ne
faced an Interested crowd OF men, who had
come. as The later selling proved. not 30
much to buy as to look II have here two
cases of South American curioSties,' said
Mr. Martin He did not get much for them
but he sold them, and that was something
Then followed cases Of newspaper clippings
snake cage, case Of Chinese relics
case Of frernen's hats and belts. four ALI
gators and two turtles, all alive They all
went 10 the highest bidder. although the
bid in each instance was not very high.
-Four cases containing copies Of the Lords
Prayer in 1e5 different languages sold for
"a %. The chair in which sat the first man
to be executed by electricity in Auburn
prison. back in 1890 was sold 10 HOudini.
the handcuf king for s. 20. The auctioneer
suggested that il would be good for
porch. but Houdini explained that the chair
arrived at Huber's during his debut week
there and that he desired it only for sen
timents sake.
There were all sorts OF collections OF
theatre programmes for performances al
far back as 1894. James O'NeiIl, the actor,
paid SO for one collection. The others, too,
found ready buyers.
A collection of several cases OF indian
relics, valued at over 500 By Mr.. Huber.
went for $50 to a representative OF the
University of Pennsylvania This puT-
chaser said that in the collection was one
leather blanket with colored bead border
that was almost priceless
Pictures of forgotten criminals brought
a dollar and a most interesting picture Of
Captain Thorne. OF the old 4th pre-
cinct, arresting Kid Burns in Decenber.
1856, went for a song. There were many
photos of stage beauties long dead, but
they were unappreciated by the crowd and
brought almost nothing
A case OF battle relies used IN Clusters
gallant fight with Indians, when his little
band of officers and men OF the Fighting
It'll Cavalry was massacred in the Valley
of the Big Horn, in Wyoming, was pur-
chased for SO 80
During the sale Mr.. Huber stayed
around and watched. There were those
who said he was glad TO get the museum
off his hands. as he has other business IN
terests but an observer could see that the
seventy-year-old Snowman was far from
pleased TO give up the place. which has
made him a fortune during the thirty years
Of its existence. His young wife, who was
formerly his ward and whom he married
when his first wife died eight years ago,
was heartbroken and frequently cried when
the crowd laughed at some of the relics
put up TO- sale.
The remainder of the curfos and other
things in the show place win be put up
at auction to-day. The sale yesterday net
ted about $3.50