The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-01-22
SEL-MAL FARMS
AUCTION SALE (
NOT COMPLETED
interesting Sale Held on Hyde
County Farm Project
Saturday

An estimated 125 people gath
cred at the Sel-Mal Farms in the
New Lake section of Hyde Coun-
ty on last Saturday to bid and
watch as a large amount of farm
machinery and related equipment
was auctioned off. 1t was a cold
day, with a scattering of rain and
brisk north wind, and very
muddy.
The items ranged from a tray
of miscellaneous items to key
of staples to a one-half yard
dragline, and included barbed
wire and a few garbage cans.
There was even an old reliable
Model A roadster.
The auction got under way just
before noon, and the first sale
was FOR the land, There was over
5000 acres, and it was set up in
parcels, and so auctioned. How
ever, rights of sale were reserved
for a period of Is hours,sto enable
prospective purchasers to bid on
the whole tract. 1t was reported
that the bidded prices ran from
500 per acre for the land in the
highest state of cultivation to $75
for fairly clean parcels to SIT per
acre for large blocks which had
not been cleared.
In the sale of the movable
items, large hog shelters with tin
and tar roofs sold for about S12
A three bottom middle-buster
brought $55 and a rotor-tiller
ran up to about $3.50. Three rolls
OF barbed wire were high at $23,
but bargain was realized for a
large heavy duty double bush and
bog at S185. A wagon bottom full
of tools-saws, spades, shovels,
sledge hammers-Was only about
SIS, and a large two ton truck
looked good at $1,000. The yellow
and stubborn Model A, which
had to be pulled considerably be-
fore it would start, was more or
less a deal at $25. One Of the
smallest sales was a home made
forge, complete with electric
blower, that was steal for one
dollar.
Many other items were sold
for prices which were described
as pretty good by several of
those present, and seemed to be
satisfactory to the sellers.
However, it was reported that
other larger items were bidded
on but not sold. For instance, the
bid on a four wheel 30-EP tractor
was $3.50 and a similar make of
20-HP was $425. A 30-HP tricycle.
type tractor went to SIPS. A me-
dunn size crawler type desiel
tractor reached $500 and the
dragline was the highest bid at
$10,500.
Sel-Mal Farms was started
early in 1941 by the present
operator, Hugo Sellger (SeD and
Oscar Malsh (MaD. Mr.. Malsh
left in Sept. 1851, to return to his
home up north. Another member
of the company was Eddie De-
piazzy, who left in February,
1852 to enter the Armed Services.
At this time, Frank Faulk, who
is son-in-law to Mr.. Sellger, came
in to join the farm and take over
as manager, which position he
still holds.
Of a total of over 5000 acres
in the farm, 1000 acres have been
ditched and about 420 acres were
in cultivation in 1858. Mr.. Sell
ger said that the only real crop
that was grown was in 1858. The
Sellgers have built a nice home
on the place, and it was said
that this house and 80 acres of
land adjoining were bidded at
SCI, 900, but was not sold until
the overall offers could be
studied.
The auctioneer was Col Flash
Pearson Che said it was a North
Carolina rank) from Norfolk,
who was in character with black
ten gallon hat and cowboy boots.
He braved the rain and cold for
reported 1919 of the gross sales.
In addition to Mr.. Faulk, two
local men, Otis Clayton, PIONEER,
and Milbern Armstrong, of the
New Lake section, were employ
ed at the farm. Four other men
were given jobs as needed.