Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1883 — New York Horse Auctions. [ARTICLE]

New York Horse Auctions.

A gentleman of my acquaintance purchased a horse at auction, but was soon obliged to surrender the animal to its owner, from whom it had been stolen. It may be mentioned in this connection that New York is a favorite market for horse thieves, who have a secret understanding with a. certain class of auctioneers. The method is as follows: Horses when stolen in agricultural neighborhoods are “run off” to some secluded spot, where their condition is examined. If they are of blood stock they are “grained up” and put in handsome condition. If, on the other hand, they are common animals, they are hurried off their hands. Horse auctions are held twice a week, and the longest warranty is twenty-four hours. Prices are generally low,- which is no more than might be expected when one considers the risk. Horse auctioneers at one time adopted the method of advertising animals belonging to distinguished owners. One might, for instance, notice a sale of a “carriage team belonging to August Belmont.” The latter, of course, never heard of the animals, but he would probably never see the liberty taken with his name. Horses said to belong to Vanderbilt have also been advertised. This is a bold imposition, but in a city like this the boldest frauds are the most sucoess ful. Such an advertisement not only draws a good company, but also disj arms the suspicion of any one who might be in search of a stolen animal. It is difficult, however, to identify horses, since our jockeys so completely change their appearance. It is said that a large proportion of the animals used on the street railroads are obtained of horse thieves. —New York letter.