TRENTON, S.C. - "Who'll give me 35?
"Bid of 35. Bid of 35. Do I hear a 40?
"Bid of 40. Bid of 40 ...
"Who'll give me 45? 45? 45?
"Going. Going ... Gone! Sold for $40!"
The auctioneer, sometimes straining to compete with the sounds of peacocks, rattled off numbers on the grounds of Marshfield on Youngblood Road. He was auctioning off items in the estate of Broadus Turner, who passed away last year, but not before earning a reputation for his antiques.
The auction was held over a recent three-day span and drew several hundred people daily. More than 1,400 items were sold, bringing from $5 to $2,500.
John Kemp, Mr. Turner's personal representative, said that 45 of the finest pieces went to an auction in Asheville, N.C.
Edgefield County Archives Director Tricia Glenn said the event's mood was almost festive at times.
"What was particularly interesting about this sale was that many times items were sold with some of his (Mr. Turner's) wonderful stories attached," said Ms. Glenn. "For instance, FDR's wheelchair, the red shirt that belonged to his grandfather from the Reconstruction era, the black pearl given to him by Ernest Hemingway in Key West, the red Victorian lamp that was in the set of Gone With the Wind and the plantation desk which was one of a pair belonging to James Henry Hammond."
Tonya Browder, director of the Tompkins Library and auction attendee, said she liked hearing the stories and seeing the items.
"There was a plain silver napkin ring that wasn't going well until a little note was read that said it accompanied Admiral Perry to the North Pole. People really started bidding then," she said.
Mr. Kemp said it was Mr. Turner's wishes that after those who had inherited in his will, the bulk of his estate be sold and the proceeds be divided among three entities: The Edgefield County School District for two scholarships in memory of Joanne Rainsford and Claudette Ficik; the United Daughters of the Confederacy for the maintenance and upkeep of Oakley Park; and the Edgefield Historical Society for the maintenance and upkeep of Magnolia Dale.
The auction was organized by Jerry and Lanie Murrell, and Mr. Kemp is responsible for seeing that the proceeds are disbursed properly.
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