Allen,
I don't know who bought those at Carthage, but the cases may be similar to the ones in Massac County. In 1864 several people of color were arrested for being in the State, and fined $50., which of course none had. They were then sold at a public sale to whomever was willing to pay their $50. fine and whomever had the highest bid. This new owner then made sure that the negroe worked out the $50 fine for them.

The Illinois pauper system worked in much the same way--if a pauper was able to do any kind of work, he or she was "let out" or sold at a public sale. The purchaser then made an agreement with the county government that he would provide shelter, food, etc. for the pauper in exchange for their work. If the pauper was unable to work for health reasons, etc., then the county paid individuals to keep them. This is in exception to the times when the Poor Farms existed. A "supervisor of the poor" was in charge of these farms, with the poor and sick living in the home. The county paid the Supervisor, owned the farm, etc. This of course, was regardless of color.

The State pauper system ended when the Federal Gov. began Social Security, Widow's pension funds, and various kinds of Federal government employment and benefits in the 1930's.

Normal pauper information can be found in "County Commissioner's" books for the particular county you are looking in. Those I found in Massac County (directly across the river from KY) for the slave sales were found in loose boxes of papers though, and not the regular books....which leads me to believe that during the 1861-65 time period, these records were taken/kept by the provost marshal.

Hope this helps.
Ann