A sheriff, constable, or other person making sale of goods and chattels by virtue of any process, or order, shall not either directly, or by the agency of another, purchase any of such goods or chattels. Any person offending against this section, shall forfeit and pay double the value of the goods, or chattels, so purchased, to be recovered as debts of like amount are recoverable, one half for the use of the State, and the other half for the use of the person suing.

Code 1852, § ?2449; Code 1915, § ?4363; Code 1935, § ?4821; 10 Del. C. 1953, § ?4975;