Earnings and prices in the gold-fields and in the mountains |
| Earnings Saloon keepers came first. Bartenders reported a profit of $7.000 on every barrel of whiskey sold. The ladies of the gold field came next. Then came the merchats. A man working with just à pan could wash from $10 to $50 of gold per day - during a lucky streak. Laundery of 1 shirt = $1 Wages in four companies A trader like Pierre Papin got $1450 / year A clerk about $300 / year A camp keeper $150 / year Prices A slice of bread $1 A slice of bread with butter $2 A pound of butter $6 A shovel $50 A wool shirt $50 A pound of potatoes $3 Prices around 1825 (Rendezvous prices) One pound of coffee $1.50 One pound of sugar $1.50 One pound of tobacco $3 One pound of powder $2 One dozen of fish hooks $1.50 One dozen of flints $1 Scissors $2 each Knifes $2.50 each One yard of blue cloth $5 One yard of scarlet $6 One pound of lead $1.50 One pound of gun powder $2.50 3 point blankets $9 One dozen of buttons $1.50 One pound of beaver skins from $1.50 to $3 Each otter skins $2 Prices the fur companies charged to everybody even if you belonged to the company Wiping sticks $1.50 Shaving soap $1.50 A pint of rum $3 A cup of coffee $2 Shewing a horse $5 One wilson knife $1.50 A pair of spurs $6 2 1/2 point blanket $12 A mocassin awl $1.50 One yard of red ribbon $1 One tin pan $2 A dozen finger rings $2 One handkershief $1 Prices around 1833 (in the mountains) Furs from $2 (company man) to $5 (free trappers) per lb. Shot guns $4 Rifles $10 Horses $20 to $25 A pint of meal from 50c to $1 A pint of coffee beans, cocoa beans or sugar $2 each A pint of diluted alcohol (no other lspirituous liquor to be had) $4 A piece of chewing tobacco from $1 to $2 Prices around 1842 (smaler trade houses) Tobacco $1.50 Knife $1.50 A pint of sugar $2 Pipes $1 each 3 point blankets $7 |
