Introduction: Jacob Stone was a French-Canadian and was married to a native woman, Margaret. They lived in the Bald Hills and had three children. One of their sons married Edith Corbett, a long time teacher in the area. When Jacob died in 1897 his probate record included debts he incurred shopping at the Longmire store in Yelm. The list provides an glimpse at the products available in Yelm in the late 19th century.
The hotel on the right was later moved west on Yelm Avenue.
Five visits in October 1887 – April 1889, 74 visits to the store, average nearly four times month
Beginning Balance of $29.74
October $34.64
November-December $20.80
January – $17.64
February $5.25
March – $17.42
April – $23.90
May to August – $131.37, Paid – $1.45 on dry goods
September (1887) -$37.99, $20 paid toward account
Paid – December 28, 1888-$9.00, January 4, 1889-$6.00, another time $2.00
$20 interest charge = $422.96
$316 debt, paid $21.45, bought $286, paid $21.45
Total indebtedness = $422.96
The following is a list of the types of (though not quantities) of items purchased on Jacob Stone’s account at the Longmire store in Yelm.
Maintenance/Farm
lumber
bolt
ax handle
rope
axle grease
wagon
file
Clothing
boots
overalls
gloves (it was winter)
overalls
pants
shirt
denims
drawers
socks
cheviot
hose
hat
muslin
lace
white shirt
ladies shoes
Sundries
thread
coal oil
tobacco
books
whetstone
skillet
fork
soap
broom
matches
oil cloth
tacks
shot
salt petre
castor oil
powder
tinware
bucket
Food
flour
sugar
rice
baking powder
coffee
vinegar
bacon
beans
sirup [sic]
tea
cornstarch
oat flakes, rolled oats
lard
pepper
soda
apples
peaches
bran
butter
Household
lamp
lantern
candles
1890
corset
washboard
Jamaican ginger