By western author Nick Brumby

“Howdy, I’m Ma Harrison. You scoundrels watch yourselves. Questions are free. But steal as much as a toothpick, and you’ll get today’s special – a coffin.”

With today’s inflation rates hitting eye-watering levels, I thought I’d remind myself of what things used to cost.

Back in the Old West money was tight, and wages weren’t what they are today. Typical ranch hands earned $30/month, plus room and board. If you were a top ranch hand, you might earn $40. A ranch foreman could command $50/month.

People had to make their money last.

This is ‘Harrison’s General Store’ from around 1894.  Rough prices might have been something like:

• Barrel of Flour $4.00
• Pound of Corn Meal: 2 cents
• Barrel of Salt Pork: $9.25
• Quart of Beans: 8 cents
• Gallon of Molasses: 25 cents
• Pound of Rice: 6 cents
• Pound of Starch: 10 cents Pound of Sugar: 7 cents
• Pound of Lard: 7 cents

Prices varied widely at times, but on the whole:

• A calf might run $2.50/head.
• A yearling would go for $12.50.A 2-year-old steer would go for $22.50.
• A bull would run $90.
• A yoke of 2 oxen, good for pulling wagons and the like, would run roughly $150.
• An average workhorse to be used around the farm or ranch would also go for $150.
• A fine saddle horse would cost more—about $200.
• Harnesses for the oxen or workhorse would go for $50 or so.
• A saddle, depending on the type, would cost between $30-$60.
• If you were looking at a wagon, expect to pay $70 or more.
• A Colt .45 “Peacemaker” ran $17 if ordered by mail-order.
• If you preferred the upgraded pearl-handled set, which came with holsters, those Peacemakers were $100.
• Cartridges cost $.50/box.

Can you imagine? How much would that Bill of Sale run to today?

About Nick Brumby

I like a good story. And of all stories, I love westerns the most.

As a kid, I spent far too many afternoons re-watching Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns, picking up ‘Shane’ for just one more read, or saddling up beside Ben Cartwright when ‘Bonanza’ was on TV each afternoon.

I’m a former journalist and I love horses, dogs, and the occasional bourbon whiskey. I live with my wife, daughter and our ever-slumbering hound in a 1800’s-era gold mining town – our house is right on top of the last working gold mine in the area. There may not be much gold left, but there’s history wherever you look.

I hope you enjoy my westerns as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Happy trails,

Nick