Store token

The Sutler's Store, built in 1849, was the center of commerce at Fort Laramie for military and civilian populations. Soldiers, family members, and emigrants, as well as the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoes who frequented the fort, all did business at the Sutler's Store. The store stocked a variety of items including tobacco and smoking supplies, firearms and ammunition, housewares such as cups, plates, and bowls of ceramic and tin, sewing notions, calico fabric and beads, and food items such as brown sugar, nuts, jellies, canned seafood, vegetables, and sauces. A selection of clothing and footwear was available, including otter hats, cloth sunbonnets, straw hats, shirts, coats, vests, and boots for the entire family. If the post trader did not have an item in stock, they also had the ability to order and receive large items such as furniture. The post trader also regularly traded buffalo robes and other animal skins with Native Americans. The Sutler's Store operated at Fort Laramie from 1849 to 1890.

Because cash was frequently unavailable, most merchandise was sold on credit. Store tokens were given to soldiers and were eventually reimbursed by a paymaster's check made out to the Sutler. This token comes from the era when Seth Edmund Ward was Post Trader from 1857 to 1871. Ward was born in Virginia in 1820. At age 12 he lost his father and started wandering into the New West, mainly working herding jobs. He traded with various tribes from the Red River to the Yellowstone until he formed a partnership with William LeGuerrier, which brought him to the Fort Laramie area. This token could have purchased items we know Ward carried in his inventory, such as lemon sugar, green tea, olive oil, castile soap, wool socks, brandy peaches, or perhaps even perfume for a soldier's sweetheart.