Elmer Smith Interview #8511

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SMITH, ELMER

INTERVIEW # 8511

Date: September 13, 1937

Name: Elmer Smith

Post Office: Oklahoma City

Residence address: 800 South Pensylvania

Date of Birth: October 8, 1861

Place of Birth: Missouri

Father: Olin Smith

Place of Birth: Vermont

Information on father:

Mother: May Oliver

Place of birth: New York

Information on mother:

Field Worker:

I started sometime about 1890 with a buckboard and team trading in the east part of the state. I usually loaded up in Fort Smith and hauled my stuff back into Fort Smith. I carried piece goods for dresses and shirts, cheap jewelry and a few ready made dresses and men's pants.

I sold for cash when folks had the money and when they did not, I would take eggs and chickens. I have traded for watches too; I usually had several cheap watches and when I loaded up at Fort Smith I would make a wide circle south and west and come back into McAlester. Then I would go north and east back into Fort Smith. I hauled a big load of stuff, eggs and chickens, which I did not haul very far as I could always find some farmer who would trade for chickens and the eggs would be sold in the little towns. I used to make two trips each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. I used to come into Fort Smith in the late fall with as much as $500.00 clear which I thought was pretty good. Watches and dresses were always the best sellers that I had; sometimes in the fall I would get quite a bunch of furs and hides.

Transcribed and submitted by Lynda Bell CANEZARO
If you have questions, you can email Lynda. May 2000

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