Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-02-21
Prices in the Civil War Period.

The high cost of living during the
Civil War has been used for half a
century as sort of standard for COM
parsons. Prices then, and especi-
ally since 1868, were beyond all pre-
vious experience. Poor people, and
even people in moderate circumstan-
ces, often found them prohibitive.
Strikes and mass meetings were not
uncommon. Parades were organized
to demand lower prices and higher
wages. Indeed, writer in the New
York Times declares that the social
unrest "was far more serious than any
we know today"
Prices rose steadily from 1861 to
1863 The level reached in the third
year of the war was the highwater
mark. The increase for the period
varied from 60 to 70 per cent, and
in some instances was 100. One of
the chief sources of complaint was
the cost of sugar, which rose to II
or Is cents a pound. One of the cur
ioSities of the list was the price OF
butter, which for a long time hung
around 80 cents a pound. Cotton
sold at one time at 81 yard. Other
interesting facts are given by this
writer
Saloons felt the pinch also in 1868.
A meeting of saloon-owners was held
in New York to consider the problem,
and in the face of great public oppo-
sition the price of a drink of liquor
was raised from &c to l0c. The best
hotels raised their rates to $3.50 and
later to So day, and charged extra
for heat and light. The rate included
room and three meals a day. The
BARRIERS demanded ten cents for shaw
ing and twenty cents for hair cut.
Ice was considered great luxury,
and was supplied at the rate Of fifty
cents week for supply of ten pounds
a day.
The average cost of foods, it is
seen, is we'll below the prices Jf today.
The explanation Of the violent pro-
test throughout the country will be
found in the comparatively low wages
paid in the trades and professions.
Banners borne in parade in New
York demanded a wage of SLIP a
day. The average rate for common
labor rose as high as Sl.25 for a days
work. Even the skilled workmen far
ed little better The wages af black
smiths rose from $1.75 to 81 a day,
while the bricklayer in 1868 received
s. day, instead of Sl.25, as at the be-
ginning of the war; A skilled painter
received S1.75 a day, joiners and ship
builders 81, quarrymen SLIP. Coach
men were paid $50 month and wait
ers from Sl2 to SlS a month.
The prices of food and clothing
reached far greater heights in the
South. In diary kept by Mrs. jeff
erson Davis it is recorded that in the
year 1862, in Richmond, mutton sold
for 81 cents pound, potatoes So a
bushel, tea for S. poun flour at
$500 a barrel, andturkey brought the
sum of 500. A pair of boots cost
SIS. Many of these prices were due
to speculation in food. At one time
beef sold for Sc a pound, and flour
for $1,000 barrel.
These extraordinary prices, howev-
er, were fictitious. 1t made all the
difference in the world whether the
bills were paid in gold or Confeder-
ate money. At this time an English
man wrote from Charleston that he
never lived so we'll and so cheaply.
The regular rates for hotels were $50
a day in paper money, but they cost
the Englishman but IS. day.The bill
was paid in gold.