New Britain herald., 1930-07-23
Entry Was Made Exactly 100 Years Before PrOhi- bition Began - Days Labor in 1919 Worth 50 to 67 Cents.
Special to the Herald)

Berlin. July 23-An interesting Gdelight on the difference between business methods and prices of over century ago and those of the pres ent day is gleaned from an old re- cord book that recently came into hands of Thomas B. Pagan of Ken sington as a gift from the late Eddy N. Smith, who was a dealer in an- tiques for many years before his re- cent death.
 The book, Whihc is in remarkable state of preservation despite it's age, was the property of resident of Old Lyme and was used to record business. transactions during the years of 1894, 1881. All exhcanges from 1894 until 1923 are recorded as having been paid for in the old English currency of pounds, shil- lings, and pence. The first notation showing the American system of ex- change-dollars and cents is record ed January 25 of this latter year.
 Potatoes in 1923 sold for 20 cents a bushel in January and showed a slightly higher price in April of the same year, being quoted at that time at 22 cents per bushel One might buy an entire COW hide at this period for the price that he or she would have to pay today for having one pair of shoes tapped. Hides fully tanned were bought during these days according to entries found in the records as low as S2.
 When Liquor Was Cheap
 A perusal of the records show that folks of that period had no thought of prohibition. A recoru was found in the book which disclosed the purchase of three barrels of rum by one of the citizens at the cost of four shillings six pence per barrel This transaction was recorded as having been made on July 1, 1919, which rate was exactly one hundred yeras before the famous Nolstead Act went into effect Cider at this time was trifle higher in value and brought seven shillines per barrel.
 Parents of the present time might have an attack of heart failure should they compare the prices paid for shoes in that time with what they are required to pay now. One entire family, including the father, mother, and four children were shod for 19 shillings, or matter or few cents less than five dollars in In present money. The notation reads as follows; Making boots for wife, George, Johnny, Frank and Mary, 19 shillings."
 Worked for 50 Cents a Day
 These prices are not-so low when they are compared with the price paid for labor in those days. There are many instances where men who were hired to perform manual la bor for figures which \varied. ac- cording to the type of work done from two shillings to two shllllngs six pence. In later years when the present standard of exchange was the custom the wages quoted rang cd rom oO lO ht CtIllS per ddS-
 One could hire an OK and cart for a full days work at the rate of 30 cents per day. A hind of lamb weighing 3-4 pounds could be had for two shillings, four pence.
 Nor did they have in those days any such collection agencies as eX- ist today, as many of the accounts found in the book are from one to three years standing. Then. too ii Is common to find instances where payment was made by trade.
 S5 For Coffin
 Some of the most interesting en- tries to be found and which throw some light onto the contrasted con- ditions of the present day are as follows July 14, 1881. lbs. butter, sO.5s: coffin for John, $500: 13- 1-4 lbs sheep's wool, s6.62 1-2; by setting horse shoes and mending chair, sO23; 6 IA lbs. of lamb nut ton. sO.97 1-2; to one sheep, weight 10 lbs, s0.S4,
 Many such entries as these quoted Ere to be found throughout the re- cords and nowhere can be found any Instance where there was an expen- allure for advertising, indicating that this form of business activity was unknown of without necessity in those days so long ago.