TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

The tools of the sutler's trade that are on display in the sutler store at Fort Scott include the following:

• Counter and Shelves-For displaying his goods.
• Boxes and Barrels-For storing foodstuff and other items.
• Checkerboard-Since the sutler's store was also a recreation room for the soldiers, most sutlers had checkerboards and pool tables.
• Chalkboard-For displaying prices.
• Scales-For weighing all items sold in bulk-nails, hard candy, etc.
• Ledgers-Probably the most valuable of the sutler's tools were his ledgers, which he used to keep track of what goods he sold, and how much he was owed by individual soldiers.