Sutler Store
"Every military post shall have one Sutler, to be appointed by the Secretary of War."
General Regulations for the Army of the United States, 1841
About 100 yards in front of you an engraved stone marks the location of Fort Scott's sutler store. The sutler, a civilian licensed to run a store on or near a military post, sold goods not normally issued by the army. Serving soldiers and civilians alike, the sutler store was a vital part of a military post.
Imagine operating a store here in the 1840s. Among the many challenges were trips as far as St. Louis or even Philadelphia to buy goods. Loss of shipments by theft or natural disasters such as flood was part of the sutler's risk.
[Illustration captions read]
This sketch (above) is the only known historic image of Fort Scott's sutler store. It appeared in a history of Fort Scott written in 1894. Historians are unsure of its accuracy, or whether the illustrator had ever actually seen the store.
Hiero T. Wilson (left) became Fort Scott's post sutler in 1843. Fluent in Osage, Cherokee, and Creek, the six-foot-two sutler was called Big
White Chief by local Indians. When the army left in 1853, Wilson stayed to operate his store, and helped establish the town of Fort Scott.
Items on this March 1844 page (above) from the Fort Scott sutler's ledger include clothes pins, eggs, and raisins. Other items often sold included newspapers, books, tobacco, candy, and beer. A council of military officers set prices.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1844.
Location. 37° 50.592′ N, 94° 42.343′ W. Marker is in Fort Scott, Kansas, in Bourbon County. Marker is on Old Fort Boulevard north of Wall Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the Fort Scott National Historic Site grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Scott KS 66701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Scott Yesterday (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Scott (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sites and People of Fort Scott (within shouting distance of this marker); Gordon Parks (within shouting distance of this marker); Medal of Honor (within shouting distance
Also see . . . Fort Scott Post Sutler. (Submitted on January 15, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.