I still haven’t gotten around to breaking out a single box of larger-than-images artifacts to post, so I thought I could still mix it up with some content from my old website!

Here’s an advertisement from a local (to me) newspaper for a variety store in Hillsborough N.C. The store was owned by a Jewish proprietor, and I discovered this stanza when working on a program on the history of the Jewish community in Raleigh, NC, a few years ago. As Hillsborough was out of the area I was focused on, this didn’t make it into the final program, but I still enjoyed reading it! It makes me want an shopping trip to the past!

 Run to COHEN’S very quick
 For HIGH PRICES is mighty sick,
 If you wish to keep him down
 By the CHEAPEST GOODS IN TOWN.
 Take your CASH and BARTER there,
 He will be polite and fair.
 BARGAINS there you can get
 Ten per cent his profits net.
 So rush along, be in the ring.
 And do your trading while I sing.


 FRESH ARRIVALS every day,
 Cheap and Cheaper buyers say; 
 CALICOS of every Style,
 HOOP SKIRTS there are pile on pile,
 THE ENGLISH PRINCESS SKIRT or three,
 And the DOLLAR SKIRT you’ll see,
 WORSTED, FLANNELS, HATS AND SHOES
 CLOTHING ready made to use.
 So don’t delay, but push along,
 While I sing this CHEAP STORE song.
 M. COHEN has the SHAKER HOODS
 And BALMORALS of finest GOODS
 The latest Style of BONNETS there
 You’ll find untrimm’d or trim’d with care.
 For GIRLS he has the Hat for Fall
 Or Winter, and can suit them all.
 For BOYS he’s got the Velvet Cap,
 The Slick the Cloth and PLUSH WITH Flap.
 So hurry ‘long in time to get
 Your CROCKERY WARE by piece or set.
 GOOD OLD RIO you can get
 And SUGAR too, that isn’t wet.
 There you can get at lowest price
 Your SALT & Dye Stuffs, & your SPICE.
 In short of GROCERIES he will keep
 A Full Supply of Good and Cheap.
 OF HARDWARE he will keep on Hand
 The best sold in this Tar Heel LAND.
 So run along, and take a peep
 At Goods that all agree are cheap.

 In fifty lines I cannot tell
 Of all he has, and how he’ll sell,
 But this I know, he’s selling cheap,
 And profits large he doesn’t reap.
 He’ll take just what you bring to sell,
 And though called ‘Jew’ will treat you well.
 “No dead men wanted here,” tis said,
 But let them blow HIGH PRICE is dead;
 So I’ll advise you call and try
 AT COHEN’S when you wish to buy.


 Hillsborough Recorder, October 2, 1866.
 M. COHEN’s Variety Store, C.M. Latimer’s Old Stand, Hillsborough, NC.