PEDDLERS

Even peddlers needed a license in Dubuque. Photo Courtesy--Bob Reding

PEDDLERS. Wandering salespeople, Peddlers usually traveled by foot carrying their wares or with a cart or wagon. They sometimes doubled as performers, supposed healers, or fortune-tellers.

Peddlers had an important role in supplying isolated populations with basic goods such as pots and pans, horses, and even news. In the United States, the era of the traveling peddler probably peaked in the decades just before the CIVIL WAR. Advances in industrial mass production and freight transportation during the war laid the beginnings of modern retail and distribution networks. Increasing dense population, modern transport, mail order, refrigeration and other technologies have allowed even rural residents other ways of obtaining needed goods. In 1906 an estimated twenty to twenty-five peddlers earned a living in Dubuque. From April through June, peddlers were responsible for collecting large amounts of iron which was sorted and resold. (1)

One of the earliest examples of peddling in Dubuque came in the area of politics. At each polling place were ticket peddlers. In November 1888 it was reported that during the first hour or two they did not have much of an effect and those in line "appeared as though every man had made up his mind how he would vote." In the afternoon, however, a large number of fraudulent Republic and Jacksonian tickets were found. The top of these tickets had the names of the National Democratic and state nominees while the names of the county and township officers were printed underneath. (2)

Taxing honest peddlers traced its history to 1874 and the Internal Revenue Service:

       Peddlers of tobacco, more than 2 horses.......$59.00
       Peddlers of tobacco, 2 horses.................$25.00
       Peddlers of tobacco, 1 horse..................$15.00
       Peddlers of tobacco, walking or riding on
            public conveyance........................$10.00 (3)

In June 5, 1900 the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution that peddlers throughout the county, outside of cities and towns, had to pay for a license, paid quarterly in advance:

      Peddlers on foot, per annum ...............$5.00
      Peddlers with vehicle and one animal......$10.00
      Peddlers with vehicle and two animals.....$20.00
      Peddlers with vehicle and four animals....$40.00 (4)

Merchants in Dubuque felt the effect of loss sales and used advertising to compete:

       People who paid $10 for a set of decorated
       dinnerware to peddlers who canvassed the city
       a few days ago are urged to see a handsomer
       and better set at Althauser's which he sells
       for $2.98. (5)

       Extraordinary showing of rare small pieces...
       prices much below those of the common peddlers
       showing goods in fake stores. (6)

1932 advertisement. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

One industry that felt especially victimized were soda water dealers. At picnics, small boys waited for the opportunity to hide the empty bottles which were then sold to peddlers who sold them for more money to the soda water manufacturers. In June, 1906 the announcement was made that the manufacturers had hired an attorney to prosecute the peddlers who bought the bottles. (7)

Women residents of the North End complained about three women peddlers who refused to leave residences without making a sale. (8)

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Source:

1. "Any Rags, Bones, or Bottles To-Day?" Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, April 17, 1906, p. 17

2. "Democrats Win," The Herald, November 7, 1888, p. 4

3. "Notice," The Dubuque Herald, April 26, 1874, p. 1

4. "Here's a Good Idea for Dubuque," The Dubuque Herald, June 6, 1900, p. 8

5. Advertisement, Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, April 1, 1903, p. 16

6. Roshek advertisement, Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, November 17, 1908, p. 5

7. "Sodawater Men After Peddlers," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, June 1, 1906, p. 11

8. "Women Peddlers Are Very Bold," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, June 21, 1907, p. 5