Beaver and other animalsA Closer LookHistorian Richard Steimann discovered: "In 1843, a more or less typical year, Faribault collected, according to fur papers also contained in the Sibley collection, 6465 muskrat furs, 29 bears, 82 beaver, 246 otters, 171 martens, 163 fishers, 116 minks, 837 raccoons, 2 wildcats, 3 foxes, and 1516 pounds of deer skins." Steimann also noted that in 1840, Alexander collected $2,850 worth of furs, but ended up $492.60 in debt. 1842: $1,800 earned, $4,779.64 owed 1843: $3, 783 earned in furs, profit of $930.00. 1845: Alexander earned $10,000. 1846: Alexander was in debt and remained so for the next several years. The debts were for goods he had received at 7% interest from the fur company to "loan" to the trappers, and for costs associated with starting his farm. "From 1829 to 1843, the muskrat had gone from 20¢ to 15¢, most deer skin from 25¢ to 31¢ per pound, and the mink fur from 25¢ to 70¢." |
