Watkins Man

 
Jacob and Martha Oye, living out in the country, were never close to all the supplies they needed, when they needed them. Being 30 miles from town in Tripp county, South Dakota, there was no corner drug store as we know it today.
So along came the traveling salesman, the medicine man. The medicine man at first, but then the man that sold lots of things from the back of his wagon. He sold spices for cooking, thread for sewing, medicine for all the family and the livestock, and he always had some goodies for the kids. One of these men that called on the Oyes was the Watkins man. His product line was small at first, but it grew as did his reputation. If he arrived at meal time, he was asked to eat with us. If he arrived late in the day, he was asked to stay the night, even if it meant sleeping in the hay loft. There were no motels in the country side.
Mother bought cooking supplies, sewing supplies, and medicines and Pa bought medicines for the livestock. All of us kids no doubt received some of the Watkins products in our food, in medicine, and in our clothes. The bottle of iodine Mother poured over Don's head when he got hit with a baseball bat may have come from the Watkins man.
The Watkins man was a fixture in the early west (and the east too, for that matter).
Come to find out, they are still around today in other forms, and doing well.
I am sure there is a Watkins man or woman in your area today!! A distant cousin of that man that called on Martha and Jacob!!



MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL !!!!
 
Norman & Marilyn

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