I ran into Susan Sparks from Polk county at Greene county archives last week. She glanced through some of the copies from the Springfield Advertiser microfilm I had with me. On one page was a very long (nearly half a column) advertisement for THE CHEAP STORE in Springfield. “This must have been a chain,” she said, “because we had one of these in Bolivar, too.” A little more digging and I found that the partnership of Johnson and Wilson (owners of The Cheap Store) had dissolved and was doing business in all locations, including Mt. Vernon, as D. Johnson & Co. Their major competitor was W. B. Logan & Co. The following ad appears in the Springfield Advertiser on Saturday, 5 Jul 1845: THE CHEAPEST YET We are now in receipt of another let of our cheap goods and invite the attention of every person who is in favor [of] SAVING MONEY, to call at Wm. B. Logan & Co’s (don’t forget the place,) one door north of the Land Office, where the motto is, “no trouble to show goods.” With the lot of goods just received, we have a few pieced of fine and fashionable goods for Ladies Dresses, Dress Hdkfs, Gloves, A brilliant article of Alpaca, Trimmings for gents coats, Best Cotton Yarn, Sugar, Coffee, &c., &c. All of which, when our low prices are considered, make inducements unsurpassed in south west Missouri. Look to your interests and don’t be humbugged with good words and high prices, when the remedy may be found by calling one door north of the Land Office. May 3L WM B. LOGAN & CO. Following are samples from one column in the Saturday, 30 Aug 1845 issue of the same paper: --50 Sacks Ground Alum Salt, and 3000 lbs Arkansas Salt. For sale by Wm. B. Logan & Co. Call and get some cheap. --Riflemen A few kegs Rifle Powder, and 1 keg blasting Powder, lower than usual. For Sale by Wm. B. Logan & Co. --To Contractors & Builders. I will offer at the county seat of Lawrence county, on Saturday the 30th day of August, to the lowest bidder, the building of a COURT HOUSE and COUNTY JAIL for said county. Plan and specifications to be seen at D. Johnson & Co’s store in Mount Vernon and Springfield, or at my residence in Lawrence county. John A. Fooshee, Superintendent Mount Vernon, Aug 12, 1845. --WANTED 500 Dear Skins. 300 Dry Beef Hides 200 Bushels Flax Seed, for which the highest market price will be given in goods at each prices. [sic] Aug.16, 1845 D. Johnson & Co. --HALLO!! John, where you going with them Deer Skins? Going to Logan’s store, because they always give me good bargains. Yes, bring them to Wm. B. Logan & Co. Aug. 16 --STILL THEY COME David Johnson & Co. are now receiving and opening a splendid stock of DRY GOODS and GROCERIES, purchased in the east and south, and are prepared to sell at prices to suit the times. We respectfully invite our friends and the public to call and examine our stock and judge for themselves. July, 26. --NOTICE The undersigned having purchased the interest of J. M. Wilson, in the firm of Johnson and Wilson, are alone authorized to settle the business of the old firm. They will continue to do business at the old place, and solicit the patronage of their old friends. D. Jonhson [sic] & Co. July 26. DISSOLUTION of PARTNERSHIP Notice is hereby given, that the partnership heretofore existing between David Johnson, Alexander Johnson and James M. Wilson, has this day been dissolved by mutual consent of all parties. July 19, 1845 David Johnson, A. Johnson, J. M. Wilson.