Yesterday I spoke at the upscale retirement community The Cardinal at North Hills. My presentation was titled “From Cradle to Grave: The Impact of Sears and Roebuck on Rural America.” The audience learned a lot about Sears they didn’t know. Perhaps the most interesting unknown fact was that Sears bought raw fur from trappers between 1925 and 1958. Trappers would mail their pelts to Sears. Sears also sponsored a national fur show between 1929 and 1958 in various cities. Trappers, often just farm boys, could win nice prizes with their entries in the fur show. Sears even had a magazine that contained trapping tips they sent to the trappers. Medals were sent sent to trappers who did a good job of preparing their furs.
