In Willis J. Powell’s little book on the life of Santa-Anna he mentioned that he had a store in the City of Mexico. I have just discovered that the store was called La Buena Fe, which means Good Faith. In one advertisement he lists many of the items which we would see in what we call a drug store. There were many home remedies. In fact one he “invented” himself called Powell’s vegetable tooth powder for cleaning and preserving dentures. He also sold opiates for toothache, the finest Chinese tea, gunpowder etc.
It is interesting to see the parallel with his grandson William A. Powell who came to Oklahoma Indian Territory’s Ruby Community where he had a little store selling many of the same items. In fact it is folk legend that he sold guns and ammunition to the Dalton Gang the day before they made their infamous raid on Coffeyville Kansas.
Very interesting research info. Actually amazing – good work.