This leather bound day book is 15 by 6 3/8 inches and includes a detailed ledger containing sales history at Fort Stanton, New Mexico, from September 9th, 1871, to April 11th, 1872. The inside of the front cover is marked "Jose Indian," and the first page is marked "Bliss and Lombard/Fort Stanton, N.M./1871." The next page is marked "Account of Sales [crossed out number] 255." The sales appear to mostly be common goods sold to soldiers and officers at the fort and local civilians. The fort was first built in 1855 and served as the base of operations relating to the Mescalero Apache Indians. It was also at times the home of Billy the Kid, Kit Carson, and John "Black Jack" Pershing. Billy the Kid and others fought in the famous Lincoln County War in 1878 in the surrounding area. Jesse Evans, leader of the Evans Gang and one of the killers of John Tunstall in the war, was treated for gunshot wounds at the fort during the conflict and was arrested there on federal charges. The troops were eventually called in to intervene in the violence. L.G. Murphy and others involved in the range war appear in the ledger. Some of the items sold in this period may have been used in the conflict. Many of the other goods are common items such as food, coffee, whiskey (lots of it!), sugar, buttons, tobacco, etc., but Spencer rifles, ammunition, and other goods are also noted. There are 225 pages containing over 2,000 entries, including many V.I.P. participants in the Lincoln County range war, and about 100 named U.S. officers.

Very good overall with mild age related wear, distinct writing in old browned ink, and some staining. An extraordinary piece of Old West history!