Ross Thomas bottle. (Photo provided)

Mariettan Ross Thomas showed me an old apothecary bottle and said, “See what you can find out about it.” The quart-size glass bottle has a cork and a label: “Wm H. Styer, Prescription Druggist, 240 Front Street, Marietta, Ohio.” Collecting old bottles is popular. There is a Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, one of many organizations of collectors. Just so you know, their national convention this year is in Reno NV.

This bottle has a story to tell. I found another Styer bottle for sale on line at worthpoint.com. It is smaller but with a beautiful inscription and monogram. I was impressed that a small-town local business would have such distinctive glassware.

William H. Styer was a druggist, entrepreneur, and business leader. An excerpt from the 1900 Century Review of Marietta, Ohio: “Styer commenced laboratory work in 1865, clerked in a drug store for several years and in 1881 opened a store at his present quarters 240 Front St…Mr. Styer started a branch store at 124 Putnam st. in 1888, which he still controls. He carries a large line of drugs, medicines, paints and sundries, in fact the full line kept by druggists generally excepting wallpaper. He is a vice president of The Dime Saving Society and Stevens Organ and Piano Company.”

Drugstores were a mainstay of retail business and healthcare from the late 1800s to today. A 1903 directory listed ten drugstores: Curtis & Hutchman, A. J. Richard, W. H. Styer, H. N. Curtis, Beagle & Lytle, Union Drug Co., Chas. R. Buchanan, Will Richardson and J. L. Mason. They filled prescriptions and sold over-the-counter supplements, remedies, and cure-alls for every possible ailment. Some medicines were legitimate; many were not. There was no Food and Drug Administration to monitor contents and no Federal Trade Commission to prevent outlandish claims.

Drugstores sold other merchandise, even home improvement items like paint and wallpaper. Starting in the early 1900s many drug stores had soda fountain counters which dispensed flavored carbonated drinks and milkshakes. No mention of that for Styer, though he opened a “branch” store on Putnam Street which may have had one.

Styler Druggist 3.5 inch bottle with monogram. (Photo provided)

Drugstores ads appeared in newspapers. Some examples from late 1800s and early 1900s in the Marietta Register newspaper: Beagle and Lyle’s Drug Store sold Halstead’s Pepsin-Fruit syrup for babies to “regulate their bowels.” Dr. Bull’s cough syrup would cure pleurisy and pneumonia. Celery King was advertised for constipation and much more. Multiple drug stores advertised a sale for dozens of remedies: “The Greatest Patent Medicine Sale in the History of Man.” Putnam Street Drugstore sold “Styer’s Sarsaparila…a blood purifier.” J. W. Dysle & Co druggists sold Chamberlain’s Cough Remedy and….wallpaper, “the prettiest papers ever brought to the city.” Sexine Pills would make you “Strong Again!, New life, strength, and vigor.” Curtis and Hutchman in Marietta sold Dr. Mott’s Nerverine Pills which offered to restore “failing or lost manhood,” and Dr. Peals Pennyroyal Pills would provide “relief for ladies,” presumably from menstrual cramps.

History can be endlessly fascinating. Every single artifact – such as an antique bottle, person, and building has a story to tell.

Styer Drug Store at 240 Front St. from 1902 Century Review. (Photo provided)