The logging companies here also paid some of the workers with 'tokens' to use at the 'Company Store'. In some cases, this was the only store they could get to easily. I don't know about the price comparisons though I'd think the old 'supply/demand' would be the guide. A large number of the loggers were Confederate veterans or the sons of vets so it makes sense that they had already learned to live with less way before they went to work for the mills.

Pam