Slat Sided Chest

This chest has been in my Oregon family for a long time. I've been told it was used on stagecoaches as a bread box but I have my doubts.
The lid is opened by inserting a pencil or similar sized object in the hole.
The hinges are simple eye and hook.
Any ideas as too what this was used for?

 

what size is it?

 

30” wide x 20” deep x 18” high.

 

Interesting.
It’s fairly loose construction so air would circulate. Sort of.
I’m wondering what kind of animal was transported.

 

Found this on eBay so maybe it was used as some sort of bakery delivery box.

 

That’s interesting.
My grandfather was a Pinkerton agent for the railroad out of Chicago just after the turn of the century before moving out west. My mom thinks he may have used it to move.
I love a puzzle.