Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-08
BOOT AND SHOE COMPANY.
The Getto-McClHng Boot and Shoe
Factory and Jobbing House.
With $4,000 Capital and Employ
ing Fifty People the Latest Ac-
QUESTION to Wiehita'S In
dustrial Enterprises

Without any pretentious or the least
noise; the Getto- McCIung Boot and Shoe
Company of Wichita has gone about its
business for the last few months until to-
day fully 90 per cent of the people of this
city will be surprised TO learn this morn
ing that this company has completed and
is now operating boot and shoe factory
IN the northeast part Of the city, in Ge to s
addition, at the northeast corner OF Hum
boldt avenue and Fifteenth street, on the
line Of the Paramount motor.
THE FACTORY.
The plant consists OF substantial two
story brick building l00x32 feet, with an
engine house attached, together with all
Of the latest improved machinery required
for the successful operation of factory
which viii employ fifty people
when it gets to running in full
blast, two weeks hence. They have already
started with twenty which number will
be increased as rapidly as the new en-
ployes arrive. The firm consists Of Messrs.
Peter Getto OF this city, and Messrs. ;. A.
and J. E. McClung who came here from
the east, where they have for number of
years, been successful manufacturers of
boots and shoes. The nzw factory viii
make at present, only staple grades OF
ladies, children's and misses shoes. As
their business increases they will take on
the manufacture Of other grades OF goods
including boots of ali descriptions.
JoBBING AND COMMISSION HOUSE
This company Will in the next few days
open liz the central business portion OF the
city a large wholesale Jobbing and com
mission boot and shoe house tor which
they will Immediately put a number
of travelling men on the road.
Not only their own goods will be handled,
but they will carry full lines of all grades
OF boots. shoes and everything IN that line,
from which any retailer can make as good
selections as his trade can possibly sug-
gest. This viii be great advantage to
our local dealers as well as TO those from
towns in Wichita's legitimate territory.
The exact building to be occupied by the
jobbing house has not been chosen, but
viii be within couple of days.
MAKING THE SHOES.
In order to understand thoroughly the
process of manufacturing the goods, it
will be necessary to visit the factory. The
power to operate the various sewing ma
chimes burnishers, sand-papering ma
chimes, etc, consists of a 20-horse power
engine. The first or preliminary work is
on the upper floor in what Is known as the
cutting aud fitting room. Upon the cut
ting boards all stock trimmings, facings etc.
are cut out and placed in proper piles, from
which the right pieces are selected by the
operatives of the sewing machines, where
the sewing of the uppers and Innings is
done upon machines OF the latest i'm
proved patterns, the power fer which Is
furnished by the engine. Next the work
is placed upon the beading and FASTING
table, where they are turned inside out
and the "beading" is done and the facings
are pasted upon the insides OF the
'.uppers." Then the button holes
are punched out, if they are but
ton shoes, and the eyelets cut if they
are lace shoes. This done in both
by foot pressure punch. The
button holes are worked by machinery.
The eyelets are pressed into position by
other machines. The work is then taken
down stairs to the stock room, as it is call
ed, where are the 'bottOming" and finish
ing departments. Here the 'soles" and
'heels'' are cut out with dyes" struck by
heavy raw hide mallets. After being cut
out the sole is run through the sole skiving
machine. which planes the sole to an even
thickness its entire length. It IS next
passed between two strong rollers and
pressed, after which 4 groove Is run by
around near the edge of the sole.
The sole is taken by the Easter" who
places it in position upon the last and
fastens the upper to the sole. No pegging
Is used, only sewing and the standard
screw fastening being adopted. From
having the sole sewed on the shoe goes to
the ''heelers,' who hammer it OUT and
put on the heel pieces.
The trimmer" next gets the shoe and
trims up the edges OF the sole and shapes
up the heels. The furnishing" process
comes then, by which the heels and the
edges OF the soles are FURNISHED or pol
ished by hot irons and then blackening
these parts. The ''fnishers" are the last
persons to do work upon the shoes. They
and polish the soles, place the
stamp of the company upon each one and
do the fancy work seen upon the soles Of
the shoes. The shoes are then packed in
boxes aud cases ready for market after
having been inspected thoroughly.
The company is starting out under most
conditions. with a large
amount of orders already booked and
prospects of enough TO make them increase
their capacity as rapidly as possibly. This
promises soon TO become one Of the most
successful of Wichita's many manufactur-
ing enterprises and viii, as fast
as possible make additions to the building
and machinery The well known thrift
and business tact of Mr.. Getto and his
associates is ample assurance that this in
institution will not take a second position
for any competitor. Already they have
enroute large consiguments OF the finest
quality of eastern made goods which will
be unpacked as soon as the jobbing house
location IS determined upon.