Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-04-24
RICHMOND.
A History OF Its Shoe Business and
Troubles Described by One OF the
Citizens.
+ Special to the Kennebec Journal !

Special to the kennebec Journal
RICHMOND. April %.
Two years ago this month some of our en-
terprising business men decided that the
town needed another shoe factory. w. +.
Morgan Co. were occupying and running
the big factory, but they wanted more busi-
ness Accordingly plans were made and
subscription papers passed around among
the citizens to see what encouragement could
be found Richmond has always been very
liberal with its cash and it was but few
weeks before enough capital was subscribed
to ensure the success of the scheme. The
Citizens Shoe Manufacturing Company was
organized and on June 9, 1887. a contract
was made between the company and A.
Libby, by which the company was TO erect q
building and provide full outfit for mann
featuring shoes. This contract was carried
out by the citizens and the first shoe was
commenced September lst The lease was
given for five years and stipulated that the
building was to be occupied for manufactur-
ing purposes Mr.. Libby soon after 1850
ciated himself with ID. |. Caldwell of Lynn,
and the lease Was transferred to the new firm
of Caldwell & Libby. The rent to be paid
was a sum equal to 8 per cent. on the paid in
capital Everything went smoothly and the
ti- in short time had worked up good
trade Richmond citizens were given the
preference in the factory and during the
year of 1888 the 6rm disbursed some S50,-
O7O or more. The factory cost about SS200
and debt of about sl40o hung over it. In
July. 1888, the firm of ID. A.
Caldwell { Co. of Lynn decit-
ed to move their business here if they
could be furnished a suitable building, As
the firm was represented to be doing some
$500 600 worth of business per year, the
citizens at once began to figure how to secure
them At last it was decided to clear the in
iehtedness on the one factory, raise what
additional funds possible and mortgage the
two buildings for enough to erect the second
II was done. So thoroughly in favor of the
scheme were the people that over $1,000 was
raised at three nights fair at the Opera
House in October. A large factory was
erected, larger than the other, situated ad-
iacent to and afterwards connected from
floor to floor with it. The new building was
To ba occupied by an entirely separate a d
distinct firm. though the parties interested
were the same Their work was to be of a
Amer grade than Caldwell & Libbys goods.
In January the Lynn firm came to town. In
we'll Libby soon after contracted with d.
II. Csldrell & Co to do their work. Soon
after that, the firm of Caldwell Libby
absorbed the other firm and proceeded as
befo,e the second shop was built. When
the first shop was started it was largely
through the firm that it was made . union
shop. They had schedule of prices for
Caldwell { Libby's work by the year, and
this schedule expired March 81. The Lynn
work was better quality and in small 10 ts,
being made chiefly for the direct retail trade.
The small lots occasioned much boher and
DELAY to the lasters, and when the
firm proceeded to put that work in with the
old work at the same prices, the lssters OBJ
iected and finally left work. rhe firm by
their having taken in the Lynn company, in
sisted that the work should be done at the
old price list. At last a settlement was
made till April lst. allowing the lasters one
cent per pair advance on the Lynn work.
They went back to work and things went
smoothly In order to prevent, if possible,
any loss of time when the new price list
came into effect, it was prepared and handed
to the firm when called for by them some
days previous to April LIST. Il called for an
advance of one half cent per pair on the
Caldwell { Libby's old work and reduc-
tion of the same amount on the d. A. Cald
we'll 4 Co.'S work. The firm refused tt
accent the price list. Every union lastel
was discharged March so. There seeming tt
he no chance for a settlement, the other op
eratives left their work in = body April lst
they belonging to a boot and shoe maker
union, recently organized in town. Since
that time workmen have been added
slowly, till perhaps fifty wer'
at work last Saturday. The men have
been tirm in their intention not to give uF
their unions, and the Arm equally 50 not Z
recognize. The affair eliminated last veel
! in the determination of the 6rm to now