Wichita eagle., 1889-08-25

The rubber shoe of those days was a
very different affair from the self acting
clog" zephyr or ''arctic" of today. The In
dams first made model Of boot or foot
from clay peculiar to the locality. There
was procured an earthen jar in which was
built fire made of dry palm nuts. The
''maker," seated on stool before the fire
conveniently arranged about him his stock of
lasts or models.
The ''gatherers' brought in the result OF
their toll in large turtle shells. The maker"
was now ready for business Taking one of
the clay models in one hand, with the other
he deity covered il with the raw rubber con-
tanned in the turtle she'll The model was
then quickly turned few times in the white
smoke of the palm nut fire, which had the
effect of quickly coagBiating the raw rubber.
This done, another model received similar
treatment while the first was stuck on a
stake to dry.
An Indian and one attendant wouh make
by this primitive method about twenty pairs
day. The rubber was left ON the model for
some little time that it might harden The
CLAW was afterwards removed, the shoe
stuffed with hay, and it was ready for mar
ket Whatever such rubber as this may
have hacked Ia style and appearance was duly
compensated for in quality, for 1t had the
merit of being pure rubber.
Soon the Indians learned to add ornamen-
tation by way OF tawdry gliding in unique
designs after their own peculiar fashion.
The first rubber shoes ever seen in the
United States were brought to Boston In 1920.
A small box held the entlre amount of the
importation AT first they were regarded
more as curiostieS, but at length their merits
became known. Three years later QS2S) a
venturous Boston merchant imported 500
pairs These found a ready market at IS
pair and upwards. This reception induced
further venture until the annual importation
amounted to-upwsrds of half million pairs.
To Thomas c. Wales IS due the credit of i'm
porting the firstrubbers from Para. This
gentleman had almost monopoly of therub-
Der trade in the United States from the year
1925 to 1910.
The imported rubber very much resembled
sock foot, or, as a Boston merchant said,
'they look like an Indian dug out. As
will be seen by the Illustration they were
little more shapely than those first made.
In 1S4l shoe lasts were sent to South Ameri-
ca to take the placeof the clay models This
had the effectR giving better shape and form
to the rubbers. The rubber business had now
grown to some magnitude, due In great
measure TO the decreased cost, as HOG rub
bers were sold at about 81 a pair. The mat
ter was receiving the attention OF many of
the most prominent business men, and many
ingenious devices were resorted 10 IN order to
utilize this valuable product. Ia 1888 boots
were made in New York and shipped 70
South America 10 be vanished or coated
With the rubber gum. These, on being re-
turned were sold as gum elastic boots. Cloth
was also sent to South Amarica, coating OF
the gum coagulated between two pieces, and On
returning was made into sortof cloak One
enterprising firm went so far as to have car
pets treated in a similar fashion, in order
that they might be inpervious to water and
grease. Another firm shipped quantities OF
SOLE leather, which, after being coated with
rubber. was made into boots and shoes, and
sold under q guarantee mot to leak or soak
water"
The years from 1871, to 1874 were prolific IN
the DEVELOPMENT Of the rubber industry.
Crude rubber was brought 70 Boston as ships
ballast and sold at four or five cents pound
The great difficulty experienced was han
ding this crude rubber after ii had coa2u-
lated And again, the rubber Of those days
REQUIRED much care as severe cold hardened
them, while heat had an effect quite the re-
verse. No history Of the rubber trade oculd
be given without mention of Charles Coed
wear. who may be termed the father Of rub
bers Born in New Haven, Conn, on Dec.
%, 1900, like many others OF his time, he be-