Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-07-05
BUILDING RUBBER BOOTS,
Tho Various Stages OF tho Intricate Oper.
alton APPLY Dcscr. bed.

of footwear it vs. Prior to this the
old-fashioned rubber shoe was in exist
cnce, but not much worn, and it was
called galoshe. The styles of boots now
made are nearly identical in all of tho
leading rubber companies, each, how
ever, having some strengthening device
OF moro or less excellence upon which
they pride themselves. All boots arc
madc by hand upon wooden ''trces,"
which are prepared of carefully seasoned
maple, Tho seasoning is necessary,
else the trees would shrink in vulcani-
cation and become worthless. Iron trees
have been used, but arc practically
"barrcd OUT by their great weight.
A well-arrangcd boot-room has first
wide center circle running it's whole
length, through which run car tracks
for the easy removal of tho finished
boots to tho heaters" Running from
this main passagc-way arc tho "alleys"
of the worlimcn, in front of each of
whom is a long table, fitted with q rack
capable OF holding fifteen pairs of
boots.
AS the various pieces that arc to DO
Joined together to make tho perfect boot
arc brought in books to tho boot
maker, they arc first laid over tho table
and cemcnted with paste made of
rubber and benzine. The first step then
is tho lasting. A tree is put upon tho
"blocl1" with the foot upward, and tho
lightning, Of felt usually, is wrapped
round it, and connected ut tho heel by n
bi dripping" The edges arc then Tapped
over upon tho inner sole where they
stick fast. Tho lining is then scanned
up the back by drawing the piping cdgo
over the rubber coating. Next tho lin
ing is fastened at the top of tho tree to
make 1T firm and also to take out any
looscness that may be in it..
Then the foot-lining is connected ut
the instcp and Tapped over on the inner
solo. a rag filler is inc next necessity,
TO fill the space left ON the sole between
tho lower edges of tho leg lining. Over
this. and indeed on tho whole bottom of
tho boot, is placed tough sole mado q
rubber and fiber, called tho rag sole"
This is ''skivcd" all round, and thon
both rag solo and lining arc brushed
over with a fine quality Of rubber c.
mont and left to dry.
When the benzine has fully cvap-
grated from the comcntcd surface tho
process of trimming" is the next in
order. First the holes arc cut for tho
straps and thoy arc placed in position,
Thin a small ''heel-stay'' of cloth is
added, followed by an "anl1lc-piecc" OF
rubber cut without ''lapping'' 1T tho
back. A heavy counter of rubber and
fiber IS put around tho heel next. to be
followed by a "back-strip' of rubber
that runs mp tho scam in the lining
from the heel to tho top of the boot.
This is succeeded by toc-strip of
piping, toc-picco of rubber, and side
stays OF tho Sane, when the boot is
ready for the t'covor."
All this timo the boot has the look OF
some of those felt boots that car-drivors
in Chicago fancy, only this is decorated
with cement and trimmings, and tho
other is plain. The leg cover is rub
bor and goes over tho whole with the
exception of tho sole and part Of the
toe. 1t is put on with great caro-.
Tho third stage, known as Covering"
now follows. In this n counter Of heavy
rubber Is put around tho hool, tho point
being in limo with the back scam, tho
edges being carefully "rollod down."
Then Wamp OF heavy rubber - tho
N'tonguc"-cXactly covering tho vamp
lining. Tho sides of this cxtcnd around
to tho counter, an6 al0 distinguished
by two side seams. These seams arc
then run over with q @'doublp stitchcr,"
which is similar to pair of sharp trac-
ing wheels, and which not only hclp
fasten tho rubber to tho ccmcntcd sur
faco beneath, but also make a worry neat
finish. After this tho vamp is cut out
around tho outlllcr, and the bottom
of tho boot receives n coat Of cement
which is to hold tho solo on.
When The boot is dry it is ready for tho
fourth stage, which is ''soling." To
digrcss little, n solo is in four pieces,
and IS made up for tho bootmakcr in tho
soling room. These four parts arc o
fiber and rubber "form," n thin rubber
]'solc-picco," stop and n heel. These