New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-07

Recent action taken by the Lynn Cdass) Eistcri-
cal Society in the placing Of tablets the IN
marked graves of Revolutionary soldiers who went
from that town TO tho has brought light
certain facts regarding Of them which sig
nincant in view Of the subsequent development OF
the manufactures OF the Shoe City.
Lynn is the leading city OF the world in the manu-
facture Of women's and chrdrens shoes. 1t has
held this distinction since Colonial times. odd
part or the situation being that hardly a mans
shoe has been made there for many years.
In spite OF It's supremacy in the manufacture OF
It's shoe specialties, the leading UP its monopoly
OF chosen branches IS probably a sealed book to
the world IN general. and the man whose memory
the historical society now honors-John Adam
Dagyr-is directly the prime IN the laying
OF the foundations of the enormous industry.
John Adam Dagyr was OF Welsh descent. though
what part OF Wales he came from is not clear. He
arrived in this country about 100. taking up his
residence in Lynn. where he followed his trade OF
shoemaking by the old hand methods. 1t soon
became noised abroad that he unusually
skilled worker. and his product came into great
demand The old fashioned. heavy and clumsy
shoes OF tho colonists urslshtly well as
unwieldy. and Dagyr, possessing the virtues OF
originality. placed his own patterns the market
These were considered symmetrical at that time
though hardly comparing with the machine made
good, of the present day in any point Except
Durability.
Starting with the little. square workshop OF that
period he soon developed a market for his goods.
a
his output grew be the largest in Lynn. The
style and finish he gave his shoes became widely
known. and the press made favorable mention
OF him in 1894 when The Boston Gazette re-
ferred to him the famous shoemaker of Essex"
His success most marked and tradition says
that he had as many as six men working In his
little shop continuously. THIS was considered
most unusual circumstance in those days. Labor
saving machinery Unheard OF convenience.
and. owing to the quality Of the work placed in
the shoes. their prices were high.
Gradually the other workmen in Lynn were IN
nuenced by his fame. and imitation OF Dagyr's
handiwork spread As the population OF the
try increased. little shops sprang up. all Of the
workmen following the path marked out by Dasyr.
This product was all marketed in Salem and
Boston.
Dagyr quietly prospered I'D TO the period OF the
breaking out OF the Revolution. and when the
struggle against the British Crown began he ranged
himself the side OF the cOlonists The passage
OF the Stamp Act and the unjust tax on tea. well
tho Boston Port Bill. aroused Lynn as nothing
had reused IL before. and the town records
filed with angry illusions TO the Crown and
THE loss OF their undoubted rights and liberties"
In these deliberations Dagyr took prominent
part. Resolutions were passed and committee
appointed to see that person bought, sold
drank tea and Dagyr's vote with those who
acted thus. He took active part IN all the
movements preceding the formation OF military
compapies for the defence OF the town and the
pany organized for active work in the field
Dngyr was enrolled IN its ranks and served through
the war. Lynn put 30 men into the field out OF
total population OF 21Oo. In one instance father
and five responded to tho call
Despite the fact that Dagyr the most pros
porous Of ell the early Lynn shoemaksrs he died IN
poverty. After ell these years proper recognition
Of his genius viii be made for him Is attributed
the impetus early given to the shoe industry that
has ceased. Dagyr and other soldiers were
buried In unmarked graves. Howard h. Sanderson
OF Lynn. the secretary OF the local branch Of the
sons OF tho American Revolution. has accumulated
many facts concerning the Lynn soldiers. Dagyr
included. which will shortly be Incorporated IN a
history OF Lynn The society has recently under
taken the task Of marking these nameless graves.
and their work has been peculiarly successful in
asmuch is graves have been found and suitably
designated. At each OF them. including Dagyrs &
bronze tablet will be placed and marble grave
stone. Dagyr sleeps in the Western Burial Ground
az Lynn and IN the spring the Lynn Historical
Society will erect the stone to his memory.
Dagyr cannot DO said to have been the greatest
OF the early American shOemakers. Neither can
he be ciassed with great OF Europe who
have at one time or another occupied thu bench
Of the shoemaker.
Roger Sherman. one OF the sisners Of the Declare
ton Of Independence. Is perhaps the most noted
Of all the dstinctivsly American cobblsrs. He