The Topeka state journal., 1905-10-22


of a fortune being won by
the making Of a pair of shoes or
boots has wei nigh been forgot
ten, even among the shoemak-
ers Of today themselves.
The man who made the fortune was
a shoemaker located at Scranton, Pa,
in 1860. His name was Peter Kahler,
and being an ardent Republican he
worked as hard as he could for the
election Of Lincoln. After the election
he read every scrap Of Information
that was printed about his political
idol One day he came across a rather
long article based upon the president
elects trouble with ill-dtuug boots.
According to the writer Of the article,
Mr.. Linciln had been known to take
of his boots occasionally in the pres
enCe of people Of some prominence.
ITO give his feet a chance to breathe
he said, because the Il-htung footwear
hurt him
Peter Kahler didn't know whether
the story was true or only 'neWspa-
per talk but he didn't Ike it, and he
felt Indignant that Lincoln should be
obliged to make himself q laughing
stock because his shoemaker was not
a master Of his business. kahIer talk
ed about it to his friends and more
than once he declared himself most
emphaucauy.
"Iu bet I could make a pair of fine
boots that wouldn't hurt Mr.. Lincoln
he told a friend one day
why don't you do it. then? re-
turned the friend.
Kahler hadn't thought Of such a
thing, and the idea almost took his
breath away.
why shouldn't I do it2' he asked
himself. after thinking it over. Il can
do it if I try-and I will.'
A Sh0emaker's Labor OF Love.
His greatest difficulty was in getting
the foot measurements of the presi-
dent-eleCt- Writing for them. he re-
CeiVed both the measurements and also
an outline drawing, made. as kahler
had suggested in his letter, by having
Mr.. Lincoln bear his entire weight
upon one of his feet when standing on
a piece of cardboard. With these to
help him Kahler began, and never was
shoemakers work more truly a labor
of love than his till the boots he was
to send the president elect were COM
pleted.
He selected the material with the ut
most care The 'uppers' and
"vamps'' he cut from the finest, soft
est Calfskin he could find anywhere
The bottoms and heels were of the
best Oak-tanned leather The 'Wa1ed
ends With which he sewed the parts
together were made from the best shoe
thread. and as kahler waxed the
thread, presumably with his own
hands. in his minds eye he beheld the
man he had helped make the head of
the nation wearing the boots so per
fectly fitted that he never once had to
remove them to rest his feet. Nay
more, the boots, as kahler imagined
them were Of such supreme perfec-
tlOn that once they were on Lincoln
feet the Wearer never had occasion to
think either Of his feet or their dress.
Tt is doubtful whether Kahler ever
had a better time in his life than
while he was building those boots But
all good times come to an end uI-
timateIy, and at last the boots were
done. the soles scraped till they were
white, a red line FURNISHED on the
edges of the "shauks' and the heels
blackeued and polished till they shone
like looking glass. At last the precious
fine" boots were sent TO the great rail-
splitter.
1T IS easy to understand how anx-
iously Peter Kahler must have awaited
the news OF their reception; how he
must have held his breath almost lest
the boots he had made like all the
others Mr.. Lincoln had worn for years.
were so ill-dtting that ne frequently
had to take them off.
The Triumph Of Peter KahIer.
Periods of suspense as we'll as good
times always come to an end, and one
day kahler got 2 letter signed a
Lincoln. The fine boots had been duly
received were an unqualified success,
and the writer OF the letter expressed
his sincere thanks at its close.
Naturally Kahler showed the letter.
ana naturally IL got into the papers.
Naturally, toe. this caused kahlersS
business 70 improve markedly and at
once. Nor was the growth Of his repu-
tation limited to Scranton. NeWsDa-
pers outside that hard coal city copied
the story of his making the boots. and
Mr. Lincoln's satisfaction with them
Orders for boots and shoes were re-
celFed from places remote from
scranton In time his fame was waft-
ca as Iar as New York, and later he
followed his fame. There he set uu as
q high-grade boot and shoe maker not
doupung I'm the least his power to st
tle lesI or the Gothamites as wen as
he had fitted LincoIn's.
From the very first Kahler's sue
cess III New York was noteworthy. He. T
naQ enough money with him when ne
arrived 10 mt up and establish a pros
perous-looking place. but in a yer7r I
snort time he had to enlarge it and /
htfe more shoemakers. He made his /
prices nlgh, he saw to it that his work
was talked about. and. better than an /
Lne rest ne was careful to keen its
grade up to the best. 1t wasn't lov7-
before practically all the notahflfffes
In NeW ork were having their boots
and shoes made at Kahierssv no
wear Aahler 1ootgear in fact was To
proclaim yourself Of the r4aI elect. rot
to do SO was TO admit yourself either
q person Of poor taste or a slim purse.
When kahler died he left a not 81
uoneE--not enough. perhaus. TO enfifIa
him TO be termed rich. as the term is