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RECOLLECTIONS of

SIXTY YEARS in the

SHOE TRADE

JOEL C, PAGE

ILLUSTRATED

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RECOLLECTIONS

OF SIXTY YEARS IN THE

SHOE TRADE

JOEL C. PAGE

Hale, hearty, cheerful, glad-of-life, Joel C. Page celebrated his eighty-
third birthday Monday, December 20, 1915. Mr. Page is the "Grand
Old Man" of the shoe trade's traveling fraternity.
Many friends joined in offering to him, on this most interesting and
happy occasion, the heartiest of greetings and every good wish for
continued blessings won by a long, earnest life of usefulness.
Mr. Page was the first to sell the retail trade from samples on the road.
He spent many years in this service. His life spans the whole era of
the shoe trade since the first machine applied to shoemaking.
We salute Joel C. Page as a gentleman, a man of honor and finest stan-
dard of integrity, an adornment to his profession, a friend and com-
patriot of distinguished career and unsullied repute. Long may he wave!

RECOLLECTIONS

OF SIXTY YEARS IN
THE SHOE TRADE

BY JOEL C PAGE

J .»»

The Pioneer of Traveling Shoe Salesmen

PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
BY A W GAGE

Edited by ARTHUR L. EVANS

Originally Published in Issues
of THE SHOEMAN

BOSTON MASS USA

THE ARTHUR L EVANS COMPANY

PUBLISHERS OF THE SHOEMAN

.//.J> 77 s-7

Copyrighted, 1916. by
ARTHUR L. EVANS

Prtsswork by

THE TUDOR PRESS

BOSTON

7i ATR. PAGE'S "Recollections of Sixty Years in
/ yl the Shoe Trade" were published originally in
issues of THE SHOEMAN and were widely
read by the new and older generations of the trade.

Mr. Gage's sketches of well-known traveling sales-
men of this and former trade eras, illustrated with old-
time portraits, appeared in THE SHOEMAN sim-
ultaneously with Mr. Page's recollections. Many addi-
tions to these have been made for this volume.

This book unites in permanent form these interesting
and historically valuable contributions to the literature
and records of the trade.

Did space and time permit, many more portraits
could and should be added to the collection — portraits
of men who served well their time and generation, earned
a warm place in the memory of friends and comrades,
achieved an honorable record in the annals of our trade,
and passed, finally, over the Last Journey alone. But
alas! The portraits are not at hand. These here
shown are typical of the high quality and genial person-
ality of that band of commercial heralds — the Pioneers
of Progress! Long live the memory of each and all.

ARTHUR L. EPANS.
Boston, Mass., Jan. i, 1916.

M86261

RECOLLECTIONS OF
SIXTY YEARS -

I WAS born in Lancaster, New Hampshire,
December 20, 1832, and will, therefore, be
eighty-four years old next December. I am
thankful to say that I still have good health,
barring a bit of difficulty in walking, have a
clear mind, and enjoy these declining years
of my life, surrounded by comfort and many friends,
and living largely in the recollections of these four
score years, over sixty of which were in the shoe
trade.

My parents were Mr. and Mrs. Silas D. Page,
and they were good old New England stock.

During these eighty-three years most wonderful
changes have taken place in our country, and nothing
more remarkable than in the shoe trade. I shall
have something to tell about these changes as my
story grows.

They tell me that I was a most successful baby,
weighing eleven pounds. I was born (so they say)
about three o'clock in the morning, and my father

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

did not see me until seven o'clock. He then came
into the room, saying, "I want to see my boy."
Taking me in his arms, he carried me to the window
and pointing to the famous "Old man of the moun-
tain," visible in the distance, he said, "My son, I
want to introduce you to the first man in New
Hainipst.n'e." I was then four hours old.

My father was one of a family of twelve children,
all of whom lived to maturity, and all of whom
are, of course, now dead. I am the very last of the
name, and as I have no sons, the family name will
pass away with me. My father's family was one
of the pioneer families of Lancaster, dating back
to 1760.

When I was two years old my father and
mother moved to Lowell, Mass., where father
engaged in the lumber business. His health was
poor and within a year he died suddenly at Salis-
bury, N. H., where he had gone on business. As an
evidence of the great change that has taken place,
I need only tell you that a week passed before my
mother learned of father's death. I cannot remem-
ber him at all.

While at Lowell, I remember very well seeing
the first train of cars run into that city. It was a
great day for the city, and everybody gathered near
the tracks to see the wonderful sight. That must
have been about 1835, when I was three years old

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

or thereabouts. After my father's death mother
returned to Lancaster with me. I was the only
child.

While living at Lancaster, when I was about
four years old, I made my first visit to "district
school." This was at Hardwick, Vt., near by where
I was visiting. I was taken to visit the school.
It was, of course, an old-fashioned school, as we judge
nowadays. My recollection of that visit is still
vivid, chiefly because the teacher, chancing to look
my way, found me valiantly hugging a little red-
headed girl! I wish I could remember her name.
That was nearly eighty years ago.

My mother had some sisters and a brother in
Montpelier, Vt. Being under the necessity of earn-
ing her living, she decided to remove thither and
open a dressmaking business. This she did when
I was about five years old. A year and a half later
mother married Abner B. Hunt, and we removed
with him to Warren, twenty-five miles away. Mr.
Hunt was in the cooperage business.

In Montpelier I earned my first money. My
friends will be amused when I tell them that this
was as a professional singer. I was only a little
fellow, but I used to go about the streets singing
songs such as "Jim Crow," etc., and was rewarded by
receiving coppers from the bystanders. I also made
and sold molasses candy. I spent eight years in

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

Warren, going to school, growing to boyhood, and,
I suppose, doing about the same things as all New
England boys of that day.

In 1844 my family moved to Randolph, where the
cooper trade was better. I was now reaching the
age when I began to be anxious to go to work.
Some of my folks wanted me to be a farmer, but
that didn't appeal to me. I wanted to be a shoe-
maker from the very start. My mother wanted me
to be a printer. Finally, I went to Montpelier
to learn the printing trade, and secured apprentice
work on the Montpelier Vermont Patriot, C. G.
Eastman, editor. I was given a "case" and an
item to "set up." But I wasn't cut out to be a
printer. I think it took me four weeks to "set"
that item, and it wasn't correct then. I didn't take
to the business. My heart wasn't in it. I wanted
to be a shoemaker.

In those days there was no shoe machinery.
The shops made all kinds of shoes. In Mont-
pelier was the shop of N. Harvey, well known
thereabouts at that time. This was about 1846.

The shop was up-stairs, and a shoe store was
on the ground floor. The shop employed thirty or
forty men. Women's shoes were here made. To
the store I came one cold morning. I asked Mr.
Harvey's son, who was in the room, for a job as ap-
prentice. He said, "We haven't had an apprentice

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

for ten years. I don't believe father will take
you." Near by was the foreman, named Bickford,
with his feet up on the stove. He seemed to like
me somehow, and went up-stairs to see if one of the
boys would take me. One of them looked me over
and said, "I don't know but I'll take you." The
next morning I went to work. At noon I went to
dinner with my new boss. His wife didn't like it.
She stood it a week, then made so much fuss that my
boss told Mr. Harvey about it, and Mr. Harvey
said he'd take me to his house.

Things went along nicely for a spell, until I was
taken sick with a fever. I had learned shoemaking
rapidly. I seemed fitted for it. I liked it. This
sickness seemed likely to put an end to the Harvey
job anyhow, — for nobody appeared to want a
young man in the house who was going to have a
run of fever. They even talked of sending me to
Harry Richardson, who would welcome me. But
when Mr. Harvey had hitched up to drive me there
his son said that would never do. So they let me
stay that night at Mr. Harvey's. The next day
I felt better, and fortunately was soon ready for
work. Mr. Harvey said when I returned, "I am
afraid you are going to be a sickly boy and I don't
believe I want you here."

The foreman, Ebenezer Bickford, had become
interested in me, and at this crisis spoke up and

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

said, "I'll take him, myself." And he did. He
took me home to dinner — and I kept going there.
I liked the Bickford family — and eventually Mr.
Bickford's daughter became Mrs. Joel C. Page,
and she is still with me, after nearly sixty years of
happy life together. So, perhaps, my sickness
wasn't such bad luck after all. The turn of our
lives hinges often on matters that we don't under-
stand as blessings at the time.

The succeeding year, under Mr. Bickford's
guiding care, I got along finely. I was then eighteen
years old. My mother came to Montpelier about
this time and arranged for me to stay at Harvey's
shop until I was twenty-one. My salary was 340
a year! Times have changed, you see! But I was
permitted to attend school three months each year.

In the shop I was supposed to learn to make
everything. Well, I felt that I need not learn to
make all kinds of shoes, so I made a deal to secure
my freedom for the balance of the time. I paid
$300 for this. Meanwhile, this permitted me to
work along at the bench as I wanted to.

One day Mr. Stone said: "Wouldn't you like to
learn to cut shoes? You ought to learn to do that."
I said that I would like it. "If you'll pay a quart of
beer I'll see if I can't get you in to learn to cut,"
said he. So the deal was made and I began this
end of the work.

JOEL C. PAGE AT TWENTY-TWO

From an old Daguerreotype

JOEL G. PAGE AT SEVENTEEN

From an old Daguerreotype

An old-fashioned "tintype" picture showing Mr. Page sel'ing shoes to a dealer. Mr.
Page is the silk-hatted gentleman, standing, who looks Kke Lincoln. The buyer faces
him, and the clerk (whiskers!) is in the background. Mr. Page calls this picture <:Go
Get 'Em."

Mr. Page and family at Randolph, Vt., fifty vears ago. Mr. Page is seated at the left.
His mother is next to him, his stepfather in the center, a guest next and Mrs. Page at
the right. The younger daughter, now Mrs. E. W. Cobb, is near Mr. Page, and the
elder daughter, now Mrs. Nellie Frost, is near Mrs. Page.

R E C QLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

During all this time I was employed at intervals
to wait on customers in the store, which, as I said
before, was on the first floor of the shop. Then for
three years I was constantly occupied in clerking.
So you see I have been a regular retail clerk. I
learned all I could about the selling of shoes, and it
was a valuable experience. They told me that I was
a very successful clerk. I kept the stock shipshape,
knew where every pair of every kind was and exactly
the condition of the stock.

The Harvey shop made three kinds of buskins
at that time — welts, turns and spring heels. Mr.
Harvey had a regular route of customers. When a
certain amount of shoes were made he would hitch
up and drive around the country to the various towns
and sell the shoes to the local stores.

Of course I got the Boston fever. Every New
England boy in those days had one big ambition — to
visit Boston. I guess this is so to-day, too. In the
summer of 1852 I told my boss I had made up my
mind to try my luck in Boston. He was kind enough
to say he was sorry to have me go, and gave me
several letters of introduction and recommendation
to Boston folks.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

I reached Boston on a Saturday night and went
to the home of an uncle of -mine for over Sunday.
Monday morning I came down-town, and saw a
boyhood acquaintance who was employed in a butter
and cheese store. He told me of an opportunity
with a shoe house — James A. Estabrook, who had a
retail store on one corner, and a jobbing house on
the other — that was at the corner of North Street
and Merchants Row. That was then the heart of
the shoe district. It had not moved to the Lincoln
and South streets sections, as is now the case.

Mr. Estabrook told me to come to work the next
day. I did so, and thus began the second part of
my business life. The Vermont days were over.
Through life I have always retained a great affection
for the scenes of my birth and boyhood.

My job was in the wholesale department of the
business, located on the second floor, across the
street from the retail store. I went in as the youngest
of the force. My salary was $7 a week, considered
good wages at that time, sixty years ago. My
board and room cost 33 a week. The understanding
was that I should have a raise at the end of six
months if my work was satisfactory. I guess it must
have been, for I was raised to $11 a week when the
time came.

My work was that of a salesman and porter.
Toward the latter part of the first six months I began

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

to assist in the buying and soon was entrusted with
this important end of the business to a large extent.

The customers upon whom I waited at this time
came from all over New England. Mostly they
were general store-keepers, a bit like one sees in little
country towns at the present time, selling something
of everything.

The salesman would go around to the different
hotels, hunting up customers — the Quincy, Ameri-
can and Central hotels were the places where the
dealers mostly stopped. He would see them in the
morning and make dates for the afternoon. I did
the same thing frequently, and often entertained the
dealers for dinner and theater in the evening. You
see the same principles practised right here in Boston
to this day; the methods only have changed.

Dealers then would pick out the exact goods
they wanted, handling every pair, often. Goods
were not sold from sample, remember. Of course,
immediate shipment was made.

One forenoon a man came in and wanted a case
of a certain kind of calkskin boots. We were sold
out on that style, but expected some of these and I
told him to come back at two o'clock and I would
have some. Half an hour before the time set, our
expected goods had not yet arrived. Growing
anxious, I went to S. G. Damon's on Hanover
Street — I knew he had some of these boots — and

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

as Mr. Estabrook and Mr. Damon occasionally
exchanged goods, I hoped to secure a case of Nash's
boots — this particular kind was made by Mr. Nash
of Weymouth. Fortunately Mr. Damon could
accommodate. Not waiting for a wagon, I shoul-
dered the case and carried it to Estabrook's. My
customer happened to see me carrying the case.
About two o'clock he came in, and made his pur-
chase. Afterwards he complimented me to Mr.
Estabrook for this display of enterprise.

Goods were bought by the jobber on six months'
credit those days, and sold on four and six months' time.

Some ideas of prices and styles then prevailing
may be interesting now.

A side-lace cloth gaiter sold for $1 to 31-50.
Congress goring came in soon. Women's congress
were sold as well as men's. Colored goods sold from 90
cents to $1 .50. A patent leather foxed boot was popu-
lar then. There was no japanned leather then. Bright
goat was used for pegged boots. Jenny Lind, the
famous singer, had been here about that time, and
a boot named for her was very popular. This was
a bal., of a bit higher cut than usual, with gusset
or goring, no seam, only in back. Button shoes had
not yet come in. Some calfskin bals. were sold.
Grain leather was much in use. Women's, misses'
and children's shoes were of the pegged variety, as
well as men's.

In current bttlrf^WRmisrWetired with our cUeoks
in sums of even dollars

Vt, -es/I^U*. /, </$$&.. V

bills, whenBented with our c
in. sum a ol^v&a. dollars.

t|<

Here is reproduced, full size, the "script" or " fractionalcurrency "used by
Mr. Page in 1862, when the Civil War rendered specie almost valueless.
Mr. Page was the first man in America to use "fractional currency."
It was his idea and later came into general use.

BY-LAWS

8801 tf stoe TUBBIER' leas

Fac-simile, reduced in size, of the Constitution and By-Laws of the
first association of traveling shoe salesmen — the Boot and Shoe Trav-
elers' League, founded in Boston, April 10, 1885; membership about
two hundred.

Joel C. Page was the second president of the League. E. F. Sawyer
was first president.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

Turn shoes were about twenty-five per cent of
the output, welts about twenty-five per cent, and
pegged about fifty per cent. Oak sole leather was
much used. Heels in pegged shoes were nearly all
of the spring variety. Turns were made plain heels,
not spring. Calf bootees were made with low heels.
It was a long time before heels anywhere near as high
as is common nowadays came into use. Slippers
were made of kid, and sold from 50 and 75 cents
to £1.00.

The calf boots we carried were mostly made at
Weymouth. They were packed in long boxes with
the leg-tops standing. There were no such things
as cartons at that time.

Our women's turn shoes came mostly from Lynn.
The pegged shoes were made in Stoneham. Kip
boots were made in Milford. Farmers' boots were of
kip, that is, light cowhide, with half-double sole,
pegged. These cost us from $28 to $33 a twelve-pair
case. Men's brogans were of grain, goat and kip,
lower pattern, lace. B. E. Cole manufactured kip
boots those days. I used to go to his loft, pick out
ten or twelve cases, open them all up, and look care-
fully over every pair. I recollect the firms of Nash
& Co., Weymouth, Vining & Ingalls, Lynn, Sprague
& Co., Stoneham, Z. Graves & Brother, and many
others.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

III

I went to Estabrook's in July. When Christmas
came I wanted to make a visit home. Mr. Esta-
brook consented. I suggested to him that as I had
been in Nehemiah Harvey's, a retail shoe store at
Montpelier, three or four years and knew something
about the kind of goods needed there, I believed we
had some shoes that Mr. Harvey could use to good
advantage, and that I would like to take some
samples home and show Mr. Harvey. "Do you
think he would buy any that way?" said Mr. Esta-
brook. "Yes, I think so," said I. "Take anything
you want and I'll give you half the profit made on
anything you sell," said he. So I took a few single
samples with me. After the holiday, I called on
Mr. Harvey. After talking socially awhile I said,
"I have some goods I think you could use." He
said, "Well, boy, you ought to know." I opened my
valise and took out a sample. Mr. Harvey was very
tall and stately. I can see him now as he straight-
ened up and said, "Joel, isn't this something new
to sell shoes by showing one shoe?" "Yes," said I,
"but I thought as I was coming up for Christmas
I might as well bring along ten or twelve and show
you." "Well, well, I'll look at them," said Mr.
Harvey. "If they are just what I want can you
get them to me right away?" I told him that we

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

could. He looked over the samples and selected
$180 worth from these. I was much pleased, — the
profit paid my expenses home.

Thus was consummated what I believe was the
first sale to a retail shoe store from sample. This
was late December, 1852, when I was twenty years
old. The order consisted of women's, misses' and
children's pegged shoes and bootees. I had no men's
samples with me.

Emboldened by this good luck, I tried the same
thing on three or four others in Montpelier. They
never did such a thing before, never heard of such a
thing, they said, but three of them gave me orders.

When I returned to Boston Mr. Estabrook,
much pleased at the success of my Montpelier
efforts, advanced me to $11 a week, and said that it
might pay to go up again in the summer.

During the first six months of my employment
at $7 a week I had saved $75, which I took home at
Christmas.

The Massachusetts Central Railroad was being
built at that time. It had gone as far as Blackstone.
At that place was quite a railroad workers' settle-
ment. Here an Irishman kept a boarding house.
He saved his money. One day he came in to look
over some of our shoes, saying he believed he could
make some money selling his boarders their shoes.
After looking the stock over for awhile, he said he

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

thought he'd look around a bit, and if he found
nothing that suited him better he would come back.
Sure enough, back he came, and I sold him quite
an order. He asked for his bill when he had com-
pleted his purchase. I gave it to him — he paid it,
3885, out of a bag of gold he carried. I put the gold
in the safe — it was after the bookkeeper had gone
for the day. When Mr. Estabrook returned and
learned of this unusual transaction he was greatly
pleased, I recollect.

Mr. Estabrook went to California five or six
years later, and, I believe, died out there.

Among the boys at Estabrook's was one named
Lincoln, whom I grew to know very well. He later
became one of the founders of the famous wholesale
house of Bachelder & Lincoln. Mr. Bachelder was
then with a concern opposite Faneuil Hall Market.

In the previous recital of the events of my life
I had covered the years up to about 1855, when I
was with James A. Estabrook.

At that time, as now, shoe manufacturers had
Boston offices, but there was this difference — now
only samples are shown in the Boston offices, whereas
then the actual shoes were carried. The offices were

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

really stockrooms. We used to look over the goods,
select what we wanted and have the goods shipped
at once. Most of the Boston offices were on Pearl
Street. Kilby Street, now given over to insurance,
was also quite a shoe district. The adjacent streets
had some shoe offices, of course.

The Quincy House and the American House
were great headquarters for the shoe men at that time.

Wednesdays and Saturdays were the great trade
days then, and this custom has continued ever since.

Gilmore & Cole was one of the well-known shoe
manufacturing houses with Boston offices in those
days.

The leather men held forth a bit farther north,
down in the "North End," north of Merchants Row
and the old market. Reynolds & Wait was one of
the kid leather houses of that day. Lee Claflin & Co.
were prominent in sole leather dealing. A. L.
White handled sole and upper leather, and imported
calfskin.

I remember once that a manufacturer friend of
mine in Vermont asked me to buy for him a ton of
sole leather. I had never bought any leather, but
I went out and looked around, and finally went into
the store of Lee Claflin & Co., looked over their
goods and bought what my friend wanted. So you
see, I added the science of leather buying to my
experience at that early date.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

About this time my acquaintance with a Ver-
mont man, Horace Herrick, who came from my
home town, Montpelier, led to a change in my
affairs. Mr. Herrick had been a schoolteacher and
preacher in Vermont. Failing eyesight compelled
him to give up preaching, and he came to Boston to
sell the first wax thread sewing machine ever made.
The agent for this machine was a brother-in-law of
Mr. Herrick, Elmer Townsend, then one of the best-
known auction shoe men in Boston, a member of the
influential firm of Townsend, Mallard & Cowing.

Mr. Herrick came to me one day and asked me
how I would like to buy out the store of Nehemiah
Harvey, at Montpelier, where I had formerly been
employed. Mr. Harvey had sold the business, but
the purchasers were anxious to sell out. I knew
everybody in Montpelier, and knew also that this
fifty-year-old business was sound, and with good
management would be profitable. So I said I would
be glad to go back to Montpelier in this way. I
didn't have much money, but through Mr. Herrick
and Mr. Townsend, this was no hindrance, and the
deal was made.

In the middle of March, 1856, I found myself
back in Montpelier, a member of the firm of Herrick
& Page, shoe retailers, manufacturers and jobbers -
in the very store where a few years before I had
begun to learn the business, a young, friendless boy.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

We employed twenty-five or thirty shoemakers
and produced women's turns and welt buskins, and
boots and other kinds of custom work, doing quite
a business in the near-by territory.

I should mention in passing that ever since Decem-
ber, 1852, when I took the first order ever taken from
sample shown to a dealer, I had annually gone out
with samples and sold shoes to dealers that way.

This work of traveling salesmanship I kept up
after entering business for myself, covering parts of
New England and New York with our own shoes,
and also a line of rubbers I secured from Jonathan
Pierce, agent for the Haywood Rubber Company.

We bought our shoes from manufacturers and
jobbers who treated us very well in the matter of
credit. Some of the jobbing houses of that day were :
Henry L. Daggett, George L. Thayer, John H.
Rogers, C. & M. Cox, Amos Tapley and J. Ireson &
Son. At that time Blanchard & Groce were manu-
facturing men's shoes at East Abington, now Rock-
land. Daniel S. Howard and Howard & Washburn
were prominent pioneer manufacturers in North
Bridgewater, now Brockton.

Mr. Herrick was not a shoe man, but worked
in the store, on the books, etc.

And now I must digress for a moment and make
mention of a happy event in my life — my marriage.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

I was married, September 15, 1855, to Miss Addie
L. Bickford of Montpelier, daughter of Ebenezer
Bickford, who taught me the business whenl first
started in at Montpelier, nearly ten years before.
I came up to Montpelier Saturday night and we were
married Sunday evening, at the Methodist Episcopal
Church, by the Rev. Alonzo Webster. We had both
sung in the choir for several years. Sunday morning
we took our places in the choir as usual. That even-
ing our marriage was solemnized at the beginning of
the evening services, and when the nuptial knot was
tied we took our places in the choir as usual, and
doubtless sang with a great spirit of happiness.

That was fifty-nine years ago last September,
and we are both grateful to Divine Providence for
these long years of wedded happiness. Mrs. Page
and I have journeyed down the years together, far
past the usual time given to us here, and are to-day
enjoying fair health and the fullness of memory of
these many happy years together. v

We came immediately to Boston, and lived there
until the following March, when, on the purchase
of the Montpelier business, we made our home there.

In March 1857, I was in Boston on business, and
met Jonathan Pierce. Said Mr. Pierce, "Joel, there

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

is a new machine coming out that I want you to see
and give me your opinion on. I have been asked to
invest in the company back of the machine, and I'd
like your views as to whether it is practical or not."

We climbed four flights of stairs to a room in a
building at the head of Pearl Street, and there I
beheld the first McKay sewing machine.

I looked it over. They sewed a few samples on it
for me. Said I, "If you will make two changes in
this machine and make them right, it will revolu-
tionize shoe manufacturing."

The two changes were these: A smaller needle
must be used and the thread must be thoroughly
waxed. This was necessary to insure against
ripping. The sewing must be as tight as hand-
sewing.

They experimented along these lines and made
the changes, and we all know what a success the
McKay process has been. Mr. Pierce bought some
of the stock.

My business life in Montpelier lasted until 1864,
when I sold out to Calvin Fullerton and brother, two
young men who had been in my employ. I had
bought out Mr. Herrick in 1862.

When I was in the retail shoe business in Mont-
pelier, Vt., in 1862, the Civil War was well under way.
Specie was worth twenty per cent premium, and we

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

had to depend on postage stamps to make change.
On ordinary days we storekeepers got along very
well, but I recollect election day that year as a serious
problem for us. The voters would come to town
that day in large numbers, and it meant a big day's
business for us.

Mr. Ellis, a dry goods merchant in Montpelier,
came to me and asked what we would do for change.
I asked him if we couldn't use postage stamps as
usual. He said that we couldn't get any more from
the post office. "What will we do?" says he.
"Well," said I, "maybe we can issue fractional
currency on our own account. Let's go to the bank
and see."

The banker couldn't do a thing for us — the law
prevented him from assisting us. But he said he
would do this — he would honor our personal checks,
if drawn on the bank in fractional denominations of
five cents, ten cents, twenty cents, fifty cents, etc.,
if presented in quantities of even dollars. This was
my plan.

I went to the printer and had printed the checks
illustrated elsewhere, just as soon as he could get
them out. I got about $50 worth.

The next day was election day. The first thing in
the morning a man came in and bought a pair of shoes
for $1 .50, and offered a $2 bill in payment. I tendered
him in change one of my "fractional currency"

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

checks, and after explanations to him, he readily
took it the same as money. The whole 350 worth
were gone by noon. That night I had $50 worth
more printed, and soon the idea was in general use
in Montpelier, and in fact throughout the state and
elsewhere; and later the United States government
got out fractional currency of its own.

I had never seen or heard of "fractional cur-
rency," and believe that I was the very first to issue
this form of small money for convenience sake and
use during that trying time.

A matter of interest at that time, in which I had
a part, was a change in the arctic overshoe style of
the period.

Thomas C. Wales was agent for a rubber com-
pany that made a rubber overshoe with a cloth top
that laced up the front — a clumsy affair, red wool
lined. Oldtimers will remember this overshoe. The
common overshoe of the time was a calfskin with
hair on — I sold this sort.

A friend of mine in Montreal sent me a pair of
overshoes, practically a fac-simile of the present-day
cut and style, good-looking, easily adjusted, buckled.
I went to Montreal, bought five cases, twenty-four
pairs to the case. I went to Boston, putting a pair

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

of the new-fangled overshoes in my carpet bag. I
saw John H. Rogers and showed them to him. He
was much pleased and asked me to send him a case.
When he got the case he showed a pair to Mr. Wales,
who bought them, took them to his factory, and
copied the pattern and idea.

This was the first arctic overshoe, about as we know
them to-day, and I was the first to bring this into
America. This was about 1857. This style has
remained, with improvements of course, in general
use ever since.

In 1864 I sold out my Montpelier retail business
to Calvin Fullerton & Brother, intending to go South
and engage in business. Ben Butler's affairs in
Louisiana at that time made this inadvisable, so I
had to give up that idea.

For a season I sold a rubber sole shoe, made by
the Heywood Rubber Company, Maiden. This was
a rubber sole nailed onto a regular leather boot. The
idea seemed good, but after being out with it for
three or four months, and the shoes not coming
right, I gave up the effort and went on the road with
Holbrook, Hobart & Porter, who made men's calf
boots. They put in a line of shoes to job, but didn't
know the jobbing business. They had a chance to
sell out at the close of the war to Jackson, Richards
£ Haven. Mr. Jackson had made money in Canada

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

during the war. Mr. Richards was a brother of
Mr. Richards of the firm of Edwards, Richards &
Nichols, Boston dry-goods merchants. Mr. Haven
had worked for Henry L. Daggett, then a prominent
shoe jobber.

Jackson, Richards & Haven hired myself and
one other salesman. I worked three years for them;
traveling through New York State, Troy, Utica,
Syracuse, Auburn and Rochester to Buffalo.

VII

One man that I sold largely on these trips was
John L. Dodge, who had a retail shoe store in Troy.
He was the father of Harry D. Dodge and Chandler
Dodge, now prominent shoe manufacturers in
Newburyport. He was also a brother of Nathan
D. Dodge, Elisha P. Dodge and Moses Dodge, all
of whom became successful and prominent shoe
manufacturers in later years..

E. P. Dodge learned to cut shoes, and went to
Lynn and began to manufacture cacks, going to
Newburyport in 1869 to make women's shoes for
the retail trade. He became one of the most suc-
cessful shoe manufacturers in the country, making
women's shoes. He died about ten years ago.

Mr. Dodge began to come along nicely, but
needed a salesman who knew how shoes ought to be

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

made as well as to sell them properly. John L.
Dodge told E. P. that they ought to hire Joel Page.
He sent for me to come to see them. This was in
the fall of 1869. Nathan D. Dodge had also started
to manufacture misses' and children's shoes in
Newburyport, and wanted to sell his output along
with E. P. Dodge's. Said E. P. Dodge to me: "We
don't know exactly what the trade wants; John L.
says you can tell us. What will you work for us
for?" I named my price — 32,000 and expenses.
A Mr. Balch, who was identified with Mr. Dodge
in the venture, said they couldn't pay that much.
"Why," said he, "we don't have to pay over $15 a
week for our best cutters." He was scared.

E. P. asked me to wait a week before decision.
They wrote to John L. He told them the price
ought not to make any difference, and to hire me
at once.

So they wrote me to come on again. I did so.
"How many shoes can you sell?" they asked me.
It was a new thing, this idea of selling the trade
direct from the factory. The jobbers had heretofore
handled that end of the business. I had sold
375,000 for my house, a jobbing concern, Jackson,
Richards & Haven. In answer to the question I
said: "I don't know." "Will you agree to sell
350,000 for us the first year?" they asked. "No, I
won't agree to that. I'll do the best I can." "Well,"

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

said E. P. Dodge, "John says to hire you. We'll
try it. It can't more than ruin us in one year."

So I went to work for E. P. Dodge & Co. I
stayed around two or three weeks and helped get
out the line of samples I wanted.

I had twenty-five samples of E. P. Dodge's
shoes and thirty-five samples of Nathan D. Dodge's.
I was to carry both lines.

In February, 1870, I started out. I worked
from Troy to Buffalo, then by the "Lake Shore,"
to Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit, Kalamazoo and
Chicago. I was out eight or nine weeks, and made
a good success of the trip. My houses were much
pleased with results.

In June, 1870, I made another trip as far as
Chicago, and two more trips in the fall. When
January 1, 1871, came around I was pleased to learn
that my sales had totalled £125,000. Mr. Dodge
asked me if I didn't want more money, and I re-
ceived an advance of $500 a year right away. I
sold as high as $160,000 a year during the next three
years, and had my salary substantially advanced
twice.

At the conclusion of the three years' service my
contract called for, in 1872, we were unable to come
to terms for another period, and our connection was
mutually severed. I took out a line very similar to
Dodge's, on commission. That was the year of the

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

big fire in Chicago, where I had a large trade. I
held a good percentage of my regular trade, with
the new lines I carried.

John L. Dodge sold his Troy business and went
to Newburyport late in the '70's, and worked for
E. P. Dodge. He was anxious to have me back
again, and sent for me to come down and talk it over.
I went down and told them I couldn't come with
them for another year, and said that at the end of the
year I would talk. This was about 1877, and in the
mean time I had been selling shoes on commission
through my old territory.

When a year passed by I again engaged with the
Dodge interests, and when 1880 came along, I was
again selling my old line in my old territory, to which
St. Louis had been added.

When I sold out my retail shoe business in
Montpelier I came to Boston to engage in business,
but made my home in Cambridge, across the Charles.
Here for three years was my home. My family
consisted of Mrs. Page and myself and our two
young daughters, and I am happy to say that the
little family circle has been unbroken all these many
years. One of my daughters is Mrs. Elisha W.
Cobb, wife of the former president of the Boston
Boot and Shoe Club, and a member of the
leather firm of Beggs & Cobb.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

After three years' residence in Cambridge we
moved to Boston, where we bought a house on West
Canton Street, and made our home there for eight
or nine years. About 1877 we traded our West
Canton Street home for a house in Melrose, at
136 Vinton Street, and there we have ever since
resided.

During these nearly forty years of life in Melrose
I have been identified with the public affairs of that
city, in some measure. I was a member of the
Republican town committee for sixteen or seventeen
years, and was a delegate to Republican state con-
ventions many times, and twice was a delegate to the
national convention of Republican clubs, once in
Cincinnati and once in Cleveland. I have been a
member of the Melrose Lodge of Masons for many
years, also the Chapter and Hugh de Payne Com-
mandery. Am also a member of the Melrose Club,
the Home Market Club, and the Middlesex Club.
For fifteen years I was on the board of trustees of the
First M. E. Church in Melrose, and for six years
chairman. In 1904 I was elected an alderman of the
city of Melrose and served four years in this capacity,
one term being alderman-at-large.

I am proud to record that I voted for John
C. Fremont, the first Republican candidate for
president, in 1856, and have voted the Repub-
lican ticket ever since.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

As this is written about Lincoln's birthday, I am
reminded of the day that Abraham Lincoln was shot.
I was in Cincinnati at the time, and was in the store
of J. M. Potter when the news came that the Presi-
dent had been shot. Mr. Potter was the first to
tell me. It created tremendous excitement, and
everywhere were evidences of grief and mourning. I
do not recollect ever knowing the nation more filled
with sorrow than this sad event brought.

But to get back to shoe-talk. In 1879 I returned
to road service with E. P. Dodge, and traveled my
old territory — New York, part of Pennsylvania,
large cities in Ohio and Michigan and Illinois, in-
cluding Chicago. I also made St. Louis and other
sizable towns down that way, as St. Joseph, Joplin,
Springfield and Kansas City, and stopped at some
other cities on the way back to Boston. I never
made many of the small towns in my travels, but
visited, year after year, the larger cities in the terri-
tory I covered.

I was with E. P. Dodge until 1900 and represented
him for nearly twenty-five years, all told.

Mr. Dodge was one of the very finest men in the
trade, and it was a pleasure to work for him. In
all the years I was with him I never had an unkind
or ungenerous word from him. He was all that was
just and fair and honorable, and I am glad at this

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

time to pay this tribute to his memory. His
partner was Henry B. Little, and Mr. Little was
truly one of God's noblemen. Mr. Little is in
business now as a member of the shoe manufacturing
firm of Ireland-Graf ton Company at Dover, N. H.
These two men were the highest type of business
men, and no man ever was associated with better.

John L. Dodge, brother of E. P. Dodge, was also
a high-minded gentleman and a splendid man, and
I can speak of him in the very highest terms. As
stated before it was through him that I happened to
make a connection with E. P. Dodge. John L.
Dodge's sons, Harry D. Dodge and "Chan" Dodge,
have maintained the high standard of the name, as
members of Dodge Brothers at Newburyport.

As this book is in preparation for the press I learn
with deep regret of the sudden death of Nathan D.
Dodge, at Los Angeles, Cal., May 8, 1915. Mr.
Dodge was a man of sterling integrity and finest
character, "a gentleman of the old school," whom
I long knew and respected. His son, William G.
Dodge, is head of the present Nathan D. Dodge
Shoe Company at Newburyport.

VIII

In recalling the many trips I made during this
period from 1879 to 1900, memory naturally brings

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

the names and recollections of many of the buyers
I called on and sold. I well recall among these,
without going into an extended list, the following
gentlemen and houses, then widely known as repre-
sentative shoe merchants of their day and generation :
C. D. Packard, Troy; Mr. McDougall, Syracuse;
William Eastwood and George Gould, Rochester;
N. O. Stone, Cleveland; James H. Jewett, Buffalo;
Mr. Nettleton (a brother of A. E. Nettleton),
Toledo; A. R. Morgan and Richard H. Fyfe, Detroit;
Bullock Brothers, N. B. Holden, B. F. DeMuth, D.
L. Streeter, Chicago; Bradley & Metcalf, Milwaukee;
J. P. Schnellbacher and H. Thielbar, Peoria; J. G.
Brandt, T. J. Reid, C. E. Hilts, Mr. Cristman, The
Famous, The Grand Leader, St. Louis; J. M. Potter,
and Mablew & Carew, Cincinnati.

Many others I knew well and deeply, and counted
as my friends. Most of them have retired or passed
to the Great Beyond, for Time reaps his sure harvest,
and when a man reaches four-score years he has seen
the going out of many, many friends he knew and
valued in the years gone by.

In 1900 I decided to retire from such active work
as the Dodge line required, and I severed my con-
nection with reluctance and regret, after nearly a
quarter of a century of service.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

Here I wish to say a word of appreciation for the
many warm friendships I made among my fellow
shoe traveling men. A bit later I shall have some-
thing to say by way of recollection of some of these
royal good fellows and companions in the work.

For four years after 1900 I engaged in buying and
selling shoes on my own account, dealing in about the
same grade of goods made by E. P. Dodge & Co. My
office was at 25 Lincoln Street. I made several
trips and carried a stock of shoes at Lincoln Street.
This I continued until 1904. In 1905 I was obliged
to cease active work, on account of trouble with my
knees which prevented travel or hard work; and I
have since "taken life easy."

The recent organization of the National Shoe
Travelers' Association brought back to my memory
the recollection of the first association of traveling
shoe salesmen — The Boot and Shoe Travelers'
League. This was founded in the spring of 1885.
The circumstances were as here related.

A dozen or more of the boys happened to be to-
gether in Boston, and the suggestion was made that
an organization be formed. The idea was well re-
ceived, and after talking it over we decided to meet
later at the "boot and shoe exchange" and effect a

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

temporary organization. This was done a few days
later, with a temporary membership list and officers.

Some of the boys who participated in that first
gathering for the purpose of organization were:
J. Harry Colburn, Fred Lemon, David Williams,
James Estabrook, Joel C. Page, Frank Wilder,
Oliver M. Fisher, R. W. Fitzpatrick, Rush Green,
George W, Hall, J. C. Hunt, E. H. Lewis, E. J.
Pierce, S. Preston Moses, C. C. Robinson, Fred
Weldon, and, I think, Harry Ripley and Charles
J. Shriner, William Noll and A. W. Gage.

We formed a temporary organization, April 10,
1885, and adjourned to a week later, when a perma-
nent organization was accomplished.

The first officers of the "Boot and Shoe Travelers'
League," as we called the new association, were:
president, Robert Sawyer; vice-president, Joel C.
Page; secretary, Frank L. Wilder; treasurer, George
W. Hall.

Here I wish especially to speak of the objects of
the new organization, as set forth in the consitution
and by-laws:

" The object of this organization is to adopt plans
which shall promote and maintain a high standard of
business integrity, w effect which it shall strive to co-
operate between its members and manufacturers and
jobbers in the boot and shoe trade, and for the benefit of
manufacturers, 10 keep a list of honest and straight-

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

forward boot and shoe salesmen; also a list of manu-
facturers and jobbers whose names are larnished by
unfair and dishonest dealings"

It will be seen that the underlying purpose of our
"League" was the uplifting of the standard of
traveling shoe salesmanship as a profession, and the
elimination of the evils that injured the calling, both
on the part of the boys and the manufacturers. I
have always felt that the profession of shoe sales-
manship is a high and honorable work, and have
always advocated everything tending to preserve a
high standard among the men who travel.

We had several meetings, and affairs progressed
nicely. Pretty soon, however, we were obliged to
leave on our spring trips, and matters necessarily
were at a standstill until the boys began to return to
Boston in the summer.

The first social gathering of any consequence
was an outing and dinner down the harbor that
summer of 1885. We chartered a boat and, ladies
included, made the sail to Downer's Landing on the
south shore of Boston Harbor. Here we enjoyed a
fine dinner.

There were present between seventy-five and one
hundred. Several of the boys were called on to make
speeches and a general good time was enjoyed.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

In February, 1886, new officers were elected, and
I have always been proud of the fact that the boys
honored me by making me president at that time,
and I served two terms. W. H. Huntington was
elected secretary then.

There had been considerable agitation for club
rooms. This crystallized into action, and we soon
had accomplished this purpose by securing rooms,
well fitted up, on Devonshire Street. The boys
patronized these rooms regularly, and they soon
became too small for our needs. I think we had
about two hundred members at that time. The
membership fee was raised from $5 to $7.

We had quite a spirited election in 1887, a good-
natured contest resulting in unusual interest. The
boys who could not be present were allowed to
vote by proxy. These officers were elected: presi-
dent, Joel C. Page; first vice-president, J. Rush
Green; second vice-president, Fred P. Baker; secre-
tary, William H. Huntington; treasurer, George W.
Hall; executive committee, Fred Lemon, N. H.
Redpath, G. F. Blake, D. F. Williams, J. B. Spencer,
W. H. Balkam, Jr., T. H. Chamberlin, A. H. Ather-
ton.

That year we moved from Devonshire Street.
These quarters had been outgrown. A committee
was appointed to investigate, and we finally secured

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

a location on Bosworth Street, off Tremont Street,
not far from the "Old Granary" burying ground.
These rooms were larger and fitted up more elabor-
ately. We had billiard and pool tables and plenty
of card tables, chairs and other furniture for our
comfort and convenience.

We raised about $1,500 by subscription to fit
up the new rooms. I have a list of these subscrip-
tions and the payments of the money. Some of the
subscribers to the fund were: George Strong, W. W.
Spaulding, J. S. Turner, Lilly, Bracket & Co., J. E.
Donallen, George N. Coburn, William Porter & Son,
Kimball Brothers, Woodbury Brothers, Boyd &
Gary, Ora Cushman & Co., Houghton, Coolidge
& Co., J. W. Brigham, Packard & Grover, Dunn,
Green & Co., J. C. Bennett & Barnard, Church,
Brown & Co., Shoe and Leather Reporter, Hosmer,
Codding & Co., Miller & Foster, Moody, Estabrook
& Co., Crapley & Co., Pfister & Vogel, John O'Con-
nell & Son, Alexander Torrey, Johnson, Moody &
Co., Samuel Hanna, R. G. Salamon, J. M. Lee &
Co., J. H. Torrey, Terrill, Church & Co., E. P.
Dodge & Co., Parker, Holmes & Co., M. C. Dizer
& Co., Isaac Prouty & Co., Redpath Brothers,
Peninsular Novelty Company, Hayden, Gardiner
& Co., Cox, Gardner & Dorr, Rice & Hutchins,
Batchelder & Lincoln, etc. We remained in Bosworth
Place three years, and many good times we all enjoyed

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

there. I often wish the Boston shoe trade had a
social club headquarters like that now. We would
all enjoy such a club.

George Ahl succeeded me as president, and
later N. H. Redpath was president. George Strong
was the last head of the League. In 1893 I was
sent to the World's Fair at Chicago as the League's
delegate to the convention of traveling salesmen
then held. I was the only shoe trade delegate at
this convention.

In 1893 a feeling grew up in the League that the
club rooms were too far away from the shoe and
leather district, and after considerable looking about,
quarters were secured on Bedford Street, not far
from Summer and Lincoln streets.

Here our rent was pretty high and soon we found
we couldn't stand it, together with other increased
expenses, etc., and so the League finally suspended
activities, in 1895, I think it was.

I am glad to know that there is such a strong
movement in the organization of the National Shoe
Travelers' Association and I wish this organization
the greatest success.

My whole business life was devoted to shoes, and
while I naturally made the acquaintance of hun-

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

dreds of retail shoe dealers, manufacturers, and
others, the traveling salesmen form the central
place and chief remembrance of the long years of my
active business career.

The recollection of the traveling shoe salesmen
is constantly with me. Daily I recall the faces and
figures of well-remembered friends of the road.
Many have journeyed on across the border into the
silent land of the beyond, and those of us that are
left will never forget that good company, the com-
panions of another and an earlier generation.

These memory-sketches would be incomplete
without at least a fleeting reference to some of the
comrades of the road. I wish I might record fit-
tingly something of every one, but neither space nor
time permits. Indeed, memory is so fitful that I
shall likely fail to put down here some of the things
that I ought not to overlook and that will occur to
me later.

Naturally enough, the more than sixty years
that I traveled brought me in active contact with
two generations of traveling salesmen, and I am to-
day mingling occasionally with the young men that
I know are the third generation.

As I have written before, I was a charter mem-
ber of the first association of traveling shoe sales-
men, the Boot and Shoe Travelers' League, and was
its second president. When I retired as president

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

of the league, the boys presented me with a very
valuable gold-headed ebony cane. I still have that
cane and prize it highly as a treasured memento of
other days and friends of long ago. At the dinner at
which this cane was presented to me, the then Gov-
ernor Brackett was our guest and sat at my right;
and the famous clergyman, Rev. Dr. Minot, was on
my left. It was a splendid occasion.

Later, when the Boston Shoe Travelers' Asso-
ciation was formed, I was on the committee to nom-
inate the first set of officers. I remember well
that I suggested William Noll for secretary, and he
was elected and has remained ever since the popular
and efficient incumbent of that office. The late
Thomas D. Barry was the first president of the Bos-
ton Shoe Travelers' Association.

Who were some of my comrades and friends of
the road? Out of the multitude, I recall to-day
some of the conspicuous figures, and will add just a
line or two of their names.

The first traveling salesman that I recall was
Edward Ray. He began traveling in 1855, abput
three years after I started. He represented Pan-
coast, Sage & Moore of Rochester, and was for

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

years a landmark among shoe salesmen. I do not
recollect any other salesmen earlier than 1860. After
that the figures multiply rapidly, and I can only refer
to a few.

In the sixties and seventies I remember such men
as W. H. Stacy, Harry Adams, James Richardson,
Harry H. Gray, J. Harry Colburn, John Davy,
John G. Earl, Newton H. Redpath, John Laird, Ham
Mead and George Strong.

In the eighties and thereabouts I call to mind
such men as A. W. Gage, Henry A. Loomis, A. E.
Little, E. J. Pierce, George Smith, E. H. Lewis, J. C.
Hunt, Frank L. Wilder, E. F. Tibbetts, George Ahl,
George W. Hall, Herbert A. Harrington, Harry H.
Ripley, T. H. Chamberlin, A. W. Dubois, Oliver M.
Fisher, Charles J. Shriner, A. C. Walker, C. C.
Robinson, Wickliffe A. Hill, Harry D. Dodge, Fred
Lemon, and W. P. Plummer.

Some of these no doubt lap over into the seven-
ties a bit, and some were in the later eighties. Of
the traveling men since 1890, I have known a very
great many.

Fred Welden traveled for J. C. Bennett & Bar-
nard, of Lynn. He is now dead. He was a splen-
did man.

W. H. Stacy represented Gray Brothers, and
Harry Adams traveled for Burt's men's shoes.
These two men united to form the men's fine shoe

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

manufacturing house of Stacy, Adams & Co., in
Brockton, in 1875. Mr. Stacy is active in that busi-
ness to-day. Harry Adams died several years ago
and is remembered most kindly for his genial good
nature.

James Richardson traveled for the then well-known
Reynolds Brothers, of Utica, N. Y., and is now in
Chicago.

Harry H. Gray, now deceased, I first knew in
Little Falls, N. Y., where he had a shoe store. I
sold him shoes in 1865. About 1869 he went to
Syracuse and started the women's manufacturing
business that now bears his name as "H. H. Gray's
Son," and is owned by his son, John S. Gray.
Harry Gray was known as the "dancing man."

J. J. Cromwell traveled for a New York house.
He is now dead.

J. Harry Colburn now represents Hanan & Son
on the Pacific Coast, and is a brother of Frank M.
Colburn, who travels for Hazen B. Goodrich & Co.
Harry Colburn traveled in the early days for Henry
Damon, and at a later period was with Hathaway,
Soule & Harrington.

J. G. Earl, now dead, was the poet of the trav-
eling salesmen of the earlier generation. He repre-
sented Krippendorf-Dittman, of Cincinnati.

Newton H. Redpath, who died several years ago,
sold goods for Redpath Brothers, Boston, of which

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

firm he was a member. He was a brother of E. W..
Redpath.

John Laird traveled for Laird, Schober & Mitch-
ell, of Philadelphia.

Hamilton Mead was a salesman for Krippen-
dorf-Dittman. He is dead now.

A. W. Gage was on the road in the later eighties
for his own firm of Hayes, Gage & Loomis. Henry
A. Loomis,. of the same firm, died in California,
over twenty years ago. Both were also on the
road for George F. Daniels.

E. J. Pierce, now in Chicago, represented Alex.
Torrey & Co.

George Smith traveled for E. P. Dodge.

George Strong carried his own shoes, and is
still active as the head of his factory at East Wey-
mouth, Mass.

E. F. Tibbetts, now dead, sold his own shoes,
made in Newburyport. He was a big-hearted man.

F. L. Wilder, who died some years ago, was for
several years with E. P. Dodge, later for himself.

J. C. Hunt traveled for Cox, of Philadelphia, and
died a number of years ago.

W. P. Plummer was one of the first salesmen with
E. P. Dodge & Co.

George W. Hall was one of the well-known sales-
men during the eighties. He died at his home in
Rockland, Mass., a year or two ago.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

Wickliffe A. Hill was for years on the road for,
and a partner of, A. E. Nettleton, of Syracuse. He
lives in Syracuse.

A. C. Walker was with P. Ware, Jr., & Co.
Herbert A. Harrington sold shoes for Hathaway &
Soule, and later became a member of the firm, as
Hathaway, Soule & Harrington. He was later with
the J. G. Brandt Shoe Company, retail dealers, St.
Louis.

Harry D. Dodge, a son of John L. Dodge, first
carried shoes on the road for his uncle, N. D. Dodge,
and managed a jobbing store in New York for the
same uncle. Later he came back to Newburyport
and helped establish Dodge Brothers, with which
house he is still connected.

Fred Lemon, well known in his day, died several
years ago. He had the first named shoe, I believe.

Oliver M. Fisher, now president of the M. A.
Packard Company, Brockton, was on the road in the
eighties, for this company.

Harry Ripley was then with J. C. Bennett &
Barnard, of Lynn. He is now traveling South for L.
B. Evans' Son Company.

Charles J. Shriner and Milton Urner I remember
first as traveling for a Baltimore house, and later for
French & Hall, of Rockland, and still later they
established the men's fine shoe manufacturing firm
of French, Shriner & Urner, in Boston. Mr. Urner

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

died two or three years ago. Mr. Shriner died Feb-
ruary 21, 1915.

A. W. Dubois is now with Charles K. Fox, Inc.,
in New York.

John Davy, then in Cincinnati, was with Rice
& Hutchins, at New Orleans, but died recently.

C. C. Robinson, now with P. J. Harney in Cin-
cinnati, I understand, was with P. Ware, Jr., & Co.,
in those days.

The close of the war in 1865 brought about a big
revival in the shoe business. No less than ten new
jobbing houses started up in Boston in 1865-1866.

As now, the boys on the road used to meet at the
different points en route and fraternalize. There
has always been a very good feeling of comradeship
among the traveling shoe salesmen.

Hotels always have played a big part in the life of
the traveling men. Great changes have taken place
in this particular, and the accommodations and con-
veniences now afforded the shoe boys are vastly
superior to the conditions fifty years ago, and I am
glad of that. Life on the road is hard enough, and

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

the boys are entitled to all the comfort first-class
hotels can give.

In the old days I recall that we used mainly to
stop at the Gibson House, Cincinnati; the Tremont
Hotel, in Chicago, before the fire and later at the
Palmer House; at the Planters' and the Lindall, in St.
Louis. I was at the Lindall in St. Louis at the time of
the great storm over fifteen years ago. At Louisville
we stopped at the Louisville, and at Kansas City it
was the St. James, first, and later the Midland.

XII

Now I come to the concluding chapter of this ac-
count of my sixty years of service in the shoe trade.
The telling of this life's history has been a source of
pleasure to me, and as the many years have passed in
review I have found enjoyment in the contemplation,
and have in some measure lived again these fruitful
and pleasant years. I hope the readers of this
account have had as much pleasure in the reading as
I have had in the writing.

The main thought that is present, as I reach the
conclusion, is one of wonderment at the many and
vast changes that have transpired in these sixty years
and more since I first ventured forth to sell shoes
from sample, the pioneer of that long and disting-
uished line of men who have constituted the army of

RECOLLECTIONS OF SIXTY YEARS

traveling shoe salesmen with whom I have always
been proud to count myself an associate and com'
panion in the work.

Think of the change from the shoemaker of
seventy-five years ago, working away in his chimney
corner, bent over his work, the tub of water by his
side, his tools handy to reach! He was a complete
shoemaker, fashioning the entire shoe from cutting
to finishing. He made all the shoes for his own
family and for as many others as time permitted.

The few "factories," or shops, making a few hun-
dred barrels of low-cut shoes, and shipping these to
cities, such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, have
grown to a thousand modern factories and great
firms, some making as many as fifty thousand pairs
a day. Just think of it — fifty thousand pairs a
day! It is almost past belief. From supplying a
few neighbors and shipping a few barrels away to the
cities, the American shoemaker now supplies a hun-
dred millions of his fellow citizens, and also furnishes
footwear to every civilized nation on earth. No in-
dustry can show greater progress and development
than the shoe trade. I could go on making compari-
sons that would be astonishing, and still barely touch
on the wonders of it all.

As I have previously said, I believe that I was the
very first man ever to sell shoes to the retail trade
from sample on the road. From such humble be-

RECOLLECTIONS OF IXTY YEARS

ginnings, one salesman, with a
an old-fashioned valise, to-day
men, with heavily laden samp]
one hundred to five hundred
season, visiting every city, t<
land.

What other business has
advancement in two generat

I believe this progress wi
years to come. As new pro
can shoe manufacturer and t
man will solve them all with
telligence, ability and integi

•w samples in half of
i thousand shoe sales-
runks, carrying from
mples, go forth each
n and hamlet in the

lade such wonderful

oe maintained in the
•ms arise, the Ameri-
American shoe sales-
urage, persistence, in-

Now I want to say a ft
comrades of the road, and c
ates in the trade. I have a
friendships I have enjoyed
and it is my desire to give
evidences of good-will, c
Many of the old friends ha
good memories of other yean
tion now living, and the y^
privileged to know in these
wish to thank for generoi
continually am reminded
and these reminiscences a
blessing to my old age.

words to all my old
er friends and associ-
ays valued deeply the
mong the shoe men,
anks to all for many
rtesy and kindness.

passed away, leaving
\11 of the older genera-
iger men I have been
ter years of my life, I
kindnesses to me. I
old friends and new,
indeed a light and a

RECOLLECTION OF SIXTY YEARS

The trade journals 1 ve grown, in my remem-
brance, to become powe ill influences in the trade,
and I appreciate their lany courtesies to me and
recognize the large place hey occupy in the estima-
tion of the traveling salsmen. The Boot and Shoe
Recorder was the first to^tart. I remember it very
well, over thirty years ^o. The Boots and Shoes
Weekly , now the Shoe Railer, followed soon after,
then the Footwear Fashic and others came into ex-
istence later. And THE SDEMAN, in whose pages have
appeared these reminisceres of a long life, has earned
a very high place in the fcces for good in the trade.

The various manufaci rers' and salesmen's asso-
ciations have come into b<ng in the last generation,
and have been great faors in the development of
our trade, especially in bnging together the various
interests and individuals. and have created a wide
and deep spirit of fendship, good-will and
co-operation that has complished much good,
and will continue to be >f much more benefit in
the future. These associ. ions have honored me by
electing me to honorary lembership, and I warmly
appreciate their kindness id signal courtesy. May
they all live long and pnper and all good fortune
attend the members!

In conclusion, my heariest, best wishes go out to
all my good friends in the tide, for all the good things
of life, success well won ad prosperity enjoyed.

A. W. GAGE

Mr. Gage, one of the pioneer traveling shoe salesmen, collected the old-
time photographs of veteran shoe salesmen originally published in The
Shoeman, and has assisted in the further compilation for this volume;
he has also written the brief sketches accompanying these portraits.

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SHOE SALESMEN
O F TWENTY- OR-MORE- YEARS' STANDING
AND WHOSE PORTRAITS ARE HERE SHOWN

BY A. W. GAGE

NOTE. — These sketches are in the order in which the portraits are published else-
where, grouped according to the plate numbers. No attempt is made to give complete
biographical data. — Editor.

JOEL C. PAGE

I hardly dare say how long ago he first began to
travel selling shoes, but he was the first to show sam-
ples to the retail trade. I believe it was some fifty
years ago. I cannot remember all the houses he rep-
resented, but all his old friends associate him with the
old firm of E. P. Dodge & Co., of Newburyport, Mass.,
whom he represented for many years. He has now
retired, and at the age of eighty- three is still hale and
hearty, and comes to Boston from Melrose about
once a week or so, to meet those who are left of his
old friends, and to talk over old times.

A. W. SARGENT

This is A. W. Sargent, better known as "Pop"
Sargent. There was no better known man in those
days than "Pop" Sargent. He sold for A. F. Smith,
of Lynn, and probably sold more shoes for them than
any of the "ten-thousand-dollar men" of these days.
He will be remembered by many of the old buyers.
He died in Chicago about twenty years ago.

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

CHARLES W. NEWHALL

You will all probably recognize the portrait of
Charlie Newhall. He looks just the same to-day,
only his hair has grown. We all remember him as of
Newhall & Barbour of Lynn, then with Whitman,
& Keith ; also Mrs. A. R. King Corporation, Lynn. He
is now with the Burdett Shoe Company, Lynn, and is
just as lively as ever. Nobody knows how old he is
and he doesn't care ; but how he does enjoy his summer
home in Maine!

THOMAS S. SLACK

You will have to guess who this is. The original
of this picture was once with P. Cox & Co., Rochester,
and later with the Dalton Shoe Company. Now he
has settled down in New York City, representing the
Bliss & Perry Company of Newburyport, and the
Miller Shoe Company of Cincinnati. He has now a
smooth face and a fat stomach and his name is
Thomas S. Slack. He is responsible for the nucleus
of this collection.

R. J. PRINCE

Here is Rod. J. Prince of Portland, Ore.; but
seeing this photo with whiskers you would hardly
know him now with his smooth-shaven chin.

He is well known from Michigan to the Coast,
where he is now selling M. A. Packard shoes and has

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

a jobbing house in Portland, Ore. In the old days
he will be remembered by the old dealers in Michi-
gan, when he was selling for Redpath Brothers and
traveling with his old friend Hatch.

WALTER S. ALDRIDGE

Walter Aldridge was so well known that we can
say little. His sudden death, December 9, 1910, was
such a sad blow to his friends that we need say no
more. We all remember him as with Wright &
Peters, and at his death, a member of the firm. This
picture, taken over twenty-five years ago, shows little
change, only he was stouter at the time of his much-
regretted death.

GEORGE L. HALE

We now have Uncle George L. Hale, from a pic-
ture taken in the early 80's. Can't see that he has
changed much, for now at seventy-nine he looks
about the same and is as active selling Louns-
bury & Soule's shoes in New York State and New
England as he was for Lounsbury & Matthewson and
John J. Lattemann and a few other lines. He is indeed
one of the "old boys." Probably he is the second old-
est salesman next to Joel Page.

E. M. HUTCHINSON

This is "Old Hutch, " but, to be more respectful,
his name is E. M. Hutchinson, for we must be respect-

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

ful, as he has retired and has a retail store in Portland,
Me. He is best known by his old friends as traveling
for Adam B. Robbins, Wallace Elliot and later for
E. & G. Wallace. When you see this, I bet you'll
remember him.

DAVID WILLIAMS

There are many in the middle West and on the
coast who will remember this face — Little Dave
Williams, who traveled for E. P. Dodge and made so
many friends by his witty sayings. He died about
twenty years ago in Boston, but we will never forget
him.

WILLIAM M. KILEY

You may not recognize this picture, yet he is
still one of the best-known salesmen of the country,
— "Billy" Kiley. He began, we believe, in Newark,
N. J., with Johnston & Murphy, and was with the
Dorsch Shoe Company, and originated the "bull dog"
shoe. He was with Gordon & Kiley and McDonald
& Kiley of Cincinnati. He is still, selling shoes from
Cincinnati, now with the Manss Shoe Manufacturing
Company. Nuf sed.

C. B. SLATER

Here we have another guess, but it is C. B. Slater
or "Bert" Slater, as he is known by his old friends;

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

now of the firm of Slater & Morrill, Inc., South Brain-
tree, Mass. Would you know him now, with his
gray hair and smooth face? The history of his past
life is not hard to write, but as we remember him he
was with C. H. Fargo, Chicago, for some years, then
with Whitman & Keith, and several years ago formed
the present firm of Slater & Morrill.

JAMES A. LAWRENCE

To see this picture you would not think that it
was our gray-haired friend, James A. Lawrence. As
we remember him he was once in the retail and job-
bing shoe business in Marshalltown, la., then with P.
Cox & Co., and the Dalton Shoe Company, and later
opened up a jobbing house in Chicago. He is now
with Burley & Stevens, and as lively as ever.

A. W. GAGE

This is not a picture of Justice Hughes, but of A.
W. Gage, mostly known as "Gagey." He has had
quite a career, beginning his shoe experience with
Geo. F. Daniels in 1878, being in the firm until he re-
signed to form the firm of Hayes, Gage & Loomis.
Then after a severe sickness he traveled for P. A.
Wadleigh, remaining with him for twelve years.
After being out of the shoe game for two years (to his
sorrow) he returned to the road. We can only say
that he is slightly changed, but still in the ring.

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

CLARE A. BENEDICT

Now we come to the sublime; in this picture of the
"Beau Brummell" of the days past — Clare Aubert
Benedict. We can never forget him. He traveled
for Hanan & Son, Selz-Schwab and Williams-Knee-
land Company. Of late years he has retired from the
shoe game, and last heard from was selling automo-
biles in Buffalo, and we hope and believe successfully.

HENRY A. LOOMIS

I fear that not many will remember this face. It
is the junior member of the formerly well-known firm
of Hayes, Gage & Loomis, — Henry A. Loomis,
better known as "the Professor" because he looked
more like a professor than a shoe salesman, but all he
professed to sell was shoes and he sold a lot of them
in his day. He began his career with George F.
Daniels. He passed over the Great Divide about
twenty years ago at Gault, Cal. He was a prince of
good fellows and will be remembered, among many
splendid qualities, for his quaint sayings.

HERBERT HILL

This looks like some good old sport and perhaps
it is, for it represents little "Herb" Hill as he looked
twenty-five years ago, when he was selling a lot of
shoes for John Foster of Beloit, Wis. We remember

(Continued on page 81}
68

" Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot,
And Never Brought to Mind ?
Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot,
And the Days oj Auld Lang Syne ? "

u To know, to esteem, to love, and then to part
Makes up the tale of many a feeling heart."

" Life! We've been long together,
Through pleasant and through cloudy weather"

Ill

The thought of our past years in me doth breed
Perpetual benediction." — WORDSWORTH

" / knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest,
of most excellent fancy." — HAMLET

Harr/H.Rtp/ey

'My never failing friends are they,
With whom I converse every day." — SOUTHEY

Thy courtesies about thee play

With no restraint, but such as spring

From quick and eager vistings. " — WORDSWORTH

C./T

VII

" The friendship I have conceived will
not be impaired by absence" - — GEORGE WASHINGTON

?/7/y Samers

Herbert M.Pu//fer\

George PY. Cook

Ma*

7* &, *

"What strange disguise hast now -put on ? "

— COLERIDGE

'Wallace T Grow

James

Oliver M.F/sher

' ' Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours,
And ask then what report they .bore to heaven" — YOUNG

We spend our years as a tale that is told." — PSALMS xc: 9

*' The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to thy soul with hooks of steel" — SHAKESPEARE

Win fields. Bacon

Gzorm T, Chase

Wiffia.mJ.Sf. Louis

J. Rush Green

XII

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

(Continued from page 68)

him first with Rumsey Brothers of Lynn. For some
years he was in poor health, but lately has come back
to earth, and we often meet him at the Essex Hotel.

JAMES A. WALLACE

We hope you haven't forgotten James A. Wallace
who made his mark years ago selling Upham Brothers'
shoes in the middle West and on the Coast. He died
in Providence, after a long sickness, fifteen years ago.

MATT MULLEN

We think you will all recognize this handsome
face looking just as happy and genial to-day as he did
twenty-five years ago, only there are a few more gray
hairs. Matt Mullen we remember first with Newhall
& Barber and also the Mullen Shoe Company, and he
is now still with the Mullen Shoe Company, 22 High
Street, Boston, — one of the greatest shoe salesmen
of the time.

Ill

EUGENE BALDWIN

Many of our old friends will be glad to see this
happy face again, for Eugene Baldwin, although he
died about twenty years ago in Cambridge, is still
remembered in the Northwest, where he traveled for
many years. Who could forget his witty sayings?
Wish space allowed us to repeat some of them. We

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

remember him as being with C. W. Copeland, Burley
& Usher and R. T. Wood & Co., and when he passed
away he was with W. L. Douglas. He was the
"noblest Roman of them all."

GEORGE LANE

George Lane is well remembered in Indiana and
parts of the South. We remember him with Wallace
Elliott and now with Williams & Kneeland. He
looks about the same to-day, only gray hairs come to
one of his age. What that is, no one knows, but ask
Old "Hutch" — he can give a history of his past life.

RALPH MEARS and E. W. MEARS

This is not a vaudeville sketch, but a photo of two
well-known salesmen. You will be surprised when I
tell you the one on the left is Ralph Mears, long
identified with selling the jobbing trade, and very
successful in that day as he is in the present.

The one with the whiskers all over his face is our
old friend, E. W. Mears. He was at this time with
Tibbetts & Couch and later with James A. Banister
& Co., but for the past ten years has sold lots of
rubbers in New England. This picture was taken
about thirty years ago. Observe the dinky little
hats and the Seymour coats.

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

The shoe Ed. has in his hand was a woman's Curico
Kid McKay, selling for $2.25. Guess you could get a
better one in these days of higher prices at 31.60.

MESSRS. HUNT, SARGENT and KURD

This is not a gang of hold-up men, but was taken
for Charlie Hunt on right, "Pop " Sargent on the left
and "Al" Hurd in the center. Hurd was at that time
with Strong & Carroll. Now he is in the leather busi-
ness in Brockton. The others have been described.

J. C. HUNT

J. C. Hunt, familiarly known as "Charlie" Hunt.
He was best remembered selling N. B. Cox & Co.'s
line of cacks and he sold a lot of them in his active
days. You would scarcely recognize him during his
long, lingering sickness, of which he died about three
years ago at Richmond Hills, New York. He was a
stockbroker, and retired some years ago.

WILLIAM NOLL

This is not a photo of Emperor William, but,
being German, he looks the part, for here we see
"Billy "Noll, the hard-working secretary and treas-
urer of the Boston Shoe Travelers' Association. He
was pretty lively in the days this picture was taken,
selling for E. P. Dodge, and, after a short, successful
stay in journalism, he is now with the Foster Rubber
Company, promoting the "Cat's-Paw" rubber heel.

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

HAMILTON MEAD

Our old friend "Ham" Mead is not forgotten,
although he died in Cincinnati about fifteen years ago
after a lingering illness. He was a jolly fellow, and
loved by everybody when with Hart, Mead & Co.;
later salesmanager with Krippendorf, Dittman & Co.,
Cincinnati.

FRANK M. COLBURN

Frank Colburn still on deck selling for Hazen B.
Goodrich & Co., in the South, and you can meet him
at the Goodrich office, 183 Essex Street, Boston, any
day between seasons, along with Clarence P. Waide,
Frank Lord, Ernest Rankin, Tommy Johnson, Arthur
Brooks, John McElaney and others. He will also
be remembered as being with E. P. Dodge and P. N.
Wadleigh, selling out on the Coast.

JOHN CURRY

Here we have a well- remembered face: John Curry,
who was for years with James A. Banister & Co., of
Newark, selling the line in the middle West. He died
in the Palmer House, Chicago. He used one quaint
expression so often that he was called "Bloody John."

WALTER HART
Who would know this as Walter Hart? He was,

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

years ago, with E. P. Dodge, then with the Newbury-
port Shoe Company.

He retired from the shoe business a few years ago,
and enjoys life doing nothing, and he has plenty of
money, so he can afford to.

CHRISTOPHER MCDERMOTT

Now here we have "Chris" McDermott, one of
the best old boys that we have. This picture was taken
at least twenty years ago. He was well remembered
as the first salesman who traveled, selling a foreign
line of slippers. He represented an Austrian line.
He was with the East New York Shoe Company, and
has lately represented several lines. Now he is sell-
ing Strout & Stritter shoes in New York City.

EDWARD STEBBINS

This is another E. P. Dodge salesmen, our old
friend Ed Stebbins. After having the Dodge line
he went out to Los Angeles, where he died about five
years ago.

THOMAS D. HARLOW

This is little Thomas D. Harlow, who for several
years in the past was with Usher & Sons. He is now
still active, selling for Brockton People's Shoe Com-
pany and the Calumet Shoe Company. Many of
the old-timers as well as the younger shoe men know
him well.

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

W. M. OAKMAN

Now we have another of the old-timers, and you
can guess who it is — but who would say it was
"Oakey," or W. M. Oakman, who was first with
J. S. Turner, and then with W. L. Douglas, and
then formed the firm of Oakman & Low. After-
wards he was with George G. Snow and with J.
E. French, also. He is now with the' Pels Shoe
Company, Brockton, and is president of the
Boston Shoe Travelers' Association. Everybody
knows "Oakey," and he has a warm place in all of our
hearts.

ROBERT SPRUNT, JR.

Who would recognize this picture? Well, it is
the only real poet we have in the shoe trade — we be-
lieve a direct descendant of Robert Burns. This is
Robert Sprunt, Jr. He is best remembered as the
salesman who sold Joseph Caunt's shoes to the retail
trade. Now he is selling A. Fisher & Son's line. We
all know him as a jolly good fellow — a ready wit
and a cordial good friend.

FRANK ARMITAGE

Frank Armitage will be well remembered by many
in the West, where he was selling for Williams-Knee-
land years ago. I believe he has been in politics in

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

the late years, but I have lost track of him. Does
anybody know about him?

CHARLES F. SNOW

Charles F. Snow has been connected with the
jobbing trade for many years, but may be better re-
membered as of the firm of Irving & Snow. Now he
is manager of Smith & Herrick of Albany, and many
of his old traveling friends meet him frequently.

N. REDPATH

We have here an old-timer named "Nute" Red-
path, who was with Redpath Brothers, and traveled
in the West. Many of the old buyers will remember
him. He died about fifteen years ago in Newton, Mass.

TIM HOGAN

Here was a prince. How well we remember jolly
Tim and mourned his death in 1900! He had friends
every place he went. We remember him best with
P. Cogan & Co. and Blake-Allen Company. I am
pleased to publish this picture and show his good face
to his old friends in the South and elsewhere.

D. B. MUNROE

D. B. Munroe was well known all through New
England years ago when he sold for Baldwin & Lam-

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

kin. He is still living in Middleboro, Mass., hale and
hearty. I know that many of his friends will be
pleased to see his face again.

GEORGE S. DWINNELL

Here we have George S. Dwinnell. He has been
so long with J. J. Grover & Sons that we cannot pic-
ture him selling another line; in fact, he has been so
long selling the same line that he looks comfortable,
and every one is glad to see him when he comes
around twice a year to get his sizes. I hear he began
his career selling shoes for Hunt, Holbrook & Bar-
bour, Hartford, Conn.

CHARLES F. LUSCH

Who would recognize the young fellow repre-
sented in this picture? But Charlie is still young, al-
though his hair is gray. He has been selling Hanan
shoes so long that one would think he never sold
another line, and I guess he hasn't. Good boy,
Charlie, keep it up for years to come.

F. H. BRADSTREET

I am pleased to publish this picture of my old
friend, familiarly known as "Hope" Bradstreet. He
was best known when he sold for years Curtis &
Wheeler's line of Rochester, N. Y. For a while he
was with John J. Lattemann, and at the time of his

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

death, in Indianapolis, about five years ago, was selling
for the Rice & Hutchins Chicago house. He was a jolly
good old fellow, full of quaint ways and sayings.

S. PRESTON MOSES

We cannot think of "Pres" selling any line but
Edwin Clapp's, although he has his own jobbing line,
but I remember him in the old days in Washington,
D. C., when he was in the commission shoe business,
at the time one had to take out a license to sell. I
well remember having to borrow his license at $5 per
day or be arrested. We are all glad to know how
successful "Pres" has been in all his endeavors.

HARRY H. RIPLEY

Well, Harry was a nice looking boy in the days of
those side whiskers, and he has not got over it yet.
He is so well known that I need not write much, only
that I remember him as being with Batchelder &
Lincoln, J. C. Bennett & Barnard, A. F. Smith, Mrs.
A. R. King, and now with the L. B. Evans' Son Com-
pany. We are all glad to see Harry, even if he now
has gray hair and no "sideburns."

E. M. COLLINS

Here we have our old friend E. M. Collins, one of
the best of the old-timers. He was with Forbush &
Brown of Buffalo forty-five years from the time he
started in the shoe business until F. & B. went out of

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

business, and then he had several lines and worked
hard until he died, about six years ago, on the train
going to Buffalo. He was high up in Masonry,
thirty-third degree. How well we old fellows remem-
ber him!

CHARLES I. PETHERBRIDGE

Charles I. Petherbridge was first known in the
South, thirty-two years ago, selling for Banister &
Tichnor of Newark, N. J., now the James A. Banister
Company, and that name is so old you can judge how
old Charlie is. He was with Banister nineteen years.
I have lost track of him lately, but he is still active
selling the Felter line of Newark.

WICKLIFFE A. HILL

Here we have a picture of "Wick" Hill — not an
old picture as I remember him years ago when he
traveled for A. E. Nettleton, in the Northwest, with
his old friend, Dubois. "Wick" worked in A. E.
Nettleton's retail shoe store, Fulton, N. Y., in 1872-3,
then traveled for James R. Barrett, of Syracuse.
When Mr. Nettleton bought out the Barrett business
in 1878, W. A. went along as part owner and sales-
man, traveling until 1893, when he bought Gray
Brothers of Syracuse, and consolidated this with
Baker & Bowman, making the Syracuse Shoe Manu-

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

facturing Company, producing women's shoes. You
can bet he is as lively and genial as ever. Stop off at
Syracuse and see him, you old fellows.

A. W. DUBOIS

I had a hard time getting this picture, for his wife
did not want to give it up, showing what a handsome
little boy he was years ago, but "Duby" is still on
his job, and good looking. I remember him first
with J. & T. Cousins of Brooklyn, and then, after a
few changes, he settled down selling for Charles K.
Fox of Haverhill, where he is now. We are all pleased
to know of his success, and wish him lots more.
"Duby" says he's been selling shoes over forty
years. Who can beat that?

HARRIS M. BARNES

I bet he was pleased with that tie in this picture.
Harry started in the shoe business with the Warren
Boot & Shoe Company, and he was for years with
Burley & Stevens. He is now with the George Melan-
son Shoe Company of Lynn. I bet every one of those
little short steps he made to sell a bill meant a sale of
one pair of shoes, and he is still keeping them up.
One of the finest men on the road is Harry Barnes.

R. E. HARRISON

I hardly dare call him "Bob," but every one in
the South knows "Bob" Harrison. I believe he first

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

started with Cosgrove, and then with M. Felix & Co.
But he has been so long with Wolf Brothers, that only
the oldest-timers know the history of his past life.

TILL BUSH

"Till" was first with his brother in the shoe busi-
ness, and for years with Stribley & Co., also well
known as one of the firm of Sullivan, Mead & Bush.
Lately, I hear he has retired in Cincinnati, and we
learn of him going fishing much.

WALTER E. CRANDALL

Walter has been so long with E. P. Reed that I
don't know where else to locate him. This picture
shows him when he was young, but you ought to
look at him now.

WM. H. CANNON

Here is W. H. Cannon whom many of us remem-
ber as long with Zeigler Brothers in the South, and
many of you will remember these whiskers.

THOMAS T. MERRILL

I could not get an old picture of Tom, but he is
the same little Tom, and has not changed any from
the old times when he first sold J. S. Turner's fine
shoes. Then, I believe, he went with J. E. Tilt of
Chicago. Now with The Regal Shoe Company, and
is as lively as ever — if you don't believe it, ask him.

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

WILLIAM CRAWFORD

Will Crawford was well known in the West selling
J. S. Turner's shoes, and he sold a lot of them in those
days. I was pleased to get this picture from Tom
Merrill, and I know that many will remember this
familiar face, although he died about fifteen years ago.

VII

ALBERT GOULD

Here was a jolly good fellow, and although I can
hardly call him one of the old-timers, he traveled for
some years in the Northwest for E. P. Dodge, and I
know many of his old friends in that territory will be
pleased to see his face again. He died in Newbury-
port about twelve years ago.

GEORGE A. BACKUS

George has been so long traveling in the South for
Laird, Schober & Mitchell, now Laird, Schober &
Co., that you cannot locate him elsewhere; but who
would recognize this young fellow for the present
George ?

C. F. OAKLEY

First with Tibbetts & Couch, then went South for
a while in the retail business, but later he was on
the road selling for Faunce & Spinney. This picture
was taken about fifteen years ago, but now those gray
hairs are very becoming, and Charlie is still young.

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

A. ERWIN RANKIN

Once of Hunt & Rankin and with Marcey & Co.,
Hartford, Conn. Now we all know him with the
Matchless Shoe Company, selling their shoes in the
South, and Erwin sells a lot of them.

FRED W. STANTON

He has been such a national character of late years
that he needs no introduction, for he is now the able
secretary of the National Shoe Travelers' Association
and the Southern Shoe Salesmen's Association. As a
salesman, I remember him with Hathaway, Soule &
Harrington, and then with E. P. Dodge of Newbury-
port. He now calls on his trade with Leonard &
Barrows line. Outside of those sideburns he looks
just as young as ever.

JAMES H. MAYBURY

Who doesn't know Jim? Although he spends
most of his time in New York City, he is well known
in the middle West. I will not attempt to give a
history of his past life, but first remember him as of
the firm of Maybury & Dana, specialty jobbers in
New York. Now he is selling for Mitchel-Caunt
Company, Lynn, and he sure does sell some shoes.

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

JOHN L. SAGE

Here indeed is a picture of an old-timer, although
this is a recent photo. I know many will pleasantly
remember his face. I remember him first with Ban-
croft, Sage & Morse of Rochester. Then after sev-
eral changes of lines, he took up fire insurance in
Rochester, and developed into one of the largest in
his line. He died about five years ago.

JOHN C. NUGENT

I have known John so long that I can hardly tell
all about him, and it is just as well, for everybody
knows him. This photo was taken in 1888. He
traveled for John Kelly for twenty years, and has
been with Jerry Menihan for several years. It is
interesting to note that this picture was once pub-
lished over John's obituary notice. But he's still
very much alive.

J. H. COLBURN

Here we have our old friend, Harry Colburn. I
remember Harry when he was with Hathaway, Soule
& Harrington, then with J. H. Putnam & Co., and he
is now with Hanan & Son, selling out to the Coast.
He was a nice young man from this picture, and he is
still young, for he was recently married. Harry and
Frank Colburn are brothers.

SKETCHES OF TRAVELLING SALESMEN

VIII
JOHN H. HANAN

We now can see how John Hanan looked when he
was traveling for Hanan & Redish, and many of us
old boys remember him, for he was always a friend of
the boys as he is to this day. I think he remembers
the time we "caned" him at the old Sherman house in
Chicago.

GEORGE W. COOK

Here is a familiar face of an old-time shoe sales-
man, George W. Cook, or, as he was familiarly
named, G. "Whiskers" Cook. He traveled for
years for Stacy, Adams & Co., on the Pacific Coast,
where he was well known, and at that time he owned
one of the largest shoe stores in Omaha. The last part
of his traveling was for Krippendorf & Dittman. He
died several years ago in his home town in New York
State.

J. J. CROMWELL

Well, see who is here — J. J. Cromwell, or "little
Jake." There were few so well known and liked as
Jake when he traveled in the middle West for Sailer,
Levin & Co. of Philadelphia. After they went out of
business he sold several times to New York City
trade, until his death several years ago. We miss
his jolly sayings to this day.

'// is not what he has, nor even what he does,
which directly expresses the worth of a man, but
what he is." — AMI EL

XIII

"A reputation for good judgment, for fair dealing,
for truth, and for rectitude is itself a fortune." — BEECHER

EB.Sfocum

G.H. White

Thos* £ C. Johnson, v

CApen Brown

. S *Tread we//

XIV

'Every traveler has a home of his own, and he
learns to appreciate it the more from his wander-
ings." — DICKENS

Arrhur H, (Jenkins

Arthur r/.Jenk/ns
Robert L Summers

I have, beside all this, a great love 'for the past." — VON HUMBOLDT

XVI

'Opportunity makes us known to others; but more
to ourselves. " — LA ROUGH EFOUCAULD

Howard P/dffs

Wm.

J. A. Warrenc/er

Charle s Brand/nan

A.L. Chase

G&orye Gregory

XVII

" The heart to conceive, the understanding to
diieci, or the hand to execute." -— JUNIUS

XVIII

" There is always room for a man of force, and he
makes room for many." — EMERSON

XIX

" The Talent of Success is nothing more than doing
what you can do well — without a thought of
fame." — LONGFELLOW

" It is easy to say how we love new friends, and
what we think of them, but words can never trace out all
the fibres that 'knit us to the old." — GEORGE ELIOT

XXI

'Sincerity, truth, faithfulness, come into the very
essence of friendship." — CHANNING

XXII

"Memory is not so brilliant as hope, but it is more
beautiful and a thousand times more true." — PRENTICE

XXIII

XXIV

" The curtains of Yesterday drop down, the cur-
tains of To-morrow roll up; but Yesterday and To-
morrow both an'.'1'' — CARLYLE

H.E.Decatur.

T-H.Chamberf/n

XXV

"Let me be remembered for the gentler things of the heart, rather than for the mere
material of such success as may have been my lot, "

XXVI

" What^s a year, forsooth? Or a decade? Or even a lifetime, since memory's on
her eternal throne?"

XXVIi

" The change of face betokens passing years. It is a wise providence that keeps the
heart young and thus conquers years. "

XXVIII

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

NATT F. STEVENS

Here we have Natt in his younger days, and judg-
ing from this picture, he was a rival of Clare Aubert
Benedict. I remember him first with the old firm of
Emery & Holmes, of Biddeford, Me., and then Eddy
& Webster, Rochester. He traveled a number of
years for James A. Banister & Co., Newark, N. J., on
the Pacific Coast, but at times he stopped off in Chi-
cago to see a few friends, but that is another story.
Of course we all know he was with Faunce &
Spinney. Now with Dunn McCarthy & Co.

HERBERT M. PULKER

Here is Herbert M. Pulker, or "Bert," as we all
know him. I can't say he is one of the "old-timers,"
but he has been on earth quite a time, and this photo
shows him when he was a young man. I remember
him first when he was a clerk with A. Richardson &
Brother, Janesville, Wis. He began his traveling
career with the old firm of A. W. Clapp & Co., Boston
jobbers, but he has been so long with Howard &
Foster that we almost forget the past.

FRANK QUIN

Frank Quin is another member of the Boyden
firm that has retired and is on "easy street." I re-

113

SKECTHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

member him first with Banister and then with Boy-
den. He traveled mostly on the Pacific Coast. He
is the same big-hearted man as ever, and likes to
meet the old boys.

HERBERT SOMERS

Henry Somers was locally known with Drew-
Selby, and he was loved by every one that he met so-
cially or in business, and his death, after a long sick-
ness, was mourned by all his friends.

GEORGE AHERNS

George Aherns, of Boyden Shoe Co., trav-
eled for years for that firm, making the large cities in
the middle West, and also making a fortune, for he
has retired and doesn't have to worry about shoes.

JOHN G. LUSCH

John G. Lusch can only be remembered as with
Hanan & Son, and I don't dare quote figures as to
how many millions he sold for that firm. He re-
tired some time ago and we were all deeply grieved
to learn of his death the past winter.

114

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

WALLACE T. GROW

Wallace T. Grow, an old-time traveling sales-
man, well known in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania
for about twenty-five years up to 1905, when he
died at his home in Newton, Mass.

One of the first lines that he carried for many years
was the Stoneham Co-operative Shoe Company, of
Stoneham, Mass. Afterward he went to Vinton &
Jenkins, Stoneham, Mass. After some time he went
with C. Grose & Son, Ridge Hill, Mass., makers of
medium fine men's welted shoes.

He traveled for them many years until the firm
went out of business.

He was one of the original members of the Boot
and Shoe Travelers' League, and a good friend of all
Boston shoe salesmen traveling in his territory.
His face will be recognized by a large circle of friends
still living.

OLIVER M. FISHER

Oliver Fisher is a man who has graced the pro-
fession of shoe salesmanship and crowned his efforts
with fine success. He has been in the shoe business
since 1875 — with M. A. Packard Company since
1883. He is now president of that company. By
nature given to leadership, he has always played a
prominent part in whatever activities engaged. To

115

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

day he is active not only in the shoe business but in
many forms of charitable, church, club and fraternal
work and varied business interests. We find him
nearly every day at the Packard Boston office, 60
South Street, an honored and respected member of
the craft of shoe men.

JAMES D. SHERIDAN

Who would believe this picture to be of little
Jimmie Sheridan or "Phil" Sheridan as he is some-
times known. Well, he has been selling P. Cogan
& Sons' boys shoes so long that he looks like one
of their little gent's shoes.

Jimmie is past president of the Boston Shoe
Travelers' Association and one of the very popular
"boys." Lives in Randolph, Mass.

FRANK C. KELLOGG

Here we have our old college chum, Frank Kel-
logg. He has been lost to sight, but to memory
dear, for several years and we are glad to see his face
again.

Frank was one of the pioneers of the selling force
of D. Armstrong, where he put in the best efforts
of his life. Then he was a member of the firm of
Fonda, Kellogg & Snow. His last appearance was
selling for Krippendorf-Dittman. Later he was in
the hotel business in Detroit. He died last winter.

116

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

B. F. PAGE

B. Frank Page — you wouldn't know him from
this picture — started with G. Lamkin Company,
then was with G. W. Herrick & Co., and has been
with M. A. Packard Company for a long time, cover-
ing the middle West and Pennsylvania.

J. B. McCuNE

"Jack" McCune — everybody who has had any-
thing to do with shoes on the Pacific Coast for the
past twenty-five or thirty years knows "Jack"
McCune. He has sold many hundreds of thousands
of dollars worth of shoes out there and is still at itr
and we all wish him the best of luck. This picture
was taken out in Colorado forty years ago, whea
Jack was a slim youth. Started shoe business with
J. J. Hutcheson, Greenville, Pa.

COL. A. C. WALKER

One of the oldest traveling men in the U. S. -
born in 1833. After leaving school in Boston, went
to work for Penniman Foster & Russell on Pearl
Street. He was continually a shoe salesman until
1890. His last active work was with Lilly Bracket.
He then located on his Bartlett pear ranch at North
Yakima, Wash.

117

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

F. J. DOAN

F. J. Doan was one of the pioneers of Pingree's
traveling force, but left them for a while going into
the coal business in Chicago, but I guess it was cold
business, for I hear he is back on his job on his old
territory.

E. J. PIERCE

E. J. Pierce is so well known that I need not
write his life. He is still active in his Chicago office,
where he sells the local trade his several lines.

Some may not recognize this picture, as it was
taken years ago. I don't dare say how old he is,
for he is, so to speak, a twin brother of the writer.

W. H. STACY

Mr. Stacy is known everywhere as the head of the
men's fine shoemaking house, Stacy- Adams Com-
pany, Brockton. He was for a good many years
one of the best known and most popular of the "old
guard" of traveling shoe salesmen. He started
traveling for James M. Burt & Co., of New York
and Gray Bros, of Syracuse, in 1866. His friend
and, later, partner, Harry L. Adams, started with the
same firms at the same time. In 1875 the firm of
Stacy, Adams & Jones was formed (later Stacy-Adams
Company). Mr. Stacy, respected and esteemed by

118

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

all, lives quietly at his home in Braintree. He has
traveled some each year up to 1916, visiting New
York and Philadelphia customers. He was seventy-
three years old last August.

HARRY L. ADAMS

Many old-time friends will be most glad to see
this picture of Harry Adams, who died in 1897. He
belonged to the "old guard" of traveling salesmen,
sure enough, and was immensely popular. He began
in 1866, as stated above, with W. H. Stacy and con-
tinued as a member of the firm of Stacy-Adams
until 1886, when he retired.

CLARENCE P. WAIDE

We are glad to have Clarence Waide's old-time
picture on the same page with Mr. Stacy and Mr.
Adams, for he has been with this house since Febru-
ary 1882, never missing a trip — likely a record for
years of service with one house. Now a member of
the firm and the possessor of the unbounded esteem
and respect of every person who ever knew him.

HARRY H. GRAY

The late Harry Gray belongs in any list of veteran,
old-time, "old guard" shoe salesmen. He was a
great friend of Mr. Stacy, Harry Adams and others
of "the boys" of a generation ago. He is best

119

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

remembered as a shoe manufacturer in Syracuse,
N. Y., and the business he established years ago is
now widely known as the successful "H. H. Gray's
Son," carried on by his son, John S. Gray, at Syra-
cuse.

HUBERT H. GARDINER

We all remember this grand man. He was one
of the best salesmen that ever packed a trunk, and
he knew how to make shoes, too. He started a fac-
tory in Philadelphia, then moved to New York, form-
ing the firm of Gardiner & Estes. Then we find him
of the firm of Wichert & Gardiner. His sudden
death, at the height of his success a few years ago,
was a great loss to the shoe trade.

J. P. SMITH

J. P. Smith, head of the J. P. Smith Shoe Com-
pany, of Chicago, made his first trip in 1868 —
forty-eight years ago, so he goes up to near the
head of the class. That first trip was for R. P.
Smith & Son, of Bloomington, and was in the whole-
sale trade. Mr. Smith still sells shoes — for the
J. P. Smith Shoe Company — but his customers
mostly call at the factory. William H. Stacy of
Stacy-Adams was one of the men selling shoes on
the road when Mr. Smith started in 1868. A para-
graph from a letter of Mr. Smith's is interesting
reading:

120

11 Fill to the niter most rim the cup of everlasting
memory and pledge you all — our friends!" — ANON.

/^f us-son. J. A. C. Emerson

XXIX

Time has laid his hand upon my heart, gently, not
smiting it. — LONGFELLOW.

XXX

Such is the patriot' s boast, where e'er we roam,
Hjs first, lest cLunlry ei'cr is at home.

— OLIVER GOLDSMITH

XXXI

" Your face, my thane, is as a book, where men may
read strange matters. — SHAKESPEARE.

XXXJi

A wit's a feather, and a chief a rod;
An honest man's the noblest work of God.

— ALEXANDER POPE

XXXlli

"Oh Life! how pleasant is thy morning."

— ROBERT BURNS.

Frank J. Brac//ey

C Carpenter

" Tomorrow* and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps hi this petty pace from day to day."
— SHAKESPEARE.

XXXV

"On his bold visage middle age
1 1 ad slightly pressed its signet sage."
— SIR WALTER SCOTT.

Walter Scott
T. J. Yates
J. T. Fitzpatrick
H. B. Schweitzer
Jack Henry

Maurice Kornsand
Ralph J. Saxe, Fred C. Church,
Billy Martin, Clendennin, Jr.
R. L. Wall
H. Goller, Fred Wesner

XXXVI

8.
9.
10 Herman Schocke

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

"In my time, I have sold every class of merchants
dealing in shoes, from the smallest to the largest re-
tailer; from the smallest to the largest jobbers in
this country; I have displayed samples in cross-
road towns on the top of sugar and salt barrels;
I have displayed samples in the best hotels in the
United States; I have made the wagon trips, the
freight-train trips, and of late years a Pullman is none
too good for me. See no reason now why I could
not cover a regular route, if it were necessary."

JIM Cox

Jim (nobody calls him James) is an old "wheel-
horse" - says so himself. Used to make trips
with Joel Page. Mrs. Cox says this photo of Jim
ought to fill the bill, for he was (she says) then
about as homely a man as lived through the war. The
picture is thirty-one years old, and makes Jim look
like Prince Katamuro. Jim sells shoes for Wright
& Peters and isn't as old as he tries to make out,
and can travel after an order as fast as the best
of 'em. Lives in Rochester.

CLINTON C. ROBINSON

Clint began his career traveling from Boston,
but he migrated to Cincinnati so many years ago
that he has almost forgotten Boston. No dealer

129

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

in the South needs an introduction to him. He was
at one time a manufacturer in Cincinnati, but now
we find him with hts old love, still selling shoes in
the South.

T. FRANK METCALFE

Frank was so long with Boyden of Newark that
it is hard to remember him selling any other line,
and if he should ever stop traveling, all his friends
will miss him. Lives in comfort and happiness in
Newark. Picture taken years ago.

W. E. GERRISH

Every dealer in New England knows "Pink"
Gerrish and when they saw that "Pink" come to town
they knew they had to buy shoes from P. J. Harney.
Now he is with Hoag & Walden.

A. M. CENTER

This photo of A. M. Center was taken in 1881,
the year he started on the road. He traveled thirty-
three years, then ill health compelled him to quit.
He lives in Grand Rapids and we wouldn't be sur-
prised to hear that he had again heard "the call of
the grip."

130

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

E. H. STETSON

Here is "Ed" Stetson, one of the best-known
and deeply esteemed traveling shoe men in America
— incidentally, he is president of the Stetson Shoe
Company. This picture was taken over forty years
ago when Ezra H. was twenty-one — some boy,
too, wasn't he? He came from Maine, worked for
H. B. Reed in the factory at South Weymouth,
Mass., for seven years, then with A. C. Heald he
started the Stetson Shoe Company, twenty-nine
years ago. He has traveled twenty-eight years.

E. S. WlLLMARTH

E. S. has sold shoes on the road for thirty-six
years — started with C. M. Henderson in 1876,
inside, and went out in 1880. Has been with Dag-
gett, Bassett & Hills, Sidwell-DeWindt, J. P. Smith,
Tilt-Kenney, Regal, and is now with John Ebberts.
Covered the middle West always, until his present
connection, which includes eastern territory.

HUGH M. DEYO

This picture of well-known Hugh Deyo was
taken twenty-four years ago when he was with
G. & D. Silver. He began with Dake & Hamilton,
and has been with Ziegler Bros, for seventeen years.

131

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

C. R. BEACH

You can hardly imagine him a regular drummer
of shoes, but he surely was, for I remember him
with Adams & Pettingel and with J. F. Swain -
"Swain's Solid, Serviceable Shoes." Can you
imagine such a big fellow selling little shoes?
Now a prominent Boston jobber. You will find
him now at his Boston place of business.

B. F. WETHERBY

Here is a real old-timer sure enough. B. F.
has sold shoes on the road for forty-five years —
think of it! Started with P. Ware. At various
times B. F. has sold for Edwin C. Burt, Lewis A.
Crossett, Goodger & Naylor, and for the past
twenty-four years has represented Charles K. Fox
on the Pacific Coast. We greet you, old friend,
a tried and true representative of the "old school!"
Long may you wave!

CHARLES A. MCCARTHY

Mr. McCarthy is widely known as the presi-
dent of Dunn & McCarthy, the extensive shoe
manufacturers of Auburn, New York. He began
traveling in 1876 for Dunn, Salmon & Co., of Syra-
cuse. Mr. Dunn of this concern afterwards became

132

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

Mr. McCarthy's partner in Dunn & McCarthy.
Dunn, Salmon & Co. had the Auburn prison shoe
contract, and in 1889, when the state abolished
the contract system, a women's factory was started
by Mr. Dunn and Mr. McCarthy — the beginning
of the present great business. Mr. Dunn died
about three years ago. Mr. McCarthy continued
as a salesman from 1876 until Mr. Dunn died, cov-
ering a period of about thirty-seven years. After
the first two or three years he sold the large retail
and jobbing trade, the very cream of both branches.
Mr. McCarthy's personal sales since 1900 ran to
the amount of several million dollars a year, one of
the largest, if not the largest, volumes written in this
country by any salesman. Needless to say, Mr.
McCarthy is one of the most respected shoe men
in the country.

C. E. BAIRD

Thirty summers and probably as many winters
have passed over the head of C. E. Baird since this
picture was first taken. He has been on the road
all that time and is good for a half century more.
During this period he has successively and suc-
cessfully represented Reed & Classon, Gibby &
Allen, Myron L. Thomas and M. A. Packard Com-
pany.

133

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

XII

GEORGE L. STARKS

George Starks is one of the veteran shoe sales-
men that it is a delight to know, and to know him
is to esteem and honor him. He started in this
profession February 15, 1885, with Aaron Claflin
& Co., and saw service successively with John W.
Heart & Co., Waverley School Shoe Company,
Preston B. Keith Shoe Company, then five years
with George Strong Company, and again with P. B.
Keith where he now is. George was president of the
Southern Shoe Salesmen's Association in 1913-1914.

E. M. DANIELS

E. M. began his career on the road for Charles
A. Raymond, a jobber of men's shoes. This was
over thirty years ago. This picture is a corker.
You'd never know it, would you, for E. M. Daniels?
He went South for M. A. Packard for twenty years.
Now with Three K Shoe Co. of Stoughton.

J. RUSH GREEN

Rush has been out of selling shoes so long that
he has almost forgotten all about it, but he is helping
the game along by selling the shoe factories racks;
and some boy pushing shoe racks around the factory
may, some day, be the big shoe salesman that J.
Rush was. He is a brother-in-law of Preston Moses.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN
W. J. ST. LOUIS

I don't think we need go further than P. Cogan
to know whom Bill has sold shoes for. He succeeded
Tim Hogan with the line and has always traveled
South. Bill has grown some since this picture
was taken.

GEORGE T. CHASE

Every one South knows George, so there is no
need of going back in ancient history; but the trade
all knows Richard & Brennan's shoes when George
comes and he has not grown thin over it. He
never changes — same old likeable George.

A. L. GREENWOOD

"Al Greenwood is one of the most popular men
that ever sold shoes, as witness his presidency of
the Boston Shoe Travelers' Association for two
terms and last year was president of the National
Shoe Travelers' Association. As you will note by
this picture Al was a brave soldier, out in Newton,
Mass. — member of the Claflin Guards, in his
blooming youth — back in 1886. Al sells shoes
out west for Williams-Kneeland, and has been on
the road nearly thirty years.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

LAWRENCE B. CUBBISON

"Cubby" began his road career at the tender
age of seventeen years. This picture was taken
at that time. He has been traveling twenty-eight
years, so you can figure out his age for yourself if
you are good at addition. Started for J. T. Wood
Company, then with Lilly-Brackett for nine years,
and for past sixteen years has been with Preston
B. Keith Shoe Company.

W. S. BACON

"Win" Bacon has traveled for twenty-five years
— seven years with Chipman & Calley, eighteen
years with M. A. Packard. So he qualifies as one
of the veterans of the road whom we are glad to
include in this galaxy of representative salesmen.
Recently went with Knox Shoe Co. and Rochester
Shoe Co.

DAVID R. GOODIN

Dave started with Lamkin & Foster, and has for
years been with M. A. Packard. We all know he
is a live wire — a true salesman, quiet, unostenta-
tious, loyal — we all think a great deal of D. R.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

XIII

E. F. SAWYER

Many of us remember Col. Bob Sawyer, although
we have not seen him in the shoe district for several
years. He traveled South for the old firm of Alex.
Torrey and then Torrey, Curtis & Terrill. He retired
from the shoe business several years ago, and lives in
Newton, Mass.

HARRY P. LYNCH

Harry has been on the road for Howard & Foster
since April 1, 1893, a period of twenty- three years,
so that lets him into the select circle. He travels
parts of Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsyl-
vania. Is a brother of Hector E. Lynch.

ARTHUR L. BROOKS

Another handsome and genial gentleman, Arthur
Brooks, of Wellesley, Mass., and the Stetson Shoe
Company. Been with Stetson sixteen years.
Nine years with D. A. Caldwell & Co., and two years
with H. B. Reed, before coming to Stetson. Al-
ways in Dixie Land. A brother of Charles J. Brooks.

W. I. KENDALL

Will Kendall does not resemble this picture
these days. He is better looking now. I remember
him first as selling Herrick 's "Hard Hitters" for years.
He is now with Thomas G. Plant Company for life.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

GEORGE H. WILKINS

George Wilkins has been with George E. Keith
for thirty years — twenty-nine on the road, covering
various parts of the country. One of the greatest
salesmen the shoe trade has produced. Now travels
the large cities in the East and middle West.

HARRY D. DODGE

Harry D. Dodge is of the famous family of shoe
men of that name. Started traveling for his uncle,
the late Nathan D. Dodge, about 1885, and later
traveled for his own firm, Dodge Bros., of New-
buryport, Mass. Since 1897, his selling work has
been largely in the jobbing trade. A gentleman in
very truth, whom we all respect and honor.

J. RALPH BAKER

Here's Ralph Baker, one of the heavy-fire guns
of Churchill & Alden and incidentally the pride and
joy of that dear East Bridgewater, where he has a
baronial mansion and estate. Ralph is all right.
Brother of Wallace D. Baker. Son of M. F. Baker.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

F. T. DEXTER

Was with Burley & Usher in 1897, and with
Chas. K. Fox. Then he was in the jobbing business
in Minneapolis with Glomsted. He now has an
office in Minneapolis representing Harrison Bar-
ton of Chicago. One of the well-known northwestern
salesmen.

E. E. GLOMSTED

Was in the retail business in Minnesota until
our old friend Gene Baldwin discovered him; then
he started traveling for Burley & Usher in 1890,
where he remained until his lamented death in 1912.

F. M. BARKER

Frank Barker has been selling shoes for thirty
years. He was first with the American Shoe Com-
pany and Feary's boys' school shoes (the latter were
the first advertised boys' shoes). Then with Aaron
F. Smith, then with Hazen B. Goodrich and Frank
E. Hutchinson. For the past seventeen years with
Thomas G. Plant Company. Lives in Washing-
ton, D. C.

XIV

JOHN S. TREADWELL

John Treadwell's active selling life covers forty
years. Was president of the New York Shoe Manu-

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

facturing Company, and sold their goods on the
road. Has traveled for J. F. Swain & Co., Dalton
Shoe, G. W. Herrick Shoe Company. He is now
with the last-named house and has been for fifteen
years, and covers a part of New England. One
of the "grand old men" of the road.

GEORGE H. WHITE

George White has sold shoes en route for
thirty-five years. Was with Hudson River Shoe
Manufacturing Company nine years. Then with
Charles Faust of Havre de Grace, Maryland, for
a year, then took the Charles K. Fox line, and also
carried the R. T. Wood line for thirteen years.
Still sells the Fox line. Several years ago established
the Griffin- White Shoe Company in Brooklyn,
where he is to-day.

E. B. SLOCUM

Chicago is the headquarters of E. B. Slocum,
but we see him in Boston frequently. E. B. has
traveled since February 2, 1885. Started with
C. H. Fargo & Co., then with R. P. Smith & Sons.
Went with Thompson Bros, in 1894, and continued
with this line until this winter, when he became
associated with the Dalton Company, the new
Brockton concern. A man esteemed and respected
by everybody.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

L. R. RECORD

L. R. Record first went on the road in 1892,
for Sharood Shoe Company, and continued with
them until 1909, when he went with Burley & Ste-
vens; and has continued with this line ever since.
Lives in St. Paul, spends summers in Boston and
Onset Bay, Mass.

J. J. KALTENBRUN

Jimmie Kaltenbrun, vice-president of the Na-
tional Shoe Travelers' Association, is one of the
" live wires " of the middle West. Travels for Charles
A. Eaton Company, and is one of the most popular
boys on the road.

W. T. YORK

W. T. has sold the same line of shoes for the
past twenty-two years — Bliss & Perry of New-
buryport. The firm name when he started was
N. D. Dodge & Bliss Company, then became Dodge,
Bliss & Perry, and a few years ago Bliss & Perry.
He was one of the pioneer shoe salesmen in the
Oklahoma territory, then wild and wooly. Now
travels Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico,
Arizona, El Paso and Amarillo. Lives in Denver.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

CAPEN BROWN

Capen traveled West years ago with slippers.
Lately has been in New England and we have not
seen much of him.

FRED J. VAN SICKLE

Here is one of the Ohio boys — Fred J. Van
Sickle of Columbus. This picture was taken in
1894 when Fred was with J. S. Nelson. He was
later with Helming, McKenzie Shoe Company,
and for the past few years has represented the
Neenah Shoe Company and J. F. Budd. He was
the first president of the Ohio Shoe Travelers'
Association.

THOS. E. C. JOHNSON

Hello, Tommy, when did you look like this pic-
ture? Must have been about twenty- two years ago,
when you started on the road for Packard & Field.
Tommy also traveled for J. S. Turner and Stacy-
Adams before going with his present house, A. E.
Nettleton Company, five years ago. Tommy is
a great favorite with everybody and is just the kind
of a fellow we like to boost. Remember that ban-
quet when we china-cabinetted you, Tom?

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

JOHN DAVY

Our old friend John Davy started, I believe,
traveling from Cincinnati for Stribley & Co., re-
maining with them for many years. After travel-
ing West for several firms he went down to New
Orleans, representing Rice & Hutchins, where he
died about two years ago. His son has taken his
place, and we all hope he will be the same grand
man as his father.

R. L. SUMMERS

Edwin Clapp will cover the ground of history,
for Bobby and he has covered considerable ground
for this firm, and Edwin Clapp shoes are pretty well
known wherever he has gone. Able, popular, suc-
cessful.

HARRY P. DYER

Harry didn't have as many gray hairs when
this picture was taken as now. He has been trav-
eling thirty years — Field, Thayer & Co., twelve
years; J. J. Grover's Sons, ten years; Mrs. A. R. King,
four years; J. & T. Cousins, four years. Harry is one
of the men the traveling fraternity is proud to
recognize.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

WARREN C. PIERCE

"W. C." has been one of us for twenty-nine
years. Began with A. P. Tyler & Co. In leather
business a while. Then on road for Tuttle-Smith
Company and Scotsmith Company, and for the past
twelve years has been one of the popular Preston B.
Keith salesmen, traveling middle West. Picture
taken several years ago.

FRED C. BRIEL

Fred doesn't change much, as this picture proves.
He was in the retail shoe business at Natchez, Miss.,
before going with Lewis A. Crossett about twenty-
five years ago. Fred is a southerner, all right, and
has always traveled that sunny and hospitable ter-
ritory. Brother of Christy Briel, the famous song-
bird.

ARTHUR H. JENKINS

Arthur Jenkins belongs in the select class of suc-
cessful shoe salesmen. He started in the shoe busi-
ness at the age of fifteen with Cox, Young & Gardner
and when only seventeen made his first trip for them.
Next year he went with W. L. Douglas (as one of the
first three salesmen to travel for him). Ten years

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

with Douglas. Now with George E. Keith and is
making his sixty-sixth trip into the South — a long
and honorable record.

J. P. BURNS

Few will recall James P. Burns as a traveling
salesman, thinking of him rather as a prominent
shoe retailer in Los Angeles. Truth to tell, however,
he did travel for Boston wholesale houses a good
many years ago, before he went to California to
make his fortune, which quest, we are glad to say,
was successful. J. P. is always glad to see "the
boys" — especially from Boston.

GEORGE J. LOVELEY

Most of our readers will be loath to believe that
George Loveley has traveled for over twenty years,
for George doesn 't look it. So, nevertheless. Began
when he was nineteen, with Batchelder & Lincoln -
one of "Uncle Joe's boys." Later was with Walton,
Logan & Co., for several years, then with Thomp-
son Bros, for some time, and now he is prominently
identified with the new Dalton Company, Brockton.
George likes to play golf and is good at it. Used to
be a crack baseball player. Every inch a man and
everybody respects and esteems him. Need say
no more.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

XVI
B. H. COGAN

Barney, I know, will be glad to be among the
old shoe boys even if he is a shoe manufacturer, for
he enjoys meeting old friends on the road. Head of
P. Cogan & Son.

ED. T. SHIPP

Here's handsome Ed. Shipp, a picture taken
back in his salad days. But Ed. is one of the boys
who seem to grow handsomer with the passing
years. Never represented but one house — Burt
& Packard, and he has been traveling for them for
twenty-seven years, covering southern territory.
Ed. lives in Paris, Ky., his native town. So
we'll call him Colonel Shipp, suh, hereafter.

P* B. KERRIGAN

Phil Kerrigan — would you ever know him
from this picture? — started on the road with
Nathan D. Dodge in 1885 — then with Dodge
Bros., and in 1890 he went with Hazen B. Good-
rich. In 1910 he took Hervey E. Guptill's slippers
into the southern territory, and is at the same work
now.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

BERTON O. WETMORE

Bert's fine voice has charmed all of us for
many years. Bert surely can sing. This picture
shows him in 1890. He started selling shoes for
J. W. Brigham, then was with J. S. Nelson several
years; lastly, with Nat Packard. He quit the road
about ten years ago to go in the moving picture
business on the executive end, and has made a suc-
cess of it. We see Bert once in a while and know
he doesn't forget his days on the road.

CHARLES E. DAVIS

One of the noblest old Romans in the business.
Charles has been selling shoes for, lo, these many,
many years, and to look at him you'd never sus-
pect it. This picture was taken a long, long time
ago. He has represented several concerns during
this period and is one of the real veterans, and still
as young as any. He has been with Burt & Packard
for sixteen years and before that was with Johnson
Bros., French, Shriner & Urner, and Mrs. A. R. King.
He started on the road for Bennett & Howland
(later Denham & Howland), and was later with
Dearborn & Kendall (later Dearborn & Shaw, then
Dearborn & Day).

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

JAKE J. BEAHR

Jake Beahr we must put down as "just one of
the old salesmen. " Been traveling out of Cincinnati
a good many years and belongs with the younger
element as well as with the older, because active,
alive, energetic. Good luck! Jake, for a hundred
years, say we.

B. A. ST. JOHN

Bennie St. John traveled for Moore-Shafer Shoe
Company, Brockport, N. Y., for twenty years but,
a year or so ago, surprised his many friends by going
with the Menman Company, with which house he is
keeping up his record.

PETER McGEOucn

Peter McGeough is a breath of the "ould sod," a
wit, a humorist, a satirist, a philosopher, a soldier
of fortune, a man in whom the old-fashioned notions
of friendship and comradeship never have failed.
Now on the road for Piehler of Rochester. Peter
has been on the road since the battle of the Boyne.

W. F. NYE

This handsome young man we identify as "one
of the boys," namely, W. F. Nye ("Bill" Nye.)

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

Still as lively and friendly as ever and glad to be
reckoned with the shoe immortals.

XVII

W. H. H. JAMES

He is remembered first as a clerk with the old
firm of A. Knoblauch & Sons, Minneapolis, and
was a lively boy in those days as he is now. With
Stacy-Adams & Co. Lives in Braintree.

GEORGE GREGORY

George Gregory was the same old George when
this photo was taken twenty-five years ago — he
was then with the Newburyport Shoe Co.; before
that he was with the Niagara Shoe Co. of Buf-
falo. After twelve years with Newburyport, George
went with Val Duttenhofer, and later was one of
the founders of the Rickard-Gregory Shoe Company
(later the R. & G. Shoe Company, of which company
he was president and general manager). He was
with E. P. Reed a while and is now with the George
R. Jones Company at Manchester, N. H.

HOWARD PLATTS

Handsome Howard has been right there in the
shoe game for thirty years. This picture was

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

taken about a quarter of a century ago. Howard
used to manufacture shoes in Holbrook, Mass.,
where he now lives, first as Hanna & Platts, then as
Howard Platts & Payne. He has been with Isaac
Prouty for the past eight years.

W. H. HUNTINGTON

Does not belong to the traveling salesman class,
but, as he was the secretary of the former Shoe
Travelers' League, years ago, he is entitled to be
one of us. He is on deck every day at Isaac Prouty 's
office on Essex Street, Boston.

HARRY M. HAMILTON

Harry Hamilton counts his friends only by the
limit of his acquaintances. He has been traveling
thirty-four years. He was with Lilly-Brackett
fifteen years, and for nearly twenty years with
Thompson Bros. He is now with the new Brock-
ton concern — • the Dalton Shoe Company. For
thirty-three years he has made principal cities in
the South and Southwest and western Pennsylvania.

A. L. CHASE

A. L. is a popular fixture in the Charles K.
Fox sales organization. Been with this line for
twenty-three years, excepting 1902, when he was

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

with T. G. Plant. Previously with Berry, Chase
& Milliard, Hazen B. Goodrich, Chase, May & Co.,
and Ellis & Connor. Began in 1886. Always sold
Haverhill shoes, excepting one year. Would you
recognize this picture?

J. F. FLINT

"Winch Bros, hired man" — that was John
Flint's familiar cognomen for years. Represented
them for thirty-six years, traveling twelve months
a year. Rested up Christmas day. Covered Ohio
and Pennsylvania. Never changed territory. Now
with A. M. Creighton. We hereby hand the medal
for continuous traveling to John F. Flint of
Rochester, New York.

CHARLES BRANDMAN

Charles B. is one of the Napoleons of shoe sales-
manship. He has made one of the greatest records
ever accomplished, and is a real one, and always a
modest, earnest, good-fellowship sort of a guy is
Charlie. Been selling "Just Wright" shoes for
years. Lives in Port JerviS-on-the-Erie Railroad.

JOE A. WARRENDERN

We remember him first selling for Harry K. Childs
in Chicago. He was so long with Thomson Bros.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

that he probably has forgotten those old days; but
the trade in Indiana and Ohio know him well, and
I guess he will get his share of trade on his new line
— the Dalton Company, of Brockton.

XVIII
OSCAR JACOBI

"Oscar the Only" has been a shoe salesman
for thirty-five years, and has made as few changes
in that long period as about anybody. He started
with Cohen & Sons, New York, and later saw ser-
vice with A. E. Little & Co., French Shriner & Ur-
ner and Harney Bros. He now carries the Wil-
liamson and Knox lines. Oscar loves to fish and
is always one of "the boys."

W. G. BRIDGED

Our old friend "Billy" Bridgeo started selling
shoes a good many years ago for Edmunds & Mayo,
then with Todd, Bancroft & Co., Rochester, for
nine years; later with William Porter & Sons and
Welch and Landregan. "Billy" has been with
Allen-Foster-Willett for the past few years.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

JOHN M. MEGGETT

Genial John Meggett — thirty years of shoe
selling — with J. A. Manning, E. P. Dodge and P.
J. Harney. Charter member and past president
of the Boston Shoe Travelers' Association. John
is one of the well-known and best-liked men in the
eastern trade. Now with Plant Bros.

FRED C. CHURCH

Fred is the original "I'm from Missouri" shoe
salesman. Lives still in Jefferson City and sells
Williams-Kneeland shoes down that way. This
classic photograph was taken in 1889. First trip
in 1884. That lets Fred in as an old-timer.

CHARLES A. ESTES

For nineteen years Charles A. Estes has traveled
for Krippendorf-Dittman. He began his shoe career
with M. A. Palmer, of Portland, Me. Here for
eighteen years. Then became partner of Hubert
Gardiner, in New York, as Gardiner & Estes, and
traveled West and New England. One of the men
whose road life would fill a volume.

WILLIAM H. DUNN

Mr. Dunn, well-known member of the firm of
Utz & Dunn, sold shoes for his company in its

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

early history in about forty states, and also has
sold in Hawai, Cuba, Porto Rico, Venezuela, West
Indies, etc. Many dealers, manufacturers and
traveling salesmen know and respect Mr. Dunn
for the fine, courteous gentleman that he surely is.

E. A. TERHUNE

This picture of Ed was taken "somewhere in
Maine," years ago, and as will be noticed Ed was
a gallant youth — and still is the same. He began
his road career with W. L. Douglas in 1885, manu-
factured shoes for a while, and for the past eight
years has been with the Matchless Shoe Company,
Ed once was a retail store magnate, having stores
in Boston and Brockton.

ARTHUR I. BENEDICT

Arthur Benedict, now president of the N. Y.
Shoe Travelers' Association, is the most extensive
shoe traveler we know anything about. He has
sold shoes in every state in the Union but three,
in all of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Pa-
cific islands, Cuba, Porto Rico, etc. Comes of a
family of shoe men — son of J. Irving Benedict.
Family shoe history goes back to 1752. Has a son
also on the road selling shoes. Who can beat that
record? Mr. Benedict has been with the following

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

firms as member, sales manager, salesman, etc.: —
J. Irving Benedict & Son, Faunce & Spinney, Morse
& Rogers, Edwin C. Burt Company. Now with
Whitman & Keith. Been on the road thirty-seven
years.

F. GARRETT FISHER

Mr. Fisher is now treasurer of the Stone-Fisher
Company, the large Tacoma, Wash., depart-
ment store. He is smooth shaven now. When
he was a traveling shoe salesman he looked like this
— over twenty years ago.

JOHN J. WALSH

John Walsh is one of the best-known southern
shoe salesmen — traveled for Julian & Kokenge,
down in Dixie, a good many years and, is deservedly
popular and a true southerner in every respect.
Long may he flourish.

XIX

GEORGE STRONG

If there is a pioneer shoe manufacturer and sales-
man who is more esteemed than George Strong, we
don't know who he is. Mr. Strong is seventy-nine
years old and is the owner of the George Strong Com-
pany, East Weymouth, Mass., and still sells many

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

shoes every year. He was in the retail shoe business
in New London, Conn., in 1864. He sold this to
his nephew, George C. Strong, in 1875. In 1876,
he traveled for Clark & Holbrook, and for Walker,
Short & Co. In 1878, John Carroll, W. O. Walker
and Mr. Strong formed the manufacturing firm of
Walker, Strong & Carroll, which continued until
1885, when it became Strong & Carroll. In 1895, it
became Strong & Garfield (Henry S. Garfield) and
in 1906 the firm became George Strong Company.
Always men's fine shoes. Mr. Strong, respected
and loved by all, has traveled for forty-one years.
This picture was taken many years — please note the
facial adornment.

D. M. CORBIN

Brother Corbin, one of Utz & Dunn's real
veterans, has been a "knight of the grip" for almost
forty years. Started for J. Miller & Co., September
1876, when manufacturers' agents were as scarce
as Democrats in Vermont. This picture is twenty-
one years old, but D. M. hasn't changed very much
in that time.

J. FRANK CREHAN

J. Frank has been so long (over six feet) with
French, Shriner & Urner that we cannot think of

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

him as ever with another house. He had his growth
when this picture was taken and has not lost an
inch since. Past-president Boston Shoe Travelers'
Association. Lives in Hingham.

JOHN L. LAIRD

Probably in his day John Laird sold more fine
shoes on the coast than any one, and Laird, Schober
& Mitchell was the line. I don't think he is for-
gotten out West, even though he has lived in England,
for many years. He is still selling the old line in
that country, and I don't think at his age they will
call him to the trenches.

G. TOWNES GAINES

Townes Gaines looks as young as he did twenty
years ago. Been traveling for thirty-five years.
Sells "Krip's" and "Just Wright" shoes down
South, where everybody knows him. Used to live
in Lynchburg and now is in Knoxville. Brother
of "Am" Gaines.

AMBROSE GAINES

"Am" Gaines, how-dy-do? Understand you're
in politics now, down in old Knox County, Tennes-
see. Election Commissioner, eh? Good work, Am.
We all know Am and like him. Been selling shoes
down South for, lo, these many years.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

C. S. PIERCE

If you ask any shoe man in Washington or Ore-
gon or western Canada or away up in Alaska who
C. S. Pierce is, they'll tell you pretty quick that he
represents Utz & Dunn out that way and is a real
man. Here's a picture of C. S. taken twenty years
ago. He lives in Seattle.

HERBERT N. LAPE

This picture of Herbert Lape was taken when he
was fifteen years old and is the record for this book.
Once upon a time our friend was on the stage in a
light opera company and now, behold! he is sales
manager for Julian & Kokenge and a strenuous,
hustling, driving, clear-headed able sales manager,
he is. Also makes his regular trip.

D. E. KlTTREDGE

"Kit" has been on the road for over thirty years.
Started shoe-life as a clerk in St. Louis. On road
for Curtis & Wheeler in 1885. Dugan & Hudson,
1890. Since then with R. T. Wood, covering
Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska. One of Rochester's
enthusiastic association members.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

W. H. BALKAM

W. H. Balkam occupies an honored position in
the history of this great trade. For many years he
has held the respect and high regard of all who knew
him. He was with J. W. Brigham & Co., of Boston,
for twenty-four years, fifteen on the road; five years
with Ellis & Connor of Haverhill, two years with
Bryant Boot & Shoe Company, of Randolph, Mass.,
and for the past eighteen years he has been with
A. E. Little & Co., of Lynn, in the office.

B. T. HUDSON

We miss this kind face to this day, for "Brynie"
was loved by us all. His sad death came in the
midst of his success, for he was making the name of
Dugan & Hudson a house-hold name. He was for
a while in charge of the firm's New York branch,
and then traveled to many of the large cities.
Many buyers remember him well.

FRED S. ELWELL

Fred Elwell has been off the road for twenty-six
years, and has become one of the most successful
life insurance men in the country, and an expert
on insurance legislation. Often called into counsel

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

by governors and legislators on insurance laws.
Has one of the largest insurance businesses in Boston.
He was Lamkin & Foster's first salesman — was
with Church, Brown & Co. until 1890, when he
went into the insurance field.

E. H. CUSHING

Mr. Cushing is well known as house salesman
with Thomson-Crooker. He traveled for fifteen
years, beginning in 1890, for E. P. Dodge before
going with Thomson-Crooker. He has, therefore,
been selling women's shoes for twenty-six years.

W. P. FRANCIS

Bill can consider himself a salesman, for I know
he has made several trips selling shoes, but it is
as a factory superintendent that he made his rep-
utation with Nat Packard and Snow and Emerson.
Now is in Canada, running a factory.

CHARLES H. SMITH

Well, well, who would believe this callow youth
was Charlie Smith, now the pride of the Los Angeles
Hollywood moving picture devotees. This photo
was taken for Barnum & Bailey's show about thirty
years ago. Everybody on the coast knows Charlie
and buys L. B. Evans' shoes from him. So Charlie
is a plutocrat and as popular as they make 'em.

160

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

S. M. PRITCHETT

The familiar figure of S. M. has an honored
place in this galaxy of shoe immortals. He's been
selling Smaltz-Goodwin shoes for many a year, and
is everybody's friend and vice versa.

JOHN S. SPAULDING

This photo of John Spaulding was taken nearly
thirty years ago. Do you recognize it? He has
been with Preston B. Keith for a long time. Lives
in famous old Lexington.

SAMUEL COOK

Mr. Cook is of the real "old school" of traveling
shoe salesmen — a fine old gentleman of strictest
integrity and beloved by all. He sold Harvey B.
Evans' shoes for years. Has retired and lives at
Woburn, Mass.

WILLARD H. JAMES

We are glad to be able to include in this collection
a photo of Willard H. James, who represents Foss-
Packard Company of Auburn, Me., in the West, and
lives in Chicago.

161

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

XXI

EDWIN H. MATHEWSON

Mr. Mathewson started selling shoes on the
road for Lounsbury Bros. & Rockwell in 1872,
and continued for Lounsbury Bros. & Co. and
Lounsbury, Mathewson & Co. until about eight
years ago, a period of thirty-six years. This pic-
ture was taken about 1890. Mr. Mathewson died
eight years ago. A gentleman in every sense of
the word and an honor to this great trade. He
was a brother of Herbert A. Mathewson.

HERBERT A. MATHEWSON

Mr. Mathewson is the present Mathewson of
the well-known manufacturing house of Lounsbury,
Mathewson & Co., and is a brother of the late
Edwin H. Mathewson. This photo was taken in
1887. Mr. Mathewson began his sales career for
Lounsbury Bros. & Co., and still attends to some
of the firm's trade.

J. F. KNOWLES

Most of us think of "Cy" Knowles as a success-
ful retailer — treasurer of the W. G. Simmons
Corporation, Hartford, but, as a matter of fact,
he "served time" on the road. He traveled
southern New England for Batchelder & Lincoln

162

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

for twenty-one years until he became credit man
for the same house, and finally became a dealer.
Mr. Knowies was born in famous Provincetown,
and followed the sea from the age of twelve to
twenty-one years. Secretary of The Associated
Shoe Company now, as well as head of the Simmons
business. A genial, courteous, deeply respected
gentleman.

MARC W. REED

Marc Reed made his first trip forty-four years
ago next July, so he belongs in the front rank of
veteran and pioneer shoe salesmen. Hasn't missed
a trip since 1874, covering always Ohio and Indiana,
a record for this territory, we believe. He has
been with Krohn-Fechheimer for over thirty years
and can still go a few fast miles. This photo was
taken twenty-five years ago.

AMOS F. BAILEY

Amos cannot pose now as a shoe salesman,
although several years ago he traveled in the West,
but later developed into a Lynn shoe manufacturer.
Now, we find him a pattern maker getting us in
trouble with his latest styles.

JOHN E. O'BRIEN

" Silver- tongue " John, one of the very popular
shoe salesmen — take a look at this prehistoric

163

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

picture. John is past president of the Boston
Shoe Travelers' Association, and was the first
president of the National Shoe Travelers' Asso-
ciation. Has in his active career represented these
houses: — H. A. Royce & Co., J. E. Dayton & Co.,
J. B. Lewis, Kellam-Goller-Land, Hurley Shoe Com-
pany, and for the past few years has been with
Commonwealth.

C. A. MCLEAN

If any one would call Charley one of the old boys
he would resent it, but I know he is, even if he does
step around as lively as some of the kids. He has
traveled so long for J. P. Smith that I don't dare go
further back.

W. McMuLLEN

"Mac" has traveled continuously for forty-eight
years, and in all that time has never missed a train
nor lost a day's work. Step to the head of the class.
This picture was taken forty years ago. Last
with Preston B. Keith Shoe Company. Lives in
Albany. A long and useful life, respected by all.

P. A. RlTTER

P. A. Ritter started with Selby in 1882 and, to
use his own expression, "expects to sell them fifty
more years." This photo is only ten years old.
Wish we had one when P. A. was a boy.

164

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

HERBERT A. HARRINGTON

Traveled for years for Hathaway, Soule & Har-
rington of New Bedford, but of late years has man-
aged the shoe store of J. G. Brandt Shoe Company
St. Louis. I believe he has retired now.

XXII
HECTOR E. LYNCH

Few in these days remember him when he was
selling a jobbing line. When he left that line and
went with Howard & Foster it was the turning-point
of- his career, and now every one knows Hector and
is pleased to know of his fine success.

HENRY S. GARFIELD

Years ago a tall young man with very light hair
left a retail job in Minneapolis and took his first
trip on the road selling men's shoes for Walker,
Strong & Carroll and Stoneham Co-operative
(children's shoes), and he made a success of it from
the first. He then was of the firm of Strong &
Garfield for several years. The few hairs are now
gray, but Henry is the same Henry and we find
him working hard with Nettleton of Syracuse.

165

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

JOHN H. HUNT

John was for years with J. & T. Cousins and
Davis Shoe Company in New England, and in his
quiet way sold a great many shoes and was very
well liked. His death a few years ago was a source
of sorrow to all of us.

HARRY KIDD

A highly successful salesman for Johnston &
Murphy for many years, having an interest in the
firm and also with Snyder & Kidd, retail shoe
dealers in Washington, D. C. His sad death in an
automobile accident a couple of years ago was a
great blow to his friends and a great loss to the shoe
trade.

JOHN MCELANEY

John has sold for Stacy-Adams so many years
that we can forget the rest. One of the most popu-
lar boys on the road. Is now president of the South-
ern Shoe Salesmen's Association.

CHARLES J. SHRINER

Charlie Shriner, who died February 21, 1915, was
one of the strong men of the trade — a fine salesman,
a successful shoe manufacturer, a big man. His
sudden death last year was a great sorrow to all

166

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

of us. Traveled for Hanan for years, then with
French & Hall, then he and the late Samuel P. Urner
became members of the firm of French, Shriner &
Urner and achieved success as fine shoe manufacturers.

CHARLES F. STORY

We remember Charlie Story as being with Burt
& Packard for years; then went with Nettleton a
few years ago and has been a great success. C. F.
is one of the younger generation of "veterans."
A full-fledged Syracuse Nettletonian now.

SAMUEL SHAW

Of Leonard, Shaw & Dean. Sam can hardly
call himself a traveling shoe salesman now, as he
devotes most of his time to the factory, but in the
old days, this young fellow surely did sell some shoes,
and we are all glad to know of his success as Henry
Dean's partner in the manufacturing business.

ED. SKINNER

Ed. traveled for years from Rochester, but of
late years has been in the men's game traveling
to the coast for Burt & Packard. The trade will
miss him for he resigned lately, and probably is into
something big.

167

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

XXIII
W. H. ANDERSON

"Andy," as he is well known to all his old friends,
is known no more to the shoe trade, as he has for-
saken us for the automobile, as he was last heard
of in St. Louis selling auto trucks; but he made
himself heard in the days past representing Edwin
Clapp in the middle West. I wish I could print
some of his funny sayings and stories.

FRANK H. LAND

We remember the late Frank Land as with Hank
Goller, first selling Lewis' Wear Resisters. Poor
health took him out to Colorado for a short time, and
then we find him forming the shoe manufacturing
firm of Kellam-Goller-Land, of Lynn. We all
remember his hearty good nature, and he was cheer-
ful and hopeful to the last.

C. A. WILLETS

Began his shoe career as a shoe merchant and is
liable to end it, as he has now a store in Kansas
City, but he is well remembered as selling Stetson
shoes in the West.

168

But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,

All losses are restored and sorrows end. — SHAKESPEARE.

JAMES P. BEATTY

Here is J. P. Beatty, the popu-
lar ex-president of the Rochester
Association of Trave'ing Sales-
men, and one of the best known
men on the road. J. P. tells me
that this picture was taken thirty-
four years ago, so you can imagine
the change. He was with Dake
& Barrett, 1886-1<*91, going with
C. P. Ford & Co., twenty-four
years ago, and still with them.

FREEMAN D. BLAKE

Many shoe folks know F. D.
Blake. He has been selling shoes
for over twenty years. He was
brought up in the leather business
in Woburn, Mass., spent ten
Years in California in the leather
trade and was with the Z. C. M.
I., at Salt Lake City for a while.
He is perhaps best remembered
as a member of the Stetson Shoe
Company for many years.

EDWARD EVARTS

I am pleased to show another
of our Rochester friends — Ed-
ward Evarts, well known as one
of John Kelly's long-time sales-
men. This picture was taken
about thirty years ago and you
would never recognize Edward
E. from this picture.

A. H. ATHERTON and
F. M. COLBURN

•• Here are two old cronies —
Bert Atherton and Frank Co-
burn. This was sna'pped in Se-
attle, twenty years ago. Every-
body knows that Bert is one of
the big men of the Lewis A.
Crossett line, and Frank Colburn
has long been with Hazen B.
Goodrich & Co.

A. S. MAcFARLANE

This is an old-time picture of A. S. MacFarlane, whose untimely death is reported the very day this por-
tion of this book goes to press — a most sorrowful announcement. "Sunny Jim" was with E. T. Wright
& Co. for many years, always successful, always genial. Picture taken when he was with Hanan.

SOUTHERN SHOE SALESMEN'S ASSOCIATION, 1890

TOP Row, left to right: Lester Stevens, E. F. Sawyer, Arthur Stetson,
B. O. Wetmore, Frank Ferguson, Harris M. Barnes, Fred J. Welden,
Lincoln, Frank M. Colburn, Hector E. Lynch, George R. Jacobs, James
Casey.

SECOND Row: Arthur H. Jenkins, David S. Childs, Natt F. Stevens,
Samuel Shaw, Ed. T. Shipp, Henry M. Currier, William L. Haynes,
Fred C. Briel.

THIRD Row: Clarence P. Waide, A. Erwin Rankin, Robert Lee,
Summers, S. Preston Moses, George T. Chase, Frank M. Barker, Fred
Werner, Charles F. Lusch, J. Rush Green.

BOTTOM Row: Ralph J. Saxe, G. Townes Gaines, Harry H. Ripley,
A. H. Atherton, Arthur L. Brooks, W. Harry Dudley, Walter May.

SALESMEN'S GROUP, PLANTERS' HOTEL, ST. LOUIS, 1898

This interesting photograph belongs to Walter
I. Perry, of the Bliss & Perry Company, Newbury-
port, Mass.

Taken at the Planters' Hotel, St. Louis, eighteen
years ago, many old familiar faces and forms will
readily be recognized.

Unfortunately we are unable to identify all of
the folks in the group.

Among the others here shown are the following:
George H. Harrington, Charles H. Foster, Joel C.
Page, Harris M. Barnes, George Ahrens, Lou Wood,
Frank B. King, George S. Dwinnell, Fred J. Wei-
den, C. A. McLean, J. C. Hunt, A. L. Chase, Walter
I. Perry, W. Harry Dudley, Robert Sprunt, Jr.,
James Musson, L. M. Gerson, James D. Sheridan,
A. W. Gage, A. W. Dubois, H. L. Gabell, Meier
Swope, Messrs. Lynch, Aber, Elkins, Dwyer, Wolf,
Powers, Davenport, Phelps, Weaver.

THE "BIG FOUR"

SIX HUISKAMP SHOE PEOPLE

H. H. RIPLEY

M. J. MULRYAN

UDSON

WELDEN

Fred J. Welden, M. J. Mulryan, Harry H.
Ripley and W. H. Judson were the "big four"
that sold shoes for the old firm of J. C. Bennett
& Barnard, and they surely did sell some shoes
in those days. Harry Ripley we know all about.
Fred Welden was last with Thomas G. Plant,
until his failing health caused him to resign. He
passed away a few years ago, at his home down
Cape Cod way.

Judson died many years ago. Mulryan,
after several good positions on the road and as
manager, is now filling a factory position in Lynn.

This photograph, taken forty-four years ago,
was sent to us by John M. French of Keokuk,
la. It is a group of Huiskamp Bros. Com-
pany folks.

H. W. Huiskamp is now president of the
company. Eldest son of the founder of the
business.

Taken i

A, E. MATLESS
H. W. HUISKAMP
W. S. FLETCHER

JOHN M. FRE:

L. T. P?

THOMAS REE

John M. French was with Huiskamp f;
1872 to 1905. He was the No. 1 membei
the great Iowa Traveling Salesmen's Associat
and offered the resolution leading to organ
tion, in 1880, and paid in the first dollar.
000 members now.

A. E. Matless was former vice-presic
and treasurer of the company. Mr. Mat
has passed away.

W. S. Fletcher retired in 1900, after twei
five years of Huiskamp service.

Thomas Reddie, house salesman, has b
with Huiskamp forty-four years.

L. T. Pyles is deceased. He represer
Huiskamp Bros. Company for many yc
beginning in 1876. He died in 1913.

SKETCHES OF T R A V E L I N G SALESMEN

TONY E. JOHNSON

Tony has traveled for several years to the coast,
but lately is representing Williams-Kneeland in the
South. He may retire before many years to his
farm in Michigan, where, I believe, he is raising
blooded cattle.

JOSEPH C. KIMBALL

We think of Joe Kimball as a big leather buyer
for Lewis A. Crossett, Inc., and a gentleman of
standing in North Abington and South Street, but
as a matter of fact he was a successful shoe salesman
on his own account in Haverhill, twenty-five years
ago, and has sold a great many Crossett shoes. Pic-
ture taken at twenty-five years of age.

ORAN McCoRMiCK

Everybody who knows anything about shoes
knows about Oran McCormick. Oran has always
been a shoe man from "bench" days down in Fort
Worth, thirty years ago, until now. He traveled
a while for J. S. Turner down South, but being by
nature an artist, he turned to journalism and shoe
illustration. He founded the Illustrated Footwear-
Fashion in 1899, selling this in 1910. He was the
pioneer in high-class shoe illustration. Now the
owner of Modern Shoemaking, a handsome publica-

173

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

tion, for a fact. Oran McCormick is a man of unique
personality, strong likes and dislikes and an artist
clear through. When we write the history of the
shoe trade we will have to have a whole chapter for
O. M. He is proud to be enumerated as "one of the
boys."

ED. MAURER

Well, here's Ed. Maurer, back in his palmy,
youthful days — twenty-eight years ago. Ed's been
on the road about thirty years, first for W. N. Gokey.
Represented different houses until his connection
with Preston B. Keith several years ago. Now
travels the coast. Popular salesman with his trade
and compatriots. Past president of Indianapolis
Shoe Travelers' Association.

"HANK" GOLLER

One of the three Gollers well known in the shoe
trade. Brother of Harry and Charles F. Went
with J. B. Lewis in 1884. Formed partnership with
Frank Land as Kellam-Goller-Land Company, in
1902. We see "Hank" frequently, and he's one of
the best-known men in the Boston trade.

D. J. TOBIN

Here's another of the famous bunch of E. P.
Dodge salesmen; with that house eighteen years.

174

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

Then with Rickard-Gregory five years. Two years
with P. J. Harney. Now with H. H. Gray's Son.

XXIV

E. A. KENDALL

Here is a genuine veteran — E. A. Kendall
who has sold shoes for many years. Born in Hud-
son, Mass., in 1841, he worked in shoe stores in
Chicopee Falls, Hartford, Springfield, 111., and
finally came to Boston a good many years ago, and
was connected with these firms at different times:
Clark & Warren, Warren Boot & Shoe Company,
Lamkin & Foster, Haynes & Sparrell, Congress
Shoe and Rubber Company, and lastly with Lane
Bros. He traveled New England territory. He
is now living quietly at his home in Hyde Park, Bos-
ton.

CHARLES R. McWiLLiAMS

Charlie has traveled to the coast for Nettleton
so many years that he has almost forgotten the few
lines he had before and he has reason to for he has
made a big success. Everybody is strong for " Mac. "

E. L. RITSON

E. L. Ritson has been " hitting the trail" of
shoe selling for the past thirty-three years, having

175

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

started with Tirrell Church in 1883. He is with
W. L. Douglas, traveling the Pacific coast territory.

FRED S. TODD

We remember him best when traveling for Har-
ding & Todd, and he surely sold some shoes in those
days, and also for F. S. Todd & Co. He retired and
now is living a life of ease on his farm near Rochester.

GEORGE T. HIPFLE

Well, there are lots of good things to be said of
George, and if I had space I would say them; but
we all know him and he has traveled so long from
Cincinnati that he doesn't know that shoes are
made in any other city.

C. J. BROOKS

Every buyer and I guess every one else on the
Pacific coast knows Charlie, but perhaps may not
recognize this young fellow, for it is a long time
since he was of Brooks & Wells, but of late years
he is well known, selling F. M. Hoyt & Co. and
A. Fisher & Son shoes. He has no seasons of making
his trips, for they say that he starts so late that
he meets himself coming back. Some day he will
get his well-earned rest on that farm of his, up in
Oregon somewhere. Brother of Arthur L. Brooks.

176

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN
CHARLES H. FOSTER

Mr. Foster began his shoe selling as a jobber of
men's shoes on Lincoln Street, Boston, and then
helped to form the firm of Howard & Foster. He
traveled some years for this firm and was beloved
by all, for his was, indeed, a noble character and his
death two years ago was a great blow to all.

C. A. INGALLS

We were all sorry to learn, a few months ago, of
the death of Charlie Ingalls, one of the veterans of
the road. He traveled the coast territory many
years for Edwin Clapp, and was known and liked
by all.

E. T. WRIGHT

We are glad to include "Pop" Wright in this
honorable list of veteran knights of the shoe-grip.
While he is famous for making "Just Wright" shoes,
he has sold his share thereof. One of the deservedly
esteemed and highly regarded men of the trade.
May "Pop" flourish for a thousand years, say we.

177

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

XXV

W. HENRY DEAN

Who does not know Henry Dean in the South?
They ought to know him, for he has traveled down
there long enough. First with Hathaway, Soule
& Harrington, and now with his own line; also Hervey
Guptill's slippers. There is no need of giving a
history of his past life, for you all know Henry and
like him. Leonard, Shaw & Dean is his firm's name.

T. H. CHAMBERLIN

Tom traveled for years for Hathaway, Soule
& Harrington and opened a store for them in Chicago,
being in the retail line for some time. For several
years he sold Chicago trade, and at the time of
his death, two years ago, he was selling for G. Edwin
Smith of Columbus. All his old friends miss him these
days, for he was a good fellow and the soul of honor.

FRANK C. KELLOG, FRED L. SMITH, A. W. GAGE

These three young fellows happened to meet in
Detroit, after not having seen each other for years,
and this picture was taken. Kellogg and "Gagie"
you know something about. Fred Smith was one
time in the shoe game, but later drifted into news-
paper business at Cincinnati, where he is at
last accounts.

178

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

WILLIAM M. HURLEY

Will Hurley, one of the famous Hurley Brothers,
still keeps up his end selling Hurley shoes, and also
inventing shoemaking improvements. He is a ver-
satile man — executive, superintendent, foreman,
operative, yachtsman, automobilist, farmer and an
artist on top of all that. Lives in Rockland. Helped
establish Hurley Shoe Company in 1893.

W. HARRY DUDLEY

I wish I could express the love every one that
knew Harry Dudley had for him, and how they miss
his happy, genial presence. He came from an old
shoe family in Newark, N. J. We remember him
first with Williams & Hoyt. Bert Atherton and
Harry were making children's shoes for a short time
in Lynn; then Harry went with J. Phelan & Sons. We
all know what a responsible position he occupied
with Thomas G. Plant Company, up to the time of
his death. It will be a long time before he is for-
gotten.

H. E. DECATUR

Here's an old-time picture of H. E. Decatur,
one of the real boys of the road, that we delight to
know and honor. He sells shoes — lots of 'em —
for Whitman & Keith.

179

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

J. B. McKEE

J. B. sold shoes many years for Thomson-Crooker,
with whom he was when he died two years ago,
deeply regretted by many friends.

XXVI

H. W. CROOKER

Harry Crooker began the shoe business as a
boy with Geo. F. Daniels & Co., and as a young
man started traveling for the above firm, working
into an interest in the business. Then opened
up a specialty business and now as we all know is
doing a very successful business as The Thomson-
Crooker Company. Everybody is strong for Harry.
This picture is an old one, sure enough.

ALLEN V. HOLBROOK

Al. began selling for Hosmer Codding, Boston
jobbers, but he soon graduated from selling shoes for
$12 a dozen, to $60 a dozen! quite a jump, but he
got there with Stetson's shoes. He has been in-
terested in the retail shoe business in Columbus for
several years. Now he is interested in several spe-
cialty Stetson stores. Still travels, selling fine shoes
and is very active in the National Shoe Travelers'
Association work.

ISO

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

CHARLES O. QUIMBY

Charley has sold Bliss & Perry's shoes so long
in the South and West that there is no need of going
further back for his history. He is one of the most
widely-known traveling men in the country.

J. W. ESTABROOK

Jim traveled in the Northwest many years ago,
and if he could talk he would tell you all about it.
I know many of the old boys and dealers will be
pleased to see his face again. We don't see much
of him in late years, for he spends most of his time
in Worcester at his G. A. R. post, telling how he
fought, bled (but not died) for his country. He is
happy in his good old age and we are glad of it.

W. A. PATTERSON

Began I believe with Batchelder & Lincoln and
of late years has traveled for L. B. Evans and has
made a success. "Pat" is one of the live "young-
sters."

WILLIAM DORSCH, JR.

Every one knows Billy Dorsch of the old firm of
William Dorsch & Sons, the line made famous by
the "bull dog" shoe. Billy is now traveling for
Slater & Morrill and we are always glad to see him.

181

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

JOHN M. QUIN

Once upon a time Utica cut a big figure in the
shoe business. John Quin was with H. J. Holbrook
& Co., of Utica, from 1884 to 1889. Traveled for
Daniel Green Felt Shoe Company for the past
seventeen years. Now on jobbing end. A big-
hearted, able, fine man. Brother of Frank Quin.

E. L. DESCHAMPS

One of Harry Crooker's right bowers. Been on
the road for thirty-three years. Picture taken
twenty years ago. We all are glad to count E. L.
in with the real "boys."

S. A. McOMBER

Here's one of the genuinely popular shoe men -
S. A. M. represents Utz & Dunn in New York.
Nuf sed. Has helped to put Rochester on the shoe
map for thirty years. Former treasurer of National
Shoe Travelers' Association. Needless for us to
add our mite to the good will that everybody ex-
presses for this gentleman.

182

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

XXVII

B. K. FARNHAM

I don't know how Ben got in this old class, for
he is only a kid. It was only yesterday he started
selling for C. H. Alden; but he has seen considerable
of this country since, and must be glad to settle
down in New York with less traveling to do.
Nephew of Harry Crooker.

GEORGE H. FERGUSON

George began his traveling in the West for the
old firm of Eddy & Webster of Rochester; was sev-
eral years with Krippendorf-Dittman, and now
has a New York office for Julian & Kokenge. If
he was a little younger he might be in the trenches
with the Canadian troops, but I guess he prefers
digging potatoes on his farm, near Batavia, N. Y.

C. A. SHAW

Here is another former Stetson salesman and
you will remember him by the name of " Chicken"
Shaw but he is no chicken now.

WALTER I. PERRY

His first road job was with the Newburyport
Shoe Company; then he helped to found the firm
of N. D. Dodge & Bliss Company, which was suc-

133

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

ceeded by Bliss & Perry Company. Walter when
not selling shoes may be found on his beautiful farm
raising apples, as his friends know. One of the
most popular men in the trade.

JAKE SMITH

Jake Smith traveled for J. P. Smith & Co. in
the West and was, and is, a jolly good fellow. I
don't hear of his traveling now, but he is still on
earth and glad to see his old friends.

FRED EARL

Fred has sold fine shoes in the West so long
that he can surely be called a fine shoe salesman.
His big record was made with McDonald & Kiley, and
Manss-Kiley.

FRANK HELMERS

This picture of Frank Helmers was taken about
twenty years ago. Frank is one of the famous
Cincinnati shoe men and is head of the Helmers-
Bettmann Shoe Co., makers of men's shoes.

JOHN S. SNOW

John Snow sold Harry Gray's shoes for twenty-
seven years and was a fixture with that house, and
one of the ablest and most popular men on the road.
His death in New York City three years ago brought
lasting sorrow to us all.

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SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

CLARK F. BRESEE

Another man long associated with H. H. Gray's
Son was Clark F. Bresee, whose death last year
occasioned widespread regret throughout the whole
circle of his extensive acquaintance. Popular in the
best sense and beloved by all, Clark Bresee graced
the profession of shoe salesmanship. This charac-
teristic picture shows how he looked many years ago.

XXVIII

HENRY M. CURRIER

I remember him first as with W. E. Putnam &
Co. of Boston and traveling in the South, where
he continues selling his own line, and besides he
is interested in several retail stores. Headquarters,
Albany Building, Boston.

C. H. HENDERSON

Charley traveled so long for Burley & Usher
and Burley & Stevens that I need only say that
every one on his territory was glad to see him each
season that he called on them and sorry to have him
quit, but he had other plans and now he is taking
his ease on his Beverly farm. Note the whiskers.

185

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

B. FRANK HALLETT

B. F. for many years traveled in the South for
several Cincinnati factories but of late years he
changed his territory to the West, making many
sales and friends. Now we find him back in his
home city, Boston, traveling for B. E. Cole & Co.,
not looking much older than when this picture was
taken years ago.

DAN FULLER

Our old friends are always remembered, and we
cannot forget that noble fellow, Dan Fuller, who
traveled South for Charles H. Alden, until his
sudden death several years ago.

WILLIAM JACKSON

Every one on the coast knew Billy and loved him.
He had his ups and downs, but made a success of
every line he represented, from Johnston & Murphy
to The Carlisle Shoe Company, the line he had when
he died a short time ago.

W. J. PARKER

Like many other salesmen Billy began selling
for a shoe jobbing house; then with French, Shriner
& Urner. The young firm of Parker & LeFaver
was formed but died in its infancy; then he traveled
for Jerry Menihan.

186

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

T. A. DELANY

Tom is some orator, but his speech making is
mostly confined now in telling the fine points of
T. D. Barry's shoes. I believe he tried for a short
season to sell shoes to Indians and Mexicans, but he
wants to forget it.

GEORGE RUSSELL AND J. A. LAWRENCE

This interesting picture of two old pals,
George Russell and Jim Lawrence, taken in the
long ago. More detailed mention is made of each
of these well-known shoe men elsewhere in this book.

ED. W. HUGHES

Ed. has been traveling thirty-five years or more
• — five years with Hugh McKenzie, of Cincinnati,
five years with J. W. Brigham & Co., of Boston,
and twenty-six years with his present house,
Helmers, Bettmann & Co., of Cincinnati — surely
a long and honorable record.

XXIX

WILLIAM L. RATCLIFFE

As this book is preparing for the press we learn
with great sadness of the death of Will RatclifTe.

187

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

A great figure of a man in mind, body, heart and
soul. A doer of big things, yet not despising the
lesser things of life. He has written his name large
in the history of this trade. He was Thomas G.
Plant's first salesman. He rose from a shoe clerk
in Elmira, N. Y., to the presidency of the Thomas
G. Plant Company. Now he rests in peace and
awaits us for the final home-coming on our brief
earthly trip. His memory shall endure, green and
fine.

W. W. BOHR

Will Bohr has been selling John Cramer shoes
for many years and is a big salesman. A brother
of the late well-known N. C. Bohr. Has the confi-
dence and esteem of all who know him.

JOHN S. DAVIES

John Davies, step forth and receive the laurel
wreath of honor — forty-six years, ninety-two trips
to the coast for C. P. Ford & Co., of Rochester!!
A record of great distinction, and we are proud
with you. May you make one hundred more such
trips.

FRED BAKER

He has been out of shoes for years but will
be well remembered as with Hanan & Son,

188

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

traveling from Denver to the coast. He died a
couple of years ago, but his memory will always be
with us.

GEORGE A. MITCHELL

This is another member of the firm of Laird,
Schober & Mitchell and in the old days was a strong
member, for he sold a lot of shoes in the middle West
and will be well remembered by many. What a
happy fellow he was. Gone, but held in happy
memory.

HERBERT P. GLEASON

Known to his familiars as "Pop" Gleason, and
to everybody as the president of Johnston & Mur-
phy, the famous Newark men's fine shoemakers.
Has sold J. & M. shoes for a good many years and
we all expect him to be doing the same thing for
a half century longer, at least.

ARTHUR EARL

Arthur can't quite forget that he was once a
retail clerk in Springfield, but I remember. Well,
he has been so long with Laird, Schober & Co. that
there is no other line in this country to him. May
he contiuue for many years.

189

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

JAMES MUSSON

Jim knew no other line than John Cramer's
children's shoes and that was his only line for about
forty years. Every one knows how he was beloved
by the trade and are sad, thinking of his death only
last November. His son succeeds him, making the
third generation to sell John Cramer shoes.

J. A. C. EMERSON

Jack was of the trio made up of himself, Hank
Goller and Frank Land. Was several years with
John H. Cross. Now we find him selling for Wise
& Cooper and making a success as usual. Picture
taken when Jack was some boy.

XXX

R. T. ROLLINS

"Dick" has been so long with Hoag & Walden
that he believes it is the only line on earth; but this
season he has got into the five-dollar class. Dick
is past president of the Southern Shoe Salesmen's
Association, and every inch a real man.

J. L. WILLET

Jack was for years with Utz & Dunn, Rochester,
placing that line in large and small cities in the mid-
190

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

die West. He retired some years ago and opened
a cigar store in his home town of Flint, Mich., where
he died a few years ago, regretted by all.

BEN STOUT

Ben Stout is one of the popular Rochester boys,
and helped to put the "stir" in Rochester. Ben
has been on the road for a quarter of a century, and
can trot a fast heat with any of them.

G. E. FRAZEE

Gentlemen, G. E. Frazee of Rochester. We are
glad to include this sterling salesman with the men
who have done so much to put Rochester shoes where
they are.

G. W. HERR

This is Herr and it's a "he. " G. W. traveled for
Williams, Hoyt & Co., for many years, having begun
forty years ago. Wish we had a better picture of
brother Herr, but are we glad to have even this.

J. H. KINNE

Drop into C. P. Ford 's factory any day between
seasons and you '11 find one of the best men you ever
met in your life — John Kinne — right on the job.
John has been a fixture with Ford shoes for, lo, these
many years, and I hope he'll be there very many
more.

191

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN
J. E. SCHOFIELD

Here's another Rochesterite — J. E. Schofield.
He began with Diamond & Disbrow, of Utica.
Has sold shoes for Williams & Hoyt for twenty-three
years. On the road forty years all told. Welcome
to the upper row, J. E.

A. C. EDSON

Another Williams, Hoyt & Co., veteran salesman
— A. C. Edson. On road for them twenty-two
years. Now with Joy, Clark & Nier. Picture
made in 1903.

F. H. Foss

Here is a well-known figure — F. H. Foss. F. H.
thought he'd quit selling men's shoes a year or so ago,
but the lure of the old game got him and he's now
with Foss-Packard. He used to be with Kelly-
Buckley and T. D. Barry. This picture was taken
twenty-five years ago.

WALLACE D. BAKER

W. D. is a brother of J. Ralph and a son of M. F.
Baker — three of a kind. Well-known Preston B.
Keith salesman. Began selling on the road for
his father, then at Stoneham, in 1894. Then he
(W. D.) was but sixteen years old. One of the
young veterans, you see.

192

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

XXXI

F. M. MONTGOMERY

February 1, 1916, marked the completion of
thirty-nine years of F. M. Montgomery's service
with the Selby Shoe Company. Brother Mont-
gomery, you are hereby awarded the honorary medal
of Distinguished Service. Picture taken in 1888.
He began road work for Irving Drew (now Selby)
in 1877 and F. M. can look back over these thirty-
nine consecutive years of selling, through discourage-
ment and hard work and on to success, and now, at
sixty, is in his very prime. And may he long con-
tinue so.

JAMES H. MULLIGAN

"Jim" Mulligan, one of the popular royal rooters
for Rochester, has traveled the middle West for
John Kelly, Inc., thirty-five years. This picture
shows Jim with a mustache which, I believe, time
has brushed away.

J. P. BYRNE

This young and sprightly soul has also been
peddling John Kelly shoes for thirty-five years. He
can tell a story, sing a song, or crack a joke as well
as he can sell a bill of shoes, which is Al. Popularity
is J. P.'s middle name.

193

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

CHARLES J. VEGIARD

Take a look at this picture of Charlie "Veegyard"
and tell me, honestly, if you believe he has been
selling shoes for forty years. Fact. Now with
Blum Shoe Mfg. Co., and can travel with the best
of 'em.

SANDY C. GLOUD

Thirty-four years constitute Sandy's road ex-
perience. Was with Utz & Dunn several years.
Now with Leach Shoe Company. One of Rochester's
best.

"Bos" PARSONS

"Bob" Parsons died two years ago, deeply
mourned by his many friends in the shoe traveling
fraternity. Best known through his connection
with Dugan & Hudson of Rochester.

C. E. MEADE

C. E. Meade is now a prominent Rochester
shoe manufacturer, but forty years ago he sold
shoes on the road for Williams & Hoyt.

HENRY McGouGHRAN

For several centuries Henry has been selling
D. Armstrong shoes and has certainly sold a raft
of them. He is one of the big men of the road, and

194

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

a whole-souled gentleman. One of the reasons for
Rochester's place in the shoe sun.

JOHN G. TOWNSEND

Everybody down South knew John Townsend,
who traveled that section for Williams & Hoyt of
Rochester for years. He has joined the "great
majority'' and leaves a splendid memory.

XXXII

ELMER J. BLISS

When a New York Central passenger train got
into a wreck some twenty-six or seven years ago,
and Elmer J. Bliss was dug out of the scrambled
wreckage of the Smoking car, with his scalp full of
broken glass, his career as a traveling shoe salesman
really started right there. For, after he had re-
covered, he collected some real money from the rail-
road and engaged in the selling of shoe jobs on the
road. Then he formed the Regal Shoe Company,
of which he is president and live-wire general mana-
ger.

GEORGE M. RUSSELL

We are glad to see our old friend George's face
again, for he has been lost to the shoe trade
several years, but we remember him with Hazen

195

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

B. Goodrich, then manager for J. A. Lawrence, jobber,
in Chicago. He traveled a few years for Val Dut-
tenhofer & Sons, but is now out of shoes and lives
in California.

DAVID S. CHILDS

Dave traveled for A. E. Nettleton in the South
for many years, but like many other young men,
the call of the West got him, and of late years he
had made many friends from Denver to the coast,
selling Johnston & Murphy, and now Slater-Morrill
shoes. Dave lives in Flint, Mich.

W. F. EBBETT

"Ted" has not grown any since he went to work
for Parker, Holmes & Co. as a kid, but he grew in
experience, so they put him on the road in New Eng-
land. Then was with Packard & Field until Hazen
B. Goodrich & Co. discovered him. He remained
with that firm many years until Cincinnati tempted
him, but he could not forget New England and
turned shoes, so Chas. E. Wilson captured him.
Ted has recently become a partner in the George C.
How Company, Haverhill, and we wish him all luck.

H. L. GABELL AND W. F. GABELL
H. L. Gabell and his brother, W. F. Gabell, are
members of the firm of Reynolds, Drake & Gabell,

196

SKETCHESOF TRAVELING SALESMEN

and sell their share of the output. We see both of
the Gabells at 183 Essex Street, almost daily, be-
tween seasons, and are glad to note the success of
these veteran shoe salesmen.

JAMES L. ESTEY

We cannot call Jim one of the old boys; still
he has made quite a record with Tuttle & Smith,
T. D. Barry Co., and is now with N. B. Thayer & Son,
selling shoes down Texas way.

JOHN M. FRENCH

John French is one of the most famous and
respected traveling shoe salesmen in the country.
Went with Huiskamp Bros., Keokuk, in 1872, and
traveled until 1905, when he retired. This picture
is an old one, sure enough. He was Member No. 1
of the I. S. T. M. A., which now has 50,000 members.
Mr. French is enjoying a retired life at his home in
Keokuk.

R. W. FlTZPATRICK

"Bob" used to be a good salesman to the retail
trade years ago, when he looked like this picture,
but he graduated to wholesale and now knows no
other line but Jonathan Brown. We all know he
surely sells some children's shoes.

197

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

H. A. ANDERSON

Here we have another "Andy" for "Herm"
and "Wills" Anderson; both sold men's shoes in
the good old days. Now we have Herm selling for
Thomson-Crooker Company in all the large cities
on the coast. We know he is happy, for he is making
a big success.

XXXIII

J. WARREN MURRAY

Warren Murray is well known as the head of
the Murray Shoe Company for twenty years. Now
with Val Duttenhofer. Warren sold a great many
fine shoes during his time. A square man whom
we all wish well.

W. S. ROGERS

As these lines are penned, I learn of the death of
W. S. Rogers, who had represented Utz & Dunn for
a good many years, and was one of the highly re-
garded older salesmen going out of Rochester. Thus
Time takes his steady toll.

LEE F. GOODMAN

Lee sells rafts of "Just Wright" shoes on the
coast and is one of the justly popular shoe salesmen
in that genial territory. Lee is young in years,
comparatively, but old in experience and long in
ability.

198

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

E. F. RICE

This photo was taken about thirty years ago,
and time certainly flies. E. F. went with Utz &
Dunn shortly after this photo was added to the
archives of shoe trade portraits, so he must rank as
a genuine Utz & Dunn veteran, having been with
them ever since. He lives in Denver.

ED. A. TOBEY

Who would ever believe this flossy picture to
be our old side-kick Pittsburg Ed. Tobey? None
other, just the same. Who would ever believe Ed.
traveled? But as he claims he did, we are glad to
embalm his phiz in this galaxy of greatness. Ed. is
now the famous buyer for Kauffman-Baer, Pittsburg.

JOHN F. WHEELER

This picture of J. F. was taken in 1890. He has
been on the road for forty-one years, having seen
road service with such houses as P. Ware & Co.,
Lilly, Young, Pratt & Brackett, Boston & Sandwich
Shoe Company, Emerson Shoe Company, T. D.
Barry Company. He now represents the Boston
office of several factories.

199

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

J. A. RICHARDSON

Every one knows "Dick" Richardson, but don't
know where he got the name of Dick. The shoe
history of Dick is just Commonwealth Shoe Company,
and if they went out of business, he would quit, too.
Well, you will have to step lively to get ahead of
J. A. R. Headquarters in Fifth Avenue Building,
New York City.

A. F. SlMONDS

He will be remembered as traveling for Woodman
& Howe of Haverhill, and he could sure sell the
German trade, for he spoke German like a native.
Perhaps in these days he might be taken for a Ger-
man spy, but he is now too busy selling for Lewis
A. Crossett in "York State."

CHARLES S. MURRAY

Charlie Murray, the sweet singer of the salesmen,
has gray hair, but is, nevertheless, the youngest of
the three Murrays. Just gets into the twenty-year
class. Sold Murray shoes down South for years.
Now with Hanan.

XXXIV

FRANK J. BRADLEY

I cannot realize that Frank Bradley was once
a traveling man; still he was, and with Hazen B.

200

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

Goodrich with whom he has been an active partner
and head of the business for years, and one of the
most highly esteemed manufacturers in the country.
Picture taken many years ago.

ED. DONALDSON

Ed has been out of the travelman class for so
many years that he almost forgets those old days
when he traveled for W. E. Smertz, Pittsburg,
and then for Williams & Hoyt; but he left us cold,
and went on the other side as buyer of shoes. He
held many big positions as buyer of shoe departments
in Pittsburg, Brooklyn, New York, Rochester,
Newark and Toledo; but now he has settled in Bos-
ton as manager and buyer of one of the large jobbing
houses here.

WILLIAM GILLESPIE

Sometime called Bill and there is a reason, for
he has his original way of selling shoes, and he gets
there as he has shown in selling for Wallace Elliott,
Charley Case, Forbush & Brown and at present
with Alden, Walker & Wilde. All are glad to see
him when he arrives in town and if you can get him
to talk you are liable to learn something.

201

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

A. F. JONES

"Jack" Jones, that's all — for what can we say
more than he has been so long with T. D. Barry
that he knows no other line — and all buyers and
salesmen know Jack and his line.

JOHN E. LANGLEY

Honest John did not begin the shoe business as
a traveling shoe salesman, for he was for some years
a manufacturer of children's shoes in Detroit! It
was at the same time Governor Pingree was in the
shoe business. Field-Thayer, P. N. Wadleigh and
Hervey E. Guptill kept John busy for years, but
now we find him jobbing shoes for himself in De-
troit and making a success of it.

WILL WEBSTER

Will Webster was well known as being of the
firm of Eddy & Webster, but of late years with
Krippendorf & Dittman, traveling out West. I
hear that he has now retired and having a well-
earned rest.

A. C. CARPENTER

Al succeeded the late Dan Fuller in the South
for C. H. Alden, and has made a fine success. He
hails from down Florida way and is fond of spinning

202

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

yarns that could only get by as originating in Florida.
Al is popular with all the boys. You can find him
at the Alden Boston office, 105 Summer Street, any
time between seasons. His real name is Alfred.

W. L. HAYNES

Will Haynes has traversed Southern territory
twenty-five years and is well known as Parker-
Holmes7 representative, and a man whom we are
glad to include in our series of sketches of veteran
shoe salesmen.

W. H. SHELBY

It is a pleasure to have this picture of W. H.
Shelby in our collection. Mr. Shelby represents
Sutherland-Pedigo-Farwell Shoe Company, of St.
Louis, in the Southwest. Has been on the road
thirty-six years, starting with Claflin Allen Shoe Com-
pany in 1881. Has also been with Shafer-Swarts
& Co. and Hamilton-Brown. Was vice-president
of Friedman-Shelby Shoe Company, up to five
years ago. Lives in Roswell, N. M.

XXXV

J. E. STEVENS

I believe Jack was the first to make a success
of a Cincinnati line in New York City, for he

203

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

surely did sell a lot of Krippendorf & Dittman's
shoes in that city. Previous to that he had made a
success with Wright & Peters line. His death in
New York several years ago was mourned by all
his many friends.

ALBERT A. MEAD

We hardly think of Albert as an old timer but
he has made a record for a few years and has helped
to make Upham Bros. Company, of which concern
he is now president.

HORACE W. MURRAY

Horace is, of course, known as of Murray Shoe
Company, and you may be sure he made that line
known in the West. Since the firm gave up business
we find him manufacturing shoes in Haverhill.

L. H. DOWNS

Lurad Downs is now the "high gun" at the
Charles K. Fox factory, but has done his share as a
road salesman. We see him in Boston frequently
and are glad to know of his fine success.

204

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

THOMAS F. BYRNES

Thomas F. Byrnes, as everybody knows, travels
for the Thomas G. Plant Company, and, moreover,
has five sons who do likewise, this being a record in
itself. Picture taken twenty years ago and cer-
tainly T. F. has changed in looks, but he's the same
popular "boy" he always has been. A real veteran.

C. L. ANDERSON

Charley only knows how long he has sold Whit-
man & Keith's shoes in New England, and he won't
tell. This picture shows what a fine looking young
man he is. Sorry we haven't a boyhood picture
of him.

CAL HERSOME

Cal Hersome did not travel long selling shoes
for Emerson & Sons of Wakefield, but he made his
name celebrated by the patented Hersome Gaiter,
which was a decided departure from the regular
shoe style of those days. There was quite a sale
for this shoe. Mr. Hersome has been out of shoes
for some time and is enjoying life on a farm. The
family, however, is still represented in shoes, for
his son Jack sells for Kelly-Buckley and is a good
salesman, but I don't think he can talk as fast and
long as his dad.

205

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

W. H. WARE

Here is a long-ago picture of W. H. Ware that
his many friends will appreciate. He sure was some
spruce those days and incidentally knew how to
land the good orders.

BARTLETT SEARS

Bartlett Sears is one of the veteran Boston sales-
men. Began with Henry Damon, the original
C. O. D. man, and after service with various houses
(including six years with the Erie R. R,) he landed
with the Worcester Slipper Company, jobbing trade,
with whom he has been for twenty years. The
whiskers have disappeared.

XXXVI

T. J. YATES

Tom should be ashamed of himself for not
having a better picture of his handsome self. Twenty-
three years for T. J. on the road. Excelsior first,
then Podan Bros., and Lewis A. Crossett, and for
the past sixteen years he has been with Thomas G.
Plant Company in the Southwest. Tom is a great
boy and is from Philadelphia and doesn't care
who knows it.

206

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

J. F. HENRY

Jack Henry tries to tell us that he hasn't been
selling shoes for twenty years, but Bob Roberts
says he sold Mrs. Methuselah her first pair of boots,
so here goes. This snapshot shows Jack in a rem-
iniscent mood, shortly after returning from Ireland
where he kissed the Blarney Stone twice. We all
know he's with Maetrich-Eyre. Past president
New York Shoe Salesmen's Association. "Same's
B4," Jack.

R. L. WALL

Here's R. L. Wall, one of the big men on the
Pacific coast where he sells a carload or so of
Sherwood shoes every season. Started in the
shoe business in Memphis, with Brown Shoe Com-
pany, 1893. Then with J. W. Jenkins Company
(now the Sherwood Shoe Company), on the Coast
where he has been ever since.

HARRY B. SCHWEITZER

This is a little twenty-year old picture of Harry
Schweitzer, but we all know him for a big-hearted
fellow. Harry was then traveling for Schwab Bros.
He has been with T. D. Barry for many years.
Lives in Chicago.

207

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

MAURICE KORNSAND

This picture of Maurice Kornsand was taken
thirty-four years ago, when he was seventeen. He
has been on the road for thirty-three years. For
several years he was with Whitman & Keith, in
charge of the New York office and territory and has
been with T. D. Barry for several years in the same
location. Maurice is one of the most successful
salesmen in the New York territory.

HERMAN SCHOCKE

Traveled for years for Charles W. Strohbeck and
now with Wichert & Gardiner. I guess about
every city in the South has welcomed jolly, good-
natured Herman and he surely has sold some shoes.

J. T. FlTZPATRICK

John has traveled so long in New England and
New York State for French, Shriner & Urner and
J. E. French that if he should go west of Buffalo
he would think he was out of the United States.
He manages to sell rafts of the Knox shoes. Lives
in S tough ton.

HARRY GOLLER

Here is a playful picture of Harry Goller taken with
his friend Fred Wesner, the well-known buyer for the
Powers Mercantile Company of Minneapolis. Harry
is a brother of "Hank" and C. F. Goller and is with
Allen-Foster-Willet. Traveled twenty-two years.

208

SKETCHES OF TRAVELING SALESMEN

WALTER SCOTT

Traveled a good many years selling misses'
and children's shoes with Allen & Company, Phila-
delphia. He is interested in the business, and we
all know that Walter has sold a great many shoes.

RALPH SAXE

When Ralph passed away a few years ago, we all
mourned the loss of a good friend and fellow trav-
eler. He traveled South for several years and was
one of the original members of the Southern Shoe
Salesmen's Association. In this old tintype picture
are also Fred Church, Clendennin, Jr., and Billy
Martin.

209

INDEX

TO PORTRAITS AND SKETCHES

The roman numerals after each name indicate the plate on which the portrait
appears; the plain figures denote the page where the sketch appears.

HARRY L. ADAMS, X,
GEORGE AHERNS, VIII,
WALTER S. ALDRIDGE, I,
C. L. ANDERSON, XXXV,
H. A. ANDERSON, XXXII,
WILSON H. ANDERSON, XXIII,
FRANK ARMITAGE, IV,
A. H. ATHERTON,

WINFIELD S. BACON, XII,
GEORGE A. BACKUS, VII,
AMOS F. BAILEY, XXI,
C. E. BAIRD, XI,
FRED BAKER, XXIX,
J. RALPH BAKER, XIII,
WALLACE D. BAKER, XXX,
EUGENE BALDWIN, III,
W. H. BALKAM, XIX,
FRANK M. BARKER, XIII,
HARRIS M. BARNES, VI,
C. R. BEACH, XI,
J. J. BEAHR, XVI,
J. P. BEATTY,

ARTHUR I. BENEDICT, XVIII,
CLARE A. BENEDICT, II,
F. D. BLAKE,
ELMER J. BLISS, XXXII,
W. W. BOHR, XXIX,
FRANK J. BRADLEY, XXXIV,
F. H. BRADSTREET, V,
CHARLES BRANDMAN, XVII,
CLARK F. BRESEE, XXVII,
WILLIAM G. BRIDGED, XVIII,
FRED C. BRIEL, XV,
ARTHUR L. BROOKS, XIII,
CHARLES J. BROOKS, XXIV,

PAGE
119
114

65
205
198
168

86
169

136

93
163
133
188
138
192

81
159
139

91
132
148
169
154

68
169
195
188
200

88
151
185
152
144
137
176

CAPEN BROWN, XIV,

J. P. BURNS, XV,

TILL BUSH, VI,

J. P. BYRNE, XXXI,

THOMAS F. BYRNES, XXXV,

PAGE
142
145
92
193
205

W. H. CANNON, VI, 92

ALFRED C. CARPENTER, XXXIV, 202
A. M. CENTER. XI, 130

T. H. CHAMBERLIN, XXV, 178

A. L. CHASE, XVII, 150

GEORGE T. CHASE, XII, 135

DAVID S. CHILDS, XXXII, 196

FRED C. CHURCH, XVIII, XXXVI, 153
BERNARD H. COGAN, XVI, 146

FRANK M. COLBURN, III, 84, 169
J. HARRY COLBURN, VII,
E. M. COLLINS, V,
GEORGE W. COOK, VIII,
SAMUEL COOK, XX,

D. M. CORBIN, XIX,
JIM Cox, X,

W. E. CRANDALL, VI,
WILLIAM CRAWFORD, VI,
J. FRANK CREHAN, XIX,
J. J. CROMWELL, VIII,
HARRY W. CROCKER, XXVI,
L. B. CUBBISON, XII,
HENRY M. CURRIER, XXVIII,
JOHN CURRY, III,

E. H. GUSHING, XX,

161

156

129

156

180

136

185

160

E. M. DANIELS, XII, 134

JOHN S. DAVIES, XXIX, 188

C. E. DAVIS, XVI, 147

JOHN DAVY, XV. 143

211

INDEX

W. HENRY DEAN, XXV,
H. E. DECATUR, XXV,
THOMAS A. DELANY, XXVIII,

E. L. DESCHAMPS, XXVI,

F. T. DEXTER, XIII,
HUGH M. DEYO, XI,
F. J. DOAN, IX,

H. D. DODGE, XIII,

EDW. DONALDSON, XXXIV,

WILLIAM DORSCH, JR., XXVI,

LURAD H. DOWNS, XXXV,

A. W. DUBOIS, VI,

W. HARRY DUDLEY, XXV,

WILLIAM H. DUNN, XVIII,

GEORGE S. DWINNELL, V,

HARRY P. DYER, XV,

ARTHUR EARL, XXIX,
FRED EARL, XXVII,
W. F. EBBETT, XXXII,
A. C. EDSON, XXX,
FRED S. ELWELL, XX,
J. A. C. EMERSON, XXIX,
J. W. ESTABROOK, XXVI,
C. A. ESTES, XVIII,
JAMES L. ESTEY, XXXII,
E. E. EVARTS,

BENJAMIN K. FARNHAM, XXVII, 183

GEORGE H. FERGUSON, XXVII, 183

F. GARRETT FISHER, XVIII, 155

OLIVER M. FISHER, IX, 115

J. T. FITZPATRICK, XXXVI, 208

R. W. FITZPATRICK, XXXII, 197

W.S.FLETCHER, 172

JOHN F. FLINT, XVII, 151

F. H. Foss, XXX, 192
CHARLES H. FOSTER, XXIV, 177
W. P. FRANCIS, XX, 160

G. E. FRAZEE, XXX, 191
JOHN M. FRENCH, XXXII, 172, 197
M. D. FULLER, XXVIII, 186

H. L. GABELL, XXXII,
W. F. GABELL, XXXII,

PAGE PAGE

178 A. M. GAINES, XIX, 157

179 G. TOWNES GAINES, XIX, 157
187 A. W. GAGE, II, XXV, 62, 67, 178
182 HUBERT H. GARDINER, X, 120
139 HENRY S. GARFIELD, XXII, 165
131 W. E. Gerrish, XI, 130
118 WILLIAM GILLESPIE, XXXIV, 201
138 H. P. GLEASON, XXIX, 189
201 E. E. GLOMSTED, XIII, 139
181 S. C. GLOUD, XXXI, 194
204 HANK GOLLER, XXXVI, 174

91 H. H. GOLLER, XXIII, 208

179 DAVID R. GOODIN, XII, 136

153 LEE F. GOODMAN, XXXIII, 198

88 AL GOULD, VII, 93

143 HARRY H. GRAY, X, 119

J. RUSH GREEN, XII, 134

189 A. L. GREENWOOD, XII, 135
184 GEORGE GREGORY, XVII, 149

196 WALLAC , T. GROW, IX, 115
192

159 GEORGE L. HALE, I, 65

190 B. FRANK HALLETT, XXVIII, 186
181 HARRY M. HAMILTON, XVII, 150
153 JOHN H. HANAN, VIII, 96

197 T. D. HARLOW, IV, 85
169 H. A. HARRINGTON, XXI, 165

R. E. HARRISON, VI, 91

WALTER HART, IV, 84

WILLIAM L. HAYNES, XXXIV, 203

FRANK HELMERS, XXVII, 184

C. H. HENDERSON, XXVIII, 185

J. F. HENRY, XXXVI, 207

GEORGE W. HERR, XXX, 191

CAL HERSOME, XXXV, 205

HERB. HILL, II, 68

WICKLIFFE A. HILL, VI, 90

GEORGE T. HIPPLE, XXIV, 176

TIMOTHY HOGAN, V, 87

A. V. HOLBROOK, XXVI, 180

BRYANT T. HUDSON, XX, 159

ED. W. HUGHES, XXVIII, 187

H. W. HUISKAMP, 172

196 J. C. HUNT, III, 83

196 JOHN H. HUNT, XXII. 166

212

INDEX

PAGE

W. H. HUNTING-TON, XVII, 150

AL. KURD, III, 83

WILLIAM M. HURLEY, XXV, 179

E. M. HUTCHINSON, I, 65

:. A. INGALLS, XXIV,

177

WILLIAM JACKSON, XXVIII, 186

OSCAR JACOBI, XVIII, 152

WILLARD H. JAMES, XX, 161

W. H. H. JAMES, XVII, 149

ARTHUR H. JENKINS, XV, 144

THOMAS E. C. JOHNSON, XIV, 142

TONY E. JOHNSON, XXIII, 173

A. F. (Jack) JONES, XXXIV, 202

W. H. JUDSON, 172

J. J. KALTENBRUN, XIV, 141
F. C. KELLOGG, IX, XXV, 116, 178

E. A. KENDALL, XXIV, 175
W. I. KENDALL, XIII, 137
PHILIP B. KERRIGAN, XVI, 146
HARRY KIDD, XXII, 166
WILLIAM M. KILEY, II, 66
JOSEPH C. KIMBALL, XXIII, 173
JOHN H. KINNE, XXX, 191
D. E. KITTREDGE, XIX, 158
J. F. KNOWLES, XXI, 162
MAURICE KORNSAND, XXXVI, 208

JOHN L. LAIRD, XIX, 157

F. H. LAND, XXIII, 168
GEORGE LANE, III, 82
J. E. LANGLEY, XXXIV, 202
HERBERT N. LAPE, XIX, 158
J. A. LAWRENCE, II, XXVIII, 67, 187
HENRY A. LOOMIS, II, 68
GEORGE J. LOVELEY, XV, 145
CHARLES F. LUSCH, V, 88

JOHNG. LUSCH, VIII, 114

HARRY P. LYNCH, XIII, 137

HECTOR E. LYNCH, XXII, 165

A. S. MACFARLANE, 169

E. H. MATHEWSON, XXI, 162

PAGE

H. A. MATHEWSON, XXI, 162

A. E. MATLESS, 172

ED. MAURER, XXIII, 174

JAMES H. MAYBURY, VII, 94

C. A. MCCARTHY, XI, 132

ORAN McCoRMicK, XXIII, 173

J. B. McCuNE, IX, 117

CHRIS. McDERMorr, IV, 85

JOHN MCELANEY, XXII, 166

PETER McGEOUGH, XVI, 148

HENRY McGouGHRAN, XXXI, 194

J. B. McKEE, XXV, 180

C. A. MCLEAN, XXI, 164

W. MCMULLEN, XXI, 164

S. A. MCOMBER, XXVI, 182
CHARLES R. McWiLLiAMS, XXIV, 175

ALBERT A. MEAD, XXXV, 204

HAMILTON MEAD, III, 84

C. E. MEADE, XXXI, 194

E. W. MEARS, III, 82
RALPH MEARS, III, 82
JOHN M MEGGETT, XVIII, 153
THOMAS T. MERRILL, VI, 92
T. FRANK METCALFE, X, 130
GEORGE A. MITCHELL, XXIX, 189

F. M. MONTGOMERY, XXXI, 193
S. PRESTON MOSES, V, 89
MATT MULLEN, II, 81
JAMES H. MULLIGAN, XXXI, 193

M. J. MULRYAN, 172

D. B. MUNROE, V, 87
CHARLES S. MURRAY, XXXIII, 200
HORACE W. MURRAY, XXXV, 204
J. WARREN MURRAY, XXXIII, 198
JAMES MUSSON, XXIX, 190

CHARLES W. NEWHALL, I,
WILLIAM NOLL, III,
JOHN C. NUGENT, VII,
W. F. NYE, XVI,

C. F. OAKLEY, VII,
W. M. OAKMAN, IV,

J. E. O'BRIEN, XXI,

148

163

213

INDEX

PAGE

B. F. PAGE, IX, 117
JOEL C. PAGE, I, 63
WILLIAM J. PARKER, XXVIII, 186
ROBERT PARSONS, XXXI, 194
W. A. PATTERSON, XXVI, 181
WALTER I. PERRY, XXVII, 183

C. I. PETHERBRIDGE, V, 90
C. S. PIERCE, XIX, 158
E. J. PIERCE, IX, 118
WARREN C. PIERCE, XV, 144
HOWARD PLATTS, XVII, 149
R. J. PRINCE, I, 64
S. M. PRITCHETT, XX, 161
H. M. PULKER, VIII, 113
L.T. PYLES, 172

CHARLES O. QUIMBY, XXVI, 181

FRANK QUIN, VIII, 113

JOHN M. QUIN, XXVI, 182

A. ERWIN RANKIN, VII, 94
WILLIAM L. RATCLIFFE, XXIX, 187

L. R. RECORD, XIV, 141

THOMAS REDDIE, 172

N. REDPATH, IV, 87

MARC W. REED, XXI, 163

E. F. RICE, XXXIII, 199

J. A. RICHARDSON, XXXIII, 200

HARRY H. RIPLEY, V, 89, 172

E. L. RITSON, XXIV, 175

P. A. RITTER, XXI, 164

C. C. ROBINSON, X, 129

W. S. ROGERS, XXXIII, 198

R. T. ROLLINS, XXX, 190
GEORGE M. RUSSELL, XXVIII,

XXXII, 187, 195

JOHN L. SAGE, VII, 95

A. W. SARGENT, I, III, 63, 83

E. F. SAWYER, XIII, 137

R. J. SAXE, XXXVI, 209

HERMAN SCHOCKE, XXXVI, 208

J. E. SCHOFIELD, XXX, 192
HARRY B. SCHWEITZER, XXXVI, 207

WALTER SCOTT, XXXVI, 209

BARTLETT SEARS, XXXV,
C. A. SHAW, XXVII,
SAMUEL SHAW, XXII,
W. H. SHELBY, XXXIV,
JAMES D. SHERIDAN, IX,
ED. T. SHIPP, XVI,
CHARLES J. SHRINER, XXII,

A. F. SIMONDS, XXXIII,
E. W. SKINNER, XXII,

C. B. SLATER, II,
T. S. SLACK, I,

E. B. SLOCUM, XIV,
CHARLES H. SMITH, XX,

F. L. SMITH, XXV,
JAKE SMITH, XXVII,
J. P. SMITH, X,
CHARLES F. SNOW, IV,
JOHN S. SNOW, XXVII,
HERBERT SOMERS, VIII,
J. S. SPAULDING, XX,
ROBERT SPRUNT, JR., IV,

B. A. ST. JOHN, XVI,
WILLIAM J. ST. Louis, XII,
WILLIAM H. STACY, X,
FRED W. STANTON, VII,
GEORGE L. STARKS, XII,
ED. STEBBINS, IV,

EZRA H. STETSON, XI,
J. E. STEVEN*, XXXV,
NATT F. STEVENS, VIII,
CHARLES F. STORY, XXII,
BEN STOUT, XXX,
GEORGE STRONG, XIX,
ROBERT L. SUMMERS, XV,

E. A. TERHUNE, XVIII,
E. A. TOBEY, XXXIII,

D. J. TOBIN, XXIII,
FRED S. TODD, XXIV,
JOHN G. TOWNSEND, XXXI,
J. S. TREADWELL, XIV,

F. J. VAN SICKLE, XIV,
CHARLES J. VEGIARD, XXXI,

PAGE
206
183
167
203
116
146
166
200
167

64
140
160
178
184
120

87
184
114
161

86
148
135
118

94
134

85
131
203
113
167
191
155
143

154
199
174
176
195
139

142

194

214

CLARENCE P. WAIDE, X,

A. C. WALKER, IX,
R. L. WALL, XXXVI,
JAMES A. WALLACE, II,
JOHN J. WALSH, XVIII,
W. H. WARE, XXXV,

J. A. WARRENDER, XVII,
WILL WEBSTER, XXXIV,
FRED J. WELDEN,
BERTON O. WETMORE, XVI,

B. F. WETHERBY, XI,

INDEX

PAGE PAGE

119 J. F. WHEELER, XXXIII, 199

117 GEORGE H. WHITE, XIV, 140

207 GEORGE H. WILKINS, XIII, 138

81 J. L. WILLETT, XXX, 190

155 C. A. WILLETTS, XXIII, 168

206 DAVID WILLIAMS, I, 66

151 E. S. WlLLMARTH, XI, 131

202 E. T. WRIGHT, XXIV, 177

172

147 THOMAS J. YATES, XXXVI, 206

132 W. T. YORK, XIV, 141

215

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
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