Size: 9.5" x 11.5"

Condition:Good. General wear and fading.


FHS -Kyle Leach]]>

The article reads:

The signal for the big business and
enterprise that is to contribute largely
to Farmington's future industrial career
was raised on Wednesday morning when
operations were commenced in the cutting
department at the new factory of
the J. F. Cloutman Shoe Company. The
new structure, which was completed on
December 2, has been an undertaking of
almost magic growth, that sprang from
tbe ashes of tbe burned factory that was
consumed ou tbe site in tbe big conflagration
of February 14, 1918. No sooner
was it obvious that tbe old building was
doomed tban it was announced that it
would be replaced with an _up-to date
plant. The fulfilment of tbe prophecy
was commenced early in May, as soon as
the ruins could be cleared away, and a
cement fouudation was laid for the
structure 200 feet long and 42 feet wide,
that would occupy the Main street front
on the area between Garfleld and Elm
streets. As soon as the foundation was
iu the building contract was placed in
the hands of Contractor Frank R. Copp,
and as is characteristic of Mr. Copp's
energy, no time was lost in erecting tbe
towering four-story frame that outlined
the proportious of tbe big shop. In the

course of tbe next few weeks building
materials simply flew ioto place while
the frame was being enclosed, aod a new
contract was placed for laying the
matched hard wood floors. As soon as
his work was completed, the contract
for installing the steam fitting, piping
and automatic sprinkler system was put
into execution and it is expected that it
will be completed the coming week.
Plumbing was done by tbe local Read-
Esty concern and the wiring and electric
fixtures were Installed by the Cloutman
Electric Co. All the contract work has
been done in a thorough, efficient and
expeditious manner that reflects credit
on contractors and workmen alike.
While there are several small details yet
to be attended to on the lower floors, all
will be completed by tbe new year and
all departments should be running at
that time.
The plant covers 9,000 square feet of
ground, approximately. is four stories
high and contains nearly 40,000 square
feet of working floor space which is furnished
with natural light from 400 large
indows. The top story will be occupied
by the cutting and a part of the
stitching departments; the third floor by
the stitching and lasting departments

the second by the making, finding and
treeing, and the ground floor by the sole
leather, packing and shipping, while tbe
150 feet concrete basement will be util
izid for stock storage purposes. When
in full operation, the plant will employ
about 300 hands and will be equipped
primarily to produce 200 dozen pairs of
shoes per day. Tbe big structure has an
imposing appearance and bears on the
front in large black letters the name,
"J. F. Cloutman Shoe Company." Although
the enterprise passed out of the
Cloutman bands some two years ago
and the plant now is owned by Joseph
E. Daly and K.J. Brown, both prominent
manufacturers and leather merchants of
Massachusetts, the Cloutman name is
still retained to identify the business as
the same that built up such a wonderful
reputation in the New England boot and
shoe trade durings a long and successful
history of manufacturing in Farmington.
The building was produced at an estimated
cost of $50,000 and does great
credit to the owners and organization
that have made it possible for the town
to be represented by such a concern. In
connection with the factory and directly
in the rear is located the steam beating

and power plant with adequate facilities
for furnishing these requisite needs.
Tbe office is an attractive one story
adjunct connected with the street floor
of the main building and consists of
three departments, tbe clerical room,
superintendent's office, aud tbe private
suite, all of-which are equipped with the
most modern appliances. Including steel
vault and safes. No unsanitary or unsightly
conditions will be allowed about
the premises, as a complete lavatory system
furnishes all sanitary conveniences
in each department.
During the time that the new building
has been in progress of construction the
firm has been producing from 100 to 125
dozen pairs of shoes per day in temporary
quarters It has occupied in the Roberta
and Curtis factories on North Main
street.
The cutting department alone is in
operation at the present lime, but the
stitching machinery has been moved to
tbe new quarters and the other departments
are moving as fast as possible,and
it is expected that tbe New Year will see
tbe wheels well greased and turning
throughout tbe big factory that is one of
tbe objects of Farmington's civic pride.



This is a digital file and does not exist in the physical museum collection.


FHS- Kyle Leach]]>

The article reads:

Cloutman Shoe Factory Burns
Two Hundred and Twenty-Eight People
Temporarily Out of Employment
The Biggest Industrial Fire Farmlngton Has Ever Experienced
CONCERN TO RESUME BUSINESS IN FARMINGTON

The most damaging conflagration that
ever visited Farmlngton, reduced to
ruins the J. F. Cloutman Shoe Co's big
factory wbich occupied tbe site at the
junction of Maln, Garfield and Elm streets,
last Thursday nlgbt. In less than two
hours over a $300,000 loss had been incurred
to Messrs. Brown & Daley, owners
ot the plant, and although tbe property
was insured a big unprotected loss was
sustained, the figures of which have not
been set. Two hundred and twentyseven
hands were temporarily thrown
out of employment by tbe raging element,
but before the last timbers of the
factory fell word went abroad that the
structure and Industry would be replaced
with all possible speed. Before
ten o'clock tbe following morning, plans
were being formulated to start the business
in temporary quarters while the
new shop was being built and equipped
for occupancy. A new office of tbe
concern was organized in the rooms of
the farmington National and Savings
Banks and by noon of the following day
those out of employment were reassured
by the dispatch with which tbe emergency
was being handled. The fire
which destroyed tbe plant doomed the
property even before it was discovered
Members of the firm and office force
were at work io the office, a one story
structure, adjoining tbe sole leather and
packing departments, on tbe Main street
side, and were unaware of tbe presence
of the fire until about 9: 35 when some
ladles who occupy rooms in the Frank
McDuffee house, directly across the way,
noticed a lurid illumination through tbe
windows ot the factory and hastened to
apprise those in tbe office of the danger.
Michael Mack attempted to gain
entrance to tbe factory through a door
that connected with tbe sole leather
room and was driven back by tbe intense
smoke and blaze and it was at once seen
that it would be impossible to get inside
to operate the hose from tbe standpipe.
Therefore, a general alarm immediately
was sounded from box 45, corner Main
and Garfield streets. Moving pictures
and other places of amasement were
quickly emptied of their patrons and a
crowd of spectators were on hand before
tbe firemen reached the scene. However,
they arrived promptly and under the
direction of tbe fire chief, Gyros York,
streams ot water soon were turned on
the fire which then was ravaging the
main structure sections of the two lower
stories. Soon, eight lines of hose were
playing on the blazs but seemed to have
little effect as it was impossible for the
firemen to get inside owing to tbe intense
heat and smoke and danger from
falling machinery which by that time
was crashing through the burning floors.
Scorching flames burst from the windows
ana roof and in spite of the warm
and windless night, moving currents of
air sucked in through the seething structure
and sent tbe flames and sparks
mounting several hundred feet in the air
until the heat and falling cinders became
a menace to buildings within a wide area
and a constant watch was kept by citizens
and the boy scouts, while details of
firemen turned their attention to nearby
houses that were in imminent danger.

Lines of hose played constantly on the
house owned by K. T. Willson and occupied
by Dr. Huntress, the garage at the
rear occupied by J E. Ricker, the J . F.
Cloutman house on Garfield street and
tbe McDuffee and W • Uley residences
on Main street. The McDuffee place being
nearest and in tbe greatest danger
suffered tbe worst, the paint being blistered
and some water damage sustained.
Here tbe boy scouts proved their value
as a heroic organization by removing the
furniture from the house and the live
stock from the stable.

The illumination from tbe great blaze
lighted tbe sky for miles around and was
watched from points of vantage in surrounding
towns and cities from whence
came insistent calls for reports of news.
Tbe telephone line connecting this village
with Milton was early put out of
commission by tbe cable being burned
and wire broken, and much more damage
would have been done to the local
system bad it not been for the efficient
work ot the boy scouts, who, working in
well organized patrols, really commanded
the situation as regards the telephone
system. During tbe most exciting moments
ot tbe fire bugle blasts could be
heard calling tbe scouts to points where
their services were most needed,and too
much credit cannot be acoorded the boys
for what they accomplished and the cool
manner in which they did it. Not until
after midnight did tbe crowd begin to
diminish. It was an all ntght vigil for
the firemen who watcbed tbe flaming
mass of burning timbers and debris until
daylight. One feature of importance
and help in fighting the fire was tbe fact
that tbe reservoir was full and good water
pressure was available.

The original structure of tbe plant destroyed
was built in 1873 by John
M. Berry and Daniel W. Kimball, both
prominent shoe manufacturers of the
town at that time. The old shop was a
four story building 72x30 feet and faced
on Garfield street. Here for a period of
years tbe owners did business under tbe
firm name of Berry & Kimball. Later,
Mr. Berry took over by purchase his
partner's interest and manufactured
shoes until 1800 when John F. Cloutman
Sr., bought tbe shop. During Mr. Clout
man's ownership a small addition was
built on Main street. At the death of
Mr. Cloutman, in December, 1905, his
only son, Jobn F. Clontman, Jr., succeeded
to the business which he carried
on with remarkable success until In May,
1917, he sold out to Joseph E. Daley and
Elmer J . Brown who incorporated tbe
business under tbe name of the J. F.
Clontman Shoe Co. During tbe younger
Mr. Cloutman's ownership three addi
tions were pnt on, two on Main street
extending the plant to Elm, and one on
Garfield street. During the present ad
ministration an addition was built on
Garfield,making tbe entire plant contain
50,000 square feet of floor space, with a
manufacturing capacity ot 250 dozen
shoes a day. The pay roll of the concern
when doing this amonnt of business
was $4,000 weekly,so that the temporary
loss of the industry to the town can be
estimated at a large sum.



This is a digital file and does not exist in the physical museum collection.

FHS- Kyle Leach]]>

The log book has a textured cover with a heavily raised, embossed, cover plate lettering. The log book contains over 225 paper pages. They are printed with page numbers, a title page, ship staff information, and itinerary. Cruise general information, a list of common nautical terms, shipboard bell times, alphabetized passenger list, and a calendar are also included.

The page decorations are simple, but do exist throughout the log book, as headers footers and section decoration. Personal log pages are included which often have notes, observations, and trip details, which are handwritten, in ink, by Mary and also by her husband. The personal thoughts are more plentiful at the beginning of the trip and stop completely by the end of the trip. Each entry is printed with a date and lists whether the ship was in port, embarking, or at sea.

Over land trip pages at many ports are included. They appear to have been arranged by the International Mercantile Marine Company and American Express, as that endorsement appears with every over land trip. They list times, activities, meals plans, and when general sightseeing was planned. Each port has a page describing the city, area, culture, and customs for that location. Often small amounts of history are told as part of the narrative. Some appear to be factual. Independent auditing of this information would need to be conducted. See an example below:

Forty-fourth Day—Sunday, February 2 Kyoto CAPITAL of Japan, after Nara, for more than a thousand years (until 1868). It is to Japanese what Paris is to the French, or Florence to Italians. Fourth in size of the Empire's cities. When the residence of the Emperor was moved to "Ycdo" in 1868, the latter was renamed Tok-yo (Kyoto's syllables transposed). Kyoto is the art centre of one of the world's most artistic peoples. Its parks, shops, temples, festivals arc dreams of quiet beauty. Many travelers acclaim it the most important art centre outside Europe. It is two hours' train ride from Kobe; an hour from Osaka; and lies on the Yokohama-Shimonoseki railway trunk line.

The log book includes blank autograph pages, as was common at the time. It was a great way to have a casual remembrance of someone you met on a trip. The Cloutmans  appear to have at least two of these pages filled with
pin_it.png
signatures.

Finally, although not part of the log book itself, numerous items were tucked into pages of the log book. Mainly advertisements, but also several obituaries and a few news clippings were found.

FHS-Kyle Leach
]]>

Text of article reads:

Photo cations:

Eugene Nute, First President, Farmington Historical Society
Group Photo-

Back Row Ned Parker, Delores Bridges, Mary Cloutman
Front Row Iola Sabine, Lillian Emerson, Henry Johnson


FHS-Kyle Leach]]>

The article reads:

"An explosion followed by fire
destroyed the four-story brick
"Twin Mills" on Central St..
Farmington, Tuesday afternoon.

The blaze has temporarily put
between 60 and 65 employees of
the Davis Manufacturing Co. out
of work, but Mrs. Robert Davis,
who Is the managing owner, said
that plans are in the works to
reopen.

"We will pick up the pieces
and start again" she said.
Contacted yesterday morning,
Mrs. Davis said that plant
officials would spend the day
with Insurance people, and in
hunting for available space. Once
suitable quarters are found, and
retooling can be accomplished,
work will resume.

She hopes quarters can be
found in Farmington, so that
work can begin within a week or
two Mrs. Davis has been
operating the wood heel shop
about a year ago.

No serious injury was reported
during the 5 hour blaze by over
a hundred mutual aid firemen
from 7 communities but
Rochester Fire Chief Raymond
Duhurst was rushed to the
Frisbie Memorial Hospital and
treated for smoke inhalation and
fatigue before being released
that evening.

The building which has been
part of the central Farmington
scene since its construction in
1882 was presently being used as
a wood heel shop. Reports have
it that a short circuit occurred at
11 30 a.m. on a spraying machine
for a highly inflammable laquer
being operated by Miss Joan
Cardinal and that workmen
believed that the small fire
which began had been
extinguished only to find soon
that it had broken out In both
sections Of the upper story of
the building.

The fire was brought under
control at about 4:00 p.m..
under the direction of Fire Chief
Robert Ricker but burning
continued between the brick
partitions well into the night.

The All Out was sounded at
2 00 a.m. Wednesday
No estimate of the loss was
known at press time but it was
felt that the building was
damaged beyond repair with the
two upper floor* nearly
completely gutted and water
damage so severe below that It
appeared unlikely that repairs
would be practical.

The budding, which until late
years housed a shoe
manufacturing plant, held
employment for several hundred
persons during its peak.

It was vacant until the Davises
purchased it 3 years ago since
1957 when the H.O. Rondeau
Co.. closed Its doors.

Mutual aid fire department
teams from Farmington.
Middleton. Milton. Rochester,
Somersworth. Dover. New
Durham and Portsmouth merged
on the scene and a dozen
streams of water played on the
fire from hydrants and the
Cocheco River."



This is a digital file and does not exist in the physical museum collection.

FHS-Kyle Leach]]>

Condition: Fair. The jacket and pants both have visible signs of wear and a few fabric pulls. Some soiling. Some pest damage can be seen. Many buttons are missing.

FHS-Kyle Leach]]>

Size 3.5" x 5.5"

FHS-Kyle Leach]]>

B&W card: New Englamd Stationary Company Boston, Mass]]>

B&W card: New Englamd Stationary Company Boston, Mass]]>

Postcard is inscribed in pencil via cursive along the curl and on the left side of the back, with the following two messages:

"The large building has been torn down to make the addition to Cloutman Shoe Shop. They are going to rebuild a better one."

" I must say good night now Leatha 10-30 just go home from Union, Head over here from Boston tonight Look for me Saturday by 2 o' clock sure I may go to Toronto Canada on business by + bye hurry up and get well and come two I'll tell you about it Sat xx Orrie"

The postcard is addressed to Mrs. Orrie Mott East Rocchester

Size 3.5" x 5.5"

FHS-Kyle Leach]]>

FHS-Kyle Leach

PLEASE NOTE: This resource was created during the 19th or 20th century. It has biases stemming from those periods.]]>