SHOE FACTORY BEGINS OPERATIONS, EMPLOYING HUNDREDS IN CITY

Cape Girardeau residents developed a great sales pitch for when a St. Louis shoe factory began looking to expand into Southeast Missouri in the early 1900s.

Members of the city's Commercial Club developed a plan that allowed city residents to match a portion of the funding for construction of a new factory. Residents paid $300 for a random drawing of lots in the Red Star and Robertson and Gale additions of the city, an area that had yet to be developed.

The plan called for the city to raise $60,000 to pay for the five-story building. The company, in return, was to pay out $1 million in wages over a 10-year span.

And the plan worked.

The shoe factory employed hundreds of residents over the years and continues to operate here, more than 90 years later.

Since arriving as the city's newest industry in 1907, the factory has changed names to International Shoe Co. and then to Florsheim Shoe Co.

But convincing the St. Louis factory officials to locate in Cape Girardeau took some work. Members of the Commercial Club met with them several times during 1905 and 1906 before a deal was struck. By December 1906, officials announced that the city had been selected as a site for the Roberts, Johnson and Rand Co. of St. Louis.

But before any work was done in the factory, the city drew lots according to its plan. The lots, which were considered an investment by many, cost residents $300.

Once a name was selected, another person drew the number of the lot to ensure that everything was done at random. About 100 people attended the drawing, held on July 8, 1907.

The Commercial Club drew 180 names for the parcels of land. George B. Siemers was the first name selected. Others were listed according to lot and number in the next day's edition of the newspaper. One man said he would raise goats on his hillside lot; another said he had drawn for a "fine gravel bed."

But most residents were happy to help in developing the city.

Construction work on the shoe factory, which was located on five acres along north Main Street, began in April 1908.

The Frisco Railroad built a switch and tracks to the plant prior to the start of construction. Contractors required 1 million bricks for the building, which was five stories tall and included a basement.

When employees began working in September 1907, they were few in number. A dozen men started as cutters, a job that required little machinery.

New workers were added every few days as crews were trained.

But by 1909, modern machinery was installed that allowed workers to complete shoe repairs in just three hours.

By 1922, the factory was employing 1,200 people with a weekly payroll of $27,000. About 9,000 pairs of shoes were produced.

Because the shoe factory was producing so well, additions were built over the years. When the business celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1937, two additions had already been built.

But the shoe factory wasn't just a place for work.

Newspaper clippings show it was also a place for social activity. Company picnics sometimes lasted two days and included contests for most popular girl and best lady waltzer. There were softball games, parades and night horse shows sponsored by the factory. There was even a dance in 1920 to dedicate the new floor.

By the 1950s, things weren't so jolly at the factory. Workers went on strike in 1955. The strike lasted four weeks before the 1,060 workers were called back.

Other shoe factories were built in Jackson, Perryville and Sikeston but weren't as large as the Cape Girardeau plant.