For more than half of the hundred years a family dominated the story, and at its head was John Cave – still remembered by many Rushden people as a striking figure with long white beard, equally virile as the leader of industry and as a campaigner against the social vices of his day.

For a generation or two in the 18th century the Caves owned and farmed land at Nassington and Tansor.

John’s father came to Rushden in the early 19th century to farm at “Bencroft,” Bedford Road, and John himself, at the age of ten, was working a plough.

Four years later the father was in much reduced circumstances, and it is on record that Mrs. Cave, having no delusions about farming, put her lad to what she believed would be a better career – in the boot trade.

Among Rushden’s few hundred inhabitants at that time was Mr. William (or, in the account, Edmund) Sherwood, maker of seamen’s boots. Entering his service, John Cave worked for a year without pay. He afterwards earned a shilling a week under a new master, Mr. Parker, and at the age of 30 was working for the maximum wage of 16s.

It was in 1850 that ambition led him to a small cottage, rented at £10 a year, in what is now called “Factory Place,” off Bedford Road, where he set vigorously to work on his own account. He was assisted in this old stone building by David Sharp, who travelled to London and secured orders on a 2 per cent. commission. Two years later he employed two clickers and went to Northampton himself to sell his goods.

Many Claims

Next door to the little factory were the premises where the Rev. Jonathan Whittemore, pastor of the Old Top Meeting, founded “The Christian World,” so the neighbourhood has since enjoyed plenty of claims to fame.

The next manufactory was in a yard off High Street South, near the Hall Grounds, and the business was growing apace when Mr. Cave moved to the High Street factory next door to the “Old Curiosity Shop” kept by Mrs. Litchfield.

In those early years Mr. Cave was fortunate enough to gain some valuable support. A business man at Northampton, recognising the value of his goods, stood security so that he could buy leather up to the value of £150. Afterwards, in a train, he showed his samples to a South African merchant and promptly secured an order for 16,000 pairs.

In April, 1877, the church bells rang at midnight to call out the Fire Brigade, for Cave’s factory in High Street was burning. It was destroyed, and the loss was reckoned at £3,000. Then, a few days later, came a second tragedy, for Mr. Elias Cave, aged 22, a son of the principal, was killed by a falling wall as he walked among the debris of the factory.

While temporary premises were in use, a new factory – one of the county’s largest – was built on the old site and land adjoining.

A commercial periodical of 1889 described this factory in glowing terms as a highly mechanised establishment for the manufacture of men’s and boys’ boots at the rate of seven or eight thousand pairs a week and employing about 600 workers. There were 20,000 pairs of footwear in the stockroom, and the exporting of skins was an important part of the business.

The firm of John Cave and Sons invented and made some of its own machinery, including a machine for cutting soles.

At this time the sons of the founder were very much in the picture. Paul was responsible for the general management; Amos, “a born engineer,” looked after the machines and the rough-stuff room; Arthur was the leather buyer and managed the “upper” department; Fred took charge of the counting house. All followed the example of their father in ardent Temperance work.

Centre is the founder John Cave, and (l-r) his sons, Paul, Fred, Arthur & Amos

The second fire that gutted the “new” factory and other property broke out during the dinner hour on July 19th, 1901 – a very hot day – has so often been recalled that no description need be given here. It was regarded as a calamity for the town, but with courage undaunted, the Caves built the present large factory in College Street and had it in production by 1902.

Modern Era

They certainly planned well for the design was so up-to-date and efficient that, although only minor alterations have occurred, the factory in 1950 looks well in keeping with the modern era.

Mr. John Cave, who had lived at “The Cottage” in High Street, died in January, 1904, at the age of 83, his wife having predeceased him by seven years.

In 1906 the board of directors was strengthened by the addition of Mr. A. E. Marlow, of Northampton, Mr. Hugh Morton, of Birmingham, and Mr. Charles Pettit, of Harrold, Mr. Marlow being succeeded after some years by Mr. J. H. Marlow. All these, and all the original partners, are now dead, but Mr. J. Morton Cave, of Birmingham, a grandson of the founder, is with the firm as chairman of the directors, the board also including Mr. W. E. Capon (managing director) and Mr. F. Tysoe (works manager).

To other dramatic days in the history of the business was added Thursday October 3rd, 1940, when Rushden suffered a daylight air raid with a total death roll of eleven. Two bombs fell in the Cave factory, one in the clicking room, killing four of the clickers and injuring about 40 other workers.

There was much material damage, including over a thousand roof lights destroyed and a third bomb exploded in the factory’s sports ground.

Strange to say, no other Northamptonshire boot factory was bombed during the war.

7,000 Pairs

To-day the factory, with a closing branch at Thrapston, has 341 employees and turns out upwards of 7,000 pairs of footwear per week. Exports, as always, is an important branch of the trade, and for a good many years the firm has devoted much of its attention to women’s shoes. During the last war over 750,000 pairs of Service footwear were made.

These old employees were discussing the centenary at the factory this week. They are (l-r_ A Bond (53 years’ service), T W Denton (49), F Causebrook (44), A Maddams (49), W Todd (43), H Moon (54) and J Rawson (55).

Polish and local workers fraternise in the closing room. In the back row (left to right) are Miss M A Puk, Miss M Perkins, Miss W Clesticka, Mrs M Bleniawska, Mrs J Gorecka, Miss G Horn, Miss P J Bates and Miss Celtner. At the front sit Mrs Allen (28 years’ service), her mother, Mrs Stapleton (44 years) and Mrs Alderman (31 years).

Celebrating his 50th year with John Cave and Sons as the firm reaches its centenary, is Councillor W E Capon, who has risen from office boy to managing director.

By a happy coincidence Mr. Capon is this year’s chairman of Rushden Urban Council, having held the same position once before. Miss R. O. Lamb, now secretary of the company, has been on the staff for 29 years.

Three grandchildren of the founder, Miss Cave, Mrs. J. S. Denton and Mr. R. P. Cave, reside in Rushden.