Wellingborough News, 28th February 1890, transcribed by Kay Collins

Re: W. COLSON AND Co.: SALE OF PLANT STOCK—On Monday and Tuesday last, Messrs. Pendered and Son, of Wellingborough, acting under instructions from Mr. E. P. Steeds, of Leicester, the trustee, sold (under a deed of assignment) on the premises, at Rushden, the whole of the trade effects of Messrs. William Colson and Co., shoe manufacturers. The stock-in-trade consisted of a large quantity of rough and dressed leather, cut rough and dressed leather, 5,000 pairs of boots and shoes, closed uppers, shoe mercery, &c., and an extensive and valuable collection of plant and machinery. There were a great number of manufacturers and machinists present, including representatives from most of the surrounding manufacturing villages, Northampton, Kettering, and Leicester, and most of the Rushden manufacturers were present. Good prices were realised throughout, more particularly for the plant and machinery, and in several instances some spirited competition took place. The following are some of the prices realised for machinery with the names of buyers. A five horse power vertical "Otto" gas engine, with fittings complete, £130, Clipstone, Rushden; a set of four "Keats" finishing machines, £105, H. Hanger, jun., Kettering; a Cutlan's heeling machine, with two builders, £90, H. Hanger; Keats’ stitching machine, with two winders, £55, Clipstone, Rushden; Blake sewing machine, and channeller, £50, Knight Brothers, Rushden; a ditto, £30, Denton, Rushden; large double press, with driving-wheel (by Salmon and Jackson), £20, Cave and Son, Rushden; the whole of the shafting and belting, £22, Cave and Sons, Rushden ; patent ranging press with seven knives (by Whitton), £10, Clipstone, Rushden; cutting press (by Whitfield), £11, E. Knight, Earls Barton; crimping press, £7, Parker; cutting press (by Whitfield), £6, Saxby, Irthlingborough; cutting press (by Whitfield), £6, Salomon, Northampton; pair rollers (by Smith, Thrapston), £6, Claridge and Sons, Rushden; 2½ horse power gas engine (by Tangye), £5, Smith; breasting machine, £4, Sanders and Sanders, Rushden.