"The great Springvale fire of April 14, 1905, started in this factory. It was generally believed that the fire had been set so Mr. Usher might collect the $101,500 for which his property was insured, but no proof of this was ever established. The smaller factory behind the chimneys was the old Butler and Fogg shoe shop, also owned by W. R. Usher and Sons at the time of the fire. N. J. Pelletier's store is in his background right." -- "Backward Glance" by Harland Eastman