From The Greensborough Patriot

July 3, 1862 – Pg. 3

Shoe Lasts.

            We are pleased to learn that our friend W. C. Petty of Bloomington, N. C. has invented a lathe to turn shoe lasts, and that he is now engaged in manufacturing this useful implement of industry, at the rate of about forty pair per day; and that they are sold at prices but little advanced from those paid for Yankee lasts in days of yore.  Orders for lasts, we learn are filled promptly.  We gave notice in the Patriot some twelve months ago, of a machine for cutting shoe pegs invented by Mr. Petty, and which proved to be a complete success.  We take pleasure now in noticing a last-lathe invented by the same gentleman, which we are assured, (for we have not seen it) works to perfection.