The business was founded on June 28, 1911 by Lawrence Gough. Twelve years later, it merged with Lamb Brothers Cleaning Co. In 1911, the dry cleaners became one of the Fine Nine, Middletown companies in business for 100 or more years.
The cleaners also is tied to one of this country’s most feared outlaws at the time. In 1930, Clyde Barrow and his gang broke into the business and escaped after trying to steal eight suits, an overcoat and dress. As the gang climbed out a window, Barrow yelled, “Stick ‘em up.”
The night watchman, George Leppich, shouted back, “You stick ‘em up, too” and reached into his back pocket. The thieves dropped the clothing and and escaped before police arrived.
The next day, Barrow and two men robbed a Middletown business and they were captured and extradited back to Texas, where Barrow was sentenced to 14 years. He was paroled two years later.
Gough Lamb’s two locations will close their doors Saturday, so Mull encouraged customers to pick up their garments quickly. The store is only accepting cash and checks.
“Everybody is sad,” she said. “It’s a family affair. Everybody works together. It’s like family.”
The two locations on Marie Drive and Charles Street will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a sign posted on the Marie Drive location.
At one time, there were nine Gough Lamb locations in Middletown, Mull said. There were three locations until the one on Central Avenue closed a few months ago. Now there are locations on Marie Drive and Charles Street, which is the company headquarters.
Mull said she has been trying to contact customers about picking up their dry cleaning, but many of the phone numbers in the store’s computer system no longer work.
In 2011, The Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton presented Gough Lamb a plaque commemorating its “100 years of excellence.”
Francis started working for Gough Lamb in June 1961. Later that year, he was elected president of the company. His father, Les, had owned the company since 1938 along with Erle Hanson.
He graduated from Western Hills High School in 1956,, four years before Pete Rose. Francis graduated from Northwestern University in 1961 and later from the National Institute of Drycleaning.
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