Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-09-07
BaIcKs FOR THE FIRST BRANCH
OF COUNCIL


OF COUNCIL
The REeIsrER's discussion OF the SUBJ
ject Of brick pavingfor streets has drawn
the attention of parties outside the
State, and We hope may bear good fruit
for other cities, II not for our own.
In these discussions We have frequent
" referred TO the test made at Charles
ton in this State, which on all sides is
agreed to be most satisfactory. Some
writer having called this in question,
provoked the correspondence re append
below, which is taken from The VfrgiHids,
q scientific paper published at Staunton
Virginia, and to which we respectfully
ask the attention Of members Of the First
Branch OF the City Council We throw
these bricks at the First Branch because
it is solely responsible for the defeat Of
an experiment with brick paving in this
city. The Second Branch unanimously
passed a resolution to make such test.
Il could be made without expense to
the city, for the pavement could be laid
where repairs were necessary, at 4 cost
not much, if any. exceeding the cost oil
repairing with cobble stones.
We have maintained, and we Think
have shown conclu: lively, that expert
ments in other places justify q trial
here, where we so much need an eco
nomical and improved street pavement.
Why the First Branch rejected the
proposition we have been unable to
learn. No doubt it was the result OF a
prevailing impression that brick are not
sufficiently durable, which SEEMS
to possess the minds OF those
who have given the subject no consider
alton. If there were no other evidence
that this theory is erroneous, certainly
it has been proved 80 by the test made
in Charleston, as all agree who have
seen that pavement and as Set forth 10
the following correspondence, TO which
we have referred above:
GoRDoSsvILLE, Va, August 3, 1881.
Edit r UrgiRias:
Some time ago I saw a statement in a
newspaper to the effect that some'of the
streets in Charleston, Kanawha county,
w. Va, were paved with brick, and a
rather sneering criticism on the material
with which the people OF that good city
were satisfied to pave their streets. As
I happened to have seen tn 8 brick paw
NJ put down some ten years ago, ! O
occasion on q recent visit TO the place to
INQUIRE about the durability and general
service of il; also made 3 personal in
spection. l find a universal expression
of satisfaction with it, and my inspec'
ton showed it to be in apparently as
perfect condition Is when fist put
down. am informed that it has not
had one dollar spent on it for repairs.
take pleasure in enclosing a letter
from DR.. J. p. Hale, givingt the details oil
his experiment with this brick paving.
You will see that the Doctor attributes
the success of his experiment to Jour
principal elements, the quality oil the
clay, machine pressure, the very hard
burning Of the brick, which, however,
are not viirifed, and the manner in
which they are put down.
In localities like Richmond and else
where, where 10 d granite Belgian
blocks are 10 be mad, they are probably
to be preferred to the best OF brick; but
in very many localities where excellent
ciay, free of sand, may be had, aud
where granite blocks are no to be hai,
god, hard pressed and hard.burnsd
brick will certainly be found to make 4
paving OF the very best character for
streets, far superior to blocks OF any
kind OF wood, sandstone or limestone,
or any other kind OF material that |
know Of except the very best quality OF
granite. Yours truly,
NJ. A. MILLER.
CHARLESTON, W. Va, July %, 1881.
n. 4. Miller, Esq:
DEAR SIR:-In answer to your inquiry
in regard to brick street paving, | will
give you the history OF an experiment
/ made here in 1871, the result OF which
has been very satisfactory.
The point selected was Summers
street, between Kanawha and Virginia
streets. Summers street is 80 feet wide
between curb-stones, and the block IS
about 400 feet long.
The street after being graded and
rounded up to the proper conve1ity,
was laid with common sheetipS plank
boiled IN gas tar; upon this was spread
% to 3 inches Of sand, and upon this the
brick were laid on edge and zig-zag. A
coating OF sand was then spread over the
surface so as to thoroughly fill the
spaces between the bricks, and the pave
ment was done. .
Summers street is the third most used
and travelled street in the city. Yet,
after ten years use, there is not a hole,
rut, or lump in the pavement. 1t Is ap.
parently as sound and as smooth as the
day it was put down, and in the ten
years it has not cost one cent for repairs
Having lasted ten years without appar-
ent injury, it would be hard to nix a
limit to It's durability.
1t is delightfully."- smooth and even
pavement to ride or drive over, just
rough enough to give secure footing for
horses, and does not get slippery with
ice in winter.
l kept an accurate iecord Of the cost OF
the pavement, but regret that l have
mislaid it and cannot now find 1t; the
data are free and simple, however, and
an estimate can readily be made for any
locality.
The success Of this pavement l con
slider due, almost entirely, to the char
scter Of the brick. They were made by
Mr.. Levi, q brick maker and builder oil
large experience, of q very tenacious
clay, almost entirely free from sand, by
machinery under heavy pressure, and
were burned extra hard. MI. Levi also
superintendent the laying of the pave
ment. i do not think that ordinary
handmade brick, from sandy clay and
burned to the usual hardness of build
ing brick would stand the test at all.
Very respectfully, yours, &c,