The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-09-21
"ARTIFICIAL BRICKS"
New Manufacturing Industry Els
tablished In San Antonio.
How the Bricks Are Made.

1t is uncertain when bricks were first in
vented, but there is distinct evidence to show
that they were generally used IN Babylon Ion.
greatness. by the Romans they were nitro
duced into England, \. d., A. and when Alfred
the Great was king, the making of bricks was
SO important that it was placed under direction
of state officers, n. d.. $50. The government
of Charles the first ordered that they he made
of one size-thc size to which they are now gen.
orally made, and IN 1884 the government OF
George the third taxed bricks as an important
source of revenue. This tax was advisedly re-
pc,,led in 1850 and since that time millions upon
millions of brick have been produced and used
annually in the British Kingdom.
by England brick were introduced into
America, and ali Lou~h in parts they have been
extensively used, they have not been so popu-
lar because lumber has been cheap and plcnti-
full, and stone was in many cases pro-
durable at low cost sometimes cheaper
than bricks could be produced, owing
the manufacture of bricks; the ordinary com
pOncnt part of brick being in many cases unat-
tlinable. These are the real reasons why brick
has not hitherto been extensively used IN the
southern buildings.
TO remedy this an intelligent citizen of San
Antonio, Mr.. Henry Hunt invented and pre-
scented an artificial or composition brick, which
can be readily made and cheaply produced in
tn. city, and which is in fact more slightly and
durable thIln the ordinary brick. TO minufac-
turc this brick Mr.. Hunt has established brick
yard upon No. SG Crockett street, near the
ditch. A LIGHT commissioner called at the
works yesterday to examine the bricks and to
witness the process OF manuiacture, wh lens Is
Powder-hOuSe hill is cartcd to the works, and
then crushed very fine. 1t is xcd with cement
and other INGREDIENTS tnn water is ah EnI
of r. Johnson's patent brick-makng ma
chine who fills the moulds in the turntabie as it
to pressure of Geo lbs, and the brick is laid
out to dry. About 7,CC), to 5000 bricks per day
| can be manufactured by this process, but by
more extensive machinery the process can be
The artificial brick thus produced is OF grey
color, pleasant to the eye and is far more dur
| able than the ordinary brick, as once set wet
| only has Il tendency to further increase IT'S uur-
| abhity. In tensil strength 1t represents the
hardest rock, and its form makes it convenient
| for use. Moreover when laid the bricks have
| a neat and pretty appearance. The COMPOSE
ton brick is somewhat larger than the ordinary
| brick and is much cheaper and can be moulded
| in any shape to suit the design OF the architect
| or the taste of the buyer.
| Artificial brick thus made by Mr.. Hunt car
| be used for any building purposes for the cree
| ton of houses, building OF chlmncyS, AS at Mr.
VOtow and Miss FlOrian's residence, formation
| of sewers, in fact in any place where Drlck Oh
| cement work is needed
For sidewalks the bricks form a cheap, hand
some and substantial pavement, such as can b'
! seen fronting the residence of DIR. Amos
Graves on North Flores street.
| Mr. Hunt has patented his process, and is cx
| ecuting orders in all directions, the bricks CIV
ing general satisfaction. The man,IfactOry il
fully occupied in completing actual orders, bu
! new machinery is on order i'll New York, .ant
when it arrives the bricks will be more expc
tliciOusly made, and better, if possible, by al
increase upon the already great prcSsllr.
| pIaced upOn them; moreover, more econOml
| tuIly because it will dispense with mucl
manual labor now necessary for their produc
ton.
| The patcntce it is said, will shortly he jOinc'
| nv CAPITALISTS from Louisville, KY, and opera
tfOnS extended in every way.
| The munlfactory of bricks is an inportan
addition to the industries OF san Antonio am
| will il is hopcd, he IL source of wealth to TIN
able and cntcrprsing manufacturer, us i
| should be to the wealth and welfare of on
| community. IL