Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-23
TIE PELLErIER PAvKMENT

From Niles MeriWeather, E-q., we have re-
ceived a copy of official correspondence re-
spectiDg street pavements, of which the fol-
lowing is the substance. Hon. Alexander
Mitchell, of Milwaukee, writes to C. s. Wall
Ter, recently commissioner of public works
at Chicago, inquiring as to the experience Cf
the latter city in street paving, Milwaukee
having in vain sought in stone, iron, as
phalt and wood, unsatisfactory material. In his
reply Mr.. Waller states that heavy ex-
penditure by Chicago in street pavement had
resulted in great disappointment, as it was
all the time 'giving out" leaving holes and
breaks. An imperishable, hard, and adhe-
sive substance was required, that will com
bine durability, healthfulness, and cheap
ness. Wooden blocks had proved delusion
and snare; they were very short lived.
Granite blocks are clean, healthy and dura-
BILE, but they are of irregular size and be-
come "turtle-backed" and slippery in use,
are noisy and too expensive. With blocks
made of crushed stone compressed the noise
is reduced. Limestone macadam makes a
good foundation, but on the surface it does
der heavy traffic and makes much
dust and mud. Limestone as
phalt blocks are subject to much the same
objections as macadam; it is not durable. II
wears away three quarters OF an inch under
traffic that scarcely touched the granite and
the Pelletier pavements. The Pelletier
blocks are firm, cheap, handsome, clean,
oaIfhftrl a,I dnra -
plete, they cost about 81 square yard. They
are made of hard, durable stone, crushed,
dried, and mixed with ten per cent. of iron
Stag, or low-grade iron ore, with thor
ough infusion OF chemical combine
ton of oxide and chloride Of iron, which
acts as perpetual binder, growing harder, ,
firmer and more granite-like with age and
exposure. They are subjected in the manu-
facture to powerful compression, which
renders them dense, compact and absolutely
impervious to water. The blocks have an
even, symetrical surface, with slightly bev- .
eled edges, which give good foothold to
horses. Their eyenness and almost i'm |
pervious Jennings shed off the water, and
thus preserve the foundation. Laid COM
BoNSy AAOHA ~ W SuiOJ aCfOcc LIE CAOnh Vi |
the street, it gives Aattened arch, the uni
form pressure of which aids in keeping |
intact the foundation, and prevents sinking |
and depression. When fresh the blocks
resist the influences of heat and cold, |
which appear only to season and
harden them more rapidly. l have |
seen, says Mr.. Waller, the Sc
IL Al al
on iron wheels, propelled by machinery, up
to ten thousand six hundred and thirty-two
pounds, passed many thousand times over
them and granite, paved side by side. After
this severe test the Pelletier showed little, if
any. mere wear than the granite, the abra-
sion being very slight. The surface of the
Pelletier block is comparatively rough, with
but the polish or slipperiness of granite, and
am satisfied they will stand the wear of
any of our streets. In hardness, permanent
and mperishableness-essen
ial qualities to insure durability-and in
healthfulness and moderate
price, we have in the Pelletier blocks what
meets and fulflls all the requirements.
nave received many inquiries concerning
hese blocks from a number of surrounding
states, and the demand for them promises
o become very great. In Memphis we want
/ pavement material embodying the quail
les here attributed to the Pelletier blocks,
'ut success with them evidently depends
lpon the care and accuracy observed in
them. Those who contract
or them ought to have a competent and
superintendent at the works to
ee that the ingredients are of good quality
md in due proportion, and that the proper
PRESSURE is applied to secure density and
hardness. To leave those things solely to the
maker would most probably bring only dis
appointment.