St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-05

Louisville cement when subjected to sim
liar tests shows from 80 to 100 pounds. A
recent test of Mankato cement at the dairy
mems association the briquette broke at
247, while at Bedloe's Island n. B., made by
Gen. Stone, U. 8. Engineer corps broke at
269. The splendid qualities of this article
costing no more to manufacture than the
poorest grades in the world must inevitably
cause it to be preferred, and the company
have before them the exclusive
absorption of the market.
The property upon which this valuable for
nation exists covers an area of about 100
acres and is at least twenty-five feet thick,
and no estimate of its quantity can be made,
except to say that with the most extensive
manufacture possible the supply is simply in
exhaustible. For all purposes to which this
article is applied the Mankato cement is far
more valuable than any American cement
ever discovered, and the Importance to
Mankato of the operation of this industry
and the conversion of this dormant material
into merchantable article cannot be esti-
mated In the language of Judge Severance,
it is certain to be the most important indus
try in southern Minnesota. Mr.. F. n. Mer-
rill, of Milwaukee, constructed the works and
operates them as the company's manager.
Having thus at some length considered the
latent wealth fast becoming developed which
Mankato possesses, we next come to the con-
sideration of
MANKATo CLAYs.
The many substantial and well preserved
brick buildings to be found in Mankota,
some of them erected long years ago, attest
the valuable nature of its clays for brick
making. The clay banks are absolutely pure
and free from any deposit and have not a
trace of limestone or other substances in
them, and produce very superior
character of brick. A number
of companies have been engaged
in the manufacture of brick, among which
Willard 8 Polchow and A. r. Mather, who
made last year some 5000, 900, lead the van.
From seven to ten million were made last
year wuich amount will be very largely in
creased the coming season, number of new
yards being under contract.
MANKATo sToNEwARE COMPANY.
This institution purchased by John A.
Samborn last spring was operated by him at a
capacity of some SOC gallons and which
turned out goods equal to the best Ohio ware
and which sold rapidly and well. The COM
pany is to be reorganized this season and en-
larged by the addition of large capital and its
capacity more than doubled. The clay used
for the purposes of their manufactory is of
the most desirable quality and guarantees
snccess.
MANKATo CLAY WORKS.
Among the most interesting and valuable
discoveries of the latent wealth of Mankato
has been that of the existence Of most su-
perior quality of fire clay" in what has
been for years considered worthless bank
of chalk white material. Early last spring
Mr.. s. F. Alberger, a gentleman from New
York who has large experience in the manu-
facture of fire brick, came to Mankato, and
after prospecting for some little time, came
upon this mine of hidden wealth and at once
began experimenting. So satisfactory were
his tests that company has been formed,
with the above caption, who, in addition tothe
manufacture of fire brick will continue the
manufacture Of drain tile, SO successfully
accomplished last year by Mr.. Alberger, and
also no doubt manufacture well tubing,
sewer and culvert pipe and hollow brick. The
works at present occupy building near the
Sioux City depot, formerly used as wheat
warehouse, which has been converted into
use as a fire brick factory and furnished with
all the necessary machinery and steam for
power and heating.
The present capacity of the works is about
500 brick per day, which in summer will be
increased to 10000. The indistructability of
this clay may be shown from the fact that
subjected to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit a
degree of heat so intense that the human eye
could not look at the substance, it sustained
its form and substance and refused to melt.
This industry thus established becomes of all
the more Importance from the fact that no
fire clay Of any degree of value
not works for the manufacture
of fire brick exists anywhere nearer than
st. Louis and Chicago. Permanent works
are to be erected this summer by the com
pany nearer their clay supply, and an extern
sive business will thus be inaugurated.
MANKATo SAND.
A grade Of sand said by experts to be OF
the character necessary to make glass has
been discovered, and samples sent east for
tests have produced the most satisfactory re-