The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-09
REPLY NO, 1.
NILRs MERIwRTHER,
Taxing District Engineer.


NASHVILLE. Tenn.. March, :. 1854
To Niles Merlwether. City Engineer Of Memphis,
Mr.. w. J. Watson, Of this city, informs
us that the adyisability OF paving the
streets Of Memphis with his crcosoied
brick is being seriously considered, and he
has desired us 10 state 10 you our opinion
on the subject. About three years ago
We allowed him, as an experiment, TO pave
with this brick the much-traveled inter
section OF Union and Cherry streets
probably the most severe test for such an
experiment in Nashville. At the end OF
two yeas formal examination OF these
paved brick was had. No abrasion, no
wheel marks, nothing OF wear appeared ON
the surface OF the crcosoted trick-they
had merely polished. In the street rail
way track passing on Cherry street
through this street interscction-a truck
that Is the throat OF transit for nearly oil
the horse railroads in the city before their
distribution TO the various points Of the
compassion this track the creosoted brick
showed no wc1rof consequence; you could
hardly perceive where the iron tread, the
constant batter, Of the car mules might
have been. land, II may be remarked,
though another year has elapsed, making
three In all since first put down. that the
experimental pavement at this intersection
shows scarcely any more signs Of wear than
Il did when first formally examinod.l II
would seem that the crcosoting or blum
enizing process 80 toughcns the brick that
they are no longer brittle or friable, and
that wheel friction and the strokes Of iron
shoes inflict ON them no sensible wear.
The success Of this paving experiment,
made as II was on ACUTE narrow roadway.
over which there Is constantly
tremendous travel, induced us 10
give Mr.. Watson the contract for
paving with his creosolcd brick the main
portion Of Union street.-the heavily tray
olcd two squares between College aud Sum
mer streets. This job was finished last
spring. Nearly year Of wear has made
no impression upon H. IL Is about the
most noiselo~ pavement In the city; pro
serves lis contour as the perfect segment Of
an arch without DETECTION or sinking; II n
clean pavement, and Is, presumably, a
healthy one also; inasmuch M liquid OK
croments cannot he absorbed by brick, the
pores OF which arc already charged with
hot bitumen, nor yet penetrate between
the brick whose inlentices have been filed
with hot pitch poured into them. No far
IN w haNc httu W utauuf Nnlr tltbtotfu
brick pavement gives satisfaction 10 all
dwcllefs ON Union street, and likewise APP
pears 10 meet with general approval. We
think II durable pavement, and for this
reason, and on account OF It's cleanliness,
noisclessness and hcalihiulness, We pro.
pose 10 give II further trial; aud accordingly
We have already placed In our financial
budget several other thoroughfarcs 10 be
a
osoted brick. RoBERr EwiSo.
NJ. NEsroR
The draft Of the above letter was pre-
pared and read 10 us, and In all Of lis reel
tations received our approval, and We
Therefore cheedully signed II. We wish
10 add, however, what Of course will occur
TO you, that good foundation Of stone or
other equally good material, thoroughly
rolled with heavy roller 1--WE use a fifteen
ton Avcling a Porter, IL necessary 10 the
success Of this as well M other pavcments.
X. EwfSo.
NJ. NKsToR.