Morning journal and courier., 1890-11-14

purpose, ,8OOut bW0lVe Io6G III OlalnoteI anu two feet in depth. Here it was thoroughly drenched with water and allowed to soak over night, and then trodden by oxen nntil the desired consistency was reached. At first only one pair of oxen was used, but later the pit was enlarged and two pairs put in. This tempering of the clay was slow and 1aborious process for the cattle and the ttboy" who drove them.
 When thoroughly. mixed the clay was shovelled upon table at which stood the ssstriker" with his molds. These were simply open frames of the required dimen- sions, and at first were constructed but for four brick. They were kept in water bath. In using, the frame was laid flat on the table, filed with clay by the striker and deftly turned on it's edge. In this position it was carried to the ''drying ground" and it's contents deposited. This drying yard was frequently no more than 6 grass plot, for on nearly all specimens examined are found impression of leaves, twigs, grass, etc., which fourished hun dred years ago. Such rude handling could give no form or comeiness to the finished product; they all appear more or less distorted and misshapen.
 The first real advance in brick making was made when bottom was placed upon the mo1ds This improvement gave a much more shapely article. The fresh, plastic clay was easier carried and ssdumped" and the unfortunate twistings and distortions vanished in moment
 As the manufacture went on some genius discovered (by accident, probably,) that fine dry sand would ssf1ushn the mold bet ter than water, besides giving a frmer face to the brick. Next came the re- duced dimensions, as has been said, and then followed a mold with six compart- ments instead of four. The next mostimpor- tant move was directed to the yard. This was changed to smooth, beaten plat, graded to drain the surface and kept troduction of the upright weoden tub within which was turned a spindle thickly set with long fiat knives to pulverize the clay. This spindle was fastened to a long, uncouth "sweep." The cattle were transferred from the pit to this sweep and the second greatest step was made. Thus what was known as the first "pug- mill" or Hbrick machine" was set in oper- ation. The movements of cattle were | found too slow, and horses were substi- ! tuted on this grinding machine for them. l The tempered clay was forced out of an | orifice near the bottom of the machine | upon a table directly in front of the ! "striker." Grasping such quantity as
 
 | the mold placed ready 'ssanded" before | him, he dextrously threw it with force suf- \ ficent to fill the space; when the mold | was full the contents were quickly smoothed down by an implement for the purpose, and it was ready for the Gear | Tier" The striker and the carrier consti
 tuted 'xang;;" but two molds were ! used, one being filled while the other wal | borne away.
 Now it can be seen how the striker would ! naturally come to be an important person
 age on a brickyark. On his strength, en durance, expertness, depended in larg' ! measure the success of the proprietor for first of all, the brick must be moulded
 Hence arose those great rivalries whicl l existed under the old hand-striking sys
 tenn, the traditions of which yet finger il
 the air around North Haven. In his da
 Jacob Thorpe was the champion of al
 brick strikers. From five to six thousan
 brick was considered a fair days work fo one man in 1850; but on one occasio,
 'fbetween sun and sum-" as the sayin
 went. MT. Thorpe "struck" 13,51S bric
 and Willis Thorpe "carried them off. days work, and it was. Its nearest ar
 proach was made by Horace Stiles wh
 made Il 300. Amasa Thorpe was also COT l sidered an expert, but never nodded owe | 10, 900 in any one day.
 II With the introduction of an iron froI
 and system of levers to the upright ms
 chine just mentioned, "hand striking passed away. The molds emerged all file from the machine as rapidly as one coul
 manage it. The gang of carriers was il creased from four to five and the days (
 rapid brick-making had commenced. It believed Loyal Moulthrop was the first
 set up one of these machines. It was r ! garded with suspicion at the outset, bl | proved it's way and came into univers ! use.
 The next great move was the introdu ton of steam power and the constructio i, of the complicated brick presses of to-da . From five thousand, days work if ! years since, the present yards turn o1 , from seventy-five to one hundred thousar . daily, and every brick of math
 nautical exactness. From a few hul
 dreds spread out on the grass to d 1 in 1790, the quantity has grown to almo
 million exposed to sun and air by u
 "Pallet system" From 8 hundred tho sand, which constituted seasons work ( 1, single yard half a century ago, the ou e < put has swollen to fifteen millions as . annual make of one concern to-day. (3.) 5 A succeeding article will take up part s nlarly our modern yards as well as sor a consideration of the men who have help I to develop them, together with further q V tails of manufacture, etc.
 1t Note:
 1. Volume B. Colonial Records.
 k 1 9 Volume 13, Colonial Records. @ 3. l. L. Stiles & Son.
 .e SHELDON B. THORPE.