The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1897-08-04

bricks. After considerable exper-
imenting II was ascertained that in
the composition Of these bricks the
Ibest proportions were fifty per
cent. of ordinary clay and fifty per
cent, of shaIe. which go to form a
brick which presents an elegant ap-
pearance. smooth, finished and SER
viceable. The shale is obtained
from the hills opposite the works.
where there is practically an IN
exhaustibie supply Here also the
company gets more coal than It can
use and therefore finds some profit
in marketing a certain quantity.
The disintegration of shale from
other allied materials is accom-
plished by an ingenious machine
known as the Carmichael disinte-
orator. This is much on the prin-
ciple of wheat crusher in mill,
two immense wheels weighing sew
eral tons each revolving round on
surface of small holes crush the
shaIe to a powder, which is then
drawn up an elevator to another
and finer crusher, which pulverizes
it to the consistency of dust. This
then descends to a machine which,
as in the case of the paving brfess.
moulds it in a form somewhat
larger than the completed bricks.
These are afterward pressed in a
machine which congresses moulds
and turns out four bricks at every
revolution. These bricks are then
taken to the dryer and thence to
the kilns, where they are burned
for the same length of time as the
paving bricks, and having cooled
are ready for delivery.
In another part of the premises
is a machine which takes the clay,
congresses it and turns out in any
desired shape the roofing shingles,
which are destined to play a far
larger part in the construction of
roofs than has heretofore been the
case, since they are more durable.
look better and are cheaper than
slate. After they have been made
the process of treatment of shingles
| is similar to that of the bricks,
both in respect of drying and burn
ing.
Bricks can be made of any shape,
i with whatever ornamentation upon
their face that may desired, for dies
can be made toconvey any impress
sion, and the same applies to tiles
or shingles.
The Camden Clay Company has
some large contracts on hand, in
Guiding 100000 paving bricks fol
I Parkersburg, and another consid-
erably largerfor Washington, d. O.
j, In these works the very latest
scientific principles have been-ap-
piled, and every advance in inyen-
ton is adopted, SO that the works
are the completest of their kind
j we ever saw, and afford a wonder
full contrast to the old fashioned
and laborious methods of making
bricks.
Mr.. w. j. Carmichael is the
managing overseer. and has had
extensive experience in every
branch of the work with which he
is now entrusted and which he
performs with exemplary efficiency.
! He is relative of the inventor of
the disintegrator to which allusion
has already been made.
The machinery is the most per
feet designed. and works with such
smoothness and accuracy as to
seem almost gifted with human in
telligence. The engine is a Cor
liss of 165 horse power, with a u
foot fly wheel, and "a inch belt;
the boilers are made by Brownell
g. Co., of Cleveland, and are of the
fue order with two 16 inch fues
each. Mr.. j. P. Booth is the
engineer.
We do not remember having de
rived SO much pleasure from the
inspection of large manufactur-
ing plant before, as it was our lot
to enjoy in going over this model
establishment. There are about go
men employed at present, ten of
whom work in the coal mines, and
the remainder in the mandatory.
ALI live within stones throw of
the plant in neat little cottages
evidently nicely kept, and all APP
pear to be distinctly happy and
contented, which speaks highly for
the regard for their comfort enter