The age-herald., 1899-08-13
Something of Brick Manufacture
 in Birmingham District.
MR. COPELAND'S BIG YARDS
Taxed to Their Fullest Capacity-His- tory ofan Enterprise Which Stands As a Monument to Perse-
 verance and Integrity

hundred times day by motormen on the Birmingham Traction cars, and so familiar to the regular patrons Of that line, fn1- plies, so far as the general public is con- cerned, simply a station in East Birming- ham. To contractors and builders in this section, however, the word Copeland means something more than merely the name of popular staton-.to them it is a synonym of brick; brick of the best quality and of the various grades and in as great quan- titles ordinarily wanted. The sta ton Copeland in East Birmingham is named for Mr. J. R. Copeland, the well known brick manufacturer who is the pro- prietor of two of the largest yards in this district.
 An Age-He representative made a visit to MT. Copeland's brick plants yes- terday, one of which is located at Pratt City and the other at Copeland, in East Birmingham. At the latter place the scribe met the genial and courteous pro- prietor of the mammoth industries and obtained some information regarding his enterprises and the manufacture of brick. which will be of interest to the public-es- pecially to those who are interested in the development and industrial progress or this immediate section.
 At the Copeland" yard, MT. Copeland owns fine body of clay land, consisting or twenty-five acres. The clay Is of extra depth for this section. and 1t will require years of time to exhaust the supply. It is also of splendid quality. being equal to that of MT. Copelands Pratt City yard. which has been pronounced by experts as without a superior Tn addition to his in- exhaustible supply of clay, MT. Copeland has unsurpassed facilities for manufactur- ing. At this plant he works thirty-fve men and has a capacity of 25.000 brick per day Here is made the best handmade gray brick put upon the market. Among MT Copeland's superior advantages may be mentioned the fact that he obtains his sand about forty percent, cheaper than other manufacturers. This Is due to the close proximity of his yard to Gate City, from whence the sand Is obtained, together with the fact that the same Is hauled di- rectly to the kilns over the Traction llne
 Mir Copeland is exceedingly fortunate In the matter of transportation facilities, nav ing two side tracks in both his yards anu access to five different lines or railroad. Thus he enjoys the advantage or haVlng no transfer charges to pay, and besides IS enabled to fill orders with unequaieo promptness. ,..,..,.> The Copeland yard in East Birmingham is one of the busiest and most interesting places in this section. There is to De seen daily corps of happy laborers turning out the material for the erection of residences, business houses and manufacturing plants which are going up all over this district. The scene is one which never Iaiis lo a'- tract the attention of passers-py
 Mr Copeland Is something of farmer as well as a brick manufactures and grows in his yard plenty of food Tor nus stoen. . Referring to his fine crop yesterday, ne said that with both his farm ana pi1on ,ir, manufactory he managed to always keep in q good humor When the weather was unfavorable for making brick 1t was suited to the growth of his crop, anu siee versa East Birmingham is headquarters for both of MT. Copelands hdusfies, tne general office being located at the yard at that place and all correspondence belng at- tendea to at that point. MT. Thomas, an expert bookkeper and accountant, IS III charge of the general offices MT. cope lands system of business cannot pc iln m proved upon A report is on hle m ms office every morning, showing in detail ap- solutely every transaction at both yards, orders received, shipments made. to whom and by whom made, the Work dohe py every man, etc. The report IS sfhple II, form and requires but few moments lime to ascertain the status of business TOT a dav These reports are filed and are so arranged that copy for any day within year can be obtained in minutes time. By this system errors are almost an lli,- possibility, and business dealings are al- ways satisfactory and pleasant.
 The Pratt City Yard
 Al the Pratt City yard Mr. Copeland has just made extensive improvements, ln- yolving an expenditure of over 5000, and he conternplates making still greater im- movements at that plant He has Just added to his machinery at Pratt a new
 
 Chambers end-cut machine for making re- pressed brick, put In new boiler ana en- zines and doubled the capacity or the plant, which has been 5500O per day This yard Is situated just outside of the Pratt City limits. The clay at Pratt is of mag nificent quality. His sidetracks give him access to the Kansas City and the Republic Iron and Steel companys road to Thomas furnace and Sayerton mines.
 Mr. Copeland has gotten his share ot the ha in the last year over 5,OO0,0O0 brick to Ems ley industries.
 A Practical Brick Man
 MT. Copeland is a practical brick man in every sense of the word. He came to Bir- mingham when a mere boy and entered the services of the late George Lunsford as laborer, working at 90 cents day. He be- gan at the bottom round of the ladder and 1t was not long before his employer recog- nized in him that merit which insures suc- cess. Step by step he went up until he at- tained the highest efficiency in the art of brick making When Mr. Lunsford re- tired from the brick business his mantle could not have fallen on worthicr shoul- ders than those of J. R. Copeland, by whom he was succeeded and who now stands in the front rank of the brick men of the country When MT. Copeland came to Birmingham, country youth, seventeen years ago the city was not larger than Bessemer, and his first work here was in a brick yard where his home is now located at the corner of Eighth avenue and Twen- ty-fourth street. sMr Copelands career furnishes a splendid lesson for the youth of the country, who would do well to emu- late his example He has been successful, and his success has been due to indomta- ble energy, good judgment, perseverance and upright dealings. He has always dis charged his obligations, notwithstanding the storms of booms and financial panics which he has had to cather. and today has two of the most credhable industries in this district, and owns besides considera- ble other property, all of which is in his own name and right.
 MT. Copeland has always gotten along well with his employees of whom he is con- ssScrate, and whom he pays amply for ser- vices rendered Of the seventy-five men now in his employ a number have been with him for several years. which is evil