Albuquerque evening citizen., 1907-07-20
new COMPANY PRO-
POSES TO MAKE
FINE BRICK
Immense Shale Deposits at
at AlgOdones to be Worked
Extensively.

BY September / there will be in
operation in Algodones a brick manu-
featuring plant with a daily output of
10000 pressed bricks. A company
has been organized which includes
several prominent Albuquerque busi-
ness men in its list of shareholders,
The name of the corporation is the
Tongue Pressed Brick, Tile and I'M
provement Co" 1t Is capitalized for
100000 and already has a contract
to sell 100000 bricks to a firm in
Los angeles.
A. j. Frank, of Algodones. who Is
the assistant manager of the COM
pany, said this morning:
THE shale banks of Algodones
have long been famous for the ex-
cellent pottery material they contain.
The Pueblo Indians from time i'm
memorial have drawn upon these vast
deposits for material out of which to
fashion their unique pottery. For
over a year we have been experiment.
ing with this shale in view of utiliz-
ing 1t extensively in the manufacture
of commercial brick and tile. EX-
perts to whom we have submitted
samples of the product say no better
brick can be made. We have had
the brick tested for strength and
durability and these tests have sur
prised the experts. The brick is ex-
tremely hard and heavy and takes
a finish that cannot be rivaled.
'The shale deposit at Algodones is
1000 feet in width, quarter of a
mile in length and $50 feet in known
depth. The full extent of the de-
post has not yet been determined,
though we know the supply Is enorm-
Gus. The composition is as follows:
Forty per cent silica, to 4 per cent
of oxide of iron, 22 per cent alumni
mum, II per cent lime and per
cent manganese.
The large percentage of aluminium
in the clay makes the material ex-
ceptionally plastic in working it up
and also acts as an adhesive element
in binding the particles into one flat
like mass after it is fired. No bet
ter composition for a fine hard
brick could be made up than this
which comes already mixed by ma
ture. The vessels made of this ma
terial by the Indians are durable and
weather proof and the Indian knows
nothing of high heat firing. By
using a high heat kiln pottery can
be made of this clay which is as hard
and strong as iron stone and much
lighter.
I'VE have ordered a complete out
fit of the most modern pressed brick
machinery from st. Louis and this
machinery is now on the way here.
Contractor Mace, of Albuquerque, has
1.-the contract to erect the buildings at
the site at Algodones and by Sep
tember we will begin the manufac-
ture of the brick and will make ship
ments to fill our big California order.
AT the outset we will employ only
fifteen men, but the capacity of the
plant will be increased as rapidly as
practicable.
"a Mr.. Learnard, one of the big.
gest contractors of Los Angeles, has
examined our clay and offered to
buy as much of ii in the crude state
as we would sell. We will sell him
certain amount which will be ship
ped to Los Angeles and be manufac-
tured into fancy tile for ornamental
fire places. Later we hope to manu-
facture tile and pottery at Algodones.
"Our brick is almost imprevious to
moisture. A brick of our manufac-
| ture soaked in water for twenty
four hours absorbs only four ounces
of water. 1t is practically impossible
| for moisture to penetrate through the
finished article. The brick is pri-
| marily a finishing brick to be used
| for facing and other exterior and in
terror work. The seconds and thirds
only will be sold for cheaper grades
| of construction. The brick can read
lily be colored many different perma-
nent hues to suit the requirements of
various ornamental construction.
''The president and manager of the
Tongue Pressed Prick, Tile and I'm
provement company is M. J.. Schutt
| Judge c. NJ. Bayne, of Ration, Is
the secretary and treasurer. G. l.
Brooks. of this city and others are
also largely interested in the new
| company.
Beside the immense shale bank
the property of the company includes
| a mountain of marble which we will
quarry. This marble, while not as
lhard as some Is admirably suited for
wainscotting, wall lining and other
uses in public buildings, private resi-
dences or business blocks We have
| ordered machinery for saving, plan
ing and otherwise preparing the mar
BILE for the market and this machin-
cry will be installed for operation In
| the fall. This department of oui
lAlgodones plant will rival in import
ance our brick and tile department
The marble comes in all shades OF
color from a light gray TO the deep
| est hues."
| n n 4 alInIl uuIn nInll