The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-11-10
BRICK MAKING OLD
MAINE INDUSTRY
Still Brings Large Sums
Into This State
Vast Deposits of Clay Are Pracdeall,
Inexhaustble.

one OF the leading industries Of Maine
and it still brings large sums of mon
ey into the State RE vast deposits
of clay are practically inexlaustible
and doubtless will, in IL neal future
become the basis for otaer nanntac-
turing.
The manufacture of bricks com
menced in small way very early in
the history of the State says an ar
ticle on brick making in the Directory
of the Manufacturing Industries OF
Maine, recently issued by the Bureau
of Industrial and Labor Statistics
They were used principally in the
building of chimneys in the better
class OF houses which succeeded the
log cabin. with its rock fireplace and
cat and clay chimney, of the pioneer
settlers.
So far as available records show,
the export of bricks of any considera-
BILE amount was developed somewhere
between 1760 and 100 when Boston
began importing from this State for
building purposes. The first yards of
importance were established on the
Sheepscot and Damariscotta rivers, at
Bowdoinham and Hallowell on the
kennebec, at Bangor and Brewer on
the PenobsCot and at Portland
by 1900, the number of brickyards
had increased to 80 giving employ
ment to 80 men, and were manufac-
turing 100000 bricks. of which
amount about 100000 were shipped
to Boston.
Bricks were formerly moulded by
hand, and in 1885 the Hobbs brick
machine WIS introduced and was
finally used in all the yards in the
State, a machine which increased the
output of the yard to nearly double
their former capacity per man.
In 1855 there were about 800
brickmakers employed in the State
nd the output was $4,000. 600. About
10 100000 of these were exported. 3 IS
ton taking the larger share. though
New Bedford and Proyincetown Mas
sachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Is
land, took a share.
About this time a trade sprung up
with Newfoundland and many mil
lions of bricks were shipped 10 St
Iohn parties The general result of
this trade was long time credit. fail
ure and ruin to many Maine brick
makers.
During the Civil War the output
fell off to the lowest point for half a
century. but Immediately on the re-
49,, of ba iu1 Try tool a
big boom. stimulated by the high
prices end large demand from Boston.
BY 1907 the number of yards showed
a fall off, but they were producing at
least % per cent more bricks than
in 1860. about 100000 were being
used in the State and 50,0000o0 ex-
ported annually.
I'm 1855 there were &C brickyards in
operation in the State. giving employ
ment to 609 hands and producing o.
100000 bricks. of which 10000 600
were exported. In 1897 there We're
produced in the State almost $4,000
900 bricks. in 81 yards where 507
hands were employed. About one
half of the product was exported.
in 1905. there were 66 brickyards
reported in operation. where SO
hands were employed, and the output
was valued at $i20.111. According TO
returns made to this office for 1909.
there were 40 yards in operation, civ
ling employment to $50 hands. which
would be force sufficient. with the
| improved machinery in use at the
present time, to produce about 100
| 900 900 bricks annually.
DISTRIBUTION OF INDUSTRY
The distribution of the industry by
Counties, at the present time, is as
! follows: Androscoggin. yards EN-
ploying 6S hands ;sAroostook, yards
with 81 hands; Cumberland, 4 yards
with so hands; Hancock. yards with
2S hands; Kennebec, yards with q
hends: Knox. l yard with so hands
Lincoln. 2 yards with 10 hands; Pc
nobscot, 5 yards with 81 hands; Pts
cataquis. 2 yards with 10 hands; Sa-
gadahoc. yards with 10 hands; Som
erset. yards with 10 hands; Wash
ngton. | yard with hands; York,
yards with 173 hands.
There have been great improve
ments in brick making machines
Where formerly an expert brick max
er might mould by hand 5000 bricks
day, machines at the present time
can easily turn out $4,000. Up to
about 1874 each would as it was filled
was carried separately to the yard and
dumped out to dry, but at that time
the truck, which would hold five
moulds was devised, and went into
general use. This simple appliance
! increased the moulding capacity pei
man from 5000 to 600 per day.
Great improvements have been
made in many of the tools used about
the yard. Among these were the
shave for cutting the clay in the hill
rendering it capable of quicker drying
and more easy handling and the
brick edger. designed to turn the
bricks upon edge, for more perfect
drying. after they had lain fat upon
the yard half day or more. Improv-
ed methods of burning have also been
! brought into use which has increas-
ed the percentage of saleable bricks.
This industry has seen great
| fluctuations. After the great fire In
Boston in 1872. the demand far ex-
ceeded the supply, and the price went
up to $22 per l 900 Work was immedi-
ately rushed in all the yards and the
price soon fell to $3.50 per 1000. At
other times various causes have either
rendered the business extremely prof
liable or reduped tho nrofitc almost IN