The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-09-19
VALLEY CITY
: MAY HAVE PLANT
$150,O00 Would be Expended
by Brick Company-St.
Paul Men Interested.

Valley City, n. D.. Sept. 81
erection of a $4,000 brick n tile
plant in Valley City may be the resul'
of a visit here by ST. Davidson. A. Il
Robertson and c. +. Hickman. st
Paul capitalists and manufacturers Of
Denison I%nterlocking Tile. Such
plant would employ fifty to sixty me-
and the payroll would amount tc
about 5000 a day. AS most OF the la
Dor about the plant is highly skilled
that class of workmen- are usually
married, so they, with their families
would NEAR an increase in population
in Valley City Of 200 to. 800.
These capitalists. looking for an in
vestment along the lines in which they
have been successful, were taken to
the hills surrounding the city by Sec
rotary Otto Zetterberg OF the Com.
mercial club, and show the deposits OF
clay and shale. Samples were taken
and a chemical test was applied. The
clap was found to contain considerable
lime but this does not necessarily at
feet 1t, in the opinion Of Mr.. David
son, head Of the party.
Make Physical Test.
'It is liquid lime" said Mr.. David
SON., and ma not affect the clay.
However, I do not go much on chem
zeal analysis. The only method to de-
ter1nine the value Of clay for tile man
ufacturing purposes is by a physical
clay that sort of test when We make it
into blocks at the factory. A physical
test is the only way We may learn the
actual quality of the clay.
II firmly believe you have the right
kind Of clay in these hills surrounding
your city. We ma not have found it
today. and in. all probability I shall
return here and take a week or 90.
boring into the hills and making a
thorough search for what We want.
Suitable Clay Here.
"cThe topography and character OF
the soil here is almost identical with
In a basin Just like Valley City and
there are many hills so nearly like
these surrounding your city that one
could scarcely tell the difference. None
Of the factories manufacturing the
Denison tile are keeping up with or
ders. It Is the building materoial Of
tho day and Valley City would be an
ideal location for a plant"
The nearest brick manufacturing
concern to Valley City Is approximate
ly $50 miles, and a local plant would
SAY the big freight rate. The men
who were in the city have the ex-
OA06lSO ! ~ y III HUI "
ufacturing- the Denison tile block, a
hollow triangular affair that fills the
space Of twenty bricks. can be laid
more rapidly. than brick and costs
much less. Thus. Valley City would
be, the manufacturing center and dis
tributor for this building material that
Is now such IN important feature In
business house and residence construc-
ton.
Induced to Come Here.
The party Of capitalists were direct
~ induced to come here to look at the
clay by City Auditor Boyd. Mr.. Boyd
is acquainted with Mr.. Hickman and
was talking with him at the Minne-
sofa state fair in st. Paul. The. con.
%versation .drifted to brick manufacture
and Mr.. Hickman said he would like
to find a new bed Of clay. Mr.. Boyd
told him about the clay beds in the
hills surrousding Valley City. and Mr..
Hickman was SO impressed that he
said he would take up the matter with
DR.. Davidson. Mr.. Davidson had
heard of the clay beds here but the
conversation led up to prompt action.
Hunt For Clay.
The Commercial club will likely
hold a special meeting to consider
what manner Of assistance It can give
Mr.. Davidson and his associates in
finding suitable clay for the manufac.
ture Of their product and encourage
h location Of a new $3.50. 900 indus.
try in this city. One Of the PROPOSE.
lions will likely be an assignment OF
, number of members ia make a
seafch Of the hills surrounding Valley
City and have samples of clay reads
Tor MI. Davidson. when he returns and
point out the beds from whence the,
came. . -. 80