The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1916-01-27
WONDERFUL POTTERY
CLAY NEAR M|N0T
STATE SCHOOL OF MINES
MAKES REPORT ON WORK
DONE IN NORTH DAKOTA,

The following article on North Da-
kota clay was written by William H.
Greenleaf of the University School of
Mines. Inasmuch as we have an un-
limited amount of the finest pottery
clay in the world in the vicinity of
Burlington or even closer to Minot,
which has been tested by the state
School Of Mines, the article will prove
of interest. A large concern is consid-
ering very favorably the proposition
of establishing pottery plant at Mi
not and investigations as to the value
of our clay are being made:
"The Investigations which the Uni
versity School Of Mines is carrying on
in connection with the high grade
clays of the state and the industrial
possibilities in their development is
attracting great deal of interest.
Those who visit the School of Mines at
the University are astonished at the
remarkable progress which is being
made in all phases Of the ceramic
work and the wonderful variety of the
products which are being turned out
in this department, ranging from var
ious grades of building materials, sew
er pipes, jugs, jars, dish-ware, and on
up and including the highest grades of
art pottery A great variety Of these
products of highest grade is being
produced from different kinds of clay
found in various parts Of the state.
The chief purpose Of this work at
the School of Mines is to demonstrate,
by practical tests, on large scale, the
character and value of these different
clays and the best uses to which they
can be put. This work is being prose
cuted very vigorously and very skill
fully and is resulting in demonstrate
ing, beyond a doubt, that North Dako
ia possesses clay resources Of remark
ably high qualities which are destined
to become the sources of numerous inn
portant industries. Many of these
clays are of unusual purity and under
the skillful and technical work done in
the School Of Mines, are yielding mar
velously perfect and beautiful pro-
ducts. This work, indeed, is now so
well in hand that the beautiful cera-
mic wares are being produced day at
ter day with remarkable uniformity
and certainty and superiority of quail
ity. With such a class of products
which can be produced so regularly
and in such large quantities, it seems
that there is now little room for doubt
that many of these clay deposits can
be successfully developed.
Last year there was produced at the
School of Mines, for the Panama Pa
cific Exposition, under the direction of
Dean Babcock, large and varied ex-
hibit of clay products, which occupied
nearly one entire lower wing OF the
State building. This exhibit was very
unusual in extent and quality and has
attracted great interest from the Wis
itors from all parts of the country. 1t
has been pronounced by many, one of
the most complete and beautiful GER
annie displays at the Exposition. tx
perts and manufacturers of clay pro-
ducts, pottery, ETC., became interested
in the exhibit, the skilful workman
ship and the high grade products OBJ
sources of the state.
Undoubtedly this will result, sooner
or later, in establishing industries for
the manufacture of some of the widely
varied products which can be made
from such high grade clays. Few peo-
pie appreciate the remarkable char
acter Of many of the clays, especially
those Of the western part of North
Dakota, the important part they play
in the future development of the state
and the valuable work being done at
the School of Mines Of the University
to bring about these results and the
development. Of these Industries.