Northwestern Brick Manufacturers’ Association. The convention of the Northwestern Brick Manufacturers’ Association will be held at Princeton, Minn., on March 4, 1902, and it promises to be the largest attended meeting of any yet held. There is ample opportunity for the rapid growth of this association, inasmuch as it will draw for its membership from all contiguous states which are now beginning to develop to a large extent other clay industries. There are now numerous plants springing into existence and there is no reason why the Northwestern Brick Manufacturers’ Association may not hold a high place in the associations already organized in this country. W. P. Alsip, the president of the association, is a man who is genial, kind and a hearty worker on the association's behalf. He has devoted considerable time to the interests of the organization and we trust that his efforts will be rewarded with a most successful convection. We append the interesting program of the sessions: President’s Address, W. P. Alsip, Grand Forks, N. D. Report of the Secretary and Treasurer, Louis Moline, Willmar, Minn. Address of Welcome, Princeton Brick Manufacturers. "Transporting Clay from Bank to Machine," Mr. Vance, Crookston Brick Co., Crookston, Minn. "Stiff Clay Brick," W. H. Oakes, Princeton, Minn. "Soft Clay Brick," John Dinnie, Grand Forks, N. D. "Dry Press Brick," Twin City Press Brick Co., St. Paul, Minn. "Burning Brick in a Continuous Kiln," Gustave Haut, Perham, Minn. "Driers - Drying Brick from Cooling Kiln with Fan," W. S. Russell, Grand Forks, N. D. "Out-Door Drying," O. Duclos, Little Falls, Minn. "Grading Brick," Henry Ames, Litchfield, Minn. "Question Box" - Bring your troubles with you. Hand them to the Secretary in writing. Election and Installation of Officers. Appointment of Committees. (Brick and Clay Record, Windsor & Kenfield Publishing Company, Chicago, IL, March 1902, Volume XVI, Number 3, Page 120)
BRICK MAKERS MEET. Third Annual Meeting of the Northwestern Brick Manufacturers’ Association. Princeton Brick Makers Royally Entertain Representatives of the Brick Industry. Princeton had the honor of entertaining this week the Northwestern Brickmakers’ Association, an organization that represents the brick making interests of the northwest, and the brick making interests of Minnesota especially. The third annual meeting of this association was held here in Princeton on Tuesday, and cream brick hospitality was on tap in a generous measure. The fact that Princeton is one of the largest brick manufacturing towns in the State, made the place a popular one in which to hold the annual meeting of the association, and those who attended went away feeling that they were very well satisfied with the time they had here and the treatment accorded them. Among those in attendance at the meeting were the following: Chas. A. Sprandel and O. Duclos of Little Falls; J. M. Moog of St. Cloud; C. H. Beumer of St. Augusta; Aug. Lundgren of Warren; Louis Moline and Nels Flykt of Willmar; J. S. Bowers of Minneapolis, representing the Hennepin Brick Co., of six yards; M. S. Rusfeldt of Albert Lea, representing the yards at Albert Lea and also the Wrenshall yards; Henry Hess of St. Cloud; F. J. Nixon, of Paine & Nixon of Duluth, sales agents of the Princeton and Wrenshall yards; Philip Diesanz of the Winona Stone quarries and brick yards. Those present who represented local brick making interests were E. M. Farnham, J. R., H. H. and C. G. Farnham, W. H. Oakes, Chas. Oakes, Milton Farnham, F. Reem, and R. P. Morton, who has charge of the bookkeeping, etc., for the brick yards at Brickton.
The president of the association, W. P. Alsip of Grand Forks, was absent and O. Duclos acted as chairman of the meeting which was held in the banquet hall in the Odd Fellows’ block on Tuesday afternoon. The address of welcome was made by J. R. Farnham. The secretary, Louis Moline of Willmar, made his annual report for the association, after which the convention settled down to the discussion of various trade topics. A very interesting program had been arranged, consisting of practical papers by members of the association, but as several on the program were absent this part of the program was somewhat abbreviated. E. M. Farnham spoke on "Transporting Clay From Bank to Machine" which called forth much practical discussion. W. H. Oakes spoke on "Burning Brick" which proved one of the most interesting topics of the whole meeting. Mr. Hess of St. Cloud, spoke on the question of "Oil Fuel," and stated that the crude oil as it comes from the wells could be bought very cheaply of the Standard Oil Co. Mr. Bowers of Minneapolis, also spoke on the question of oil burning in the manufacture of brick. He has given the matter considerable study and some little experiment and his views on the subject proved very interesting to the members of the association.
M. S. Rusfeldt of Albert Lea, spoke on "Coal Dust Burning" and gave the meeting an interesting account of the use of coal dust in the burning of brick. For this purpose the fine hard coal screenings are mixed with the clay and with this treatment the brick in the process of burning is made hard and durable and also does not require so long a time to finish the product. Mr. Rusfeldt said that he found that by using this coal dust at his yards at Albert Lea he had saved in a season in the manufacture of 2,200,000 brick all of $500. He said that the coal dust or screenings could be bought for about $1 per ton. In the mixing of the clay with the coal dust he used a tempering pit that would hold about 20,000 brick. The matter of fuel for burning is becoming a very important one with the brick manufacturers and the use of oil and such auxiliaries in burning process like coal dust and screenings are to be looked into in a practical manner. A committee composed of Henry Hess of St. Cloud, H. H. Farnham and C. A. Sprandel was appointed to look up the matter and to report at the next meeting. F. J. Nixon of Duluth spoke on the grading of brick, and the topic was thoroughly discussed. The matter of shipping and other practical topics were taken up and talked over by the meeting. In the election of officers for the ensuing year E. M. Farnham was chosen president, C. A. Sprandel vice president and Louis Moline secretary and treasurer. The association decided to hold its next meeting sometime in January in Minneapolis, and H. H. Farnham, Henry Hess and W. H. Oakes were appointed a committee to prepare a program for the meeting. E. M. Farnham was appointed a committee to look up quarters and also make hotel arrangements, etc. It was late in the evening when the association finished its labors and when ready to adjourn for refreshments the members, together with the Retail Grocers’ association of Princeton proceeded to the banquet hall on the second floor of the building where a banquet was served by the Princeton brick makers in honor of the visiting members of the association.
In the center of the hall was one long table. It was strewn with sprigs of smilax and in the center was a beautiful bunch of cut flowers. Mayor Armitage and Judge Keith were the guests of honor, the former sitting at the head of the table while Mr. Keith sat at his right. The members of the Grocers’ association who were present were: L. W. Pierson, N. E. Jesmer, F. S. Walker, F. L. Ludden, D. C. Johnson, T. F. Scheen, and R. P. Morton. It was 7:30 when the guests were seated for supper and by the time supper was finished and a few speeches were made it was 9:30. The supper was served by the Ladies’ Aid society of the Methodist church, and they did themselves proud both in the menu and the serving of the same. During the process of the supper Mrs. Ewing kindly presided at the piano and rendered several musical selections. After supper was finished J. R. Farnham acted as toastmaster and short speeches were made by Mayor Armitage, Judge Keith, G. F. Wright, N. E. Jesmer and L. W. Pierson. The visiting brickmakers tendered a vote of thanks to the Princeton brickmakers and citizens who entertained them in such a hearty manner and also complimented the ladies on the excellent manner in which they served the supper. The delegates left for their homes on the morning train on Wednesday well pleased with Princeton hospitality.
BRICKS. It was a burning topic. The price of brick? File your application. Princeton is getting to be quite a convention city. The Princeton brick makers did themselves proud. The brick makers all feel confident of a good season’s business. Messrs. Byers, Carew and Anderson of the Grocers’ association were unable to attend the banquet. On Tuesday forenoon the delegates were taken in a body to Brickton and inspected the various plants at that place, returning to the hotel for dinner. Mr. Nixon of Duluth, who handles the product of the Princeton yards, took great interest in the gathering. He says Princeton brick are all right. O. Duclos of Little Falls has been in the brick making business for forty-two years, and yet he is not too old to learn and never fails to attend the annual meetings. Owing to the scarcity of wood at the yards at Brickton on account of the poor hauling the past winter the yards at that place will have to use edgings from the mill at Milaca the coming season. The association was organized in St. Cloud two years ago with a few members. Last year it met at Little Falls. The membership while not large, represents the leading brick making interests of Minnesota. Philip Biesanz of Winona, did not arrive until Tuesday night and missed the supper. The invitations and program stated that the meeting would be held on Wednesday, March 4, at 2 P. M. and the Winona man supposed he had time to burn. The stock of brick at the yards at Brickton will be all shipped out before the coming season’s brick are ready for the market. It is estimated that the output from the Brickton yards this year will be twenty-five per cent larger than it was last year. C. H. Beumer of St. Augusta, is the largest member in the association. He is six feet, four inches tall, and stands erect and has a large frame and broad shoulders. When Judge Keith was introduced to him the Princeton attorney, a little bit towering himself, was obliged to look up to the brick maker of Stearns county. (The Princeton Union, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, Thursday, March 6, 1902, Volume XXVI, Number 12, Page 1)
Page 189. The Northwestern Brick Manufacturers’ Association. The Northwestern Brick Manufacturers’ Association met in its third annual convention at Princeton, Minn., on March 4th. Princeton is one of the largest brick manufacturing towns in the state and therefore was eminently suitable for the holding of this convention. The brick manufacturers of the town entertained their visitors in a most generous manner and all left Princeton with a deep sense of gratification at their hospitable reception. Among those who attended this meeting were the following: Charles A. Sprandel and O. Duclos, Little Falls; J. M. Moog, St. Cloud; C. H. Beumer, St. Augusta; August Lundgren, Warren; Louis Moline and Nels Flykt, of Willmar; J. S. Bowers, of Minneapolis; M. S. Rusfeldt, Albert Lea; Henry Hess, St. Cloud; F. J. Nixon, Duluth; Philip Diesanz, Winona; E. M. Farnham, J. R. Farnham, H. H. Farnham, C. C. Farnham, W. H. Oakes, Charles Oakes, Milton Farnham, F. Reem, and R. P. Morgan, of Princeton. Unfortunately the president of the association, W. P. Alsip of Grand Forks, was unavoidably detained by important business, but O. Duclos acted ably as chairman of the meeting which was held in the banquet hall of the Odd Fellows’ block, Princeton. An address of welcome was made by J. R. Farnham of Princeton and the secretary, Louis Moline, of Willmar, then read his annual report which was adopted.
We published the program in the last issue of "Brick," but owing to the absence of several of the members some of the papers were not given. However, those that were, were of the deepest interest to the convention and called forth much practical discussion, every paper being handled with enthusiasm. E. M. Farnham spoke on "Transporting Clay from Bank to Machine." W. H. Oakes bristled with points on "Burning Brick." Mr. Hess, of St. Cloud, dwelt with the all-important topic of "Oil Fuel," and he was followed by Mr. Bowers of Minneapolis who has devoted considerable study and performed many experiments on this matter and his remarks were very interesting to the audience. Mr. Hess said that the wood supply at St. Cloud was getting scarce and that the time was approaching when some other field would have to be sought. He had noticed in September "Brick" for 1901 that a Chicago company were burning a kiln of 1,750,000 brick with oil for 53 cents per M (1,000). It now costs him $1.50 per M to burn with wood, and he had ascertained that oil could be procured for 4 cents per gallon f. o. b. (free on board or freight on board) at the yard. He reckoned that 65 gallons of oil would be equal to a cord of soft wood, this wood costing him $3 per cord by the time it was placed in the kiln. He intended soon to make a trial with oil and establish a comparison as to its economy with that he was now using.
S. M. Rusfeldt, of Albert Lea, handled the subject of "Coal Dust Burning" in a very able manner. He claimed that the admixture of hard coal screenings with the clay was a great assistance in the production of a hard and durable brick and lessens the time of burning considerably. He said that by the use of coal dust at his yard at Albert Lea he had saved in a season in the burning of 2,200,000 brick at least $500. The screenings were bought for about $1 per ton. He mixed the clay with the coal dust in the tempering pit of 20,000 capacity. Among other remarks Mr. Rusfeldt said: "I only use coal dust in my Albert Lea plant, as I make a sand mold brick there. I cannot recommend it for a stiff mud brick, that is if I should want a nice smooth face on the brick, for although this coal is of no greater size than a grain of wheat, yet it will leave marks on the face of the brick where the coal has burned out. I make a wire-cut brick at my Wrenshall plant. The sand mold brick has a coat of sand and as there is no coal to burn out in the sand coat the sand covered up all the spots the coal leaves behind. I screen the coal with a plasterer’s screen. I first saw coal dust used in Chicago in 1893 and never experimented with it until two years ago. My output at Wrenshall is 60,000 tile, and I intend to double that amount at an early date."
The matter of fuel for burning is becoming a very important one with brick manufacturers and the use of oil and such auxiliaries in the burning process as coal dust and screenings deserves the attention of every clayworker. A committee composed of Henry Hess of St. Cloud, H. H. Farnham and C. A. Sprandel was appointed to investigate on these lines and report at the next meeting. F. J. Nixon, of Duluth, dealt with another interesting subject "The Grading of Brick," and in the discussion evoked by this the matter of shipping and other practical topics of a kindred nature were taken up and thoroughly threshed out. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: E. M. Farnham, president; C. A. Sprandel, vice-president; Louis Moline, secretary and treasurer. The association decided upon Minneapolis as its next meeting place, the date to be sometime in January. Committees were appointed to prepare the program and make the necessary hotel arrangements, etc. It was quite late in the evening when the association finished its labors and the members then proceeded straight to the banquet hall where they were entertained by the Princeton clayworkers. Mayor Armitage and Judge Keith were the guests of honor.
Page 190. The supper was served by no less a charming body than the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Methodist Church and needless to say, everything progressed without the slightest hitch or interruption. Several musical selections were given and with J. R. Farnham as toastmaster short speeches were made by Mayor Armitage, Judge Keith, G. F. Wright, N. S. Jesmer and L. W. Pierson. A vote of thanks was tendered to the Princeton clayworkers and citizens for their hospitality and the visitors left for their homes on the next morning. Among the members of note of the association may be mentioned O. Duclos of Little Falls, whose experience in the brickmaking business covers 42 years, and C. H. Beumer of St. Augusta, who has the honor of being the most "avoirdupoisic" member of the association. He is 6 ft. 4 in. in height, stands erect and has a large frame and broad shoulders. When introduced to the association everyone had to look up to the enterprising brickmaker of Stearns County. (Brick and Clay Record, Windsor & Kenfield Publishing Company, Chicago, IL, April 1902, Volume XVI, Number 4)