Luverne Brick & Tile

The large sand pit found lately on the farm of R. B. Hinkley of Luverne has proven to contain some valuable sand. Some of it was melted in crucibles, and, it said, made a very fine and high grade of glass. Mr. Hinkley has sent specimens of the sand to Eastern manufacturers and experts. (The Princeton Union, Thursday, December 31, 1896, Volume XXI, Number 2, Page 2)

…B. Hinkley, Luverne, Minn… (The Clay Worker, T. A. Randall & Co., Indianapolis, March 1900, Volume XXXIII, Number 3, Page 258)

Luverne, Minn. – R. B. Hinkly has nearly doubled the capacity of his plant, adding machinery for hollow brick, sewer and drain tile, etc. (Brick, Kenfield Publishing Company, Chicago, March 1906, Volume XXIV, Number 3, Page 165)

The Luverne (Minn.) Brick & Tile Co. has been incorporated with $50,000 capital stock. Incorporators are R. B. Hinckley, R. S. Hinckley, C. W. Sheriff and John Sheriff. (Clay Record, Clay Record Publishing Company, Chicago, IL, October 15, 1907, Volume XXXI, Number 7, Page 36)

The recently erected plant of the Luverne (Minn.) Brick & Tile Co. is being worked to its full capacity and is 200 cars behind on its orders. New kilns are to be erected. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, IL, April 1908, Volume XXVIII, Number 4, Page 208)

The Luverne Brick & Tile Co. expect to increase their capacity and will install a new dryer, add more power, and purchase some additional machinery. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, IL, September 1908, Volume XXIX, Number 3, Page 421)

The Luverne (Minn.) Brick & Tile Co., has recently installed a 200-h. p. engine and electric light system and a special press to make shaped brick. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, IL, June 1909, Volume XXX, Number 6, Page 272)

The Luverne (Minn.) Brick & Tile Co. is contemplating increasing its capacity. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, IL, December 1909, Volume XXXI, Number 6, Page 243)

The Luverne (Minn.) Brick Works are now employing sixteen men. Mr. Sickles has decided to put in a brick press expecting to make as good brick as anywhere in the country. (Clay Record, Clay Record Publishing Company, Chicago, June 30, 1910, Volume XXXVI, Number 12, Page 34)

A Pioneer Clayworker. R. B. Hinkly, head of the Luverne (Minn.) Brick & Tile Co., has just celebrated his fiftieth birthday. Years ago he pledged himself at this time to retire from active labor, and therefore although he regrets to retire from the clay business he has decided to sell his splendid up-to-date brick and tile plant at Luverne. Mr. Hinkly has found this to be the banner year in the tile business and his plant has been in continous operation since the first of March, and at no time since April has it caught up with orders. During the past summer Mr. Hinkly has added a waste heat drier to his equipment, which greatly increases the output of the plant. The demands for tile however, make even this plant insufficient for the needs of the territory. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Co, Chicago, IL, September 1910, Volume XXXIII, Number 3, Page 116)

Successful Minnesota Plant. The accompanying illustration [not shown here] shows a stock pile and exterior view of the dry house of the Luverne (Minn.) Brick & Tile Co. R. B. Hinkley, formerly connected with the Wisconsin Clay Manufacturers’ Association, is president of this company, and to his able management is due much of its success. This plant is equipped with a Brewer tile machine; and the clay, which is taken direct from the bank, is run through a Drake crusher and then through the pugmill before going to the machine. The tile manufactured by this company are of high quality and have proven very satisfactory throughout a considerable territory. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, IL, November 1910, Volume XXXIII, Number 5, Page 221)

For Sale. I am going to retire from active labor and offer the Luverne Brick & Tile Co.’s plant for sale. It is the best located of any plant in the northwest and has always made good. Address R. B. Hinkly, Luverne, Minn. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, IL, December 1910, Volume XXXIII, Number 6, Page 54)

Another firmly established Luverne enterprise is the Luverne Brick & Tile company, an industry which gives employment to more than thirty men the entire year. The founder of this institution, which has had an existence of thirteen years, was R. B. Hinkly. On the advice of experts in clay analysis who examined the soil on Mr. Hinkly’s farm and pronounced it to be the very best for brickmaking purposes, that gentleman at once established a plant, small at first, the utilize the resources. In the course of a few years it was found necessary to increase the facilities, and the industry was placed on a firm footing. The Luverne Brick and Tile company as a corporation began its existence in 1907. In the same year was built the present plant, a four story structure, which, with the several additions and other buildings subsequently erected, covers a plot of ground 80x100 feet in extent. The company manufactures brick and hollow terracotta building blocks and all sizes of drain tile and has an equipment for this purpose unexcelled by any similar institution in the state. The present officers of the concern are R. B. Hinkly, president; John Connell, secretary; and B. S. Hinkly, superintendant. (An Illustrated History of the Counties of Rock and Pipestone Minnesota, Arthur P. Rose, Northern History Publishing Company, Luverne, Minnesota, 1911, Page 169)

Luverne Brick & Tile Co. One of the thrifty plants in Minnesota is that of the Luverne Brick & Tile Co. A Brewer machine is used with the stiff mud process in the production of brick, tile and hollow block, of which one thousand carloads are the year’s average output. The company is capitalized at $20,000 and thirty employees are kept busy. A Commer 250-H.P. engine and two 100-H.P. boilers are used. Coal is the fuel used both for power and burning. Both waste and steam heat systems are used in the drying process. The grates are both rocker and plain. Twenty thousand tons of clay and 5,000 tons of coal are the average for the year. Dynamos furnish electric light for the plants and grounds. The company’s business has grown so that a gradual increase in capacity is necessary. Mr. R. B. Hinkley is president and C. M. Sheriff, superintendent. During the past year 3,000,000 brick were made and practically all sold, with good prospects for next season’s business. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, March 15, 1911, Volume XXXVIII, Number 6, Page 334)

The brick companies at Luverne, Minn., have made complaint to the state railroad and warehouse commission asking that the Great Northern and the Omaha Ry. be compelled to install a wye. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, July 1, 1911, Volume XXXIX, Number 1, Page 35)

Page 154. Manley "Wye" – Complaint was filed April 17, 1911, by the Luverne Pressed Brick Company, Luverne Brick & Tile Company, and Luverne Concrete Company, complainants, vs. Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway Company and Great Northern Railway Company, setting forth the urgent necessity for track connections between the lines of railway referred to, in view of the large output of manufactured products for the industries of complainants and the necessity for convenient transfer track facilities in order to reach the markets on the several railroad lines operating in the vicinity of Luverne and intersecting and connecting with the respondents’ several lines; that the aggregate capital invested in the several plants largely exceeds the sum of $100,000 and the aggregate in and out shipments are above six hundred minimum carloads per annum; that with the proposed transfer facilities established, great impetus would be given toward the establishment of other enterprises at said Luverne, and other points affected thereby; that said railroad companies have not provided reasonable, ample, or any, facilities, by track connection, passenger platforms, or otherwise, for transferring cars, passengers or property between their respective roads at said crossing, and there are no facilities of any kind; that complainants have demanded of the respondent companies that they should provide such facilities, and said companies have refused and still refuse so to do.

Whereby complainants pray that said respondent railway companies be required to forthwith adjust matters complained of or that an order issue from the Commission requiring that such necessary facilities be furnished within such reasonable time as may be deemed proper. A copy of the complaint was forthwith served upon the respondents with an order to satisfy same within twenty (20) days or file answer thereto with the Commission, and to mail a copy thereof to complainants’ attorney at Luverne, Minn. Separate answers of respondents were filed on the 8th day of May, 1911, entering general denial as to the necessity for track con-

Page 155. nections as alleged or as to any material benefit to be derived therefrom by complainants, or any other shippers or receivers at Luverne, or other points, or that such transfer tracks would afford any appreciable increase of freight or additional revenue. Issues being joined, the Commission issued its order for a hearing to take place at the City Hall, Luverne, Minn., on Friday, May 19, 1911, at 3:15 p. m., copies being served on parties in interest or their attorneys. The hearing came on as appointed, the three members of the Commission being in attendance. The petitioners were represented by S. B. Nelson, vice president Luverne Pressed Brick Co.; R. B. Hinckley, president Luverne Brick & Tile Co.; L. E. Coss, president Luverne Concrete Co.; also J. M. Jacobson, A. C. Fink and William Knutson, merchants of Hills. A. J. Daley, Esq., of Luverne, appeared as attorney for the petitioners. For the Omaha Company appeared G. W. Peterson, Esq., its attorney; H. J. Wiringer, general agent; J. F. Welch, acting superintendent. For the Great Northern Company, C. H. Windsor, of Sioux Falls, as its attorney; and R. L. Knebel, of Sioux City, Iowa, superintendent.

Much evidence was submitted by petitioners to establish the necessity for track connections, counter evidence being presented by respondents. The hearing was then closed and the matter taken under advisement. On the 15th day of August the findings and order of the Commission were made as follows: (Order.) Before the Railroad and Warehouse Commission of the State of Minnesota. Luverne Pressed Brick Company, Luverne Brick and Tile Company, and Luverne Concrete Company, complainants, vs. Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway Company, and Great Northern Railway Company, respondents. This matter came on for hearing before the Commission on the 19th day of May, 1911, at Luverne, Rock county, Minnesota. All the Commissioners were present. The complainants appeared by their attorney A. J. Daily; the Omaha company by C. W. Peterson, its attorney J. B. Sheean being the attorney of record, and the Northern company by C. H. Winsor, its attorney. The respondents, the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway Company, herein called the Omaha company, and the Great Northern Railway Company, herein called the Northern company, are each railroad corporations, the Omaha company being incorporated under the laws of the state of Wisconsin, and the Northern company under the laws of the state of Minnesota. This proceeding was brought before the Commission by the complainants to compel the establishment of transfer facilities between the re-

Page 156. spondents’ lines of road at Manley in Rock county, Minnesota and also to require the respondents to stop their passenger trains at Manley for the purpose of allowing passengers to transfer from one road to the other, and to furnish reasonable depot facilities at said station of Manley. The Omaha company owns and operates a railroad from St. Paul and Minneapolis through the state of Minnesota to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passing through Luverne, Manley and other stations in Rock county, Minnesota. The Northern company operates a line from St. Paul and Minneapolis to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and from Garrison, South Dakota, to Huron, South Dakota, passing through Rock county, Minnesota. The tracks of said Omaha company and Northern company intersect and cross each other at grade at, or near, a station on the Omaha company’s line in Rock county, known as Manley. There are no transfer facilities by track connections at said crossing, but it is practicable to furnish such facilities. It appears from the evidence that the Northern company has no depot at this place and that the Omaha company’s depot is several rods from the crossing. There is also evidence that quite a considerable number of passengers would be accommodated by this transfer, and that both the Omaha company and the Northern company would probably be gainers if such transfer were made.

The Commission is of the opinion that it would be reasonable to require the respondents to stop their trains as hereinafter provided on flag at Manley. This will develop whether the business is sufficient to warrant the furnishing of joint depot at that station. The complainants, the Luverne Pressed Brick Company, hereafter called the Brick company, the Luverne Brick and Tile Company, hereafter called the Tile company, and Luverne Concrete company, hereafter called the Concrete company, are each corporations organized under the laws of the state of Minnesota and carrying on business at Luverne, Rock county, Minnesota, and each have track connections with the Omaha company on which cars can be loaded for shipment. The Brick company manufactures a superior quality of brick, and during the year 1910, shipped 227 carloads of brick weighing 9,095,000 pounds, and during the same period shipped in 805,500 pounds of coal and 690,000 pounds of lime. The company has sufficient material to last twenty years, and capital and capacity to do a larger business, and if there were transfer facilities at Manley it would open up a market for the products of this company on the line of the Northern company south, at least as far as Lester, and north to Garrison.

The Tile company has been making brick for ten years and commenced the manufacture of tile four years ago and at present has a total capacity of four carloads a day of tile and brick combined. The demand for tile is increasing fast, and although it is impossible for the Commission to find just what amount of business will be done in the territory sought to be reached by the establishment of transfer facilities prayed for in this proceeding, it is of the opinion that it will be considerable. Mr. Hinckley, the president of the Tile company, estimated that the small towns like Sherman, Garrison and Lester would use from 50 to 75 carloads in the year, and that in the neighborhood of Hills, where every farmer owns his own land, the use of from 1,200 to 1,500 carloads a year would not be an unreasonable estimate. This may be a very liberal estimate by an over sanguine manufacturer, yet there is no doubt that a substantial business can be obtained in the territory that would be opened up by this transfer. The Concrete company is the owner of nine acres of land on which there is a sand and gravel pit, situated near the Omaha company’s tracks at Luverne, suitable for the manufacture of concrete blocks and drain tile, concrete castings and curbing, and the company is engaged in the manufacturing of these articles, including well curbing and silo blocks. The evidence shows that there is now a demand for the silo blocks, with the prospect of a great increase in the future. It takes about 1,200 blocks

Page 157. weighing 85 pounds each to put in one silo. There is also a demand for the concrete blocks in the territory that could be reached over the transfer at Manley. There was evidence introduced as to the cost of putting in a transfer, but the same was not very satisfactory, and the Commission has, therefore, had an estimate made by its engineer and finds that transfer tracks, as shown by exhibit "A" hereto attached and made a part thereof, with ten car capacity, including all necessary alterations to the interlocking plant on account of such changed conditions, will cost about $1,868. Prior to the revision of 1905, the law governing transfer facilities was contained in chapter 91, of the General Laws of 1895. Section 3 of that act reads: "All common carriers subject to the provisions of this act shall provide at all points of connection, crossing or intersection at grade, where it is practicable and necessary for the interest of traffic, facilities by track connection," etc. In the revision of 1905 the statute was changed, and reads: "All such railroad companies at all points of connection, intersection, or crossing at grade of different railroads where it is practicable, shall provide reasonable, ample and equal facilities by track connection, passenger platform and otherwise for the transfer of cars, passengers and property between their respective roads without unreasonable delay."

The Commission is of the opinion that the facts in this case will not warrant it in refusing to enforce the statute. This statute is mandatory, and the affirmative is upon the respondents to show that its enforcement would be so unreasonable as to amount to confiscation of its property. See State vs. Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company, 87 Minnesota, 198. It is Therefore Ordered, That the respondents establish track connections where their respective lines cross each other near Manley in Rock county, Minnesota; that said connections be substantially as provided in exhibit "A" attached hereto, and shall be completed and put in operation with sixty (60) days after the service of this order upon them; that within ten (10) days from date hererof the respondents stop all their passenger trains at Manley on flag, and that said respondents continue to stop such trains until the further order of the Commission. By the Commission, A. C. Clausen, Secretary. Dated at St. Paul, Minn., August 15, A. D. 1911. On September 12, 1911, a request was received from A. W. Trenholm, general manager of the Omaha Company, submitting a blue print showing transfer track, this being a revised plan, which the company desired the Commission to consider, and if found acceptable to permit the modification of their order of August 15th to the extent of allowing the railways to adopt same for the work contemplated in said order. On September 23d the following supplemental order was made by the Commission, which closed the case: (Order.) Before the Railroad and Warehouse Commission of the State of Minnesota. Luverne Pressed Brick Company, Luverne Brick and Tile Company, and Luverne Concrete Company, complainants, vs. Chicago, St. Paul, Min-

Page 158. neapolis & Omaha Railway Company, and Great Northern Railway Company, respondents. The Omaha company having requested a modification and amendment of the order of August 15, 1911, made in the above entitled proceeding, and the Northern company having consented thereto. It is Therefore Ordered, That said track connections be built in conformity to exhibit "B" hereto attached, instead of in accordance with exhibit "A" attached to the former order of the Commission. By the Commission, A. C. Clausen, Secretary. Dated at St. Paul, Minn., September 23, A. D. 1911. (Twenty-Seventh Annual Report of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission of the State of Minnesota to the Governor, For the Year Ending November 30, 1911, Syndicate Printing Company, Minneapolis, 1912)

Negotiations are pending, according to common report for the purchase of the plant of the Luverne Brick & Tile Co., of Luverne, Minn., by capital from Chicago and the Twin Cities. It is stated that if the sale goes through, the plant will be materially enlarged and improved and its capacity extended and other lines of goods produced. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, January 1, 1912, Volume XL, Number 1, Page 74)

Outside capital is being interested in the business of the Luverne Brick & Tile Company at Luverne, Minn., and it is intended to reorganize on larger lines and expand the capacity of the plant to about three times the present capacity. This company has always done a good business, but limited capital has prevented it from realizing what its market naturally offered. With a larger capital and an enlarged plant, it is expected to be able to do a much larger business. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, February 1, 1912, Volume XL, Number 3, Page 153)

The Luverne (Minn.) Brick and Tile Company is again in the possession of R. B. Hinkly of that city, who expects to reopen the plant for business next spring. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, December 5, 1916, Volume XLIX, Number 11, Page 1016)

R. B. Hinkly, formerly owner of the Luverne (Minn.) Brick and Tile Company, which he sold to other interests about two years ago, reports that he has again come into possession of the property. Because of an increased demand for brick in that territory, Mr. Hinkly intends to resume operations at the plant, probably specializing on face-brick. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, January 18, 1916, Volume XLVIII, Number 2, Page 173)

Page 223. At Luverne a brick and tile plant has been active at times for the last 20 years, producing excellent brick and tile from the gray drift, which covers a large part of Rock County and is worked here to a

Page 224. depth of 10 feet. The limy pebbles that occur in the drift are said to have a less serious effect than usual, and though they may somewhat injure the product the loss by crumbling is very small. The larger pebbles are removed from the clay, and many of the smaller ones are crushed by conical rolls. Four round downdraft kilns are available, and the cooling kilns supply heat for the driers. The plant has a capacity of about 50,000 brick a day. A company making sand-lime brick at Luverne (Luverne Pressed Brick Company) recently bought up the clay-brick and tile plant but did not make a success of either. The tile company plans to resume operations soon. (Clays and Shales of Minnesota, By Frank F. Grout, With Contributions by E. K. Soper, United States Geological Survey, Bulletin 678, Washington, Government Printing Office, 1919)