pip.mfgf" INVESTIGATIONS AT FORT STEVENSON — SMITH 215 



OTHER CIVILIAN GOODS 



CONSTBUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING HARDWARE, AND FITTINGS : 



Adobe bricks (Nos. 381-386, 1091, 1092) (illustrated examples pi. 52, j, 1). 

 Accidentally fired adobe bricks. Six specimens (Nos. 381-386) are from 

 the site of the West Wing of the Hospital ; two (Nos. 1091, 1092) from the 

 site of the South Barracks. Although it is known that during the manu- 

 facture of the adobe bricks at Fort Stevenson, changes were made in their 

 dimensions, those seen were all of the original size as given by de Trobriand 

 (de Trobriand, 1951, p. 335) (11% inches to 12% inches in length, 6 inches 

 in width, and 4 inches in thickness). As a result of the accidental firing, 

 they are of a yellowish-red color, similar to the "brick red" of common fired 

 brick. It is known that cut prairie grass was used in molding the adobe 

 bricks, and the specimens show fiber-impressions (e.g., Nos. 384, 385). 

 The bricks were used exclusively with adobe mortar in the masonry, so 

 far as was visible in excavations at the various building sites. One speci- 

 men (No. 1092) shows the fired mortar adhering. 



De Trobriand's comments on the experiments made in changing the size 

 of adobe brick to that used in the Southwest, and on experience at the post 

 in using adobe bricks for building, are of considerable interest (de 

 Trobriand, 1951, pp. 43, 211, 335; Howell, 1908, p. 400). Southwestern 

 adobe bricks vary in size, but are generally about 18 inches in length, from 

 8 to 10 inches in width, and from 4 to 6 inches in thickness (Hodge, 1907, 

 vol.1, p. 14). 



Common fired bricks (Nos. 126, 176-179, 387-394, 537, 1093-1098) (illustrated 

 examples pi. 52, g, h, i, k, m). Common red, yellow, and gray fired bricks 

 (8 to 8% inches in length ; 3% to 4 inches in width ; 2% to 2% inches in 

 thickness). True firebricks, which are more highly fired, and are used 

 for special purposes, were not found at the site. By far the greater number 

 of the bricks found at the site were unmarked, but two marked varieties 

 (die stamped while wet) are as follows : "Evens & Howard/St. Louis, Mo.," 

 (numerous) (No. 388), and "S B" (infrequent) (No. 389). The latter 

 mark may stand for "S[aint Louis] B[rick]," or indicate grade or style of 

 brick. The firm of Evens and Howard was established in 1857 by R. J. 

 Howard and John C. Evens, who had pui'chased a plant in operation since 

 1832 at St. Louis. The original plant is said to be still in use, and the 

 company is now known as the Evens and Howard Sewer Pipe Co., .5200 

 Manchester Ave., St. Louis (information from Superintendent Walter C. 

 Ude, Apr. 17, 1952). 



One common fired brick may be of a special type. This brick (No. 126) 

 (pi. 52, m), the only one of its kind found in excavation, has a shallow 

 longitudinal channel along one face. Since only one specimen was found, 

 it is possible that this brick may have been accidentally included in those 

 shipped to the post. 



Two fragments of fired-brick slabs were found, which may be chimney 

 fittings. The first (No. 178) is stamped with letters and a number (incom- 

 plete) (SVi inches in width, % inch in thickness). The other (No. 179), 

 a channeled slab, has a sloping upper surface (li/£ inches in thickness). 



Lime plaster and mortar (Nos. 99, 116-125, 272, 320, 321, 1367, 1490, 1540- 

 1545, 1560-1566, 1625). Specimens of common lime mortar and plaster; 

 one fragment (No. 1624) shov.^s a copious use of hair, in this instance 

 apparently cow hair, perhaps obtained from the hides of beef cattle 

 used at the post. Specimens of plaster from the site of the Command- 



