SEBASTIAN COUNTY. 208 
The clay shales spoken of as cropping south of the city would, of course, have to be 
ground before they could be used for the manufacture of either pottery or bricks, 
but in view of the nature of these clays, the ease with which they can be dug and 
ground, and the extent of the beds, it would seem very desirable that thorough prac- 
tical tests should be made of this material and of its availability for making pottery, 
tiles, retorts, fire bricks, and paving bricks. It will doubtless be found necessary 
to mix with this material a certain proportion of the sandy clays so abundant all 
about Fort Smith, but a practical brickmaker can readily determine these propor- 
tions by a few trials. 
I do not think there can be any doubt about the formations spoken of above fur- 
nishing excellent material for the manufacture of paving bricks, pottery, tiles, 
etc. * * * 
Trusting that these clays and clay shales may receive from our citizens the atten- 
tion to which they are justly entitled, I remain. 
Very respectfully, 
J. C. Bran nek, State Geologist. 
The analyses showed the shales to be available for the manufac- 
ture of paving bricks, and practical tests bore out these results and 
predictions. 
Samples of the shale were also sent for testing to the Brick and 
Terra Cotta Manufacturing Company, of St. Joseph, Mo., and the 
results obtained were favorable. 
Specimens were also taken from the property of the Oak Park 
Land Company in the SE. J NW. \ sec. 35, T. 9 N., R. 32 W., and 
shipped for testing to the Tennessee Brick Manufacturing Company, 
at Memphis. The following letters were received by Mr. May in 
regard to these tests: 
Memphis, Tenn., August 10, 1889. 
N. May, Esq.: In regard to the manner in which the bricks were made from the 
samples of Fort Smith clay or shale, will say: Each sample was separately pulver- 
ized, pugged, and molded by hand, the oldest and most crude method known for 
making bricks. With proper appliances for making and burning it would produce 
a brick not surpassed anywhere in the country for strength and durability and suit- 
able for any purpose where the best bricks are required. It will admit of rapid 
drying without cracking. 
Very truly, yours, Harry McCue, Superintendent. 
Memphis, Tenn., August 13, 1889. 
Mr. Noel May. 
Dear Sir: The tests that I have made of the new Fort Smith brick show very 
excellent results. The samples made of mixed clay are the best. The unmixed- 
clay samples are very good building brick, suitable for sewers and foundations, strong, 
dense, and heavy. They will be durable in any position. 
The samples made of mixed clay, the two kinds being combined in about equal 
quantities, show remarkable strength and toughness. I made the percussion lest 
on three samples and at the same time on one of the West Virginia brick, same as 
we used on North and East Court streets. The Fort Smith samples were fully equal, 
and I think rather superior, to the West Virginia, showing less abrasion and less 
granulation. 
I hope you will continue your experiments in mixing varying quantities of the 
different clays until you have the strongest. Then you will have a superior paving 
brick. 
Truly, yours, R. S. Miller, 
