VAN WERT COUNTY. 323 
MATERIAL RESOURCES. 
The rocks of the county hold no minerals of economical value. They 
can only be used for quicklime and for ordinary foundations. The wealth 
of the county will always be largely agricultural. The soil is very fertile 
and enduring, but is rather heavy and wet for the quick growth of crops. 
The farms of the county are undergoing more or less thorough artificial 
drainage, and will be valuable in a corresponding ratio. The heavy 
forest with which the surface is largely covered 1s an important item of 
wealth, which, although retarding the opening of farms and the occu- 
pancy of the county, is yet destined to be of great benefit to the county. 
Extensive stave manufactories are established at Van Wert and Delphos. 
Inme.—The lime-kilns at Streughn and on section 8, Union township, 
are the only important establishments of the kind in the county. They 
are of the old style, and have to be emptied after burning before filling 
again. At Streughn two cords of wood burn sufficiently one hundred 
bushels of lime, requiring forty-five hours, at the cost of two dollars per 
cord. Lime sells at twenty-five cents per bushel. Most of it goes to Fort 
Wayne, and thence is shipped throughout Indiana. Stone at the quarry 
brings $1.50 per perch. These kilns are worked by William Wehrs. 
Two constant draw-kilns were formerly run at the same place by Mr. J. 
H). Noble, consuming one and a half cords of wood per one hundred bushels. 
Messrs. Bohnert & Co., in Union township, ship lime, via Convoy, to 
Van Wert, Fort Wayne, and Chicago, at twenty cents per bushel, whole- 
sale. It retails at thirty cents per bushel. There are six kilns here of 
the common kind, burning two and a half cords of mixed wood per one 
hundred bushels of lime, at $1.50 per cord. From the kilns a wooden 
railroad conveys the lime about six miles to the station at Convoy. 
Brick and Tile—The Drift clay of the county is well fitted for the 
manufacture of red brick and tile, and the following list embraces all 
known establishments of this kind: 
VOsemumbe tren choosen wae Wr tetusn reece sul ccc ke cevonsclostieseselsseusesee suosavess Brick. 
STi oronrane IMCL Ze Tiree cease NOG aU UN e ds gabaunlssdeee coaluuueen anes sunelemens es 
Steinmetz Brothers, three miles north-west of Delphos.............00.2.c0e0 ne 
SATIS M NOmeismmV ATV Ehbeeue she sete, lees cass, cl soceleseoncuseieecnes oes Brick and tile. 
Thomas Lahue, Pet GR) SAR Ae IGS a NR EVA MO aS ne TARR NISL Brick. 
Amos Price, 1 ‘s 
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