Description of the American Marble & Toy Mfg. Co.

MILLIONS OF MARBLES.

The American Marble Co. Turns Them Out.

THE DAILY OUTPUT AT PRESENT IS 400,000.

But This Can be Easily Doubled -- Besides Marbles There are

Miniature Jugs and Other Specialties.

Marbles have grown to be a necessity. Boys and marbles are as inseparable as girls and dolls. What man does not recall with visions of past happiness, his "marble age." In after life what possessions, what conditions, bring half the genuine pleasure then suggested by a pocket full of "ten strikers," "glassies," etc. The proud possessor of such an outlay was envy of the whole school. The boy's life ambition was the possession of the largest number and variety of marbles, and the skill to play them. This innocent amusement was the source of extreme pleasure and a game was attended by the most intense excitement, that is, when played for "keeps."

Rolled up in that little bit of clay was the boy's every thought and energy. With what regret the game is laid aside when Winter comes, and with what increased interest and energy it is resumed the next season. While the marble age gives away to another, usually the society age, "girl age," it will always be with a feeling of longing that this period, free from care and responsibility, is recalled and lived over again and again. But a rising generation takes up the broken course and realizes increased pleasure and satisfaction from the never fading, constantly improving amusement. In fact, it has grown to be a necessity, a demand, the satisfaction of which invites the interest of capital and capitalists. The business, although a comparatively new one, has already grown to be a very important one. Nine months ago the "American Marble Company" with a capital stock of $100,000 was organized, the first and only concern of its kind ever in existence. This company, however, grew from a smaller but similar enterprise.

About four years ago Messrs. A. L. and S. C. Dyke started up in a small the manufacture of clay marbles. They soon dissolved partnership each one conducting a separate business. About nine months ago the new company was organized and both these companies were bought out and merged into the "American Marble Company." The officers of this company are Ira Miller, president; J. A. Kohler, vice president; R. W. Sadler, secretary; B. L. Dodge, treasurer; these with F. M. Atterhold, A. L. Dyke and M. H. Crumrine compose the board of directors. The new industry was installed in large quarters on Center street west of Main. The building is 164x40 feet, two stories, to which has been added a 60 foot square addition three stories high. In addition to this building are the kiln sheds and other smaller buildings.

The process of manufacture is simple but interesting. At first all marbles were shaped from the soft clay by hand and the burned. The Messrs. Dyke have, however, invented and patented machinery by which the ordinary marbles are now made, some odd sizes and larger ones still being shaped by hand. Ordinary pottery clay is used in the manufacture, from three to five tons being used each day, all obtained at Middlebury. No glass marbles are made here. There are a number of varieties, the sizes running from CO, which is about the size of a pea, to No. IQ, about one and a half inches in diameter. Each of these sizes is made in four or five colors and of different glazes. When running at full capacity 800,000 marbles can be produced every day. The daily capacity at present is about 460,000. Since the organization of the company, about nine months ago between 80,000,000, and 100,000,000 marbles have been made and sold. The common marbles, "commies" of the O size are put up in bags of 1,000 each, 45 bags to the barrel. The mare expensive ones are put up in boxes, and cases of 50 boxes each. The price of these marbles ranges all the way from $0.30 to $10, per thousand. The same material is used in all, the difference in prices depending on size and quality of color and glazing.

Two traveling men cover the entire United States. At this factory are employed on an average 75 people, the majority of whom are girls, whose main work is the shaping of the clay, in which they become quite proficient. The different departments of the work are the forming, burning, coloring, glazing and packing, some of the departments requiring skilled labor. It is the expectation at some time to add the manufacture of glass marbles.

As a side issue the manufacture of clay novelties is carried on; miniature jugs, figures of animals, clay pipes, etc., are extensively produced.

A. L. Dyke is constantly experimenting and inventing new novelties. Within the past week two new ideas, which promise to become quite popular, have been developed. One is the "presidential jug," a miniature clay jug with the inscription "See the next President" on the side. By looking into the mouth of the jug a picture of some prominent presidential probability can be seen. There are also some with pictures on the sides of the jug. Samples have been sent out and the mail orders last Friday alone amounted to over 100,000 jugs. The other novelty is the "Presidential Puzzle" which is something after the style of the famous "Pigs in the Clover" puzzle, the President, Vice President and Cabinet officers being represented by marbles employing indentures in an inner circle of the box. Opposite parties are represented by different colors, the object being to replace one by the other. In addition to these special novelties, puzzles, castors, furniture rests and numerous other things are made.

S. C. Dyke, who has been superintendent of the works has resigned his position and has been succeeded last week by Joseph Ball, of Trenton, N.J., a man who has had experience in the pottery business, and clay manufacture, especially of the fine articles, both in this country and in Europe.

The business is very successful, and constantly increasing, being the only one in the Unites States. A few years ago all marbles were imported. Now the majority are manufactured at this factory. Car loads of 1,000,000 marbles are shipped frequently. Tons of clay hauled to the factory are turned out in the shape of beautifully colored, and glazed marbles. It is a peculiarly interesting industry suggestive of the unlimited resources of manufacture and business.