The deal was completed on Jan. 25, 1872 and on Feb.17.1872 $2000.00 was paid to Mr. Gray for 90 acres of land along the creek.
On Feb. 24, 1872 the company bought a team of horses for $400.00, a wagon for $85.00 and a sleigh for $15.00.
Soon many of the local men were engaged to clear the area and cut huge quantities of cord wood to be used for firing the bricks. Many of the names mentioned are familiar and are probably early relatives of people still living in this area.
On May 22.1872 payment was made to H. Gray for towing a scow from Spoons sawmill to the brickyard and also for bringing an engine from Grand Haven to the brickyard. The engine, boiler and fixtures cost $750.00, a sum that seems incredible in this day and age.
Bricks were sold at from $7.00 to $9.00 per thousand,depending on type, and a shipping charge of $1.00 per thousand was added for delivery at Grand haven. An Aug. 2. 1872 entry in the day book lists a charge of $20.00 for towing Spencer's scow loaded to Grand Haven and back to the yard empty. Also on July 26, 1872 the tug Jerome towed Squires' scow back from Ferrysburg for a charge of $12.00.
Apparently a scow was fitted up to be used as a rooming house for some of the workers. A Mr.John Baldwin, on June 1, 1872, was paid the sum of $2.91 for making tables, benches and bedsteads. Sometimes thing got out of hand and some of the help became unruly. On July 15, 1872 Pat Costelo and James Miner were charged $5.00 each for tearing up bedclothes, pillows and quilt. George Mack was charged $5.00 for breaking bed down and tearing clothing. A little too much "fire water" perhaps?
Workers were usually paid $1.00-$1.25 per day, depending on the type of work, and a man and team received $2.50 per day. Board (3 meals) was 50 cents per day or two meals and lodging was 75 cents per day.
Many of the supplies for the men were purchased from Perham & Adsit in Nunica though some came from Spring Lake and Grand Haven. It appears that a store was operated at the brickyard also as there are many small charges made to the workers accounts for various personal items.
Here are some of the prices noted in the journal:
Tobacco-------------------------40 cents lb.
Tobacco (good)-----------$1.40 " "
Tobacco(smoking)-------35-40 " "
Tobacco (Plug)-------------------25 cents
Potatos---------------$1.00-$1.25 per bu.
Flour-------------------------$9.50 per barrel
Beef----------------------- $13.00 per barrel
Ham------------------------------14 cents lb.
Shoulder meat---------------- 10 " "
Prunes---------------------------15 " "
Dried apples-------------------14 " "
Sugar-----------------------------13 " "
Brandy----------------------------60 cents pint
Cotton socks--------------------25 cents pr.
Shoes----------------------------$2.50 per pr.
Boots-----------------------------$4.50 " "
Shirts----------------------$1.00 to $1.25 ea.
Mosquito bars (nets)--------------$1.00 ea
Lanterns-------------------------------$1.50 ea
Pails (3 hoop)-------------------.30 cents ea.
Hay-------------------------------$24.00 per ton
Feed meal--------------------$1.45 per 100 lbs.
Meal (for food)---------------$2.00 " " "
Fire wood------------$1.25 to $1.50 per cord
Kerosene-----------------------35 cents per gal.
Axle grease--------------------14 cents per box.
A few brick sales:
July 12, 1872 29,500 bricks to A. Rogers $236.00
July 12, 1872 79,500 bricks to Wm. Baird $556.50
Aug. 16, 1872; 40,000 bricks to D.G.H.M R.R. $300.00
Sept. 16, 1872 21,662 bricks to D & M R.R. $162.46
Oct. 18, 1872 12,000 bricks to D & M R.R. $90.00
No one seems to know just how long the brick yard lasted or whether or not it was a financial success.
The above data was gleaned from a company day journal loaned to us by Frankie Kirkby, to whom we are very grateful.