(Courtesy of Fred Lerch)

Shown above is a paper bag recently offered for sale on eBay by a party from Pittsburgh. It is a 5 pound bag of corn meal made by George “Stuff” Spaid here in Beavertown about 1914-20. George bought the old Engle Planing Mill (where the fire hall now is) and put in a coal, feed and grain business in July, 1914.

(Who donated the land where Possum Hollow Park now stands? Answer next month.)

Answer to Last Month

The other raw material mixed in with the brick shale was iron ore.

Since the shale used to make bricks was red in color, it is not surprising that mixed in with the shale was lots of iron ore, the most being of a low grade. However, some large chunks were of a higher grade, but not in sufficient quantity to exploit commercially.

Some chunks are still there to be seen.