THE BRICK COMPANY.  Beneath the rich surface soil of the prairies surrounding Grand Forks is a stratum of clay of the finest quality for brick making, and the yards of the Red River Valley Brick company turn out more brick than those of any other institution west of St. Paul.  The combined capacity of the four yards at this point is 12,000,000 brick annually, and last year the company made and delivered over six million machine mold brick, which, on account of their superior quality, were purchased in many instances where a saving in railroad rates could have been effected by the use of other brick.  All of the yards are equipped with steam plants of the latest design, and the work of the company is so systematized as to produce the greatest quantity of the manufactured product with the least possible expense.  The proximity of a large supply of wood is one element which tends to reduce the cost of manufacturing brick at this point.  During the running season over 100 men are employed in the yards, most of whom are permanent residents of the city.  The company is one of the strongest, financially, in the state.  The members are Dinnie Bros., W. P. Alsip, J. S. Bartholomew and the East Grand Forks Brick Co.  J. S. Bartholomew is president and A. I. Hunter secretary.  The offices of the company are in the Security block.  With the better business conditions prevailing, and the great increase in building which is assured for the present season, it is expected that the capacity of the company for the manufacture of brick will be taxed to its utmost.  (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, June 27, 1899, Volume 18, Number 205, Page 31)