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Taken from Western Mail 3 October 1889 -
'A brickmaker's Challenge
Does anyone of our readers believe he is a boss brickmaker? The reason we ask is that Mr Thomas Miller of Bowen Brick and Tile Works, Llanelli, is spoiling for a friendly tussle in that useful branch of the business. Thomas fancies himself a bit of brickmaking. Having heard - "challengers always begin in this way" - that the brickmaker at the Stradey Firebrick Yard, Llanelli is open to do wonders in the way of brickmaking, he [Thomas Miller] begs to say I will compete with him for six days for £10 a side - three days fire brickmaking and three days sand-stock. And further any man in South Wales can be obliged on the same terms - bar Cornelius Murphy of Llanelly. In the usual run of things we charge for the serration of challenges - an important detail, which naturally enough, seems to have escaped the mind of the proud brickmaker. But we make an exception of this case who knows how many noble minded makers of bricks are panting to bring Miller's haughty pride level with the dust? The world does not know its great men. Mankind grind out their destiny, the old earth moves silently along, time speeds on a resistless course, and nought suggest the all-important fact that Cornelius Murphy, most puissant of all Knights of the brick and tile lives in Llanelly. This will be a proud day for the tin-plate town. For years it has boasted of its champion quoiter, crack shooters, redoubtable footballers and pretty musical vocalists. But the pride, the hope, the joy of the tin-platers, henceforward should, nay, must be Cornelius Murphy of the Stradey Firebrick Yard.'
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