Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-11-11
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER II, 1880.
For the Pennsylvania haqmrer.
THE COPPER INE.-SKIPRACK.-TH
MGR AIOR

Copper Miae, which is said to have been worked
eighty or an hundred years ago. We left Nor
ristown early in the morning, and vending our
course first westerly and then northerly, passed
over several ridges, and partly through the val
lev of Skippack creek, and partly through that
OF the Perkiomen, until we arrived at Frederick
and Upper Salisbury Townships
We no sooner left the grauWacke rocks of Nor
riton than We entered upon the red-sand-stone
formation. which continued for the rest of the
ride. We saw no other rock, except the under
ieng slate at the bottom of the deepest ravines.
The mine is situated upon the easterly side OF the
Perkiomcn. mile or so from Steiner s. Weame's
mill. Ii will be recollected that this creek, con-
,rary to the usual course of streams Of that size,
runs north and south, cutting directly through
the ridges of land, which bear the general dl-
rection of northeast to southwest. After tax
ing view of the country it would appear to me
either that the Perkiomen has been in ancient
times much larger stream than il is at present.
OF that It's waters occupy bed made by one OF
the currents of the retiring deluge. From the
summit Of hill which rises near small stream
called . Mine run, perpendicular shaft has
been sunk eighty feet This had been original
y secured bv logs, but had been long since filled
no with earth. aud was dug out again only within
the last few weeks. From the side of the hill
near the run, tunei or drift has been cut to in
tersect the shaft. This last excavation is six
feet high, four feet wide, and about four hun
dred feet long. 1t passes all the way through
the solid redsand-stone rock. The floor Is COW
cred with mud and water about six inches deep,
but the sides and roof are for the most part, dry.
In some places discovered that the stone is a.
dorned with densy coating. which found to be
carbonate of lime. While directly under the
shaft remarked that there was a strong current
of air that rushed through the tunnel and escap-
ed by the shaft.
We next proceeded 10 examine the excavations,
that had beeen made in search OF ore. Into
several of these we penetrated, but we were not
little astonished 10 discover, that others were
walled up with stone as if to keep out intruders.
1t may possibly be owing to this circumstance
that we found no great mineral treasures. Spe-
cimens were however taken, and some of them
are lodged at tine atheneum, in this city, for the
inspection of the curious. In this part OF the
mine, the water pertorating through the incum-
bent strata. continually falls from the roof, and
runs down the walls, covering them with stalac-
titles.
The labor of digging this shaft and cutting the
drift, must have been immense, and the expense
very great; why it was originally undertaken, |
cannot imagine; for, after the most Luxurious ex-
animation could discover nothing upon The sur
face that indicated the presence Of metals. Nor
is it possible to con mcclure why. after all this la
Dor and expense, it was abandoned. Various
traditions are afloat in the neighborhoOd. but
,io not know that much more reliance is to be
placed upon them, than upon the story we there
heard that little black spright haunts the mine.
and guards the avenue to the drift that contains
the richest ore.
But we were entirely satisfied with our subter-
r ra,ean excursion. and we were more than
compensated for the travel, by the sight of the
delightful country through which we passed.
The prolific red soil of Shippack yields to its I'M
polluted yeoman inhabitants a ready and abun-
dant harvest; the snug stone dwellings and COM
modious well stored barns. built of the same ma
terials, proclaim the industry and comfort of the
occupants, in language that requires no inter-
pretation. imagine, said | to the intelligent
MIR. S., who was riding with me, there
are few emigrants from this quarter? ''Very
few" was his reply; nevertheless" added he,
-. eau tell you an anccdote OF one that may not
prove entirely undressing:
Some wears ago farmer by the name Of,
who had been born and brought up in this town.
ship. was seized with the mania of migratiOn.-
HIS wife imposed such objections and arguments
as she was mistress of, but all to no purpose; he
was determined to see the western country, and
the froV having promised To Lore, honor and obey,
was obliged to follow his fortunes. According
iy, the farm rented, the principal part of the
stock and furniture were converted into currency,
and large wagon was selected, which being well
slowed with the wife, half dozen children. and
some valuables. they turned their faces to the set
ting sun. Mynheer was hard working, honest
man; and between his family and almost every
neishbor, for a circuit of five miles. there was
some counexiou of marriage. or ramifcatlon of
blood, SO that when the time of departure arriv-
ed. a multitude assembled to bid them adieu.-
These plain, good people. came not to pay an
empty compliment; they were really distressed
to part with their neighbor. and many were the
presents that were bestowed. to assist them on
their Journey, or TO keep bright the chain of af
lection and friendship. The children were lite
ral,, loaded With dough-uuts and kisses, and
those who had nothing else to best0w, heaPed up