Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-10-22
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
From the Richmond Compiler
VIRGINIA GOLD MINES.

III Is only six years since the first dis
covery of Gold mines was made in Viz
ginla, although in several localities.
masses of the precious metal had pre-
vIously been found on the surface of
the earth. This hardly excited any in
tercst. 1t was generally supposed they
were accidentally lost by the abort
gines, or by the first settlers Of the
country. Such was the universal ig-
norance of geology and mincralogy, that
no one suspected that but n few inches
below the plough-share were imbeddcd
nch depositcs OF gold, and that rocks
scattered here and there on the hills
were studded with grains of the same
metal. In le5I, few cntcrprising and
intelligent gentlemen, however. being
satisfied from uneTing indications. that
a certain tract OF country, nearly eaui-
distant from Underwater and the noun &.
tains, and where grains of gold had oc-
casIonally been found, contained mines.
commenced regular course of cxplo-
ratlons ia The counties of Orange. Spot.
syivanIa and Louisa. From want of
competent knowledge and skill. these
explorations resulted generally, as might
have been expected, in disappointment
and loss. n few dcpositcs were, how
ever, discovered, which yielded great
profit 10 the proprictors. Much labor
was expended in digging for vcins-but
without success. No person in the
country, at that time, had sufficient
knowledge to distinguish reaI from
dead or spurious vein. But the report
OF the existence of gold mines i'm Vir-
gnia soon brought a number Of advcn-
iurcr' from abroad with the fond hope of
amassing great wealth in a short time.
These men having been somewhat ac-
quaIntcd with mining operations IN
South America or Mexico. boosted Of
grcat skill which the events showed
they did not possess. Being totally un-
acquainted Win our geology. all their
calculations and predictions relative 20
The mines, of course failed. A gene.
raj encouragement was the c0nsc-
qucncc. None were disposed 10 risk
money 10 any extent. where they sun
posed defeat % bc almost inc,iiaile.-
Vt length. notwithstanding every Dis.
couragcmcnt, regular mining on a
small scale was commenced by Frcde-
uckshurg Company on Grastys plan
iation ~ The county of Orange. Al
shaft and gallery Of great length were
made and the vein, when found. proved
70 be Of no great valuc.-Grcai indeed
was The dislppo,ntmenL a company
from New York, however. with ,ery
ample funds. ~ a short time thereafter.
commenced operation on ga extended
scale on 'hc opposite hili. and only
icw bundled yard. distant. This com.
Iany had obtained from the Legislature
charter au'ipnlinr capital Of $500 /
''H Soc mtnin purposes.
Dung i'o exploration of this mine /
called ihc Orange mine, J the stock
vas brought ut, market. principally IN
TIC CITY Of New York and strange as
. may appear a portion Of II was sold
II 10 advance q several hundred per
rent on ih" nominal pncc and lbs b..
.9fc thr ore bad been tested - Al GOT
.h- tune also. several mines. whether
IF any value or not D. uncertain we're
1urcha % by The some complnv n sax.
y or seventy thousand dollars each.
Aher having expended more than
$ 10000 Oh ihc Orange mine. aud
.ons lJor 2D.Dw moro on two ~ three
lthcr mines and having realized no.
.hing-PfosPccts becoming more and