The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-10-21
TIE MINERAL EXCITEMENT

rience in Copper A few weeks residence in
Polk county in some degree has made me ac-
quainted with its soil anu products, its noun.
tains and minerals, and has also furnished me
the opportunity of observing to what pitch
OF excitement the recent mining operations
, in Ducktown has induced in the people of
this vicinity. This is truly day of advance.
ment and enterprise, and the MONDAY sun of
science adds its power, imparting influence to
every department. Of industry. The inven.
tons of the intellect and the dexterity of the
hand have combined to produce results within
the last few years no one could have predict.
ed, and make the present moment so far be-
yond the past. We are now prepared for
great acknowledgment works. The expert
ments of Fulton are not to be repeated. The
products of California and Australia have
made us familiar with margins that eclipse
the substantial adventures Of Rcdwith.-
Since we have such a preparation as will ena-
bic us to give full credit to the most extrava-
CANT fact-as will help us to understand the
lavish profu-ion of ores and metals in these
mountains, We will take u more careful look
and make notes at home. At present many
of the enterPrisins people of this and the
adjoining counties Of Georgia and North
Carolina, are directing their attention to min
eral lands and mines as n source of wealth
and profit. In some cases the pillow rests in
the furrow. The ordinary channels Of bust
/ Oh l., IL.
Of returns to suit the gigantic march of the
present moment. Searches are at once plan.
ned-which have not 50 much reference to the
vast stores of metal deposited in depths be-
low, as to some small "ut-crop or show of
metal at the surface, that will enable the
landlord to begin series of estimates which
result in giving the most exhorbitant prices
to lands that are nearly valuelcss. There are
cases where the confidence of the landlord is
such as to prompt him to explore the hidden
treasures of his hills, and the work of mining
Is begun without even II thought Of being
disappointed. Mines are found. sampled and
sold, with n haste and secrecy that would
surprise Wall street speculator, and frighten
an adventurer in Cornwall. The prices cur
rent of mines through this whole district are
rated by some arithmetical combination, and
an open margin is left whereby the owner can
advance his rates to any point. 1t is to be
regretted that persons SO little acquainted
with the work of mncs-so unsehOoled in
mnerals-havc embarked so largely in this
novel business of Polk county. That mining
is II legitimate and important business no one
can for u moment doubt-second only to agri.
culture in point of value. 1t is only few
years since the subject of mines for the more
valuable metals has received any attention
West of the Atlantic. Iron has not for the
past four years been worked to more than
fifth of its capacity. and previous to the last
year the furnaces of the middle portions of
the United States were sinking under ths1low
price of foreign Iron. The enormous vein6s
native Copper on the South shore of Lake Su-
pcrior have but just been opened, and the
results that promise to attend the mining
operations in this region, will help to give o
fNcdncss and character to an enterprise hith-
erto regarded as disreputable and unsafe. A
few years will prove to some extent the ca
pacity of many late opened mines, and raise
the credit of this Indispensable enterprise
Capital will seek investment, giving ample
funds for the development of mines. 1t is
only within few years that mining has been
carried on by stock companies in this country.
Indeed 1t is matter of surprise that the
great mineral wealth of many sections Of the
United States has been so long left in its ma
tive bed. The work Of exploration must be
begun, and am glad that SO much zeal is
manifested in southeastern Tennessee for the
discovery and opening Of mines am sorry,
however, that the good people in this vieini.
ty labor under so many obstacles, and tho
greatest of which is inexperience. Again, q
spirit of speculation is doing harm. Marvel
Gus tales Of enormous wealth and precious
metals are told, while the belief is current
that mines are everywhere, and hence such
an indiscriminate search. For what Copper.
Silver or Gold. Iron is too common and
abundant TO be an object of care. Are these
metals expected to be found pure or combined
| "''h ''h'i S"pS'"hcee' NoW, hTsI, the ONyOe
of Copper is found united with other sub.
stances in nearly as many different ways as
there are mines on the globe; and no two
kinds of ore are found in exact resemblance
in color and weight. To q stranger the Cop
per OF Polk county is quite curious and diff
ferent from all other ores. Can any person
| of the many now engaged in the great work
of mining in this neighborhood, tell me what
particular ore they expect to findl What are
the evidences upon which they have placed
their hopes of Silver or Copper mark we'll
the signpost or we take the wrong way
Look sharp to the ground or we mine in
vain-are Cornish proverbs. l haYo nearly
completed series of essays upon the ores Of
several localities of Polk county, and will be
glad to set before you their value compared
with other ores found in the United States
and also of those mined in Cornwall, with
some facts, too, of what has been done in
mining know it is not common for the
deep levels and dark galleries of mines to be
opened to day; and, yet, see no reason WHY
some outlines may not be shown, since SO many
OF our good citizens are becoming miners. Il
should be remembered that specimens of ore
for the cabinet and those raised for the mar
ket are similar in kind but differ vastly in
quantity Mineralogist may carry his sam
pies of whole country on horseback, while
a ton of ore would be a small representative
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