The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-06-02

tAblishment
The Car Shop Of VI Gilbert. Ia
which are employed about hfly hands
These works comprise large buildings
situated by the side Of The Railroad.
near the depot. A powerful Steam
Engine is used at these works There
is also a spacious bailding connected
with this establishment, Mt the falls,
about eighty rods distant. Ia which the
machinery IS driven by waier-power
For style and workmanship, Mr. Gil-
bert's Cars, it is believed arc uusurpas.
sed; and although they cannot speak
for themselves those who ride IN them
will have occular proof Of their beauty,
Ind a feeling ssase Of the quiet and ca
sy motion with which they glide over
the track.
There is n Marble Mill owned by
Mr.. Edward ID. Selden, about one mile
from the village, which is in operation
night aud day. Mr.. Selden opened
sometime ago a section of his extensive
quarry in this town from which he oh
iains the finest quality of white Marble.
This is cut out in huge blocks, by means
Of narrow drills, thereby avoiding much
wasiage. Pure whiteness, solidily. and
susceptibility of the highest polish, are
the characteristics of this marble. These
blocks as taken from the quarry, find
ready sale in market at remuneraiiug
prices. This marble is so finely wrought
and highly polished at the shops of Mr..
Selden, that ii could not fail to attract
the notice of Florentine.
There is another quarry about one
mile from the village, now being opened
by another company, from which fine
specimens Of white marble are obtained.
What the extent Of this wedge, or vein
may prove TO be, sufficient time has not
yet elapsed since the company com
menced "prospccting" TO determine.
Thus far however, the indications APP
pear favorable.
The very great extent TO which this
immense marble wedge has been, and
is now being quarred and wrought, in
the Counties of Rutland and Benning-
ton, has contributed most essentially 10
the prosperity of the many towns, IA
vored with the presence of this impor-
tant raw material, where the same has
been in any good degree developed.
While Brandon possesses her full
share of this solid and inexhaustiLle
treasure, and Of a quality, which, if not
tho bosi. still than which there is none
better; yet her pec,mdT resources con-
sist in her minerals, and their various
briefly to speak.
Iron Ore was first discovered in this
town in 1910. Soon after this Forge
was built and Bar Iron of a superior
quality was made for several years from
this Ore. In 1920, Furnace was
bnilt in the village, by John Conant,
Esq, which was first put in blast in Oc-
tober Of that year. To this establish
ment, long and iamiliarly known as
Conant's Furnace" is this place chief
ly indebted for the impetus then given,
and its continuous growth and prosper
ity. With the first blast of this Fur
mace, new life was infused into the yials
of this village.
The building of this Furnace was
deemed at the time, by not few, to be
on undertaking Of great hazard. Many
attempted to dissuadc Mr.. Conant from
his purpose. The fitness OF the Ore for
furnace purposes had been but slightly
tested. But he perseyered. with charac.
terislic success. And now, at iorescorC
years, be can look upon thriving and
beautiful village, embracing an aren o.
a mile, covered with dwellings anL
places Of business, with goodly pro
portion Of public ediiices; all of whcl
have grown up under his immedin,
cye,) with a just consciousness. that il
IFS progressand prosperity he has beer
a prominent actor.
Another Furnace was built few
years after fhe one described, at Forest
dale, about three miles from the village
This Furnace has been owned for th,
last twenty two years by Royal Blake
Esq. Besides casting Of all ordnarl
varieties, there are made at this7Fur
mace, many fancy articles, both usefu
and beautiful. Mnch Of the iron mad
at this furnace has been cast into pigs
II was intended that some descrip
ton Of the several minerals found il
proximity at the Ore Bed should be Civ
en-, but from the length to which tlii
paper has already been extended,
must suffice to mention The nses 10 whic
they are noS made subseryieni.
About three years ago, the Conan
Furnace and Ore Bed passed from til
old proprieior., Messrs. John Conant
Sons, TO the Brandon Iron and Ca
Wheel Company of which, Mr. job
Howe, Jr,, is The intelligent and eilicier
Agent Important Improvements lay
bcen made By Mr. Hose, a, the Or
Bed. ia the manner of raising the Or
and washing il on the premises, and /
pumping the water from the shafts IA
BY means Of Steam Eugise. III
water Is raised by chain pump. siu
E ulaHeously With the ore, and ihroug
. The fame shaft. without interfering
= the least with the latter process An
2 Nhle Il i Illus kept brlos. and otii ,