Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-01-18
LETTER FROM PROF. EMMoNs.-
RuTHrRFoRDroN, Dec. 8, 1858.

RururRFoRDroN, Dec. g. 1868.
To HIS ErcezZency DAVID S. REID:
l returned from Cherokee last week. You are
aware no doubt, that high expectations had been
formed of the value of the of the South
western Counties in minerals especially IN copper
But il unfortunately happens that the expectations as
to copper not likely to be realized. The people,
however had been encouraged by numerous indivd-
uals who pretended to know, especially certain Cor
snsh miners, Their decisions were apparently sus-
stained by sthe copper mines at Ducktown, where
thick masses of the hydrous brown oxide of iron
overlie the black oxide of copperand it was expec
ted that wherever this variety of oxide of iron was
found there copper must be found also. But the
beds of iron ore in Cherokee County belong to a
formation which l am familiar with, and which have
never produced pound of copper to my knowledge.
The black oxide of copper at Ducktown is derived
from the decomposition of the parts sulphuret OF
copper and iron. But the iron of Cherokee which
resembles most perfectly the Ducktown hydras OK
ide of iron, is derived from the parts sulphurct of
iron alone The iron will exist at both places In
Ducktown it is accompanied with copper bccausethe
suphuret contained it; in Cherokee it does not &C
company the iron because the suphurct did not con-
tain it. All persons therefore who regarded the iron
as sign of copper were deceived, and the de-
ception has extended far and wide-cyen through
the mounta and valleysof eastern Tennessee Even
the Unaka range of mountains which lie west of the
Ducktown mines, and which are composed OF rocks
entirely different, and even overlle those OF DUCK
town, have been penetrated with many shafts in
search of copper. These must all prove failures.
The Unaka and Smoky mountains are not metallic
rous Iron indeed occurs in them, does gold, but
after all they not third rate in the production of
valuable mines.
Still Cherokee and the Southwestern counties
contain much that is valuable For example, marble,
statuary marble, the best of soap stone, iron, man.
ganese, serpcntne chromate of iron, etc. Probably
country is richer in the of iron and in the
means of making IRON Gold mines will also become
more profitable work than any have hitherto. From
all | have | am disposed to regard those coun
ties possessed of valuable mineral resources; but
they arc still more valuable fer farming The eli
mate is charming and the land is productive. The
hill sides might be cultivated with the finest Of
grapes and other fruits, they will make excellent
sheep walks, or for the grazing of cattle The dis
lance from market is the great draw back upon the
industry and exteprizc Of the people. The greatest
boon which this portion of the State receive is
Railroad l can see, however, from my own baIro-
merical measurements, that there is more difficulty
to be encountered in passing the blue rdg: than has
been expected. The ascent the east side is quite
steep, while upon the west side it is comparatively
level. Thus the ascent from the foot of the Blue
Ridge to its summit is great in five miles it is
in hundred miles the west side, the
ito of ascent in feet the east side is hum
drcd to the west side Hence, though it is
easy enough to begin tunnel on the east side, still
you can't get out the west side. But still the
difficulty can be overcome.
am most respectfully yours,
E. EMMONS,
State Gcologist.