The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-01-26
EAST TENNESSEE-ITS MINERALS,
AND POLICY.
BALTIMORE. Jan. Il. lSss

tcftt AAtfte- 80 hNNhf
perhaps more, than any other mn in Tennes-
see 20 the development of the mineral re-
sources Of our State, it is natural that !
should feel deep anxiety that permanent
benefit should accrue, particularly to our own
citizens, from mining operations. Moved by
such considerations, determined to visit and
examine the Copper Works of this city. In
these works abont one hundred hands are
employed, and the Company are doing bust
ness on a cash capital of about half million
of dollars. Nor are these operations con-
nected with, or in the slightest degree af-
fecied by the Fancy Stock operations Of
WalLstreet, N. (which. like the bubbles
on the stream, are dissipated by the touch
The Smelling establishment of Dr. Keener
g. Son is undoubtedly one of the most pro-
fitabe investments in the United States
They are receiving ores from Cuba, from
the Northern Lakes, from Tennessee, and to-
day viii probably receive the first cargo from
Virginia. DR.. Keener is making more pure
Copper than all the Smclters in the United
States. He buys the ore, giving TO the miner
Si,O0 per ton for each one per cent. Of pure
copper it will yield up to 25 per cent, and
three cents additional for each per cent up
to 30 per cent This gives the miner about
$4,000 per ton for3O per cent ore, which is,
in fact, above the average yield OF Ducktown
ores. Thus it will be seen, that after de.
Quoting $500 per ton for transportation, the
cost at present prices, the best Ducktown
ores will nett the miner about $4,000 per
ton.
The policy Of shipping ores to Baltimore
has hitherto been matter of necessity in
the opinion of the miners, and laboring I'M
der that necessity, already nearly, If not quite,
half million Of dollars have been paid on
the transportation Of rock and other useless
matter. Now ] wish 10 impress upon the
people Of East Tennessee the great impor-
lance of reducing and bringing into use our
own metals with our own coal. Suppose it
does cost one, two, or even three hundred
thousand dollars to complete in East Ten
ncssee Smelling Works, such as Dr. Keener's;
how long will it require to save that amount
on the tonnage Of five hundred wagons to
the mouth of fliwassee, or to Chattanooga,
in lien Of Baltimore, New York, or Swansea
in Wales! Who is 80 short-sighted as not
to see the immense advantages which would
result TO East Tennessee! A very large
amount Of noncy,wllich now goes to foreign
shippers and shelters, would be kept Mt home
and put in circulation amongst our own peo-
plea spirit of emulation, in all branches Of
manufacture would be increased, and an ac-
cessibe and profitable market opened for our
rich and almost inexhaustibc beds of coal.
That State is unquestionably the richest
which can boast the largest amount of pro-
ductive industry. And although Tennessee,
and especially our Eastern Division, has been
tantalized on account of her poverty; yet,
happily, she can now look to a coincidence of
circumstances which promises speedily TO
give her an elevated position and a world
wide renown, not only as part Of the State
of Tennessee, and an important part Of this
magnificent eonfederacy, but as favored
spot in the universe.
The year 1890 gavo me birth in tho valley
of East Tennessee, and for half century,
or more, have laborcd to build up her insti-
tutions. And when see her mines opening,
and her rail roads being laid along the beau
tifu and fertile valley, from the Lookout
Mountain to the Virginia Line, and conteni-
plate the rich productions which may be real
lied by scientific culture, cannot but in
.dulgc the most sanguine hopes Of her future
prosperity and greatness. And when think
of the inexhaustble treasure, in Iron, Coal,
Lead, and Zinc contained in the Cumberland
range, on the North of this Road; and of
the Iron, Lead and Copper onthe South, yon
will allow me to express my great gratiiica-
lion that the revenue to be derived from the
hundreds Of millions, which will be invested
in working these different metals in East
Tennessee, was anticipated by tho Legisla-
ture of 1880, and appropriated to the
School Fund. ] had been for years engaged
in the survey and examination of the noun.
tlns of East Tennessee before the discovery
Of gold in California. After this discovery,
one company after another entreated me to
abandon my enterprise, and accompany them
to the land of promise. But then thought,
and still believe, that nobler field for enter
prise than East Tennessee, cannot be found
on this green earth. II we speak of the
state Of society, it is true, nm sorry 10
say that we have some men who will barter
their reputation for gain; but The standard Of
morals is being elevated. If we speak of
talent or intellect, | do not hesitate to say
that notwithstanding our very defective com
mon school system, East Tennessee has
given away more talent within my rceollcc.
ton, than is now embodied within the coun
ellis of the nation and this say with due
respect to many noble minds. East Tennes.
see is admirably adapted 10 agricultural,
manufacturing and mining pursuits. Strict
adherence TO the latter branches made the
British government the mistress of the mo.
neyed and commercial world. But the depth
to which she has worked her mines-tlc
poverty of her ores-the exhaustion of her
coal ields-togcthcr with the weight of tax.
cs imposed on working cOpital-al and sin.