Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-05-25
Washington County Marble.

w dbhiu x tOh SOuHty nndIDtts
The works Of the american Verde An
fi7ue Marble Co, at Roxbury VT, are now
though unnoiiced by many persons in the i'm.
mediate vicinity, claiming and receiving the
attention of some of the most eminent and
practically scientific men now known. As
brief sketch of the operations Of this
Company may not be unacceptable TO the
readers e. III paper, we give following n de-
criptlon as the facts appeared to US, at re-
cent examination of the quarries. For the
information regarding their present condi-
ton, we are indebted to Mr.. S. 7. Rundlctt,
the energetic foreman and manager of the
operative force of the Company, whose OK
perence in quarrying, has aided materially
IN bringing these works to their present state
of prosperity. The American Verde An
Ii iue Marble Co, was incorporated Nov. 30
1853. Messrs. Daniel g. David McCaine
who made the first discovery Of the value Of
this marble for ornamental and building pur-
poses, we're the applicants for, and first pro-
jectors Of the act of Incorporation. Upon
the tract of land, the minerals of which are
secured by perpetual lease to the Compa-
ny, are five or six distinct quarries only the
smallest OF which is uncapped. and now be.
ing operated upon. The length to which
ii has been opened, is not far from fifty feet,
and the depth which the workmen have
reached from the top Of the ledgc) will aver
age about thirty FIVE feet. They are now at
work about twenty feet above the surface Of
the valley from which the ledge rises.
The large masses of rock are hauled a.
bout twenty five rods, to the mill for saving
and finishing. The main building is 4 by
81 feet with wings containing the boilers,
and the Engine, which is of thirty five horse
power. An addition to the main buildin,
for the purpose Of polishing aud finishing
department, 30 by 10 feet in SIZE, is now
being erected also a railway from the quar-.
rles TO the mills
There are already in operation three gsngs
OF saws, and the Company will soon have an
addition OF two gangs, one of which is IN
tended for saving large sized slabs, columns,
&c. The works are Immediately adjacent
to the Railroad track. and are three>foufths
of a mile south OF the Roxbury Station
The entire force of help is now engaged,
and the machinery in operation day ami
night to fill numerous orders, for slabs and
blocks, of both finished and unfinished mar
BILE there now being sufficient, provided no
others are received. to keep all hands in
employment for period of at least eight
months. This fact in itself, is the most CON
elusive evidence, that the value of this
stone is more highly appreciated, the more
ii is known.
part Of the operatives are now engaged
in supplying contract for material for build
ing the great central stairway for the Cap
itol extension at Washington which viii
4
Maniels, Monuments, Tomb stones. &c.
from many parts of Canada, and the Middle,
Western and New Ing land States are al
most daily received.
This mineral has been thoroughly and
critically tested by pressure, exposure to heat
and to the action OF the strongest acids -
Certificates are shown from Drs. HAYES and
Jackson, of Mass, and from many other well
known Chemists, Biologists aud Manulact.
urers, whose inyariable testimony is. that il
is superior to any other material now in use
for building purposes Ia which ornament.
strength and utility are combined. The ap-
pcarance of this stone is extremely bcaufi-
iul. In color il is variegatcd, h1vng almost
every conceivable hue ana shade,the ground
of which is usually dark green 1t is sns.
ceptble Of 4 fine polish, and when finished
compares most favorably with the Italian
" Verde AuiIqne;' the American Is of the
most brilliant color; this may, however, be
the result of longer exposure to the AR, OF
the Italian" specimen. winch we examlu.
ed.
There are thirty men employed in the
various operations Of quarrying and finish
ing, and Appearances are now decidedly tay-
orable, fof the profitable empioylncDt of a
much larger number OF hands, as soon as
increased facilities for working are put IN
operation.
An examination of these works will well
repay even the most remote reader, for visit
ing them, and no one, especially ii a citizen
Of the Green Mountain State, can fail OF be
ing proiited By an examination Of this branch
of industry, which viii have tendency to
show to residents Of other parts Of the coun-
try, that not only for her hocks and herds
but for her minerals, Vermont is destined 10
become the banner State Of our Union
.NoHhfeid Star.