Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-01-30


year ago. the cause which had operated in depress.
il % makng int es,s q sljs!ste; and now, 81
&r hrthexexploradon std 6heefvation, l find til
opinion wlich then expressed, sustained. To saE
y those who Are intercsted in the success OF Nort
sCaroiina inines viii state very briefly, few facts
which have obtained by direct observation; and
may state, that have enjoyed every facility for
obtaining correct information, both by examination
oil the underground workings, and OF the books and
accounts whenever | wished. In the first place, !
will call the attention of the reader TO the Gold Hill
mine, ard state, that the books show-the earnings
for the month of January 1855, to have been $lO,-
625 Is; for February, S., 1856 76; March, 2e0 92
April, $13, COG 81; May, FL ,642 81; juno, 81
O5l o. The average expense, per mon.n, for eight
months of the year, for working the mine, amounts
to $3.50. The amount OF gold taken out OF the
mine in monh, has reached as high as $15, 900;
and it may be stated, that the nett gain per month,
at the present time, exceeds $4,000 The vein has
been worked to depth Of 400 feet, and it ives an
increase in gold the workings are carried down.
The North Carolina Copper mine, known as the
Fentriss mine, has than sustained itself during
the past year. 1t has had its fluctuations, it is true;
but it has been improving, and is capable of furn-
ishing more copper than at any former time. One
shoot of ore furnished about $1,000 worth OF ore,
which raised and prepared for market, at an ex-
pense of about $20uO. Atthe present time ityields
large quantity Of II per cent ore which, at the pres
ent advancing price Of metal may be sent TO market
at fair profit. The seam OF solid copper pyritcs is
% inches wide, ON the borders Of which, there is
four feet Of quartz rich in metal; all Of which is
bounded by fissure IL feet wide. This great width
constitutes the vein and from these facts, We arc
warranted in the belief that it will prove one of the
most valuable mines in this country.
The Washington mine in Davidson, is now sue
cessfully worked after having been unmprovcd for
the last three years. The difficulty heretofore has
been in separating the zinc from the lead; this is
.hol Tho, pro1f nr6'
tor, which enables them to smet at much less cost
than formerly. The prospect now is, that it will
become one of the most valuable mines in the coun-
try. might enumerate many valuable gold and
copper mines, some Of which cannot be said to en-
joy reputation beyond the immediate neighbor-
hood of their location but which paying mines.
The Fisher Hill mine, in Guilford; the Jones mine,
and the Ward mine, in Davidson; the Rymcr mine,
in Rowan; the Russell mine, in Montgomery; the
Pioneer, in Cabarrus; the Ore Knob copper mine,
i'll Ashe; the 1iowic mine, all OF them valuable
mines. l think it safe to predict that the copper
mines of this State will prove permanent and
profitable any sulphuret mines now known.
But gold and copper mines, although enriching
their proprietors, and undoubtedly adding greatly
to the general prosperity Of the State do not equal
in the latter particular, coal and iron. The unavOid-
able decay in the completion Of improvements upon
Cape Fear and Deep Rivers has been discouraginsto
those interested in the coal fields and caused doubts
in the minds of Others to the value. The causes
of the delays it is said the difficulty of procu
ring laborcrs but there is nothing to indicate that
the Improvements not perfectly feasible, and that
there is no impeachment to their being carried out;
and that they will hence be completed in due time.
The different companies ready to take coal to
market as soon as the improvements arc completed.
Railroads will also be built to the coal fields, from
different points-one is already commenced from
Fayetteville, and South Carolina only requires
charter to build one Immediately; and there should
be road from Raleigh.
OF the amonn: of coal on Deep River, there can
no longer be any doubt Situated i'll the midst OF
fine agricultural country-timbcr also abundant
the facilities for mining are equal to those OF any
coal field in the United States and it will be proved
in short time, that its transportation to market
will be cheap as any similar coal in the country
In connection with the coal are inexhaustabe beds
of iron ore. The great shaft at Egypt now in pro-
gress, is carried down between 800 and 400 feet
beds of iron orc have been cut which will furnish
any amount of ore, OF quality which will produce
cast ron equal in every respect to the Scotch pig
The value of the coal OF Deep River, and the intu.
ence it will have upon the prosperity OF the State,
when once opened to market cannot be overestma-
ted This alone will make the rates of exchange
between this State and New York in favor Of the
former a circumstance which will be great relief
in negotiating her bonds Hence, the work upon
Deep River should be fastened to completion.
Much more might be said respecting the value Of
the mining interests Of this State but deem it un-
necessary to enter into farther details at this time,
as shall cmbody in my forthcoming report, the
principal facts, which l have recorded, and which
may be regarded as important for the public to
know. f. EMMONS,
Geologist to the State Of n. G.
Raleigh, Jan. q, 1885,
For the Standard.
Editors of tile North Carolina Standard: