Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-09-09

aeMNERALs OF VALLEY tRivER.--We, received some
DAYS since letter from an eminent scientific man,
who has been engaged in making very thorough
examination Of the mneralss of Valley River, IN
Cherokee county. That region, according to his
observations, is rich in minerals and must very soon
attract the notice of scientific men and capalists
even to a greater extent than'it has already DONE
The following statement we extract from the let
ter in question; and remark, en- PEASANT, that We
hope to hear from the writer again and Often
1. Marbte.-There is range of limestone run
ming the whole length of the river, which has been
so metamorphosed by igneous action as to be con-
verted into very good marble. Its value as mar
BILE, however, for all ordinary purposes demanding
large masses, is materially affected by numerous
seams and fractures, which pervade its strata but
for all purposes of building either as rock or Quick
hnae as well for agricultural purposes, it will be
invaluable as railroad shall open the way
for its transport though the country. This same
range of limestone is also extended along the valley
of the Nanthala river throughout the lands of Capt
N S. Jarrett.
Q. Iron Ore.-Ru"ning parallel with the marble
there is range OF iron ore appearing at Intervals
and apparently of inexhaustbe extent. This ore
has been worked in several places, and makes an
excellent article of malaeble iron. 1t extends south
westward beyond the termination of Valley River,
for ten or dozen miles
8. Lead und Silcer-Included in the marble, at
several points where it has been worked deposits of
a workable per cent of silver. This has not yet
been discovered in sufficient quantities for smelling
4. Coda very large amount of gold from sur
face and deposit washings, in years gone by, has
been collected Valley River. The amount OBJ
tanned reached in value beyond half million of
dollars. The gold of very fine quality, ranging
from S5 to 100 cents in value to the pennyweight
at the mint But though the washings have been
continued, at intervals, since 1880, one had
succeeded in finding the vein from which the gold
had been derived, until about the first of June Of
the present yeat. Felix Axley, Esq, Of Murphy.
commenced system Of cross.cuttIngs in search of
the vein, during the month of May. He had, within
the last year, given much attention to Geology in
connection with his operations Agent of the Gin
cinnat Mining Company, who are engaged largely
| in preparing for the development of the Copper
Mines of North Carolina. With his increased knowl-
edge of the laws governing mineral VEINS he became
convinced that he could find the vein from which
much wealth had been derived. The labor was
commenced by cutting ditch across the valley
where his judgment dictated the vein was probably
located. The ditch cut to the depth of the I'M
derlying rock and entirely through the whole sur
face deposits. At the distance of So rods from
! where he commenced, the vein was struck, under
such circumstances as to give him the Geological
key to find it elsewhere in the valley. The vein is
quartz, and the gold is dtfused through its
in such proportions, so far as progress has been
made as to induce the belief that it will be quite
productive. Included in the quartz is very large
proportion of lead ore, including silver, which, on
analysis promises to be productive. 1t would seem
that the quartz vein is the true source of the gold
lead, and silver, and that the lead found in the
marble has. been produced by off shoots from the
quartz vein at the time of its rrotruson by volcanic
| action from below.
As soon as the harvesting is over, and provisions
become plenty, it is intended to push the work Of
testing this mine vigol ousy. 4Asherille Neacs.