The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1858-05-29
Letters From Pilot Knob, Mi80asi.
Correspondence of the Chicago Daily Press.
piLor KNOB, Mo-, MAY 18th 1858.

manifestation OF the KIND known to the
world, and of looking down from its cloud
capped summit Of iron, upon the most
charming and picturesque scene that l
ever beheld. 1t rises above the surround
ing valley, from base of about 500 acres
to an altitude Of 500 feet, somewhat like
the shape of pyramids Of Egypt. It is
nearly one solid mass of iron ore which
yields oman average 90 per cent, Of pure
metal, said to possess nearly as much ten
sion and works quite as easily as Lake
Superior iron.
The very summit is base ore, sons 80
feet above the table below, and shows
most plainly to far off beholders in conssa-
distinction to that portion which is COW
cred with light timber, grass and shrubs.
In anticpitation of the celebration, which
was postponed from Tuesday, as | wrote
you from St. Louis, pole some 30 feet
high was erected above the highest point
of the "Knob" from which is now float
ing the Star Spangled Banner, making
a fine show from the distant valley. On
this summit it was intended that B.
CIR atz Brown, of the St. Louis Democrat,
and John Hogan, Postmaster of St. Louis,
should address the assemblies crowd.
Owing to the rain the St. Louis dele
CATION did not start, and it was well, for
the track had given way in more than
one place, which rendered it impossible to
make the trip on that day. 1t was repair
ed, however, with commendable prompt
ness, and we came down on Wednesday
without difficulty. Notwithstanding this
suspension at St. Louis the people had
gathered here from the country around,
nearly 500 strong, and had good time
generally.
The Inauguration Of this railroad is an
other link forged in the great chain of
freedom which is to anchor Missouri ere
long in the harbor of progress. The
people are in extacies about it, all along
the line; towns and cities are springing
into being like magic, and the spirit of
speculation and improvement has outrid-
den the panic storm. This very day,
while am writing this letter, there are
more than 1,100 lots in the "City of
Pilot Knob"
Ten full car loads came down from St.
Louis very large number of whom are
Germans who are buying lots for actual
improvement. 1t would not be extrava,
CANT to suppose that in less than 10 years
over sc, 900 people will make their homes
around the base Of the Pilot Knob. The
| city of lronton is only mile from here,
and has been selected as the seat Of jus
tice for the new County of Iron. The
proprietors are most enterprising ant
public-spirited men, and within 6 months
| the town has become a somewhat popu
lous city, with large number of houses
of quite portly dimensions. \ little far
ther on is the beautiful valley of Arcadia
which, as seen from the Pilot Knob, rre
sents most lovely appearance. Far, ia
around the "Knob" may be seen in smo
Ky distance, the varied SUBMITS of tn
Ozark Mountains, with the numerou
valleys between, and at the base Of whicl
Aow the swift, pure mountain streams
The climate of these valleys is delightful
and the soil is good.
| About 6 miles from here is the irol
mountain, which is another mass equal
perhaps, in extent to that of Pilot Knot
Here as well as there, are large furnace
for making this ore into pig iron, and tn
two companies have on hand at this tim
nearly $500, 900 worth ready for market
The price is low at present, only S2S pc
tho; yet, at that low rate, they can clea
about $40 per ton. The extensive facil
ties here enable them to run about 3
tons per day, which will be much incre'
sed before long. At the iron Mountain
they can do the same.
IF the United States Government woul
invest $20, 900, 900 here and at St. Lcui
for the manufacture Of this ore into raj
rord iron, We could make all the natlo
required, for ages to come, without goin
abroad for single rail. How much be
ter such an expenditure than for Mo
mon war, or bribes to congressman. {
millions wasted upon the public printing
The mountain is all solid ore to its ver
base. but the companies get their SUI
. ply from about 800 feet above their fu
, mace. It comes down the mountain G
an inclined plane double track railroa'
one car descending, full of ore, while Il
other empty is drawn up by wire rop
The ore is drilled and blasted from Il
vast mass with great facility, one chars
often brings down many tons.
Those who sought for Immortality ha'
! engraved their names upon the very sur
: NIT Of the knob. l saw several ladies I
, the very summit, which seemed to requi
! some hcroism on their part in elimil
|. up the steep and rugged sides. III
! principal owner Of this knob, of she
! herd mountain (near by) and cedar hi
: all made of iron, is Col Louis v. Bog
late Of the firm Of Bogy, Mitlenberger
Co., Bankers, of st. Louis, man
' great wealth. The capital of the comp
s ny is 100000 cash, paid in. !
: owners are all men Of great wealth.
) Among them l may name J. II. Luc;
9 Col. Zeigler, Mr.. Vale, and other m
a we'll known for their great business 9
they have 10000 acres Of land Ia
in one body, most Of which 10 cover
J. with timber from which they make VI
II quantities Of charcoal, costing, deliver
9 at their works, Eve cents per bushel,
d which they have on hand zoe, 900 bus
% els. At the beginning Of the panic
/ St. Louis, when the bankers all susper
ed, these works were stopped, but til
are now making ready for twelve montl
'fblast," to commence on Monday ne
!. and to run constantly, night, and d
!, for . whole year to come.
: Col Bogy tells me that before the n
: road was completed they paid $40
: ton for hauling iron to St. Louis by