The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-22
From the Charleston Mercury.
MINERAL RESOURCES OF WESTERN
NORTH CAROLINA.

Mr. Editor. Perceiying that there is a CONNER
cial intercourse between the people of Western
North Carolina and of Charleston, South Carolina,
and thinking that some account of the mineral re-
sources of Jackson and the adjacent counties would
not be altogether unnterestng to your readers Tor
various reasons, | have concluded to give you
brief history of the mineral wealth of the extreme
western part of the Old North State.
/ will state in the outset as | shall be short IN
nv remarks, that in my opinion, Jackson County,
North Carolina, will be, when properly developed,
the richest county of minerals In the world; and L
heard mineralogists of high standing remark the
same thing concerning her wealth ill silver, gold,
copper, &c.
Already there has been developed the following
mines l. Weay-ya-hutta mine, which has not
vet been surpassed in the richness of its ores Ore
has been taken out of that mine which has prov
ed by analysis, to be equal if not superior, to any
taken out at Ducktown, Tennessee. This mine is
now principally owned by company at Pendleton,
South Carolina, in cOnnexiOn with an English
company from DucktOwn, Tennessee. z. The Gull
louhu or Hooper mine, ten miles south of Web
ster, has produced very rich ores, and has been
sold to the same company. Ores from these two
mines were carried by Mr. ID. d. Davis, an Eng
lish mineralogist to your State Fair at Columbia
and exhibited where, | have been Informed, they
took the first two premiums. 3. The Savannah
mine, ten miles West of Webster, is now owned
by the same company, which also is very valuable
yielding copper, and probably other metals. There
is another mine just being opened southeast Of
Webster, by Mr. j. n. Bryson, and other gentle
men of Jackson County. Near by is now about
being opened gold vein, which, in my opinion,
will not be surpassed in richness in the whole
State, or anywhere else. Many other places and
minerals l could enumerate in this and adjoining
counties, but deem it unnecessary to designate so
particularly. With the rich mineral resources of
our wild mountain country, we have vast quantl-
ty of rich mountain lands, which our people could
not we'll do without, being well adapted to the
growing of grass, and raising sheep, cattle, &c.
Many other staples could be very proftably raised
and transported to your city and others, to great
advantage, and would yield handsome profits to the
producer. Again, the water power of this country
is unsurpassed for adaptation to the driving of
machinery of any character in the country. Had
the time, would write much on the Importance
of this country, in many respects, to those who de-
sire to invest their money to the greatest profit.
would solicit those of your city who desire wealth,
a few English capitalists to take up the entire
country, and prevent our own native countrymen
from a participation in the development of our
mineral wealth. This county of minerals is not
far distant from the Blue Ridge Railroad, when
built and will produce thousands of tons of ore in
the way of freight to be transported by that road
"a great inducement for the State of South Caro-
lima to prosecute to completion said road. Can
you not arouse your capitalists to the importance
of this country? Probably you will hear more
anon. Very respectfully, &c.
PROCEEDS.