The New York herald., 1863-01-24
history OF THE FRANkLINITE.
HISTORY OF THE FRANKL.NITE.
IMPORT or A. C. SARRlNGToN, 6EOLo0ISf AND

IMPORT or A. c. SARRiNGToN, 6EoLo0lSf AND
MINING EN6INEER,
The mines are located in Sussex county,
n. D., and y!e'1 an ore unique In its hthoioglcai
where rranklnite and red oxide OF zinc mas been
So-.nd, but by whom and at what era these mines
were discovered is not automatically established.
They were known ana extensive mining opeis
ilcments were made by the whites in their imme-
diate neghborhood, rs several shaits ana gallo
ries sti.i remaining on Sterling Hill clearly prove
These old works, from the fact that Lord Stirling
was once the owner Of the lands upon
which they are situated, have been at
tributed 30 him. The time Lord Stirling
became the owner has not been ascertained: but
AN original sarvcy OF the tract, made in l74s, de-
-scribcs "thc old mine holes" section has
been taken from the rcmsins of . cedar that has
grown in one OF the pits since the working was
abandoned, and IL proves that period to have
been more than one hundred and twenty years
ago. In l775 an old mining pick was found in one
OF the galleries by hunter, who subsequently,
settled in the vicinity, and has = son, now very
aged man. living in the county.
Lord Stirling caused O large quantity OF the
Franklin orc TO be mined and taken ~ the Char.
1ottenburg furnace, OF which he was proprietor
hut the atteinpt 10 sueit II a. o iron proved
unsuccessful, and most OF the ore. removed at a
great expense over mountain roads ninety five
years ago. may now be seen at Charlottenburg.
The late DR.. Bruce. Of New York, was the fra,
Who called public attention 10 these mines, D,
pubsMng scientific account Of them, embracing
an analysis and also furnishing list Of the associ
sted minerals. He was followed in 1919 by Prois
Kca,ing and Vannuxen, who furnished the Philo
sophcsl Society OF Philadelphia with aD interest
ing paper, describing the Jcf.rs0nitc associated
with the zinc and fraubnite.
The late ~, samuel Fowler, about lorty.fys
years since, became tho owner of these mines
and, TO scientific attsinWents uniting practics a
business talents of the highest order, appears /,
have really been the first one 70 appreciate thei,
value, and made several Efforts 10 have ;heu
worked. He made liberal ofcrr ia induce o,ber,
10 join HIM ia the enterprise, but the untried M
fures Of the ore and the difficulties In ob,ainine
competent operatives caused failure of MI
plans, without lessening ~ his mind the vain. :
the ore. and the ultimate success that would i,
likely 70 attend future attempts 10 work H. Will,
he wa member Of the House OF Representative
oi the United States Congress . law was passe,
directing the Secretary of tho Treasury 70 eaus
standard set Of weights and measures to be pre-
pared toi the usc VI thc government in the differ
ent Custom houses Il. u. Hasier. III. D.. the
surcr'ntendcnt oi the Coast Survey, was onrns,e,
ny the Sc relary With the execution Of this i'm
portant daty, aud Mr.. Fowler WAS auocessluI Il
having New Jersey Red Oxide o. Zinc reduced I,
aioy WIN copper TO form the brass used for thes,
Not succeeding In enlistiug cspitslis,s 10 rorL
on large scale, he strove 20 encourage iudiyiina
enterprise ~ develop the commercial yalna !,
% aes. .AensNe ,1s Repositories OF minerals, by ire
tquent and liberal contributions from hi. own 70
tsources; but want Of scientific knowledgo ~ ~
VharActer OF the mineral. or n too rigid edhara, @
No the plans used IN working the sulphuro,s . "a
\C Nbonates OF zinc, as practiscd IN Turono @ ~
waited the achievement OF success il \ al p'e.
he psesufned, as is often the case the Doetor . ~ ~
1bpost4 npon by charlatans and prstendera 81
LAID clhSm 10 possessing the true Philosopber,s
E,one ,Nose magic touch was 10 frausf,,lr, ~
lls of .ug and Franklin into metallic zinc and
jgn.
: Dr. Fowler. sfrw years before bis .ecease. ron.
ssyed portion ~ these mines 10 the FRANKLIN
f,DpenJ, ~ iGsVrt >(ai'oD wlucb Nas Obtained by