The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-08
Interesting letter from August"
sr,rSToS. March 4, 1869

Interesting Letter from Augusta
STANTON, March 4, 1869. /
Editors of the Dispatch: AS you have
always manifested deep interest in every
thing that affects the prosperity OF Virgins,
| I have concluded to give you some Henis
from this part Of the State.
Within the last ten days wealthy bei-
timore company, who are Interested ID 'h9
eibert process for the manufacture OF s'eei
from iron ore, have purchased several tnou-
sand acres of land in and around buffalo
gap, about nine or ten miles west OF etaan-
ton. on the line Of the Chesapeake anu ohlo
| railroad, and the Staunton and ParkerSburg
turnpike, on which they propose to esta-
blish, without delay, extensive furnaces for
the manufacture Of iron and steel. Their
| purchases embrace large deposits Of ore and
a great quantity of timber. I understand
they expect, at the outset Of their opera
tons, to employ about $50 hands, but their
machinery of all kinds will be adapted to
much larger operations in the future. IN
few years they will probably establish
rolling mills and manufactures of different
kinds, which will give employment to an
increased number of operatives. The ma
tural result of this great expenditure will
be to build up considerable village in the
neighborhood Of the furnaces (Which will
be located cutie near to the railroad) and
to stimulate industry in all that portion Of
the country.
Mr.. Sibert, the inventor Of the new pro-
cess of making steel, which is probably
destined to supersede the Prussian mode,
| is citizen of Augusta county, and is int
rested in the new enterprise. He is man
full of genius and energy, and has long
been known to our people as an ingenious
! inventor in various departments of me-
chanics. About 1860 he invented new
| gun, which he manufactured with his own
hands. He brought it to Staunton, where
it was exhibited, and highly approved by
competent judges. His purpose WAS, with
the assistance Of some men of capital, TO
20 into the manufacture Of the "sibert
gun" on q large scale. Preparatory 10
commencing operations he carried his mo-
del to Washington and deposited it in the
Patent Office with the view Of obtaining
patent for his improvement. But before
he could do 30 the war commenced, and
shortly afterwards tho celebrated "Spencer
rifle" which am informed is substantially
the "Sibert gum" made its appearance,
and Sibert lost the fruits Of his labors.
Not at all disheartened, Sibert, who is a
chemist as well as o mechanic, turned his
attention to the manufacture Of steel by a
single, short, and economical process, di-
rectly from the ore. In this, judicious men
think, he hos been eminently successful. l
do not profess to be competent judge on
this point; but one thing is certain, that
if he has not succeeded to the full extent
in making steel, he has, nnquestionably,
made wonderful improvement in the
manufacture Of iron.
A few days ago Sibert exhibited to your
correspondent species Of metal which he
had produced at neighboring furnace.
In appearance it resembles the purest gold,
and is susceptible Of a very high polish.
Its weight is greater than that Of iron, and
it is as hard as steel. At one end, where
q piece had been broken of, it presented
the appearance Of fine steel, the crystals |
being very fine and compact, but tho golden !
color extended through the entire mass.
Sibert informed me the basis Of the metal
was steel. with other metallic substances |
incorporated. He says it can be produced
at moderate cost, and will make good |
material for the email coins, and O valua-
BILE substitute for brass in machinery, hard
ware, sc. He represented to me that it
would not oxydize or grow dim by exposure |
to the atmosphere, and was not sensbly |
affected by acids. In view Of the beauty, |
hardness, compactness, and durability Of |
this metal, it is difficult to tell to what uses |
it may be applied, and what may prove to
be its value. Long life and good luck to
Sibert
And here l beg to add that sibert is not
the only inventor from this part of the Val
ley. All the world is familiar with the re-
nown of Cyrus H. Mccormick, the father of
the whole family of reaping and moving
machines and Of late years the females or
our country have learned to appreciate the
ingenuity Of Gibbs, of the firm Of Wilcox
& Gibbs, Of sewing machine fame. Both
Mccormick and Gibbs were from Rock
bridge county.
Recently two ingenious citizens of ku-
gusta county have turned their attention to
machinery, and one Of them, Mr.. Iyttle-
ton Waddell, an intelligent and estimablc
gentleman, formerly editor Of the Specta-
tor, has invented an improved churn, from
which, rumor says, he has already realized
O handsome sum OF money.
Another citizen of our county, Mr.. Enoch
Thomas, is reported to have invented new
hay-press, which for simplicity, efficiency,
cheapness, and general usefulness, casts all
competitors into the shade.
The attention of our people being now
turned to the useful arts, it will not be long
before they will be found as prominent in
that department as they have heretofore
been in craftsmanship and the philosophy
of government.
i am gratihed to state that the wheat
crop of the Valley is generally promising,
and the favorable winter has enabled our
farmers to do more toward the improve
ment of their farms and preparation for
spring crops than has been done for many
years past. We may, therefore, look for
ward with hope to year Of abundance.
Almost every day witnesses the advent Of
strangers among us locking out for lands.
When they come to cast their lot with ours
they may be assured Of hearty welcome.
Some have purchased others are awaiting
the disclosure of the policy of the incom-
ing administration. Should that distinctly
indicate peace, we shall have an avalanche
of immigration into the Valley, and, indeed,
into all parts of the State.
The Augusta County Fair is still living
body. Colonel Baldwin and his associates
are determined to make it permanent in
stitution. They have recently added seven
OF eight acres to their beautiful fair grounds
(making the whole quantity thirty acres),