Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-11-10
WALHALLA, CAROLINA, FRIDAY, 1871
Mining in OcOnee.


Some time since we published short ac
count otthe minerals found it Oconee Couu
ty, furnished by Mr.. a. G. Laugblin, who
has recently paid somo attention to the subject
in that locality. We have been permitted to
copy the following letter giving further dos
crption Qst.these minerals and their locality.
81 wasTln hopes that I would have been
able to have made complete report with
quantitative analysis annexed, but having
only visited the neighborhood in order to OK
amipe aud express my ideas in reference to
the mine, | being without my apparatus for
making analysis, l can only give you these
few details, which know to be true | in-
tend returning to the minc soon, when l
shall be- happy to furnish other desirable in-
formation.
GAS some have imagined, the Lorton gold
mine does not consist of one shaft or more, as
is the general rule; but are only excavations
of few feet in depth and small tunnel of
about a hundred feet long, where thcrc was,
no doubt, n vicn. Some fow weeks ago
party csmo over from North Carolina and
pitched their tent with tho permission of
| Colonel Livingstone on one of the streams 10.
Gated on bis land, about II miles from Wal
hala, in Oconcc county. This party, after
rcmaiping only week or so, retired to quar-
ters unknown, having paid Colonel l.. nine
dollars 10 gold, portion, no doubt, of that
which they had extracted (by washing) dur
| ing their stay.
"rhe place known as tho Lorton mine has
been warked at different periods for some
twenty years past. 1t was very advantage
ously managed by Mr., Young, from North
Carolina, who made, it is said, quite fortune
| in tho space OF three years. 1t is, therefore,
hardly necessary to mention further report in
| reference to his rich aud well known local..
| ty. 1t ~ sufficient to add that IN every
branch md even on tho surface Of The earth,
| for miles around these streams, one eau easily
find large pieces aurilcrous quartz and sand.
"A NJ. Phillips, some years ago, in en-
dravori'SE 10 change the course of one Of these
branches, actually found large lump of na-
tive gol4 which could have been sold for the
sum OF 300. This piece of gold, no doubt,
camc Owing to the course of the strcam)
from a.hsh. deposit or pocket, somewhere OH
These water courses rs have been W
have 10 namcs, but certainly should be clas: "
fed into hne group to be known MS the gold
fields Of South Carolina, tho possession of
which VIC should be proud to boast, and VIC
of SO rich deposit Of gold which SO seldom oc-
ours even in richer countries.
"I also found quantities of mica Gas is the
case in the Blue Ridge butnotin large enough
pieces for any particular purpose, though
| do not doubt but that it is there Tho
chemical combination of most of tho speoi-
mems found, is principally SILICA, alIumina
and alkali or potash or potassium. Some
specimens contain oxide Of chrome, sometimes
to per cent, oxide of manganese oxide of
iron and water. Minute quantities OF natren
and magnesia, and little heor, I observed
Ill some specimens which will correspond to
the general formula for mica
"1hc colors arc yellow, grey, green and
rcdish white, and mostly transparent AL
| though have been unable to give you cor
| rect analysis Of the metallic ore in this vicini-
! ty, at least have given you some little infor-
nation in reference to the chemical compost
ton Of the oil"- ColumJia Union.
STAN WATIE.-Gen. Stan Watio, who
died few days ago, was the great chief of
the Cherokees. He framed the treaty of
! 1916 between his people and the United
States,a and was most influential and active in in.
ducng the Chcrokces to abandon their origi-
nal homes in North Carolina and Georgia
for the richer lands west of Arkansas lie
became omniputcnt in controlling his tribe,
and was the impersonation of all those emo
bling traits Of character which the novelist
Cooper ascribed to the heroes of the Indian
race. Stan Watic led Cherokee brigade in
the Confederate army, and was distinguished
for his personal courage in several battles
After the war he negotiated treaty with the
Government at Washington. His son, Sala-
din, youth Of Is or 20 years of age, who
served on the Generals staff, was the fathers
idol "A brilliant, gallant, educated young gen.
tlcman-died few years ago. The old In
dian hero never recovered from the shock
and never smiled again. IIc lost interest in
life and welcomed death, that he might leave
an invaluable heritage to his people in the
fame he had won as soldier and statesmen,
and as and honest, chivalrous gentleman.
WAsmrSoToN, November Ii was stated
to-day, by a high executive officer, that it
was probable the Ku.Klux prisoners with
the exception Of some of the most prominent
of them would be admitted to bail
a military order was issued to-. day, which
transfers North Carolina from tho Depart.
mcnt of the East to the Department of the
South.
!