The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-04-04
For the Anderson IntelHgencer.
Minerals of Upper South Carolina.

Editor of Anderson Intelzigencer: Having re-
Gently made an examination of the Tunnel
Hill mine, at present the property Of Captain
Mcdonald, and with his permission, l enclose
you few interesting facts; and there being
some very important features in regard to this
mine, perhaps may create some feeling in this
direction. The Captain is an energetic man,
as we all know, and deserves praise for the
manner in which he has thus far endeayored to
develope his mine, and had he but the facilities,
he would no doubt perfect his scheme. Could
party be organized with sufficient capitals !
am confident the members would gain ample
benefit from the investment. From present In
dications of the vein, which has been struck by
tunnel running from the southwest side, it
will lead no doubt to valuable metal, think
gold, or copper pyrites, but more probably the
latter. No shaft having been sunk on the vein,
was unable to give my opinion. In this vein
appears both serpentine and asbestos, the latter
being of value as fre-proof material. There
are also other minerals which present them
selves in this vein, but being of no immediate
value, 1 consider them unworthy of notice. /,
The Tunnel Hill mine is situated near Beaver
Creek, south and seven miles from Anderson
g. 81. Magnetic iron ore also abounds i'm the
immediate vicinity Of the tunnel, which will
soon lead to the discovery of the vein. S.SW
from the tunnel, 1 discovered an out-crop Of
beautiful quartz, and which, if carefully ex-
amined, would lead to the immediate develop.
ment of gold vein, though no gold has been
found near the place.
In another direction from the tunnel, there
appears still another out-crop of crystalized
quartz, representing also the presence of avail,
liable metal
Sufficient water-power can also be had with
in few hundred yards, and at the entrance OF
the tunnel, which would supply all the de-
mands for mining purposes.
While speaking of this locality, must not
forget to mention the numerous fables, as re-
lated to me, in connection with this REGION
1t appears that fifty years ago. company came
from some unknown quarter and located them
selves OH Iu0 I'LL WuStC ILO ~ CSCuG tuuuCA GA
lists, and with the intention Of mining. Some
work was done, as large shaft was sunk, about
Is by IL feet, within close proximity to the
mine. I observed, also, still another shaft, re-
sembling we'll, about s feet in diameter, and
from the amount of dirt and ore excavated, one
would imagine that considerable depth had
been attained This company had also con-
structed smelling apparatus, in the form of a
furnace; and made of common brick, though a
description of its form ! could not obtain, and
which was worked, only by night, for several
months. But soon the party disappeared under
cover of night, taking with them quite guam
tity of bars, (which had been previously seen
at the works. and the composition of which 1
could not learn, although one person in the
neighborhood assured me that it resembled sill
yer, but on being informed afterwards that the
informant was too old, and, in fact insane, /
confess was then unable to come to any con-
clusion as to the character of the supposed