The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-18
Greni,sg State Journal.
SATURDAY EvEN'G. JAN. Is, 1878.
Our Mineral ResOureos--The jefferson
Mica Mine.


Our Mineral Resoureos-Tho jefferson
Mica Mine.
10 the Editor Of he Stats Journal
Among the varied minerals with which
Virginia lands are underlaid, perhaps
none is more valuable or less known an6
appreciated than mica. Chemically almost
if not quite identical with the kaolin,
always found with it, its geological forma.
ton is but poorly accounted for. Much oil
our red clay land is mingled with COM
minuted particles of mica which, washing
out from the clay, are often an annoyance
in our spring and well water. Its value in
oreases in proportion or rather out of all
proportion as the size of the clear cuts
grow larger. Two by three inches is the
smallest available size and would
scarcely pay for working, while from
eight by eight up, it will pay
vastly more than any ordinary gold mine,
provided the deposits yield in any
reasonable quantities. Surface indications
are valuable aids in finding the deposit, but
frequently mislead the inexperienced from
the fact that the comminuted mica so album
dant In the masses of pure kaolin naturally
induces q miner to follow that, while the
streakcd masses of mixed red clay and
kaolin are the real ground in which to find
valuable mica. Large masses of quartz in
juxtapositien with this mixed clay and
kaoling are almost certain indication.
The Jefferson mine was first opened two
years ago on the lands of John G.. Jetfer-
son, near Amelia Courthouse, and have
always paid handsomely. Mr.. Jefferson
contracted with a company to work the
mine, paying him royalty, but combining
them to the east side of road. The vein
in which the mica was found led directly
across the road, and after few months
they were compelled to suspend operations,
not, however, at loss to themselves. Mr..
Jefferson's health failing soon afterwards,
he determined to sell out his valuable es-
tate and to make the prospect for mica
and plumbago, which latter had been known
to exist for many years, an inducement to
purchasers. In November last, gentle
nsn belonging to the Silvered Mica mana
ufacturing company, 81 North Tenth street,
Philadelphia, finding the market poorly
supplied with mica, purchased the whole
estate for $45 900, and commenced work.
ing the mica. The quality and quantity
both improving as the work progressed, he
increased the scale of his operations, and is
now turning out large quantities of silver
mica renectors, DETECTING shades, locomo-
tive head lights, parabola lights, etc., which
being far stronger refectors, and at the
same time non-tarnishable and non-breaka-
BILE, to say nothing of their being cheaper are
rapidly gaining favor with railroads, mines,
counting-r ooms and private families. By
placing the light, either gas jet or kerosene
lamp, nigh silvered mica reflector gives
a brilliant and at the same time mellow
light all over the room. Engineers who
have once used them will have no other,
Mica Is used for variety Of other purposes,
alb1 believe protected by patents. The
smaller sizes are used for stove lights
and for putting between the soles of shoes
to keep the feet warm and dry. The larger
sizes are used for Photographic purposes
and for covering pictures, giving natural
and Slife-like appearance to them. The
mica interest and its various adaptabilities
being yet in their infancy, it bids fair to
prove one of Virginia's greatest sources
of wealth, provided it can be found
in sufficient quantities.
80 j. w. EaGLEsToN.
Amelia COURTHOUSE. Va.