Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-06-24
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
Iron Interests.
TUESDAY, JUNE "a, 1878.

importance of establishing here IRON manuiac-
lures, and endeavored to point out the adVan-
tagcs possessed by Alexandria as place most
conveniently situated tor the prosecution OF
such enterprises.
Recently the attention Of capitalists anu
Others, who are able to put into practical opera
ton the ideas and suggestions thrown out, mas
been attracted to the subject and it is crafty
ipg to know that there is fair prospect TOR
the esta blishmcnt of one or moro it'"naccS here
at s not distant day.
Foremost among those who have taken
deep interest not only II the development OF
of tho mineral RESOURCES CT the State. bus IN
the growth ana continued prosperity OF this
rity, consequent upan the establishment OF IRON
works here, is ,Ir. John S. Barbour, Prcal-
.icnt Of the W. C., V. N. l. &. 5. Il. Il,
who, in order to induce an influx OF lmmgra-
ton aud capital for the moro successful prose
cution OF such enterprises, has had the vast
beds of orc along the line of the roads over
Which lie has control, thoroughly examined,
ard being satisfied of the abundant quantity
and excellent quality Of the iron, has, with the
consent Of the company, offered to douate to
such party or parties as will initiate the indus
try, sufficient land upon which to erect fur
mace, located where the ore can be delivered
aad tic metal shipped with the greatest facility,
and as q further inducement will commit the
railroad company to the transportation OF the
ore at rates compared with those of other roads,
Chat must cnurc greatly to the advantage of the
manufacturer.
MIR. Lewis Mckenzie, President Of the
Washington and Ohio Railroad has also shown
commcndable desire to establish here iron
works, and has signifcd his willingness to aid
in every way in his individual capacity, or
through the agency of the company Of which
he is at the head, the erection and maintenance
of furnaces and rolling mills, and to this
end will bring the subject before the directors
of his company at an early day, with view Of
obtaining an expression as to the practicability
of the establishment of furnace upon tho
grounds Of the company in this city, in time
for the mining and transportation of iron from
the vast fields soon to be penetrated by the
road, and which can then be brought directly
to tide water, thence to be shipped to any and
all the marts of the world.
Mr.. J. P. Agnew, of this city, gentleman
thoroughly and practically acquainted with the
working of iron, and whose experience 10 the
business gives him great advantages, has signi-
fed his willingness to erect and operate blast
furnace upon the grounds lately purchased by
himself, so advantageously located and having
already so many conveniences, and should he
determine to carry out his design, We are as
sured that he will receive the most liberal en-
enlargement from both the W. G., V. NJ. l.
G. s. and the w. & o. railroad companies
in the way of transportation facilities low rates
and any and all assistance that can be rendered
In order to better understanding of the
working Of iron furnaces, and with Q view Of
ascertaining the probable cost, expenses, profits,
&C., incident thereto, Mcssrs. j. S. Barbour,
Washington Blythe, L. W. Reid and E.
Snowden, jr, on Saturday last, visited the ex-
tcnsive Ashland works, on the Northern Cen
trail Railroad, about twenty miles from Balti-
more, of which Mr.. Geo. Small, of Baltimore,
is President, and Col. Franklin, :Superinten-
dent. and made thorough Investigation of the
furnaces, mining operations, &C., &c., which
was most gratifying, exciting an additional de-
sire on the part of these gentlemen to secure, if
possible, the establishment, in Alexandria, of
works, which, though not SO extensive at first,
would naturally expand to the. proportions of
those visited, and in time, with the additional
facilities possessed here, rival the Ashland
works.
The original capital invested by the Ashland
Company was about $500, 900, upon which dur
ing the war, dividend Of l65 per ct. was de-
ciarcd, and the works increased iu value until
now they arc estimated at upwards of ono mil
lion dollars. Since the war, and notwithstand-
ing the rcccut decline in iron--which is not OK
pcctcd to last long the works yield dividend
of 20 to 50 per ct. The company employ up
wards of three hundred laborers directly about
the works and disburse about $4,000 per
month for labor aud royalty for ore taken in
the immediate vicinity, or in other words, the
amount of money disbursed and put into circu-
lation in the village (for the workmcn, with
their families, constitute quite villagc) is
nearly equal to the amount distributed for the
same length of time all along the entire line of
railroad from hero to Lynchburg and Harrison
burg. Concentrate this capital, and disbursc
tho same amount in the midst of our people and
the effect will be so perccptible that it will be
felt by all Immediately. Not only will this dis
tribution of ready money be Of such great i'm
poriance, but the addition to our population of
so many sturdy laborers, with their industrious
families, will be great acquisition, and would
1t once give an impetus to the growth of tho
.ity that would soon make Alexandria ono of
he liveliest business places in the State. At
he Ashland works the ore, in many instances,
has to be hauled in wagons for long distances,