The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-03
GJhe Oir0inia State Sournal
EVENING, MAY 8, 1873,
From our Travelling Correspondence
COLUMBIA FURNACES, I


April 30, 1873. I
After several days of cold, wet weather,
to-day the command of Richard 3rd,
"Shine out fair SUM-" is obeyed, and to-
day we have bright cheerful weather and
by the kind invitation of young friend, Cap
tain Quay, an intelligent, active Republic
can, we took a ride with him from Wood
stock to this celebrated iron establishment,
owned and carried on by the enterprising
Brothers Whistlers, in the splendid valley
of Stony Creek, in Shenandoah county.
These gentlemen, by their industry, en-
terprise and capital. are vast benefit to
all this region.
The columbia furnaces" present one
of the largest iron works in Virginia. The
firm employs about one hundred and
twenty-five men, and between seventy and
eighty horses and mules. They produce,
annually, about 200 tons of iron; portion
of which is annually converted into about
four hundred tons of blooms-one ton of the
the latter requiring about one and q half
tons Of the former. About one hundred
tons of the ore makes one ton of pigs, as
it is dug from the mountain near by.
In making pigs about one hundred and
fifty bushels of charcoalis used and about
one hundred and forty tons more is required
to make ton of blooms. Abundance OF
limestone is quarried near by to be used in
the smelling. Their bloom furnace and
forge is about one mile below their blast
furnace, and both are driven by the ample
water power of Stony Creek.
They also keep large and well supplied
store, stocked with a complete assortment
of goods, embracing everything generally
kept in such establishments.
In addition to all, they have a fine, large
farm, and raise considerable agricultural
produce.
They appear to be fair and liberal men,
as their many hands speak kindly and
well of them. A considerable club Of
THE JOURNAL is taken in this commune
ty.
The present proprietors, Messrs. Wits.
tiers q Co., took possession of these fur.
naces in 1857, and continued to work and
improve upon them, until after the break.
ing out of the rebel war, when they found
1t convenient to leave, as they were Union
men, and their works suffered injury
from both armies.
Their furnaces were burnt down ant
partly destroyed by the armies and, aftel
a time. were taken possession of and rur
by the managers of the "Tredegar" iror
works, OF Richmond, to make iron for the
use OF the Confederates, particularly iror
tor cannon and other ordinance the meta
from TINS ore being OF superior quality
equal TO any IN our country, composed O
inc best brown hematltes.
soon alter the close OF the war the Whist
lers brothers returned here, rebuilt theil
works IN improved manner; and, | an
pleased to be able to say, are prospering
with the respect and good wishes OF the
community. The people all around were
a ;th h ~ See 'Ieln oach anu proceed,ne
and hone Of Ills reoion baln;r@ 81, wy oth ,s,
nnrsnifs. pe o'N''
There hannens to he a combination riob
at This noint Of avervtb;ng nocaSssru -
make the ron A. verv nrofitobIe rsteS g
viz. Ore lime timber and tino wat t9
movers 10 work them and oil IN a "Jl
Quantities Tbere .ra othar G,rnaoas .,
distances of six 70 twelva NILES from, ber @
nv the largo 1r,,od cans,n.,>,;o,, 81 thas,
fnrnsces tbe 6;lls and ,nn,,ntI;,s VI .n.s'
narts are bacom;na denndad If s6a !, h man
,imber brt winch vii iaeuo ~ .nt fam eas
he nlaces If nicely cleared mn Gov arou,.
inc frames of finest qualify ,pb;nh o Suw
like and do hest IN rdc c Stones and i" s;de
hills~iust sncb as these 0pN'' "A '''''
Anronns ,;abt hare soro &C H., :, ~,