The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-22

KATAHDIN IRON WORKS, July 10Th, 1873
To THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS:
This township is noted chiefly for the inter-
esting manufacturing establishment located in
it. 1t is situated near the geographical centre
of the State, land forty miles south of Mt. Katah-
dir. The west branch of the Pleasant river runs
through it and surrounding mountains diversi-
fly its scenery.
At the outlet of the large pond near the mid
die of the township, the iron-works village is
planted, consisting of the furnace, several char
coal kins, with their appurtenant structures
good and stable hotel and a number of houses.
At least 100000 are invested in the various
constructions.
The iron deposits are upon Ore mountain, SO
called, distant a mile from the furnace. This
mountain appears to be through all its bulk
surcharged with iron pyrites. This, under the
action of the atmosphere and water, dissolves.
The iron is deposited as the water works its way
down the mountain sides, until now over an un-
known extent huge layer of iron rust from
one to ten feet thick has gathered. Over this
soil accumulates AMI forests grow. The falling
trunks, the leaves and stems, become charged
with the iron, the woody fibre disappearing and
the iron taking on the forms of the persisted
vegetation. The process of iron deposition is
going on to all appearance as rapidly as ever
The spots fresh-cleared are already deep red
dened and faxed over with the accumulations
In the twenty-odd years during which iron has
been internationally made here, sometimes to the
amount of $500 tons per ! en-
acres of the ore have been used. Hundreds
unquestionably remain, of equal richness. The
ore nets over 60 per cent on the average, being
of extraordinary richness. 1t is dug up as east
ly as dirt, and is delivered, on contract, at the
furnace for one dollar per ton! In western
Connecticut and Massachusetts where charcoal
iron is largely made, the ore costs 100 per ton,
and nets about 40 per cent
The consumption of charcoal is from 200 to
1900 bushels per day, according as the furnace
is "driven," and when in full operation. To
supply this tract of 10000 acres of heavily
wooded land is connected with the Works; and
in addition, the whole country around for
miles, and to the northward even to Canada,
bears great burden of wood. Without ex-
eiuding the clearings, streams, ponds, etc., the
territory Will afford an average of % cords OF
woou per acre. The growth is birch, maple,
oeecn' asn' poplar, cedar and ''black forest. I"
Wood is delivered at the furnace for two dol
lars cord, coming down the pond largely in
summer by boat and in winter on the ice, The
fux is procured in part from the vicinity and
in part is hauled from the towns below.
the present capacity of the furnace is ten
tons of pig iron per day. The iron is particn.
larly adapted to fine castings, machinery, mill
gearing, and all uses requiring great strength.
1t can also be put to malleable uses, and in
this direction assumes still higher value.
Iron of corresponding quality is worth $50 per
ton in Boston or New York.
The manufacture has been conducted in pre-
vious years under unfavorabe circumstances.
Transportation had to be to Bangor, 80 miles,
all the way by road. Operations were carried