The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-12-02
Buckingham Iron Ore.

Some week or two ago we noticed the
visit 10 this city Of several gentlemen from
Ohio, Huntington, and New York on voy-
age of exploration along James river. Their
report was highly favorable with regard to
the rich deposits Of ores in the James River
valley. Colonel DowNEg, Of Huntington,
upon bis return home, wrote an account of
the excursion, 10 which occurs the following
notice of the ores of Buckingham and APP
pomattoX:
"By the kindness of Colonel Darlington,
president of the james River and Kanawha
Company, a very nice, light canal-boat was
placed at our disposal. Messrs: Robertson
provided bountifully In the commissary de-
partm ent, and the necessary cook; pilot, and
horse marines for the toW-path, and we
embarked at - O'Clock for Greenway buck
iugham], about thirty-ive miles down the
river, where we arrived In due time.
son Tuesday morning, breakfastiug be.
fore daylight, we started for the extensive
mines of Messrs. Leake, which have been
worked for some time, but are now idle.
There were three extensive veins Of mag.
ne.ic and specular ores, all of which have
been fully tested in the furnace and proved
of fine quality. There have been over ten
thou sanu tons of this ore shipped by the
canal.
Passing on over the hill, across bend,
we met the boat, about six miles from where
we started. and reembarked, proceeding TO
Riyelville [Appomattox]. On the way there
we saw tie tunnel being driven on the Meg.
ginson property, which will cut some ten
veins of ore parallel to the canal.
~rnk hr-
Mr.. billiard. who placed horses and wagon at
our disposal, and piloted US to see the won
derfuI deposits of ore there. There are
thirteen distinct veins, all of large ex-
tent, comprising mostly specuar and
magnetic ores, besides fine qualities of
hematite, and also one or two extensive
veins of manganese. The thirteen veins on
the place are opened and numbered. Spe-
cimens from each have been analysed by
number by Genth, of Baltimore, and all
show great richness Of iron and remark.
able purity from injurious mixtures, such
as Sulphur, phosphorus, &c. Some of these
lands have been disposed OF at large prices on
account Of the value Of the ores in making
Bessemer steel, one company having pur.
chased two hundred acres for twenty.seren
Thousand dollars. Large shafts and galleries
have been opened at several points on the
propertgs and the veins are fully developed.
After a thorough examination Of the pro.
perty we we're invited to Mr.. billiards. house,
where most sumptuous old.fashioned Vir-
GINA dinner was waiting for US, and to
which the eanpany did justice"
con Wednesday, morning, after Breakfast
ing by candle4ght, some of the party pro-
ceeded across the river In an old "Joe
boat" to explore Chestnut Ridge AMHERST,
where vein Of hematite was found three
hundred feet wide. extending for miles along
the ridge. Others went on up the river, and
stopped near the residence of the widow of
the late Judge Robertson, one Of the men of
whom Virginia may yell be proud. The
writer had the honor Of paying his respects
to Mrs. Robertson and her accomplished
granddaughter. who inhesits much of the
talent Of her honored grand Are.n
When the magnificent iron deposits Of
the James are utilized by the completion of
the connecting link from Buehsnan to Cliff
ton Forge, by which the cheap Goals of the
KanaWha Valley may be ipterehaBged for
these ores, Lynchturg will be the centre of
the greatest manufacturing and agricultural
district in the State of Virginia."