Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-06-02
Iron Mountain, Fauquier County, Va

An analysis made by j. Blodgett Brltlton, of
the Iron Masters laboratory, of Philadelphia,
from an average sample of ore from the 81 feet
vein-Slater's shsft-seiected aud forwarded by
Mr. Slater to the Virginia Mineral Bureau, so
as 10 represent q fair average of the vein, and
containing the centre 1.-THE richest portion Of tho
veiu,l as we'll as the Gangue, (the sample ana
lyzed by Prof. Tonry, gave the following result:
Metallic iron, at 40 sc per cent. No sulphur or
titanic acid, or other impurities bel0g reported.
The opening at MIR. Slater's, the only one as
yet made on the ridge, shows rapid increase
in the improvement of thH vein, IN its enlarge
quent, as well as in its richness. | am satisfied
that at an increased depth, say uot to exceed l3
feet, or a total depth OF only IS feet from the
surface, the ore will show an average of 60 per
cent of metallic irou. This ridge extends about
one mile through Mr.Simper sand MIR. Slater 8
farms, from Crooked Greek to the northwest
branch of Gap Run; its elevation above the
valley is from l25 to It's feet. lu mining no
trouble or expense will be encountered by
drainage. The ore can be delivered most con-
yeniently to the furnace or railroad cars. SO
far as our present experience extends, the ore
can be removed by only the use OF the pick and
shovel, being soft aud easily removed aod
broken ip the mine, but hardening on exposure
to the weather. It's location is 10 the most
productive section Of the county. MIR. Shippers
raised a crop Of wheat on the ridge over the
vein, the past season. that averaged him fifteen
bushels to the acre.
From instrumental observations made with
magnetic compass and dipping needle across
the vein on Mr.. Shippers and Mr.. Slatcr's, |
am convinced that this mountain is solid
mass of iron ore.
10 express 10 few words but expressive
language, my impression respecting this most
wonderful deposit of pure iron ore, | will quote,
as being applicable to the Lodestoue ridge, from
the report OF Prof 6. W. Fcatherstouhough,
made to Congress 10 1885. page 81: La speak
inc of his visit to the iron mountains OF Mis-
souri, be states: 81 came upon one OF the rarest
natural metallic spectacles have ever seen."
Upon mound, sparngly covered with trees,
[ observed vein like mass of sub magnetic
iron, and having bright metallic trac ure OF
Steel gray color. This veiu was about one hun
dred end fifty feet sboye the surface Of the ad-
iaccnt plain, aud at the surface had the appear
acce OF being roughly paved with black pebbles
OF iron, from one to twenty pounds weight.
Beneath the surface 1t appeared to be solld
mass" | will here state that from Mr..
Shippers we shipped to the Smithsonian lostl-
tute, for the Centennial Exposition, block OF
surface ore about eighteen inches square oy
eighteen inches. thick, being nearly a cube.
Longer pieces could have been procured. The
ridges and the sdjacent valleys are covered
with this ore; the stoDe fences, the stone walls
enclosing grave yards are composed OF it; there
are hundreds of tons OF this ore scattered all
over the county. again quote from the re
ports: II measured the vein from east to west
full FIVE hundred feet, and traced it north
and south one thousand nine hundred feet,
while it was covered with the superficial soil
Uuusual as is the magnitude OF the superficial
cubic contents of this vein, yet it must be To-
significant to the subterranean quantity. Ihls
extraordinary phenomenon filled me with ad-
miratioD.
Here was single locality of iron offering all
the resources of Sweden, and Of which 1t was
impossible to estimate the value by aoy other
terms than those adequate to all uatlon' )
wants. This iron ore is contained 10 syeutlc
chain, containing greensboro and quar- zose
rocks extremely aad ponderou>ly impreguated
with iron. And we 6ud it to be the case in
the neighborhood. aud upon the summit OF
LoadstoDe ridge. =,
AT the time of Prof. Featherstonhough 3
visit no miri1g had been done at the Iron
mountain; shaft equivalent to the one at
SIater's mine hid not even been commenced.
| have traced his deposit of ore over mile,
besides its extension south of Crooked creek
for distance OF nearly three miles, and aD
average in cross section, trom cast to west, OF
from onc- fourth OF mile to over oue ~ lie. L
am satisfied those ores only are waiting tor
their proper development TO prove as valuable
to Virginia as the Pllo Knob, Iron mountain
and Shepherd mountain ores have proven since
lS47, when the first works were erected at the
Pilot Knob, to the State Of Missouri.
HUGu THos. DOUGLAS.
Catlctt's, Fauqulcr county, Va.