Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-09-27

found extensively In nature, III InlniuS ouu
prospecting for other minerals; and the lndl'
cations are that it is abundant and very pure:
Tale is soft and greasy to the touch, and
sometimes very much resembles mica 1t ID
distinguished by the want of elasticity, and by
its unctious touch. 1t is of white and green
color, called by some French chalk, but COM
monty known as soapstone. Some OF the pur-
poses for which tale is used are for making
pools, cutters and mantel-pieces There is
bed of talcose plate, sufficiently pure to an
swer the same purpose, seen very prominently
at Kings Mountain, lying in the direction OF
the old Furnace, on Kings creek, that must
be very valuable, as it may be cut by the
workman's chisel into any shape that art or
design may suggest. -. .r -,
I will mention the fact that platina, which
has value exceeding that Of gold, has been
found in this section in small quantities by
parties searching for gold but no examins.
tion has been made as to its extent. From
the fact that it is found in the Ural noun
tains in Europe, and also in South America,
ACCOMPANYING the itacolumite rock, which
rock exists extensively in this section, it is
probable that the mineral may be here to
some extent.
could, at this time name various other
minerals of this section that have been prac'
tically shown by miners and scientific men to
exist, the development of which would be
profitable. Why it has not been done, may
seem strange It can be answered by the
question-why are We not q manufacturing
people ?-having all the resources and facili.
ties. Why not grow grain and grasses! And
raise stock, when we have soil and climate
we'll adapted to the purpose? And fruit and
vegetables, with spring season several weeks
earlier, and a fall season later, than any part
of the North The truth is we are fixed in
a groove that no warning or reasoning will
change US from. Every one will admit the
fact that our agriculture is badly directed,
and that cotton is produced at the exclusion
of articles of necessity, and with labor that is
not comfortable, while the price of cotton does
not pay the expense of production. Yet our
farmers still seem to devote their energies to
cotton, that they may get credit to make
another crop. Farmers are now procuring
provisions in Charlotte and bonding their ex.
pected cotton crop of 1878. This long stretch
of credit will not do, as cotton, to certain
extent, has ceased to be such means of resource
= to US. A change can only be brought about by
strong effort, through agricultural societies,
to induce the large land-holders to sell their
land, or lease it 10 small lots for twenty-one
years at 10 per cent. on their value, including
the unimproved as we'll as the etillabe land.
This will couple labor with intelligence and
proprietorship. This is the only course to
develop country agricul ulturally. and these
small farms will be self.sustaining with a
clear gain, and the land holder will have his
10 per cent. clear, with additional improve
ments that will add to their value When
ever an agricultural people feed and clothe
themselves, as they are the parents of coun-
try, the clear gains will be used in manufac-
turing and developing the mineral resources.
Until then will all of the mineral and manu-
featuring advantages lie idle, as much as we
may say or know of them.
Quite recently telegraphic wire has been
stretched across from the depot to the store
of N. w. Hardin & Co. The instrument, at
each end of the wire, is. manipulated by the
young Hardins with peculiar aptness. They
befit themselves for whatever the occasion
may require.
The pay and provision train Of the Air.
Line Railroad passed here the first of the
week for the purpose Of paying the employees
of the road. The commissary department
was lower in the prices Of provisions than the
same articles could be bought elsewhere. Un.
der the new administration, the company are
receiving and laying down steel rails, walling
the cattle-guards with stone, ballasting the
road-bed and otherwise putting the road in
frst.cass order.
Rev. w. L. Brown, pastor Of the Baptist
church at this place. during the past week
preached series of able, instructive sermons
to large and interested congregations. Rev.
j. H. Tillinghast, an Episcopal minister, will
hold services at this place on the fourth and
fifth Sabbaths, at 10 O'clock, A. NJ Eco.