The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-02-21
Doubting the Truth.

Doubling the Truth.
Several months ago representative of the
I'o@ Age, a paper recognized as standard
authority AMONG iron men in all matters
pertaining to the iron interests, was sent to
this portion of Virginia to examine and
write out his views of the mineral resources
OF this section. He was received with that
spirit OF civility and courtesy characteristic
Of Virginians, and. accompanied by experts,
was shown the various iron properties along
the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad in Angus
ia and Allegheny counties. and probably
others. He was not asked to rely upon
statements from any one, but to see for him.
self the marvellous wealth that was exposed
70 view, and about which there could be no
doubt or deception. He was utterly amazed
when the Elizabeth Furnace property, about
eighteen miles west of Staunton, on the
Chesapeake 4 Ohio Railroad, ard recently
purchased by the Messrs. Green, was pre-
sented to his view. He said that helhad Wis.
tied nearly all the great iron fields of Amer
ica, but this surpassed them all. Here was
an exposed vein Of 60 per cent. iron ore 100
feet thick, and embracing in its compass
whole mountain, covering an area OF miles,
with ore enough to supply the demand OF a
continent. Estaline, California, Lowmoor,
and other properties were shown him OF al
most equal magnitude and as each succeed
ing field was examined. establishment in
creased. unit il the actual facts excited I'M
crednlity.
The correspondent lcft,with the intention
OF writing mp this vast and wonderful iron
belt, in letters to the paper he represents.
But, as yet, nothing has appeared-at least
no copies of the Age have been received in
this sectio containing statement of what
the gentleman saw and knew to be facts.
Indeed, we learn that he expressed his
doubts as to the propriety of writing full
description of the mineral wealth he had ex-
amined, for fear that his statements might
not be believed, and that he determined to
modify the reality, in order that his state
ments might not be questioned. But even
this modified representation has not reached
the public. Why this is so, We cannot ex-
plain. We know that the correspondent
did not see one half of the iron deposits Of
the region he visited, and if he feared that
he was the victim of some enchantment I'M
der the magic influence OF another Lamp Of
Aladdin in what he witnessed, a full knowl
edge OF the marvellous iron deposits in the
whole range, only portion of which he ex-
amined, might influence his Imagination to
the conclusion. that the succession of wonders
depicted in the Tales of the Arabian Nights
would fall short of the astonishment he
would experience.
If the correspondent has written the let.
tiers and the editor of the Age has refused
to publish them, because of donbt OF the
facts rs presented. all we ask Of that doubt
ing Thomas is to come to this portion Of
Virginia himself, if for no other reason, to
vindieate the veracity of his correspondent.
He can see with his own eyes mountains Of
iron ore, of the very best qualities he can
be taken to huge spur of the Shenandoah
range, which his correspondent did not see,
where the people. during thewar Manufactured
horse-shoes out Of the ore as it came from
the deposit, and where there is sufficient to
naces for a hundred years.
Mr.. Green, President Of the Eureka Min
ing and Manufacturing Company, which
owns the Elizabeth Furnace property by re-
cent purchase. was as much astonished as
was the representative Of the Age. when he
first examined the immense deposits of iron.
When he returned to Ohio, and conversed
with experienced iron men, he was afraid to
state the truth, because he was sure his word
would be doubted. He only imperfectly
sketched the mines, and was told that that
story would not dot was utterly cut of
reason, and that it would be better to keep
such Munchausenism to himself. He in
duced several of his friends to accompany
him back, and after showing them over the
surface exhibit-all they could say was that
it was ''simply wonderful -
II the Age, which speaks for the iron in
terests of America, desires to let iron men
know something about the iron deposits of
Virginia, let the editor himself come here
and with impartial pen tell what he may
see. We not only have the ores, but the
coal and lime in close proximity, which will
enable iron manufacturers to realize upon
their investments to degree that they have
never enjoyed in Pennsylvania. While they
there have been accustomed to veins of
ore from 3 to feet ia thickness, they can
find them here ranging from 50 to 800 feet
tunnels running into solid mountains Of
iron, aad giving evidence, that will convince
the most credulous, that Virginia is to be
the Iron Centre Of America.