Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-06-01
REDIsCOVERY OF AN INDIAN SOAPST0NE
QUARRY IN Virginia.
Interesting Developments.

Interesting Developments.
After an absence Of more than three weeks,
Mr.. F. G. Gushing, connected with the ethno-
logical department of the National Museum,
has returned to the city. During this time he
has been engaged in explorations into an
John b. Virgins, near Chulu. Amelia county,
Virginia. 1t has long been matter of curiOs-
ity among those interested in such subjects as
to where the aboriginal Indians obtained the
strong coarse grained steatite or soap stone of
which their pots and other vessels were made.
This visit has disclosed one of the main
sources OF the supply. No other is known in
this region. and
THE VIRGINIA QUARRY
is unequalled, in the possible extent of its pro-
duets and their fitness for certain purposes, by
any other in America. Rhode Island and Penn
SylvaBia have inferior duarreS, which the
Indians utilized. Indian vessels made from
the Virginia sOapstone have been found at
widely distant points on the Atlantic slope,
near the Great Lakes, and in the Carolinds,
along the tributaries of the Mississippi, and on
the Atlantic coast showing that not only did
. the .n!eelghborlng !e tribes enjoy the quarry, but
that its products either through peaceful trade
or the results OF war were scattered for many
hundred miles in every direction. There are
some points, however, which seem to indicate
that this quarry was not held, like the red pipe
stone quarry in Minnesota, as common prop
erty OF all Indians, and as a neutral ground
through SuperstitiOuS regard for the stone. 1t
is more likely that The quarry was the
PROPERTY OF A SINGLE TRIBE
or family, who roughly hewed out different
kinds of vessels, using them until other tribes
or individual Indians bartered for them, and
then replacing them from the quarry. None
of the vessels found near the excavations
were smooth or polished, but looked as If they
were kept on hand for exchange. to be then
Ornamented at the pleasure OF the purchaser.
In his explorations Mr.. Gushing was fortu-
nately enabled to discover the spot where the
Indians commenced their digging operations,
the center of the quarry.
DISC0VFRFD
1t seems that at one point the Steatite for
merly projected from the ground, and some
wandering Indian, sitting on this outcrOp,
perhaps, became acquainted with some Of the
peculiar properties of the stone. He may
have discovered that he could cut it with his
knife or that it yielded to a stroke of the tom
was first attacked. Beneath this point were
found stone axes and malls expensive Indian
tools, which the diggerS had broken, before
they discovered that the quarrying could be
quart implements, which alone are found in
other parts OF the excavation. Mr. Gushing
discovered the very quartz quarry, not far
distant, from which the picks were made, con-
Structed one himself. and tested it practically
with success. Steatite malls were also found
in the excavation. The only use for these
hewn bowls from the main rock without jarr-
ing or otherwise injuring them which
other malls would be likely to, do. The
extent OF the quarrying, which must have oc
preciated the value of their treasure. The
product OF the quarry is heavy, me etamorphic
rock. which may be whitfield or sawed when
first obtained, but hardens with exposure to
the atmosphere. Its crystals radiate in every
direction, crossing and interlocking which
TACT gives it great strength in spite of its soft
asbestos. The Indian found that instead of
the sandy clay pots which would break at the
least blow, he now had material from which
vessels could be constructed which were far
ifpn nry-inr TO
and which would not crack with a change of
temperature. Baking slabs could also be con
structed from it which retained heat q won
derful long time.
WHEN ABANDONED.
There are indications that the quarry was
ie ior some reason, abandoned by the Indians
since that event for all the billOcks and other
Irregularities consequent on the Indian exca-
vatiOns to be leveled by the atmosphere
HOW REDISCOvERED.
In 1872 tie quarry was rediScOvered by Mr.
WlgglnS, who owns the farm in which it is
situated. He is a northern man, and was
quick in noting the capacities of his purcha,e e.
day, and on Sunday, while viewing his posses
siOns, came across a projecting boulder of this
curious rock, and became acquainted with its
inal Indian discoverer. His means were lin
tied, and for several years he quarried but
little, and was compelled to resort to many
operations at al: In 1876, by Invitation Of the he
Smithsonian Institution, he sent on for exhi
bition at the Centennial Exposition barrel
ments dug from the quarry. The fact was
thus developed that an archaeological interest
attached to the quarry, and Mr.. .Cushing's visit
resulted Mr. Virgins, in spite Of many temp
the quarry which the Indians had visited, i'm
anticipation Of Mr.. CuShing'S investigations,
and it was only as these We're completed that
soapstOne on Mr.. Virgins farm are supposed
TO extend over an acre or more of ground,
and will undoubtedly prove of considerable
vaine; ,,;nin d Inc vermont soapstone mines, from
only small veins for working, and in most re-
spects the stone is inferior to that of the Viz
glnla quarry; The Ia tier was boiled in liquid
without cracking or losing any of its particles,
while specimen from the Vermont mine put
to the same test failed in fifteen minutes A
SAP Sst OF the virginia soapstone may be given a
White heat by exposure to fire and then be
dropped in cold water without being injured
in any way 1t may therefore be used for
Inlng stoves, furnaces, ranges, or as bridges
to smelling works. 1t has been found by trial
to last uninjured as stove lining for six
years, or at least six times as long as a brick
lining could be used. 1t is an anti -clinker ar
fhhngement iha g IN ltsef. A tap on the outside of
smooth store of the interior. Virginia is rich
in Just such undeveloped mineral treasures.
Mr.. Cushing brings back with him to
VIC muStuM uOQelS In clay OF the eXCa-
vatiOns Into a part of the quarry where
the Indians have worked, large numbers of
soapstOne pots, quartz picks few iron toma-
hawks and mails, and some specimens of
steatile malls. The success of his labOrs was
opposed by enervating weather in part of the
time, and by rain during the rest, and by
difficulty in obtaining labOrerS for the work of
excavation. He was favored by the cordial
co operation of Mr.. Virgins, aid his own en-
ergy carried him successfully through. He ex-
poets to return to the quarry at some future
time and make a complete model on a large
scale. showing all the quarryings made by the
Indians, which will be preserved as an arcnie-
illogical record of interest.
MRS. TILToN TO BE PUT ON HER DEFENCE.
MIR. Thomas j. Tilnev, the clerk of Plymouth
church, has put in proper form the charges
made by Mrs. Barbara Walton, of No. %
Orange street, against Mrs. Elizabeth TiltOn.
and Mrs. Walton has signed them. Four
members OF the examining committee met in
the residence of Mr.. S. V. White ON Wednes.
day night, and decided to take UP the charges
and put Mrs. TiltOn on her defence. The
charges are that Mrs. TiltOn slandered her
pastor in the confession which she published
accusing him of adultery. and that she viO-
lated her covenant i'm giving the letter for pub
LEGATION before submitting it to the church
Mr.. Tilney was instructed to serve COPY of
the charges on Mrs. TiltOn, and to request her
to appear before the committee at a meeting
to be held next weekly. Y. Sun. 3Ist.
A SHIT FOR NJNFry MrTyIoN norJ