The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-10-23
The Great Mineral District.

and Ohio Railroad is the proof that is fur
nished Of the superior quality of the iron
ores. The operations of the Furnace at
Quinnemont, which is supplied with ores
from Ferroll or Elizabeth, as it is better
known, attest the excellence Of the ores
at that great field, and sufficiently answer
all the cavils and doubts that have hereto
fore been expressed about them. The iron
produced at Quinnemont is equal to any
ever made in this iron district, land will COM
pare favorably with the products of the
Furnaces OF Pennsylvania and Ohio. An
other fact is developed which is of incalcu-
liable Importance to the mineral section to
oestrated at Longdale that ton OF pig iron
can be made with ton of coke from New
River coal, whichis from one-fourth to one
half ton less than is used in most furnaces in
other localities of the country. The Goals
contain, generally, not more than two per
cent. of ash, and almost free from sui
phur and PHOSPHORUS, and where the coke
yields six per cent. of ash, that of Con-
nelsville, Pa, contains fifteen per cent.
The proximity to each other of the iron
ore and coal districts along the line of the
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, west of Staun-
ton, and the great variety and value of the
ores and Goals are attracting great deal OF
attention. The opinion has been expressed
by an eminent mining engineer, who has
recently made thorough examination OF
these mineral fields, that at least twenty
furnaces could be proftably operated in
the section embraced in this iron and coal
belts, besides furnishing the western iron
industries with the coke necessary for their
use.
Another important consideration in con-
nection with this mineral section is that
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad runs
right through the heart of them for more
than hundred miles, commencing at Buf-
falo Gap, and reachingto Greenbrier, through
the iron district, and at Quinnemont, reach
fng to Coalburg, through the coal district,
with the minerals on either side of the road
and contiguous to it.
Take it all in all, there is no such min
|
we have referred to, and while compare
| lively little is now known about it by the
| gen eral public, the indications are that the
time is not distant when the demonstra-
ton will be forced upon the country that it
is to become the future seat of the iron in
dustries Of America.
Last week, a representative of the Iron
Furnaces of the Hooking Valley, Ohio, was
here, looking after ores to supply their de-
mand, and acknowledged that it was to the
ores Of Virginia that they would have to
resort for the operations of their Furnaces.
This is something very remarkable, espec-
tally when it is remembered that few
years ago it was claimed that iron could be
made in the Hooking Valley cheaper than
at any other place in America.
The Canvass in Rockingham.
Last Monday was another field day for
the politicians in Harrisonburg, the day be-
ing appropriated by the local candidates,
and the night to discussion between W. G..
Gre CORY, Esq, for the McCulloch Bill, and
Capt. Paul in opposition. The various cam
didates for the Legislature, Messrs. Strayer,
Barbee, Woods, Moffett, O'Ferrall, Sibert,
Sipe, Gray and Harrison, were on hand, and
made themselves conspicuous either in pub
lie explanation of their views, or that more
efectual and affectionate mode, of personal
button holing. The discussion between DR..
Moffett and Col. O'Ferrall was interesting
| nj hat bov oord tha
friends Of each manifesting their concern
for their favorite by the most vociferous
ppla use and demonstrations OF approval. a
At night the scene of disorder was more
pronounced than during the day. Mr.. Greg
DRY having resented en- the stand disre-
spectful allusion to him in the crowd. pre-
vions to his taking his position to speak, the
gentleman to whom he referred attempted
an assault on the stand, but was defeated in
his purpose by the Intervention Of bystanders.
There was great deal Of commotion and
bad feeling created by these disturbances
and it was with difficulty the speaker could
proceed with his remarks. He, however,
conclu ded his speech, leaving fine impress
sion, as we have been informed, and was
followed by Capt. Paul. who aroused, as
usual, the enthusiasm of his friends.
II
We referred last week to the organization
of com pany, with Gov. Hartranft, of Pa,
as president, and the purchase Of the Rolling
Mills at Iynchburg, and the further inten-
ton of at once erecting Furnace at that
point. We had heard none of the particu-
lars, and gathered our information from a
very brief communication in the Baltimore
Sun. We have since learned that this COM
pany was organized and this movement
contaminated, at the suggestion OF Mr.. r.
N. Pool, President of the Pennsylvania and
Virainia Iron and Coal Company. That i'm
preston was in our mind at the time, but
we had no authority for it, other than the
general knowledge that Mr.. Pool is doing
more to attract enterprise and capital OF that
kind to Virginia than all the men in the
State. His busy brain and tireless energy
are constantly &C work to advertise the won
derful mineral wealth Of his native State,
and direct the attention OF active capital lists
to the rich fields for industry here awaiting
their contact. Other enterprises OF equal
magnitude and importance will soon come
to the surface, designed for the development
OF the marvellous resources of Virginia.
We have not thought it worth the trouble
to contradict the assertion of those who OPP
pose the McCulloch Bill, that its adoption
will injure the free schools. No fair minded
man will make the assel ton. The adoption
of the settlement will be the very thing the
schools want, and its defeat the very thing
they don't want. Not only will the schools
; receive their constitutional allowance, but
the interest on the entire debt will be pro-
vided for, and the State government sup
ported, by the adoption Of the settlement.
In short all the interests Of the State will be
subserved by its adoption, and all of them
equally injured by its rejection.