Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-07-29
Elizabeth and Qulnnemont Furnaces.

Elizabeth and Qulnnemont Furnaces.
Mr.. P. B. Delany, of the Old Commonwealth,
made visit to Elizabeth Furnace in
this county, which together with Quinnemont
Furnace in West Virginia is now In possession
of the Pennsylvania and Virginia Iron and
Coal Company, of which Mr.. r. N. Pool is Pres
ident. OF the Elizabeth property he says
1.-THE scene about the old furnace. and the ore
banks above, is one to induce philosoph1zlng
on the power Of capital in energetic hands
The air is filled with the echoes of industrial
sounds, and ore is being shipped at the rate OF
80 tons per day to Quinnemont furnace. l4o
miles distant. in Fayette county, west VIZ
ginia, where the same company Is making tn
tons of iron daily out of this ~ tons OF ore
The ore averages a fraction over tnls yleio'
taken as 1t comes from the BANK unWasneo.-
Tunnels are being driven In on dlnerent levels
preparatory to extensive shipments OF ores 10
other furnaces, and branch railroads from the
Chesapeake & Ohio main lines to the ore banks
are being constructed with all possible rapioi-
ty, SO that the present haul by trans Of over
half mile may be obviated and consequent
expense of Csc. per ton for the same be saved
Nobody who has not seen 1t can appreciate the
overpowering feeling of enthusiasm which
first beholding the practically limitless supply
of ore which confronts him on almost every
side. or at least in every tunnel, and gangway
and opening, or for that matter, over the broad
surface of the brow of the mountain. A solid
breast Of fifty feet OF rich, brown ore, without
streak of clay as thick as knife blade, and the
best authority that you are standing on at least
100 feet more, is something to impress anybody.
Az vuIt cJ, ordI v m
date the dimensions of the new school house
In Harrisonburg, shows where the Forrers
drew their entire supply. for thirty years, for
their furnace of 10 tons Of iron per day capaci-
ty. During the war they ran her over this, for
those were high pressure times, and war needed
iron. When we say that this vein Of unknown
thickness is strung out for three miles on this
tract OF 900 acres, some idea may be formed of
the fdtility of calculation regarding the guam
tity of this deposit, or how many years it would
take all the furnaces in Pennsylvania to work
it out. THE IRON NIAGARA is about the only
term, to our mind, commensurate with its
magnitude. We can well appreciate the high
tribute of eloquent offence which Mr.. Firm
stone, the father OF iron, fruaq Pennsylvania.
paid this enormous mineral drift, as his eye
rested on a paternal-looking boulder weighing
perhaps 1000 tons. He took or his hat and
made q profound bow, as If over-powered by
the distinguished honor Its acquaintance.
The company propose. at an early day, to erect
large furnace on this property, and plans for
an extensive plant are now being prepared. A
convenient plateau of good land will be cleared
for the erection of dwellings for the workmen.
The present store. well stocked with goods, is
being enlarged to accommodate heavy trade
which has sprung up, not only with the en-
ployees, but with the people of the surround
ing country. Large invoices of general mer-
chandise have been laid in, both at Elizabeth
and Quinnemont. From these stores workmen
are supplied with all necessary provisions,
&C, at the same price as sold to OUT
side parties, and considerably less than the
same goods are obtainable at the ordinary
country stores. There are now 225 men en-
p1oyed at Elizabeth. When both properties
get under full operation the company will en-
ploy about 500 men.
The people of the upper part Of Augusta
county are naturally very enthusiastic over the
cheering prospect OF the influx Of population
and capital. The company within one week
after taking possession Of their properties, July
10th, expended upwards of $1,000 in cash, and
made numerous local purchases Of Importance,
including 100 barrels of flour for the use of their
hands,"
Ofthe company's possessions at Quinnemont
and the work being done there, he says:
"At Quinnemont. which we have not yet
seen, we are informed by President Pool, the
company own over 5000 acres CT the best New
River coal lands. Eighty coke ovens ere now
in operation at that point. and 20 additional
ovens are under construction. tits the purpose
of the company to build 90 new ovens for the
manufacture of coke to meet the demand of
other furnaces along the line of the Chesapeake
Ohio road and in the Ohio Valley. 1t is gen.
orally conceded by the best authority in the
manufacture of iron, that this combination of
coal and iron ore furnishes the most compre-
hensive plan for carrying on an extensive bu-
s1nsss in this branch Of industry that has yet
been attempted in this country, and when fully
carried out will make this company masters of
the situation, as no where else are equal advan-
tages to be found. and no matter what the mar
ket may be the new company Gag afford to
make iron when all others must go out of Elast.
| 1t is simply question Of abundant ores and
| coal and limestone in convenient juxtaposi-
| ton. The Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Com
pany. whose line connects these Incorporates,
seem to fully appreciate the importance end
the magnitude of this grand scheme. Messrs.
Huntington and Wickham have come forward
| and assured Mr. Pool that every facility shall
be given him for the contamination Of the
WORK in hand. These gentlemen, alive to the
interests Of their road and section, do not hesi-
tate to express their deep qualification atrwhat
has already been accomplished and have spok-
en- in terms of no uncertainty concerning the
liberal policy which they intend to pursue to-
wards this great enterprise. They recognize 1t
as an important pioneer movement of legiti-
| mate design, and one from which their road
will reap inestimable benefits"