The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-05-29
Al New Enterprise.
STARTING THE SLATE MILAN INDUS
TRY THAT PROMISES TO PAN OUT WE'LL.

STARTING THE SLATE MILAN INDUS
TRY THAT PROMISES 10 PAN OUT WELL.
Seven years ago, in making the excaya-
ton for the bed Of the Valley Railroad,
deposit of slate OF excellent quality was
discovered just two miles north OF Stauntoh.
on the farm OF Captain John N. Opie. The
material was found to be firm, compact and
free from flaws and in almost vertical lay
ers. Since the completion of the ralroau,
and especially within the last year or TWO,
Mr.. Thomas Buckley has been making efforts
to develop the quarry, and succeeded IN get
ting out q iantity OF fine material. Th'se
developments were, in measure, only eX-
perimental bnt thu result was sufficiently
satisfactory to convince practical and expe-
rienced operators in slate that the deposit
was Il valuable one, and would well repay
working. Some time ago the well-knoWn
Baltimore slate dealers, Messrs. Wyatt, Owen
& Co., became interested in the quarry, and
in connection with Mr.. Buckley, steps were
at once taken to put the work under way.
Messrs. Owen & Buckley consummated
seven years lease of the property, with the
privilege OF longer extension, and at once
set about erecting the necessary buildings,
and making preparations for opening
mill. A large frame building was built, I'M
nlediately adjoining the railroad, on both
sides of which the quarry had been opened,
and the requisite machinery was soon in
place.
Last Tuesday the engine, 20-horse pow
err, was started and the work formally COM
menced. In charge of Superintendent Wood.
ward, Captain MeLain ran car down to the
quarry, in which was 4 small party Of Staun:
tonians. They arrived just as the first ex-
periments were being made, and were soon
interested in the operations OF the mill.
From the quarry, the blocks Of slate are first
taken to the large circular saw, where they
are shaped and sized with as much ease as il
they were of wood. Thence they are moved
to the planer, which speedily reduces them
to any desired thickness. A huge knife, sta
tionary and set like the blade of jack-plane,
plows through the material, leaving a sur
face even and comparatively smooth. The
next process to which the slabs are subject
ed, is the grinding down of the surface until
free from all irregularities and polished as
smooth as marble. This is accomplished by
a large iron circular plate, which revolves
rapidly and is constantly supplied with sand
and water. 1t takes but a short time to re-
duce the rough block, fresh from the quarry,
70 fI,oc bov oil nd nod oil ho
used in handsome tiling, hearth or furniture.
When any curved or fancy shapes are de-
sired, small but powerful Jig saw performs
the necessary cutting.
OF course, in starting with new machinery,
there was more or less friction, but under
the skillfui superintendent OF Mr.. Owen,
who is experienced and thoroughly under
stands the business, and who is ably assisted
by Mr.. Buckley, it will take but a short time
to reduce everything to a system, and sue
cessfully operate an important industry,
which we trust and believe will prove profit
able to the propretors and a benefit 20 the
section in which it is located,
The product OF this mill is for all kinds Of
furniture, mantels, hearths, wainscoating,
chairboarding, filings, and for any and all
other purposes where ornamental slate is
used. The quarry will furnish full supply
of fihe material for years to come, and
as the mill is situated so near the road
that goods can be loaded from the door
the success of the enterprise is in the
demand Of the market. The prospects Of
that demand become more and more en-
courasing every day. The superiority of
slate for ornamental purposes is rapidly OBJ
tanning fuller recognition by builders and
furniture manufacturers, and there is every
reason to believe that within the next two
or three years itscheapness, permanency and
beauty will cause it to be substituted for
wood in the inside finishing Of all handsome
public and private buildings. Already
Messls. Owen & Buckley have received large
orders for the product OF their mill, and if
there is anything like business revi val, of
which the signs are certainly very encour
aging now. they may expect to be completes
ly over-run with work. The excellent quail
best advertisement that could be gotten out.
1t will take but short time for it to attract
attention, as its superiority will at once be
recognized by practical, experienced men.
lis with no little pleasure that we an
nounce the Inauguration of this industry.
By it another evidence is afforded of the |
buried wealth which on every side surrounds |
US, and which but awaits the contact of
capital and energy to wake it into active |
value.