The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-12-18
Staunton's Opportunity.

The active operations now going on, and
others contemplated, for the development
of the mineral interests of this portion OF
the Valley, should not he overlooked by the
citizens OF Staunton. 1t is true some Of the
ores now being mined are shipped to the
east to supply the demands of large fur
mace plants already in operation, and at
first glance this might seem to be robbing
Virginia of the resources upon which she
must, in the main, depend for her futur
prosperity. But it must be remembered that
ore mining is Of recent undertaking in this
section, and the best way to test the quail
ties of the minerals and advertise their val
ue. is to have them worked by established
industries whose testimony will at once fix
their character and rate their value. The
simple fact that the from men of the east
are looking to the Valley ores to feed their
Furnaces, is evidence that their quality is
not ordinary, and that as larger develop
ments are effected, the more assured will be
this source OF wealth. With the character
of the ores established, and the advantages
which would attend the manufacture CT iron
in close proximity to them, it is only a
question of time when iron industries of
various descriptions must be erected where
the manufacturing could be done at greatest
profit. With THEORIES and fuel and huxing
close together, and competitive Transports
ton routes ready to accommodate, a central
point, such as Stanton, cannot fail to at
tract attention, and invite enterprise and
capital. Our citizens should not be indif-
ferent to these considerations Efforts should
be made to bring to notice our location and
the relation we bear, not only to the miner
al deposits, but the iron establishments al
ready in operation, and transportation IA
clities. A few years. If we are to Judge
from indications now, will show marked
change in the Industrial condition of this
portion OF the State, and We should be ready
to participate in the progress and develop
ment.
A gentleman, Prof. Henry G. Blackwell,
Mining Engineer of the Pennsylvania Steel
Works. at Harrisburg. visited this portion of
the Valley last week, and in company with
Mai. Jed. Hotchkiss, Maj. Fl. NJ. Bell and
Can't. r. II. Catlett, visited the Done ID and
other ore banks, near Midway. in this coun-
ty. The iren beds which were brought to
his notice simply astonished him, as he saw
there veins or banks sixty feet thick, and
comprising part of the ore vein which
traverses the entire Valley. 10 him these
immense deposits of ores were before I'M
known, and like others he was surprised
that such sources of wealth had been so long
kept from a knowledge OF the business
world. The removal of the legislative re-
striction upon the Valley Railroad interests,
will doubtless result in resumption on this
improvement, which will come in direct
connection with these mineral properties
With this connection formed, we will then
not only have this connection, but
railroad association with the active iron
operations progressing along the line Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad west If us,
and those inaugurared east of us, holding
a central and convenient position TO all Of
them.
Let our people think of these things, and
not rest slusgishly idle while foreign enter
prise and capital are anxiouslY seeking to
utilize the wealth which is destined, if prop
erly handled, to lift Virginia out Of the DIFF
ficulties and embarrassments tina: surround