The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-02-26
Exaggerated Mineral Reports.

We always read the articles in our ex-
changes which have reference to the mineral
resources Of our State with much pleasure,
and we have certainly contributed much
through our columns that was calculated to
c, II the attention OF capitalists to our ores
and manufs curing and smelling advan
tages. But truth conpels us to say that we
fear evil effects from the rash and reckless
statements that so ,ften find their way into
print when these subjects are being discuss
ed. To assert, for instance. as we have
several times seen it done recently, that the
iron ores of the James River Valley are
equal in extent and quality to the Lake Su-
perior deposits is SIMPLY to misrepresent.
You might as well compare mole. hill to u
mountain, for the ratio is about the same.
So it is with the iron ores OF this immedtt tt
section. Every day we hear OF inerhausti-
bic deposits being found here and there Of
Veins fifty to .1iue hundred feet a0ide and ex-
tending for great dlsta nces; of ores free
from impurities, and averaging from g. to
70 and 80 per cent. metallic iron. Now all
this kind of talking and writing is not alone
nonsense-t is worse-lG is untruthful, and
we'll informed iron men and practical CAPT
talists treat it with contempt, or else make
such reckless statements proper subject
for ridicule. Why attempt to conceal the
ldCb Uudu tuduJ VI UIC C6ulCo 1eiNCl OICS OIL
high in titanium, and therefore not very
desirable; or that there are many faults AID
slides, and breaks in the veins, and that
from these cause, mining becomes more un-
certain and costly? Why should it not be
plainly stated at all times that we have no
one place In Southw, st Virginia where the
ores are as extensive in quantity as at Iron
Mountain in Missouri, or as rich in metallic
iron as the Lake ores? Why seek to conceal
the fact that very many OF our largest iron
ore deposits are at present practically worth
less b, cause of the ore containing too much
phosphorus? 1t does not follow, by any
means, that because beds or banks of ore
have been found at various places on Grip
pie Creek in this county, which contain not
even trace of sulphur or phosphorus, that
therefore all of the ores of this region are
equally as pure. What iron men, seeking
to invest, want to know is the PLAIN and an-
Gduterated truth. They do not desire to be
misled by statements born Of fancy alone
nor will they be deceived by such declara-
tions after they put the cod and remorseless
touch of the assayer at work to get at the
constituents of an ore, and the pick and
spade, the shaft and level of the miner to
work to determine the quantity. And rest
assured this will be done by all or any OF
them before making any extensive invest
ments.
We hnoao that the James River Valley
contains large quantity Of iron ores Of a
valuable grade and quality, and we are glad
to see that they are enlisting that attention
which they so richly deserve, and that is
enough without going into exaggeration
over every rock that may be picked up along
that classic stream. We knoao too that
that there are various localities in our i'm
mediate section where first rate ores can be
gotten in large quantites-such for instance
as some of the Giles county veins, the large
Cripple Creek and New River deposits, and
the yet more valuable and extensive mag
netites OF Ashe county, North Carolina, but
all this does not make Southwest Virginia
equal in such resources to Lake Superior,
nor does it render every acre OF sterile
mountain land in all this region an Eldorado.
We commend caution and knowledge,
therefore, to those of our friends when wri-
ting and talking upon these subjects. 1t is
inducement enough to men of money want
ing such properties where only the actual
and true state of facts are set forth, viz !.
That Virginia does possess aoathan her limits
as much, If not more iron ore, and OF as good
If not better .qu1lity, than can be found IN
ana one ofthe Eastern or Southern States.
This is no exaggeration in any sense, and
this fact alone will be, and is now, sufficient
to create an interest in developing our hid
den resources that will put new life in the
old land before many more years shall have
come and gone. With this let us be content
and not attempt to foster any such impress
sions as that we can surpass the Iron Noun
tain resources, or equal the Lakes In this re.
enent - W9thepi1ze E33terDrise III