The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1881-01-20
Mcdowell County Cold.

Geo. B. Hanna. of the Z. ;. Mint.
At Charlotte. ha. been travelling 10
Western North Carolina. to collect in
formation for the Census Bureau. he
writes to the Lamp-p0St as follows
Eight miles south Of Marion. OF
the Rc;b-rfard road. the ditch OF The
VEN Mountain Company is met. Al
air line from its source to It's eni. ano
Is nor much more thar three miles nut
o. broken ind difficult i the srnun"
that The ditch itself 10 nearly nine miles
tong several tunnels, one OF near!
$50 feet ia length. and a tex trestie-
pear witness to the difficulty OF the
WORK, and to the skill shown IN avoid
Tag natural obstacles.
VI Alfred Weaver, who kindly
guided me along the line. and 70 sev
era deposits Of gravel, Informed me
that the ditch will be 90 constructed as
TO allow Of operations On both sides OF
Vein Mountain. Tue pany. with :
I wise foresight, have tapped the veln at
such an elevation a. - throw az
abundance Of water OF to the proper
y at such points, and with such lead
tina probably no important deposits
VIII be beyond reach
| could not learn that any full and
exact survey has been made OF the pro-
perty as a whole, with reference to It's
auriferous deposits, but an enumera-
ton Of the ravines and other places car
rying rich gravel, leaves little doubt
that the entire available area must be
enough to last a hundred years. An
ample head Of water, an abundant sup
ply, extensive sluiclng ground and
plenty Of fall for removing tailings, are a
combination Of advantages promising
the best results. Thanks to the energy
and skill Of Mr.. Weaver and of Mr..
GaJen, the former superintendent, the
work is proceeding with gre II rapidity.
Ii was reported to me that three
companies had recently commenced
work at Mumford's Cove.
The Granville Company, two or three
miles to the south-ess., awe also q large
area similar to that of the Vein Noun
tain, and should give enough work 30
last for generations. The water supply
is fair, and at the present time is work
ed with q head Of sixty feet. This
supply could be increased at a moderate
outlay, to be fully sufficient Cor its nee
e~sslties. The present superintendent,
Mr.. Stephens has been there hardly
more than a week, but has, during that
short time, rearranged the work with
great dispatch, and commenced to pipe
on Wednesday, the 18th. This com.
pany appears 10 me TO have promising
future.
The next place visited was Brindle
go, a., 81 - -. oA,,h aact py
the efficient pilotage Of j. c. Mills.
Esq. | was shown his numerous and
rich deposits. Mr.. NJ. recently enlarg
ed his bitches, bringing water from the
First Broad River 10 greater abundance
and with greater head. He cOnten-
plates an enlargement of bis opera
tions.
This property / regard as among the
richest deposits | have yet sem; but
an adequate supply OF water is not read
lily secured. The ~ravines leading dop n
iron the Pilot are Of the richest char
acter, but from its steepness and iso-
lation not more than one third of these
f%avines can be washed. | have rs
doubt that this property will afford a
course OF successful work as any In this
section.
From all the evidences presented 20
NE it seems highly probable that the
mountains 10 the sOuth-east OF BrIn
dietUwG. and notably the White Noun
tain. Will hereafter disclose extensive
area for tine gravel.
Other places are also known. which
will undoubtedly be of Importance in
the future, and perhaps the immediate
when the question of water sup
ply can be properly arranged.
Along more than one-haIf my route !
saw small parties ct work on a small
scale, where the water was abundant,
with fair results.
The cheapness, ease, and simplicity
with which, hydraulic are conducted,
when the supply of water j. once Sc
cured, make such properties desirable
i~nventment.
The conditions Of this industry are
just now of the most favorable charac
ter, and seem to me to promise rich
for generations to come. It may
with truth be said that gold mining in
thi. section is only ia its infancy, and
with a fair PROJECT for vigorous maL-
hood, and let US hope for a far distant
age. Your obedient servant.
e.. B. H..
Marion, Dec. 18th, 1880.