The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-15
farm. aud Garden.
conducted by DIR. THOMAS POLLARD, State
Commissioner of Agriculture
Gold Mining in Virginia.

ers in Virginia, and oil: ectly or lndlrec;l,
all the people in the State. have re
Gently received through the Governor OF
Virginia, letter and circular from Mr.
Alfred G.. Lock, F. R. s., (of London,
who is preparing very elaborate work Oh
qold mining, asking for information about
gold mines and mining in Virginia
Knowing that DR.. William B. Gray, OF
Richmond, was familiar with this subject
requested his assistance, and he kindly
furnished me with the following interest
ing article. While preparing other in
formation for Mr.. Locks book, 1 thought
it advisable to publish DR.. Gray's letter
for the benefit of our people before send
ing it abroad 1 may add here, that my
Investigations induce me to believe that
gold mining in Virginia would be more
profitable and would introduce capital
into the State if properly conducted
The great defect seems to have been the
want of deep mining, and more efica-
cious mode of separating the gold. The
most permanently profitable mining in
California has been at considerable
depths. Our deepest mines have not
reached $50 feet, while in california they
have been carried to 1000 to ], 400 feet.
The bane of our mines has been specula-
ton. Gold is found, specimens collected,
and sent or carried to the Northern cities,
companys formed, and just enough min
ing done to make an exhibit, and then
to sell out to another party People
here do not have to work for their liv-
ing" as they do in California, and prefer
to make money by specializing. There
seems to be no doubt but that much of
the gold, perhaps most fit, lies in "true
assures" or veins, and not in pockets as
some have asserted.
RICHMOND, Va, May Is, 1881.
DR.. Thomas Pollard, Commissioner of Agricttl-
tire, Richmond, "a:
Dear Sir.-In reply to your inquiries
in regard to gold mining in Virginia in
the interest of Alfred G. Lock, F. R. G.
S., respectfully submit
LIST. am not practical gold miner,
though acquainted with many facts per-
tinent thereto, having been raised within
two and half miles Of the oldest gold
mine in the State
End. Being more familiar with this
mine than any other | give fuller ac-
count thereof, compiling my statements
from written affidavits from owners and
lessees respectively, since the discovery
of the mine.
Sd. The name of the mine alluded to
is " The Iellupqatna Gold Nine"
4th. 1t comprises 344 acres of land by
late survey. About 800 acres are sit
uated in the county Of Fluvanna and "a
acres in the county of Goochland. 1t is
about five miles from the James river at
Columbia, on the R. & A. Railroad.
9th. This mine was discovered by
George Fisher, Sen., (now dead) about
the year 1882 was leased by him, his
sons, and Judge D. w. X. Bowles in
1884, and worked continuously and pro-
itably until 1948, when it was sold to
Com. R. F. Stockton
9Th. George Fisher, Jr, now the oldest
geologist (practicaD in Virginia, states
in writing (before me) that there are
three developed gold-bearing veins on
this property, viz: the big (sand-stone),
the little, and the middle veins. They
run northeast, and southwest, and dip
at an angle of 20 to 80 degrees east.
The average value Of the ores for these
fourteen years is put down at 500 per
ton, the minimum being about SIS, and
the maximum $500 per ton. The vein
matrix carrying gold is slate, quartz
oxide iron, (brown), tellurium, etc.,
sulphurets exist in abundance, but not to
any considerable extent in the three
veins spoken Of.
7th. The average estimate of Com.
'Stockton's work (for nine years. is put
at about $50 per ton by his underground
manager, He worked the sandstone
vein almost exclusively, while his prede
cessors operated the two others.
9th. The deepest shaft on the place is
IN feet, and there is only one Of these.
Of the remainder, 80 or 90 per cent will
not reach an average depth of As feet,
(water leveD.
9th. Improperly, until lately has been
IDLE; but is now leased (by its owners
The Columbia Gold Mining Company. :"
Hon; A. M Kelley President.5 to a
northern gentleman, for purposes of
further development, with partial work
ing OF It's ores. The last report we had
some thrae noouAl. =