Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-01-04
For the SPECTATOR.
Geological and Neurological ExplOra-
lions by Prof. VIM NJ. FOntaine Of
the University of Virginia.

EDITORS SPECTATOR -
Gentlemen Il have recently cores
ponded with Prot. Wm. M. Fontaine
of the University of Virginia, OF the
subject of the geological and mineralogi
cal explorations which he proposes tC
commence in April next, and to con.
tInue during the Summer, and 1 am
gratified to be able to state, that, in q
letter which [ received from him few
days ago, he announces his purpose to
commence operations near Waynes-
bOrO', and to extend them Southwest
wardly, along the mountain ranges and
spurs, which lie near to the projected
extension Of the Shenandoah Valley
r. r., to some point in Rockbridge not
far from the mouth of North River.
Several considerations have infiu'
enced Prof. F. in determining to com
mence his operations at this point, viz
1st. Its proximity to the University
being not more than "a miles distant.
End, The abundance, variety, and fine
quality of the ores, and other substances
of commercial value, which are known
to exist in the region which he propose;
to explore.
3rd, The urgency of the demand fol
an immediate scientific examination OF
this particular locality, as Pennsylvania
capitalists have already constructed a
railroad, which connects Philadelphia
with Waynesboro,' and propose, during
the coming Spring and Summer, to ex-
tend it as above stated, to some point in
Rock bridge, where it will connect with
the Richmond & Allegheny r. r. AS
the Shenandoah Valley r. r. was orig
inally projected, and is now being eX-
tended mainly with reference to the de-
velopment of the mine erals along its line,
it is obviously proper that the people of
Virginia shall manifest purpose 10 CO.
operate with the projectors and owners
OF this road, in advancing the laudable
object they have in view.
Crude observations and some practical
explorations have developed the fact
that there are large deposits of speular
and hematite iron ores, manganese UNI
Der, ochre, and kaOlin, on, or nesr the
far from the projected route of the +. R.,
but thus far there has been no scieltific
investigation of the extent and vaue of
these deposits. Should the results Of
Prof. Fontaine's researches correspond
and value of these mineral substances,
large investments of foreign capita will
be made, and Gordon of iron furnaces
erected at an early day beween
Waynesboro' and the mouth of North |
River; thus giving such an impulse to
our industry and material pros ,erity |
as has never been witnessed befop.
1t is known to most of your raders, |
4 h,t Lor of No Il ,fI
skill and capital, have at variousimes |
been prospecting" through this egion
with view to the purchase of mineral
and the erection of furnaces,
sc. Two causes have, here
tofore, restrained them from max ng in
vestments. One was, the want Cifacil-
tiles of transportation; and the other,
the absence of accurate and Though |
knowledge of the nature and e&ent of
the ore banks.
Valley R. r., and the p0bable
i'll the near future, IF the |
Valley r. r. from StauntOn to Salem,
will remove the first difficulty, nd the
Report of Prof. FOntaine will hviate
the last.
The explorations of Prof. Fntaine
existence of other minerals il these
mountains of which we are nor igno
rant. There is a tradition amng the
people in the neighborhood OfGreen-
vile, which l remember to hau heard |
lead had been found in the moutains a
few miles South of that village.
When it is remembered this Prof.
OF iy of hn n iSftr
guished and experienced of Living geolo-
gists and mineralogists, and is acredit-
ed, as such, by men like VIM ;. Rog-
ers and other leading scientist of the
United States, there can be no uestion
that his Report of the results o his in
vestigatiOn will be accepted asauthen-
tic and satisfactory by all whcnay de-
sire to purchase mineral proDely.
1 regard the fast, that Prof. Ontaine
is about to make this eXploratin, as one
fiuence on the future wealth ad pros
perity of our county. Indeed, shall be
disappointed if it connected With the
extension of Shenandoah ValIe R. r.
does not lead, IN a very few yeas, to the |
if not of millions, of dollars G foreign |
The coal and coke of WestVirginia |
& Allegheny Z. R. at low rights, as
entire way to tie iron mine. Cheap |
fuel will thus be provided, an as lime
stone is abundant, and neal at hand,
there is no locality at which iron can
be produced at less cost.
Il n, Ln ,Ion
the course of his eXploratins, Prof. |
Fontaine will be obliged to ass quite |
near several large deposits 1 saolin,
suited not merely for makingfre- brick |
to line furnaces, but also for he manu-
facture of table ware, and tzra Gotta |
piping for drainage and 0the,purposes. |
II is also known that at on Or more |
points Oh this route, pare White sand
has bean found, quite as vel adapted
for the manufacture of the bst quality |
of glass as that which is nov brought |
for that purpose from Missouri to !
Wheeling and Pittsbnrg. Why, then,
should not these valuable materials be
utilized in the county in VAiyA they
are found?
Scnae may regard these as dreams of
an enthusiast. Such is generally the
estimate placed ON suggestions which
pass out of the usul track of popular
thought. ! rememtsr When, in a pub
10 speech ia our Court. houie in lS4S,
! expressed the confident opinion that
trans-continental railwa1 from St.
Louis to San F.aaoiaco, ami probably
another from Memphis to San Juan,
would be constructed within 20 wears
from that day, I'll announcement was
greeted with Shouts of derisive laughter
and when, after the mernment had
subsidized, | adde( that men were then
in the sound of ny voice who would
live to see the tea and silks, and spices
of Japan and CHA pass across this cor
t.nent to EurE9an market, people
seemed 70 think fiat / had absolutely
taken leave of mi sense
Yet all these khings, which then
seemed to Go 80 strange sud incredible,
are now, and have for yegs been, famIi-
lar and accomplished tact.
The world moves. ThI is peculiarly
an age Of progress. 1t Hsour duty to
keep pace with the Split the age in
which we live. 4 new iiat is break
ing i. "a the south. We ee the rosy
tinge iii the east, which is he harbinger
of a brighter day thi an ay we have
ever witnessed. Let Jus, hen, be of
good cheer, and endeak,or secure the
advantages which a bcprifpl Provi-