The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-04-20
The Kaolin Deposits of Augusta.

The Kaolin Deposits of Augusta.
We INVITE special attention to the advertise
ment of MessIs. Harrison & Ransom, Com
missioners, fixing day for the public sale Of
that valuable property known as the Virginia
Porcelain and Earthenware Works This il
one of the finest properties in the State, and
could be made one of the most profitable. II
is situated on the line of the Shenandoah Val
ey Railroad on the South side of the Sbenan.
doah river, about twelve miles south of Staun.
ton, and between five and six miles from
Waynesboro.
The property is surrounded by vast beds OF
the finest Kaolin. These beds of this valuable
material were discovered many years ago, in
digging well on tract of land then belong
ing to the late Major George Eskridge. After
digging to the depth of tour or fiye feet, a
white clay was reached, which was SO differ
ent in its appearance and quality from any
thing that had ever been seen in this part of
the country, as to excite the curiosity OF all
who saw it, When dried, it was as white as
lime, and SO entirely free of everything like
grit, that when pulverized it felt like family
flour. Persons in the neighborhood used it as
substitute for lime in white washing A
specimen of it was sent to Prof. William B.
Rogers. the eminent geologist, who was then
one of the Professors of the University OF
Virginia, and he at once pronounced it to be
Kaolin of very fine quality.
No attempts were made to utilize the prop
erty, until about the second year of the late
war, when company of enterprlsing gentle
men bought 100 acres OF land on which the de-
post was situated, and established manufac-
tory of wares to supply the wants of the peo-
pie At this factory large quantities of Rock
ingham and yellow wares of the best quality
were manufactured and some of the cearser
kinds of white wares were produced, but as
the company had neither the skilled labor nor
the chemicals necessary for the production of
the finer varieties, no attempt was made to
manufacture pure white wares.
In consequence of the rapid decline in the
value of the currency and the interference of
the CONSUMPTION officers with the operatives
during the war, the works were suspended
After the war was over, an effort was made to
revive the manufacture, but most of the stock
holders were so crippled in their circumstances
that they could not contribute the necessary
amount of capital, and the attempt was aban-
doned.
In 1878, the property with all the improve
ments and machinery, was sold to company
of English gentlemen, but shortly after they
bought, disastrous fire occurred which de-
stroyed most of the buildings and some of the
machinery. This rendered it necessary to re-
build in more substantial style, and also to re-
place the injured machinery, at heavy cost
which was DONE
The losses by fire and bad management of
the property so embarrassed the purchasers
that they were unable to pay the deferred in
stalments of purchase money and the proper
ty was sold under a decree and bought in by
the original company, who now hold it,
The tract contains 100 acres of arabic land,
well situated, in salubrious, wealthy and in
telligent neighborhood. The improvements
consist of number OF dwelling houses, large
store house, extensive potteries, several kilns
for burning wares, &c.
The deposit OF Kaolin extends over FORTY
ACRES of land. 1t lies in lanaS7a0 or LAYERS,
varying somewhat in quality, and in thickness
from one to five feet These rest one upon
another, and the aggregate depth from the
surface of the white clay (Which begins four
or five feet from the surface of the ground) to
the bottom, which rests on grayelly bed, is
about FORTYTwo FEET, as has been ascer-
tanned by digging through the mass of white
clay to the gravel.
The quantity OF Kaolin is, therefore, unlimi-
ted, and the supply of pine wood to be used
in the kins, on the land and on adjoining
tracts, is inexhaustible
1t is much to be regretted that such source
of wealth, and one which could give profita-
bic employment to so many laborers. should
remain idle. We doubt if there is any invest
ment in Virginia which offers more attractions
to capitalists and skilled laborers.~ We should
be much gratified if some persons acquainted
with the manufacture of earthenware, terra
Gotta and fire brick, would take hold of this
PAOPShoJ ohN Va ~ iheO dCtlfC OpCidtlOu.
Experience has proved that the clay in its
crude state is adapted to the manufacture of
Rockingham and yellow ware of the best quail
iiy; frebrick, terra Gotta ware and drainage
pipe of excellent quality have been made of it.
and from experiments made with some OF the
clay, which was sent to the New Jersey Pot
teries, it was announced that and granite
ware of good quality can be produced from it.
The property was sold to the company OF
English gentlemen in 1873, for $4,000, $4,000
of which was paid in hand Since that sale
the old buildings have been substituted by new
ones of more substantial quality, and some
valuable additions have been made to the ma
chinery.
GRAND LODGE OF ODD FELLows-At the
meeting of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows,
in Richmond, last week, Grand Master, T. j.
Crowder, of Staunton, presided. His report
on the work during the past year was we'll
written and full of encouragement. We give
below the concluding paragraphs:
have, in the foregoing submitted an account Of
my official transactions. If have committed err
rOrS, elmer OF omission or commission, they have
been errors of judgment and not of intent; and
while cannot "lay the fattering JUNCTION to my
soul, that deserve the plaud1t "well done, good
and faithful servant" yet have endeavored to do
the best that could under the circumstances that
surrounded me.
1t will remain source of permanent regret
that have been unable by reason Of sad bereave-
ment and from prolonged and serious indisposition
In my family, to visit personally all of the Subordi
nate Lodges and testify, by words spoken, my sin
and lively interest and anxiety in the welfare
Of each and every one Of them. The unaffected
cordially that has greeted me in the visits have
fortunately been enabled to make, has greatly in
spired me with gratitude for the past and renewed
hope for the future of our Order. There seemed to
exist among the brethren of these Lodges unity
Of effort and harmony of action, which, If they rep
resent the spirit abroad in Order, foreshadow
future filled with important achievements; and
truly the theme Of the aims and objects Of noble
Order Is well worthy the tongue Of Tully. And yet
the objects which animate of sufficient merit
to inspire us to zeal and unfagging industry with
out the impulse Of oratorical effort the impetus
caught from the music Of honeyed phrase. ALI that
comes from heaven-born philanthropy; all that
comes from the desire of benefit to suffering fellow
creatures: all that SDringS humane desire