Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-30
GENERAL MATT MARTIN
After His Rights I'm Arkansas-A Very
Mine Of " ealtb.

ST. LOUIS, March 29.-The Republican an
nOunce- that General Matt Martin, Of Tulla-
| homa, Tenn, a veteran officer on the Con-
| federate side during the war, arrived yester-
day from Arkansas, and is stopping at the
| Planters. The general, whose career is well
known to many here, though this is his first
1 visit to st. Louis, Is a man OF large build,
frank and outspoken, and carries in his con-
| versatien the unmistakable lines Of an hon
est man, a man of push and nerve who wants
to see the country brought back 10 the stand
| ard of the fathers He said he had lust re-
turned from lizard county, Ark, where he is
| the owner of large tract of land, purchased
| by him some forty years ago, and on which
are rich mines of IN manganese ores. But from
neglect OF his agent at Memphis, who failed
| 10 keep him posted, the lands we're sold by
the sheriff of Ozark county under a tax sale,
and it is represented that the sheriff bid in
| the lands himself. 1t was further given out
| that General Martin, who was resident
IN THE MOUNTAINOUS DISTRICTS
| of Tennessee, was dead. This report coming
TO his ears, 81 went down." said the general
with twinkle of the eye, "to attend my own
funeral and administer on the estate" The
general has commenced suit for the recovery
of his lands, and he expects to recover under
the precedent OF two decisions of the courts Of
Arkansas, to the effect that the sale was
against the provisions of the constitution.
They failed to notify the owner, he having a
right to redeem within one year, and they
failed to pay nickel over to him in excess
of the tax claim. Instead of selling the en-
tire tract-in a manner confiscating it-ihey
should have sold only forty acres or a sufi-
cient strip to cover the tax claim of the
whole, there being several thousand acres.
The general has made full tender OF the
amount due for taxes to the proper officer
which was refused, and Is now going for them.
The discovery of the manganese deposits
was made by Smith, the state surveyor,
over forty years ago, and by Wood
ruff, after whom the county was named.
Samples of the ore were sent to Prof. Troost,
of Nashville, who was General Martins old
teacher, for analysis. Prof. Troost pronounced
the ore very rich, specimen of which
the general brings along with him in his
grip-sack. Prof. Troost found the specimen
very refractory. There were explosions in
its behavior under the blow-pipe, as if it
were charged with petroleum. One speci-
men brought here by the general appears to
be the red earthly oxide, having a greasy
surface, while another is the black oxide of
manganese, having a steel color. About
twenty-five years ago
DAVID DALE OWEN,
who made the geological survey of the dis
trict, speaks of the lizard county manganese,
and he stated that he believed that Arkansas
moulu take Tue Ieau OF all the western
States In her resources in ores OF zinc and
manganese. The manganese ores have chiefly
been found 10 European localities. 1t was
formerly used in making chlorine for bleach
ing purposes and in the manufacture of glass.
A few years ago Edison sent t. Arkansas for
manganese to use in some of his electric in
ventions, and of late years there has been
great demand for Manganese in the manu-
facture of Bsssemer steel. General Martin
says that hundreds of loads have been taken
away from his mines He is in possession of
an abundance of this worlds means, but is
determined to recover his rights through the
courts, though he does not expect to realize
any profits during his lifetime.