Connecticut western news., 1882-10-11
Canaan Valley Letter.

EDITOR OF NEws:-Beginning in the southwest corner of New Marlboro, there lies tract of land extending southerly into the town of North Canaan to the Blackberry river on the south, the Whiting river on the east and the Konkapot river on the west. It is more in the shape of an irregular triangle than any other shape. It is about 11
 miles wide on the north, and this large body of land is all of drift formation diversified by hill and dale and is gener- ally uneven on its surface. It is with the exception of the large tract of wood land known as Squabble Hole, divided into farms and owned by many proprie- tors. Several deposits of clay are found on it, some of which are valuable. The white clay of Clayton is probably not excelled by any of the kind. This mine is on the northwest side of the drift and is under the management of MT. Robert l.. Taft. No quarries are found on this tract of drift. But on the west side are good marble and limestone quarries, on the east side are granite quarries and iron ore in several places. On the north side is a range of hills lying in New Marlboro. These hills show signs of vol
 canic action, and at the base of the one known as Benton mountain, there is a cave of some extent, caused by the destruction of the mountain top above. It must have been caused by an earth quake, or some convultion at the time of the drift. There are many things in connection with the country I have described, that will pay the visitor to come and see, especially if he is 8 geo. logical scholar. In the centre of these hills is one owned by Lucien B. Cleave- land, where parties have opened mine and are now at work, and have quarried out considerable ore. It is found to contain in paying quantities, Gold, Sil- yer and Copper, also Sulphur in large quantities. The parties are about form ing company for scientifically working the mine. This hill is different in it's composition from hills on either side of it. Volcanic action is seen here very plainly, in mining for ore. Many other minerals have been found in these hills. Now why have we not a country close by us that will pay for scientific re- search? we find there are mines from Georgia to Nova Scotia, and Connecticut and Massachusetts have their share also. Almost all of the minerals known have been found in this range. The writer has seen ore from more than hundred of these mines that are paying for work ing. The acreage of mineral bearing land does not stop in New Marlboro :; nor are the metals all of kind. Con nected with the mines of different metals we find other substances that are used for various useful purposes, Oil, Ochre, Acid and many other things. Here is 8 field for enterprise and capital. The search made for metals here, has mostly been confined to iron. But when Gold and Silver are found in Nova Scotia in quantities that pay to work, why should we not expect to find as good mines in Connecticut and Massachusetts? I have a description that is authentic, for it is published and distributed by our gov ernment, of all the mines that have been worked since our occupation of Califor- nia, and when I come to compare the mineral tract of New Marlboro with other mines that are mentioned, it cor responds with the Comstock lode or range, as to location and deposit of ore
 Who knows what is in our hills The geology of our country is a great and wonderful study. It would seem sas though Providence had at some time stirred up the elements of war, so as to lay up storehouses under the soil, for our use and comfort, so the old adage comes into play, ''Search and ye shall fnd.' Respectfully yours, W. s.