The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-08-09


seem to be as happy as innocence and
mirth can make them. They gambol oyel
the lawn, engage in all kinds of child
sports, and not unfrequently give evidence
of their lung power at inopportune times
both night and day. But that is priv
ilege of that class of humanity. and one
that no one has right to question as it is
sustained by precedent as old as humanity
itself. Their presence, too, may be taken as
evidence of the healthy financial condition
of the country for unless there was good sur
plus, the expense could not be incurred of
congregating them here. when the waters
are not essential to their growth and
health. They add, however, a pleasing
variety to the associations, and help to dis
pei the monotony that might otherwise
exist.
There have been rumors floating in the
air for several months past that there was
something wrong at Victoria Furnace,
and that the ores of the company were not
adequate to the demands of the establish
ment. Another statement of serious
character has been in circulation to the
effect that the Furnace was about to be
OF common conversation. so determined
to visit the Furnace to learn the truth
On reaching the imposing structure, /
met Mr.. Byrd. the chief Foundryman, |
believe his position is called. He is very
intelligent young man, would suppose 80
years of age, Il graduate of Harvard. and
at the same IL tried and experienced iron
man,-the sou of II distinguished Pitts
burger in the same business. He kindly
conducted through the various buildings
and apartments of the Furnace plant, eX-
planning the methods of heating and melt
ing, the output and the promise of the
future. He assured Inc that the Furnace
was fully meeting expectations. and that
within 80 days it would be working to its
full capacity-an average of $50 tons of
metal per day. AT present the output is
l05 tons per day. most of it No. mill and
foundry iron. TheFurnace has only been in
to ascertain the exact proportions of coke.
limestone, ore, &C., to turn out the best
and largest quantity of iron. The present
foundryman has been here but few
weeks, but in that brief time has demon
strated his splendid capacity for the re-
sponsible duties of his position.
learned from Mr.. Page, the intelligent
and energetic young Manager of the entire
establishment. that he had something over
800 men on his pay-rolls. including those
working in the mines and along the mar
row gauge railroad that communicates
between the Furnace and the mines.
Some idea may be formed from this of
the great Importance of this industry to
this locality-the employment it gives to
labor and the money scattered throughout
this section. Analyses of the various
openings of the mines, show an average
of 81 per cent of metallic iron. In some
of the cuts or seams the ores reach as
high as 574 per cent in irOn-not selected
specimens. but the general average of the
bed from which they are taken. A COM
parison of the analyses of the Victoria
mines with that of Longdale, show an adj
vantage for the Victoria in less of silica
and slightly more of metallic iron-al- |
though Prof. Campbell informs me that
the ores are substantially the same. The |
metal from Victoria, as compared with |
that from Longdale, shows fraction less /!
Of phosphorus. which evidences it's high |
quality, -Longdale stands A No. l all over
the country. At Victoria mines they are |
now working vein Of slate ore, and will |
soon have it ready for the Furnace. With |
this as a mixer the output will be i'm
proved. Without going into the minutia |
Of the facts, it may be safely and surely |
stated that the Victoria Furnace is II set 4
tied success-that the Furnace is working
fully as well as was expected when it was
and that the ores meet the |
of the management.
The rumOrS to which [ have referred |
seem to have originated in the fact of the
discharge of the former chief Foun-
lryman, and the employment of Mr..
Byrd. The wisdom of the change is at
tested in the working of the Furnace
md its results.
There are two graduates of Harvard
lmong the expert employees Of the Fur
lace. In this a suggestion may be found
or own people. Ii the youth of the South
would address themselves to the more use
Jul pursuits and apply themselves to the
studies necessary for success in them, in
tead of the learned professions, they
would find not only greater remuneration,
is a general rule, but would prove bene-
actors of their section. We prize soft
land and kid glove most too highly for
his practical age, and especially for the
Welfare of the new South whose up-build-
ng and future growth and prosperity must
lepend on skilled mechanism and scientific
more than on oratorical -four
shes and rounded periods.
The proprietors of Victoria are Eng
ish gentlemen, who have never seen the
property, but are expected to visit Vir-
,inia this month"; The whole manage
nent of the vast and important enterprise
las been entrusted to Mr.. Page, a young
Eirginian. who has attested his capacities
n the splendid work that / have been
writing about.
My object in visiting Victoria was pri-
narily to learn the truth about the in
urious rumors circulated, so that might
e able to give to the wide circle of read
rs of the VIRGINIAN something tangible
n relationlto them. That. they are with
mt foundation there is no doubt, and it
ffords me pleasure to know that / am
orrect in so stating. This Furnace enter
rise is of great Importance not only to
his section, but to the Valley portion of
he State, especially. Its success adds
alue to the iron properties of Augusta
nd the adjoining counties, while it's fail
re would have had proportionate effect in
he other direction.
The demand for the iron made at Vic
oria is greater than the supply. 1t finds
market in Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Gin
innati, Chicago and other manufacturing
entries and as the output increases will the
emand increase.