The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-03-22

Lying between Waynesboro and the
North Branch of the James River, in Rock
bridge county, and contiguous to and run
ming parallel with the Shenandoah Valley
abundant iron districts in the country. 1t
embraces among its properties. Cotopaxi,
Vesuvius, Bare Bank, Black Rock, kenne-
dy, TORY, Alexander's and Davidia. In
olden times there were charcoal furnaces
on three of these properties Vesuvius, Co
topaxi and Kennedy, and now there is one
at Torrey, but not in operation. The
leading veins of the hematite ores assay
from 81 to 81 per cent. of metallic iron,
with but a small amount OF phosphorus.
Onso of these are manganese and man
ganiferous ores, in close proximity TO the
hematites, and IN others, the specular ores.
In addition to the ores, prolific beds OF kao-
lin, suited for fire brick and white ware.
are found. These properties are all crossed
by various never falling mountain streams,
that flow into South River, which runs
mainly on the eastern verge OF the Shen-
andoah Valley railroad. Very little Is
known of this district outside of the neigh
borhood, and its capacities have never been
tested. In the long ago. parties with small
capital, ventured In the manufacture OF
iron on several of these properties. but
there being no facilities to market the pro-
ducts the plants were abandoned. The in
Gications PROVE that mining VAS done in
the crudest mannerand Co very limited
extent, and without any scientific knowl-
edge of the location Of the veins or their
probable extent.
More recently. however, there have been
professional examinations of this distIic..
Prof. J. l.. Campbell, OF Washington and
Lee University. has investigated and re-
ported on one or TWO OF the properties. and
Prof. w. NJ. Fontaiie, OF the University OF
Virginia, devoted several months. in two
separate expeditions, extending the entire
length of the district. His report is now in
progress of publication, in detached por-
tions. in Hotchkiss Vrginias. In addition
| to this, there have been experts from the
North on some OF the properties who ex
pressed their surprise at the wonderful
mineral resources OF the section. A mining
expert from Pennsylvania, not long since
remained on that portion. Of these proper.
ties lying in Augusta county, more par
ticularly, for several weeks, devoting his
time to study OF the formations, with oc
casional practical tests. He stated to the
writer of this that the people OF that re
eral wealth that exists there, and that il il
were in Pennsylvania. Its value could hardly
| be estimated.
The "a per cent. ores contain. the larges
amount of phosphorus, and would be par
ticularly adapted to the use OF the basi,
process for the manufacture OF steel. The
81 per cent ores are In close association will
the manganese, specular and manganiferou
ores, and according to Hotchkiss, In brie
descriptive report Of one of the properties
constitute the neutral ores. These prop
Ell ties are In q comparative sense unknown
Indeed, not until the Shenandoah VALLEY
Railroad was constructed. was value PLACED
on them. II. however, reliable mineralo
gists are correct in their estimates, there il
not richer iron district in the entir'
South. Their value, too, is greatly en-
HANGED, by reason Of the construction Of 1
railroad 10 the Flat Top coal region, VIII cl
brings them in easy communication will
the necessary fuel for furnace purposes
With all the ingredients for the manufac
ture of iron, supplemented by cteap la
Dor and railroad facilities, capital ant
skilled enterprise must sooner or later b.
drawn to this affluent mineral region.
Some of these properties will beior,
long be partially developed, and befor'
the summer ends an opportunity will b.
afforded to see a verification Of the state
ments we have made. We exaggerat
nothing when we say that the South Rive
Iron District will be found to be one of th
richest in the country. and will ere long al
tract attention as favorable locallt,
for the manufacture of iron at payin
profit.