Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-16
OUR LOCAL AFFAIRS.
NATIONAL GRANITE COMPANY
Their New aaarry Ahou, Two Miles Below
Manchester.


Their New aaarry Ahou, Two Miles Below
Manchester.
Situated on the south side Of James
river about two miles below hsnches-
ter is a granite-quarry formerly owned
by the James-Riyer Granite Company.
That company opened the quarry to the
depth of thirty or forty feet, and
worked it on q small scale until about
thirteen years ago, when, thinking that
they would be bothered with water on
account Of the nearness Of the quarry
to the bed Of the river, and that the
quality Of the granite was not such as
would make its quarrying profitable,
they stopped operations. The quarry
then remained untouched until few
weeks ago. About last May a
representative of the National Gran
ite Company, Of Philadelphia, Wis
tied the quarry, and was much
pleased with the quality of the
granite, but owing to the general de-
preston in business at that time deem
cd purchase of the property inexpe-
dent. Later, however-about six
weeks ago-the purchase was effected,
and, after some little trouble about the
title things were made satisfactory
to all parties interested. The officers
of the company are F. N. Garrod, pre-
sident, and Edward E. Simpson, secre-
tary and treasurer. The quarry is SUI
perintended by Mr.. Thomas 0'Reilly,
who built the ten-story stone building
Of the Standard Oil Company, Of New
York k; the thirteen-story building of
the Mutual Insurance Company, of Bos-
ton, and many others OF like size,
which are noted for their fine architec-
tural designs and superior workman
ship. Nh. O'Reilly has had
lifetime experience in the gran
ite business, and understands it
thoroughly. Mr.. G. p. L. Burgwyn,
the very efficient engineer Of the James
River Improvement, is the consulting
engineer. Mr.. 0'Reilly now has about
thirty hands engaged developing the
quarry, and he is confident that in a
few years his labors there will be crown
ed with success. He has already gotten
some very fine specimens Of the granite,
which be has sent out for inspection.
The stone is Of fine quality, easily pol
ished, and B in such beds as to be
blasted with the greatest ease and in
large pieces. One piece has already
been gotten for a monument, which is
fifteen feet in length, thirteen inches
square at the top, and twenty-one at
the base. Such stones as this are very
rare, as well as very valuable. 1t is
thought that this quarry can be
worked for several acres in area
and to the depth ofseyeral hundred or one
thousand feet. The quarry now has two
large derricks, with capacity Of fifteen
tons or more each-one for elevating the
stone from the quarry, the other for
loading vessels. These are worked by
steam. 1t also has a syphon, worked
by steam, by which the water is car
ried up to the height of twenty-seven
feet, either to tank, in which it is de-
posted for boiler purposes, or to a
trough by which the waste water is
borne off. A temporary wharf has
been erected on the river, only about
fifty yards from the works, which will
soon be strengthened and extended fur
ther towards the channel of the river,
in order that large vessels may be loaded
with ease. The quarry has shipping
facilities which are excelled by none
and which are equalled by few. All
the modern improvements for quarry
ring purposes will be used, and en-
ployment will be given to several hum
dred and possibly a thousand persons.
Preference will be given Richmond
men in employing hands of all kinds.
This enterprise starts out under the
most favorable auspices, backed by the
largest capitalists Of Philadelphia, with
an abundance Of superior stone, and
managed by gentleman of experience
and ability. The company proposes to
have scows of their own for carrying
the stone to the different railroad de-
pots for shipment, and they expect
eventually to establish line of steam
ers for their own accommodation.
Stones of all kinds will be quarried,
and monuments will be made spe-
cialty.