The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-05-20
South River Items.
EReported for the v1RGINIAN.

On Tuesday, of last week, took ride
over portion of our district, which |
have mentioned recently as Astounding in
rich deposits Of manganese. The lands
visited and closely inspected were those OF
George A. and P. 0. Coyner. I fully ex-
pected, before making the visit, to find a
great showing of this precious ore, but 1
am free to say that what l saw not only
measured up to my highest expectations,
but SO far beyond them that can only say
that was astounded. hand you sam
pie OF the ore which | am told bears 80
per cent of manganese. And now to give
you all idea of the extent of the deposit |
will describe briefly the location and ex-
tent, &C., of this tract. Along the east
side of Back creek, and between the edge
of the creek and South mountain is sue
cession of hills that sometimes rise to the
dignity of mountains. At point nearly
opposite the S. V. Station, Lyndhurst, is
to be found the first indication of the de-
posit, for just on the bank of the creek
named, the ochre which is exposed to
considerable extent is mixed with the ore.
Taking northeasterly direction and
crossing the first of the hills, Jumps of man.
ganese can be found along the whole route
for II mile. But it is just after passing
nearly half way down the east side of this
hin that the indications become so strong
that it is impossible to put the foot down
OF Of tha-
size of your fist to that Of a barrel, which
are made up of more than of the kind of
mineral ! have handed you with this.
From that point to the foot and for from
200 to $50 yards in width the whole surface
is covered with the above described stones
and boulders, and l am confident that on
that part over which 1 walked not less
than several thousand tons of pure man.
ganese would be picked up off the surface.
A small creek divides the first hill from
thenext one which rises abruptly from
the very edge of the creek making it but
step from the foot of one hill to that of the
other. The bed of this little brook
abounds in samples of high grade ore and
the second hill that 1 have said of the
other. Thus for distance of not less than
2 miles there is every good indication that
one could wish that the deposit is mex
haustible. After the qualitative analysis
OF the samples have given you, it is the
intention of the owners to have quanti- |
tative examination made.
| shall visit Kennedy next week and |
from what have seen and heard I feel |
justified in reasserting that within years,
at farthest, South river district will be |
the great steel manufacturing centre of |
America.
Joshua Robinson, Esq, who sold for
large sum the mineral right on tract ad-
joining that of the Messrs. Coyner, and
received goodly sum in hand, with his
good wife visited Staunton a little more
than week ago. Having spent the day
in shopping they started on the return
trip, but during their stay in Staunton a
very heavy rain fell which caused Chris
tian creek to overflow it's banks. On |
reaching the fording just above where the
road crosses, they drove in
not thinking it past fording. Before get
ling half way across, their wagon-a 2
horse one-Was capsized and both Mr.. r.
and his wife thrown into the boiling
muddy stream. Mrs. R. caught
her husband by the arm, but lie, with great |
presence of mind, babe her release his arm
and catch by his coat tail. She Gid so, and
although the good lady tips the scales at
over 200 lbs, her gallant |
spouse managed-after battling with the
strength of a giant against the swift cur
rent-to effect landing on the opposite
shore, after having washed more than 200
yards down stream, and some. Substance be-
low the bridge, the abutments of which
they barely missed in their hasty trip.
There is no doubt but that they would
both have drowned but for Mr.. RS pres.
ence of mind first in causing his wife to
release his arm, and second, in grasping
The friendly branch of a tree that hung
just in reach as they were being swiftly |
carried to destruction. The team and
wagon washed several hundred yards /
further down landing near Brands mill, |
No hurt was sustained by the horses, but |
4 part Of the wagon, together with the
greater portion of their days purchases,
went on toward the Potomac and have rot
since been heard from. Mr.. r. will lie |
greatly obliged for any information lead
ing to the recovery of two suits Of mems |
and the missing part of his
wagon. Doubtless, ere this time, some
one has 6shed out some IS the missing
Since writing the above we learn that /
Mr.. j. E. Hamilton found one of the
suits and had it delivered to its owner.