The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-07-12
NEW BIRMINGHAM,
N orthern Capitalists to Build Big Man
ufactory in East Texas.

Northern Capitalists to Build Big Man
ufactory in East Texas.
ST. LOUIS, July 6.-The Age of Steel to-
day gives a lengthy account of an extern
sive iron enterprise in Texas, which has
Just come to the surface, by the organiza-
ton OF large company, equipped with
abundance of capital, and with an ore
field sufficient to warrant large industry
in the Lone Star state. The COM
pany is known as the Cherokee
Land and Iron company, with capital of
$1,O00,O00. The president and treasurer
of the company is H. FL. Wibert, of New
York City; vice-president and general
manager, Mr.. r, l.. Coleman, of st. Louis;
secretary, Henry Kent, also of st. Louis.
The property was brought to the attention
of these gentlemen as Investors by A. X.
Blevins, of Texas, who purchased in
Cherokee county, Tex, 10000 acres of
ore and timber lands and transferred them
to this company, the financial transaction
having only been completed this week.
The property was examined by John
Birkinbine, of Philadelphia, month ago,
and according to his estimate they have a
blanket deposit of brown hematite, aver
aging so per cent of metallic iron, which
can be mined for $115 per ton delivered
at the furnace. At least $1,000 acres of
the company's land is unAerlaid with this
vein of ore, which will produce 5000 tons
per acre. A furnace has been operated
on the same field by the state
for three years PAST, and with very
successful results. The quality of iron is
charcoal pig, we'll adapted for car wheel
purposes as we'll as the manufacture of
gas pipe, and in fact any general foundry
work. 1t has not been used extensively
for mill iron, but it has been demonstrated
that it can be worked in that direction
At the state furnace in Rusk gas pipe is
made direct from the furnace without re-
melting and the pipe thus produced has
stood high test and is being sold in
competition with northern pipe.
1t is the purpose of this company to
erect furnace at once, the contract
having alresdySbeen let for it. They in
tend to invite other parties to locate
furnaces on their field and furnish them
ore in the field without cost. They have
also selected a town site and have en-
ployed landscape engineer to lay out
town, to be known as New Birmingham
L
about three miles from the present town
of Rusk, and in the center
of the ore field. Other industries
including roller mills, foundry and cal
works are negotiating for sites. 1t is ex
pected that many enterprises will come
into their locality very shortly.
Up to this date Texas has had no IN
dustries of this kind except those undel
control of the state, and her citizens are
anxious to extend helping hand to out
side capital, which is proposing to de-
velope their natural resources. Tit
location is on the line of the st. Louis
Arkansas and Texas railroad, and is fit.
miles from the nearest point of com
petition. The railroad companies hav
already guaranteed them rates which vii
give them access to the markets on tn
Mississippi and Missouri rivers, as ia
north as Omaha, while to places furthe
west there will be better facilities.