The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-18
Gold, Silver, Iron, Copper, Zinc,
and Probably Tin.
Interview With n Venerable But
Hale Tennesseean.
Gen. Matt Martins Worldly Posse J.
slons, Along with Ills Views Of
Memphis and Momphians
Lacks Bustle.


in this section, for more than one simple
reason.
He is sevcnty.six years Of age, hale,
hearty and vigorous; has always lead an
energetic life mentally and physically; has
been quite an active politician, moro es-
pecially before the war; is the head Of an
interesting family, with the home at CO.
lumbia, Tenn, and is now making his
home at Batesyille, Ark, near which place
he owns eight or ten mountains composed
very largely OF valuable mineral deposits,
principal among which is manganese.
When an APPEAL representative called
at the Gayoso Hotel yesterday afternoon
the first object to which his attention was
attracted was the robust form and genial
face Of Gen. Martin. An acquaintance
was seated beside and in conversation with
him, consequently 1t was an easy matter
for the reporter TO be placed on speaking
terms with the distinguished visitor, At
the time Of the reporters appearance the
General was talking about manganese, and
he continued It for some time afterward.
81 am Just now developing and enjoy
ing property on White river, not far dis
tant from l,aiesville, Ark, purchased iorty
odd years ago. When | was in college at
that time Prof. Girard Cruise was my
teacher Of chemistry and minorlogy. II
was his opinion then, and he positively
and plnistcntly proclaimed il, that man
glnose was far more valuable than gold
and silver. His reasons for that belief
were that Il entered into the manufacture
Of iroh, steel, copper, ETC., all essential 10
the industrial development OF the country,
while the principal use to which gold went
was for currency. Prof Cruise, who had
made exhaustive research into the loca.
ton and quantity Of this mineral, knew on
the deposits in Arkansas and considered
them the most extensive IN this country.
He was also aware that the development
OF the country's industries aud the vital
aud growing importance OF manganese
rendered them valuable almost beyond
calculation. | was, therefore, as one OF
his iavorie pupils and friends urged Ia
invest every cent of money could rake
and scrape together In them. Acting upon
his advice, became their purchaser and
still own them.
and the country j. Just now coming 20 his
prediction Mr.. Bcsscmcr, you know,
discovered that proper application OF
manganese 10 iron ore produced steel
almost rs chcaply rs iron ITSELF And look
az the various aud heavy uses 10 which
steel il put. The country Is banded by II
from one end 20 the other. aud In all dircc.
tons. These bands are constantly wear
ing out, needing repairs, the manufacture
Of steel must 20 forward at an increasing
rate, and manganese must be an essential
factor. Where must this mineral como
from? Right here in America, and very
largely from the comparatively undevol.
opcd State oi Arkansas. The deposits in
Europe are virtually exhausted, leaving rs
10 supply even that country. have
already made large shipments over there,
notwithstanding the fact that my noun
tains are barely touched.
"Thcrc Is also another use 10 which
manganese can bc put, one YOU have not
and doubtless few others, have thought Oi.
II Is n great disiniectant OF atmosphere aud
has the requisite qualities for staying
disease. II was tried In London during
the raging Of cholera there many years
ago, aud demonstrated is efficacy a. a
ulNifAHf NNNAIWNNEa AAfIN WIS NANA hAANNaAA
available % use all over the city, but was
applied TO one street, more ns an oxperi.
mcnt than known safeguard against the
spread Of the epidemic What was the
RESULT On that one street there was
absolute safety from its rayagcs. while
elsewhere victims werc claimed by the
hundreds and thousands. Had u been
used here and In other cities where yellow
fever prevailed in years gone by II would
have been equally cllicacious.
81 tell you,' continued the General,
warming up a. he approached the close Of
his dissertation on mineralogy, the
lcadcn wealth IN Arkansas is bOundcss
Why, sir, ! can take you 10 that State and
Tor a radius Of fifteen miles, wherever ]
place my foot, can show you gold; can
show you silver can show YOU iron, cop
per, zinc, manganese and, | believe, Tin,
though on the latter AN not well posted.
And III that wealth Is not 1875 miles from
Memphis, accessible by rail aud river.
Speaking of Memphis, you are all asleep
here. You don't begin 10 realize the pos
sibili,ics within easy grasp. Natures in
cxhaustiblc storchOuse OF virgin wealth nj
your very door, aud almost forcing liz way
In. Where aro your furnaces, rolling
mills, stcclworks, factories OF all kinds aud
various manufactured Why. you ought
20 bo the center Of the industrial world.
Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee,
Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Indiana, Ia
| this day Of rapid transit by railroads and
STEAMBOATS,, are contiguous. Instead ofrising
up and taking hold Of them, you are sitting
still, waiting Tor the development 10 turn
up. Aud what IL the fact7 Tho little
towns and cities all around you are impa.
/ tient at the delay, and saying well, this
belongs To Memphis, but she hasn't taken
/ II, and We can't wait The railroads, built
here as the place intended by nature for
/ the rank OF industrial metropolis for this
quarter Of the globe, are hedging on their
/ hopes in other directions. There's some.
/ thing wooiuly lacking here, and Il Is the
duty Of you newspaper men 10 learn what
/ IL Is: point II out clearly and persistcntly
until Il Is corrected"
All this time Gen. Martin was allowed
90 proceed without interruption, but hero
lac stopped, evidently because he had no
more 20 say about minerals, further than
10 extend an invitation 10 visit him at bis
hospitable Arkansas home 10 make a per-
sonal inspection. An entire change Of
subject was brought about by the first
repOrtoTial question, viz;
"You have also been somewhat Of q