The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-13
WEST TENNESSEE'S CLAYS.
IMMENSE VALUE OF THE ABUNDANT
DEPOSITS.
What Has Been Done by Way OF Devel-
opment-Localities Where the Ciays
Are Found-Fine Pottery and Other
Wares TO BIO Made,

Special Dispatch to The Appeal.
BOLIVAR, Tenn, June l2.--The variety
and extent OF our natural resources in
West Tennessee are remarkable. And
not less remarkable is the fact that after
more than half century OF occupation by
civilized men these resources are only Just
beginning TO DO developed. With q eli
mate unsurpassed; with q soil that yields
abundant crops under the most careless
and unskillful cultivation; with native
and indigenous fruits and grasses that
supply man and beast for three-fourths
OF the year, We have besides these other
aud greater elements Of wealth lying
around and beneath us.
DIR. Laurence Johnson, OF tho United
States Geological Survey, reports deposits
OF the finest iron ore in the eastern part
OF llardeman County, ON Wade's and
Piney Creek, which, with proper railroad
facilities, might be proiitably developed.
llo also reports ineXhaustblo beds OF
green sand in McNpiry and Chester
Counties OF inestimable value as q ferlil.
izer, and according TO his opinion will DO
utilized eventually in fertilzing all the old
DaIIcH HlllS III llla beClOu.
But the most remarkable deposits in
this vicinity arc the clays, OF which many
varieties are found. AT Grand junction,
for instance, they have discovered few
feet beneath the surface OF the earth i'm.
mense beds OF pure white clay, free from
organic matter, indestructble, impervious
TO heat or cold, and so plastic rs 10 be.ees-
lily nodded into any desired shape, and
Nuln ,.N fne I.t, I..l Il
for thing and drainage purposes, and for
making fire brick. A company has been
formed, known as tho "Orand Junction
Fire Brick aud Sewer Pipe Company"
who are erecting extensive works for the
manufacture OF fire brick, clay shingles
aud all kinds OF sewer pipc and potter's
wares. They have an immense engine to
supply the motive power aud claim they
can manufacture fire brick OF better quail
ity and for one.haf the cost which IL now
paid, and that no such material Is 10 be
found elsewhere in this country. The
company has been offered in cash three
times rs much ms the entire plant cost
them few months since, but they decline
TO sell, prclerring 10 develop their prop.
erty, In which they consider they have
bonanza.
Upon investigation Il Is found this clay
belt extends from Holly Springs, Miss,
TO Jackson, Tenn, for few miles on either
side OF the Illinois Central Railroad, and
the day will come when extensive plants
will be built for the manufacture OF sewer
and drainage pipes and fire brick and
quecnswarc out OF these clays.
At shandy, three miles north Of this
place, borings for seventy feet failed to get
through the bed Of white clay, and near
by ON llalchio Riycrthorc Is little noun.
tain OF this clay called by the noighbors
the "Chalk Bluffs"
Ia digging an immense reservoir at the
asylum last week tho wogkmon struck this
same bed or stratum Of white clay OF un.
known depth aud extoni. In some
counties In England their chief wealth |
consists in their clay deposits aud tie fac
iorics which are devoted To the manuiac- |
ure OF clay products, much OF which
inds It's way TO this country and Is pur-
chased by our people notwithstanding IL
comes across the ocean and pays n heavy
duty besides. 10 will not be- a great while |
lntil all this Is changed and We shall man |
iiaciure at homo and here In West Ten
ie.seo pottery Of all descriptions not in |
cTiOr 10 the imported article.