The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-08-22
DEFEREeED MATTE:
Industrial Revival.

dts UOS1en, Will lufIisH eNiuChCo VI
revived industry and the promise OF
future activity in material development.
AT Ferrol, IS miles from Staunton, ar
Engagements are being made to mine iron
ore on large scale The Aurora Com
pany, the recent purchasers of this
property, have ample capital to develop
it, and the G. and O. r. r. is putting
in tracks from the main line to the
mines, to furnish facilities for shipping.
1t is the purpose of this company to put
a large force of hands to work at once.
They have been doing some cleaning up
and getting out some ores, but the
wealth + for the past two months has
been such as to greatly retard progress.
Mr. Moore, the practical man OF the com
pany, is expected every day from Can
ada, where he recently went to visit his
fanily and make his arrangements to
prosecute the enterprise at Ferrol. At
present, it is the purpose, we under
stand, of the Aurora Company to ship
ores, orders for which are on hand or
awaiting for the full capacity OF the
mines, in their present condition. This
is great property, and when the facili-
ties are completed for operating it, it
will show up to be one Of the richest
bodies of brown hematite ores in the
country.
At Esteline, an adjoining property
of great value, Mr.. Winter, the princi-
&c, of han dc
and is getting out a large quantity of
brown and red hematite iron ores of SUI
perior quality. A track will run out to
these mines from Pond Gap, and the
ores shipped to the furnaces west of it.
At Bells Valley number of hands
are at work getting out lime stone for
fuxing at Goshen furnace. The quality
of this metal is just suited for the pur-
pose for which it is designed and work
in the quarries is progressing actively
about dozen or so blasts being fired off
every day.
The furnace at Goshen-Victoria-
under its new management is now in
blast and turning out about $50 tons OF
pig metal each day. The fires seen from
the railroad, as it glides along, have a
stimulating effect, and encourage the
hope that the vast mineral wealth of
that splendid section, is about to be fully
tested. The method and manner which
have marked the present management,
demonstrate that the lessees know what
they are doing and how to do it. They
are working their ore beds to great adj
vantage and making some important
discoveries in the mines, which justify
the conclusion that this is a much more
valuable property than past experience
would lead one to believe.
We understand that at Longdale sew
eral new veins of very rich ore have
been opened near the furnace stacks.
This has always been regarded as val
uble iron property, and the recent expo
sures confirm the opinion that has here
tofore been entertained. 1t is splendidly-
managed. There is no blow or buster
about the men who have it in charge
They work systematically, with good
Judgment, and consequently have the
most gratifying results.
At Iron Gate work is fairly common
cling. The company is erecting large
building for offices, the Rolling Mill is
being placed, and arrangements have
been virtually made for basic steel
plant. A stove factory is also an assured
fact, while other industries are in con-
temptation, with the best indications, that
they will eventually be located at that
embryo city.
Returning from Clifton Forge to
Waynesboro, which will hereafter be
known as the Middle Iron District, we
come to the Davidia property at the Blue
Ridge, now known as the Roseland Iron
and Steel Company. A force OF hands
is now at work opening these mines OF
specular and brown and red hematite
ores, as well as manganese. Prepare
lions are making to operate this on
large scale, and also to erect houses and
build a city eventually.
The South River District is probably
the richest iron ore region in the coun-
try There are six distinct stratitied
veins of specular ore, suitable for steel
manufacture, which are of unknown
depth and quantity. They run along the
entire Blue Ridge probably thirty miles,
and embrace body of ore, judging from
the indications, which is unsurpassed in
quantity and value in the known world.
The ore, when not leached by the action of
the atmosphere, analyses from 40 to "a
per cent metallic iron, with a minimum
of phosphorus, and can be mined at a
trifing cost compared with other ore
properties.
With the diversified minerals that ex-
list in this district, and the advantages
of exceptionally good locations for the
operation of industries at the point of
rail competition, and with ample water
and limestone, we expect to see, ere
MANY years, one of the busiest and most
prosperous industrial centres in the
country. There is everything to Justify
this conclusion. AS distinguished min
ing engineer said few months ago,
after giving the property of Dav1dia
searching examination, you have the
uuduU1ty ttLt VI Vic, ttllS tllc
location for furnaces. What more do
you want p
The sources of mineral wealth we have
mentioned, sustain the opinion we have
heretofore expressed, that within a "a
dius of fifty miles of Staunton, is the
richest mineral belt in the country. 1t
covers all descriptions of iron ore, and
all essentials for making cheap iron. 1t
embraces the elements of wealth. to
which there is no other known district
that bears a comparison. 1t is in easy
reach by competing lines Of railroad of
the three great coke fields of the United
States. 1t is the centre of the markets
of the country, and the products could
be placed on the sea at shorter haul and
less cost than from any other industrial
point, accommodating the same indus
trial projects as could be established and
operated there.
By persistent, logged effort this vast
material wealth is attracting the atten-
ton of capital from other States. Par
tial knowledge of the fabulous riches
Il