The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-03-27
BASIC Steel.

TO utilize our phosphoretic iron ores.
The opinion has before been expressed
that the basic open-hearth process is
peculiarly adapted to this purpose. 1t
is process that has been adopted and
satisfactorily tested in Germany, where
most of the steel manufacture there is
by this mode. The ores of the Rich
Patch district are eininently suited to
the making of this character of steel
1t was with this conviction that the
management of Iron Gate and the Roll
ing Mill at that place formulated their
plans for steel plant at that place
Having practically concluded their ne
gotiations, distinguished mineralogist
from Germany was consulted, and his
opinion elected, after a careful examina-
ton of the pig iron now made, and the
ores of that section. 1t is a recently ex-
pressed opinion, and that fact gives it
high reputation of the scientist giving
it. 1t will be found below:
IRON GATE, VA, Mar. 10, 1890.
Mr.. T. G. JONES,
Supt Iron Gate Iron & Steel Co.,
Iron Gate, Va.
Dear SRI have spent the last few
days at Iron Gate, and at the neighbor-
ing blast furnaces, with view to ac-
qualnting myself with the location and
the irons and their adaptability to the
manufacture of steel by the basic open
hearth process.
am convinced from my examination
of the ores and pig irons, and from their
analyses, that they are well adapted to
the basic open hearth steel process.
At least so per cent of these pig irons
can be used in the pig and scrap process.
With pig iron containing less than one
per cent of silicon, which can be easily
made from these ores. 60 to 20 per cent
can be used.
Having spent years in the construc-
ton and operation of basic furnaces in
Germany, | feel competent to give an
intelligent and accurate opinion.
Very truly,
HEINZ PORTER, Engineer.
Almost every day some fresh fact or
new development draws the public mind
to the Rich Patch section, as the future
great steel and iron manufacturing cen
tire of the South, if not of the country
The very meagre knowledge of the dis
trict that has been lodged abroad. lis grad
ually becoming enlarged, and inquiries
from capitalists who desire to invest in
iron properties and iron interests are
coming in. Inquiry is followed by as
constituent when the facts are approx
mately stated, that such u vast field OF
wealth has SO long remained practically
unknown. The report we published a
few weeks ago prepared by Mr.. Lewellin,
a distinguished mining engineer from
Pennsylvania. on the property of the
Rich Patch Company, recently organ
lied with Maj ID. Shanahan, of Louis
vile, kentucky,as president, has opened
the eyes OF those who have read it, and
eastern men are writing to know more
about it. The almost incredible esti-
mate made in that report. will lose no.
thing by close INVESTIGATION, and yet the
estimated quantity of ore, in tons, is one
hunda'ed and fifty million. 1t stag
gers the imagination to contemplate the
enormous wealth this represents, yet
undeveloped and idle, waiting the APP
piication of money and enterprise for
it's utilization.
And all this vast amount of ore, with
other properties in the same district,
nearly as valuable, can be adapted to
the uses of the process of steel making.
mentioned by Prof. Potter. 1t is all
within a radius of few miles, easily
mined, convenient to rail transportation,
with cheap labor and all the other con-
ditions and resources to facilitate the
cheapest output of the mines and fur
naces right at hand.
1t requires no prophet to foretell the
future of a locality where nature has
been SO lavish in her fayors. Men and
money will come in to avail of these I'M
excelled advantages, and in few years
we may reasonably expect industries of
no small magnitude to follow
Rockingham Moving.
We have received the following COM
munication from the live real estate
agency of Lupton, Sullivan & Co.. Har-
risenburg, which speaks for itself. 1t
shows that the progressive people of
Rockingham are awakening to an APP
probation of their natural advantages,
and mean to take a hand in the activity
in material affairs which is stirring the
beloved old State. A significant feature
of this movement is that Rev. j. K Cox,
the learned and gifted pastor of the
Methodist church at Harrisonburg has
lent his name and influence to the move
ment, and that while not forgetting the
spiritual welfare of his people, he is not
unmindful that there are duties the citi-
zen owes to the State. the discharge Of
which are not inconsistent with the
higher purposes of the church.
We congratulate the people of our ma
tive county upon the suspicious begin
ming they have made. The gentlemen
inaugnrating the enterprise are among
the most intelligent and public spirited
of the Valley, and we look for good re-
suits to follow the organization they
have effected
HARRIsoNBURG, Mar. 90, 1890.
EDITORS VIRGINIAN:-The Harrison
burg Mineral and Dey eiopment Com
pany was organized here last night, with
the following officers:
DR.. S. K. Cox. president; Jno. G. Yam
cey, vice president; Z. A. Long. secre-
tary; p. w. Reherd, treasurer; Ed s.
Conrad, attorney.
Directors-J. p Houck, Jacob Mese-
role, G. A. Sprinkle, d. c. Reherd, W.
81. Richard, J. r. Lupton, M. M. Sibert
Capital of the company, 100000, all Of
which was subscribed.
This company owns and controls val
liable deposits of iron, coal, lead, black
marble, and mineral paints in this
county. and is organized for the purpose
of developing and selling these valuable
lands. Work is going on opening up
viens. &c. Very truly,
LUPTON, SULLIVAN u GO.
U. S. Supreme Court Decisions.
The Supreme Court Of the United
States Monday affirmed the judgment of
the Circuit Court for the Eastern District
of Virginia granting writ of habeas
corpus to Charles Green, convicted in
one of the State courts of perjury. The
court says that though notaries public
are State officers, yet the testimony given