Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-17
GREAT DISCOVERIES.
ENORMOUS DEPOSITS OF RICH IRON ORE
FOUND IN WESTERN TEXAS.

syndicates Formed 10 Work md Develop
the Mlnes-A $4,000 Hotel and Two
Blast Furnaces BuildInR-seven Rail.
ronds to be Built During tho Present
Yenr-PIttsburg Capital Interested.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex, May 16.-The vast
iron fields located in Llano and Burnett
counties in this State, about 200 miles
northwest of this city, are beginning to at
tract wide attention and several companies
have already been formed to engage in the
development of the minerals. The iron
district comprises thousands OF acres. and
its Importance was first discovered about a
year ago. The ore is unequaled by any in
the world, unless it is the Swedish iron. 1t
assays over 10 per cent of pure iron, with a
minimum of sulphur and phosphorus. 1t
presents the finest specimens of ore adapted
for the best STEEL There are other ores
found there suitable to mix with the mag
netlc article, while immense beds OF marble,
granite and lithographic stone are found IN
abundance and silver in paying quantities.
The town of Llano is located in the
center of the district and it is predicted
that within ten years that place will have
grown into city equal in importance as a
manufacturing and mining center as Pitts
burg, Pa, and Birmingham, Ala. The
town is situated on the Llano river, which
has a rapid current, full and plenty Of
water.
There are seven railroads which will be
completed to the place within the coming
year. Some of the most prominent capital
lists OF Texas and other parts of the country
are preparing to expend large sums of
money in the development OF the mining re-
gion. A syndicate was recently organized
with capital of $3,000,000. Among the
members are Mr.. Wainwright, of Pittsburg.
The syndicate has already purchased 1900
acres of land lying in and around Llano,
and 10, 900 acres of iron lands They are
also constructing two blast furnaces and are
erecting $4,000 hotel at the town.
Another syndicate that is preparing to en-
gage in extensive operations there is in
corporated under the title of the Wakefield
Coal, Land and Iron Company. Colonel
George M. Wakefield, of Milwaukee, Wis,
is at the head OF the enterprise. Connected
with him are several Chicago and Wiscon-
sin capitalists This company has a capital
stock OF S. 000. 900 and owns 80, 900 acres of
iron land around the town of Llano. They
will begin the work of opening up the mines
early in June. A prospector of this syndi-
cate made very important discovery about
two months ago, which has never before
been made public. He superintended the
work of putting down a number of prospect
ing drill holes, and has fully 100, 900 tons of
the finest manganese, which mineral is used
in the making of the Bessemer steel. This
distinct mineral is becoming very scarce
and the supply used in this country is
largely of the imported article, which costs
$50 a ton. The foreign supply is rapidly
being exhausted, and this new discovery is
certain to prove valuable one. Another
advantage to be found at Llano is the
abundance of limestone, which is used in
fluxlng, found there. The coal supply is
only 200 miles distant, and out OF the pro-
duct is made the best coke for smelling pur-
poses to be found anywhere in the country.