The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-06-18
Around Us.

1t is perhaps nAft u ne Wouueieu az
that many persons. in reading the va
rous articles which have been publish
ed regarding the future prospects OF
Clifton Forge and its surroundings,
should think them-if not altogether
ephemeral=-at least very much over
drawn. 1t is indeed possible, and per-
haps probable, that some OF the INDUS
trial aud other enterprises which are yet
in an embryo state may not mature, but
enough is now visible to the naked eye
to prove, beyond the possibility OF doubt,
that this particular portion OF the State
requires but determined minds and will
ling hands to make it all, and more than
the greatest enthusiast has ever claimed
for its future.
Outside of the immense Shops erected
by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Company, and the large industries all
ready built and in course OF construc-
ton on the lands OF the Clifton Forge
Company, the solid foundations OF per-
manent city, which shall extend its bor-
ders for generations yet to come. is to be
found in its surrounding mountains OF
the richest iron ores the world has yet
produced. The great fact that this is
true requires but the use OF ones own
eyes, to show taat this assertion is not
something that may be. OF that remains
to be proven For miles around Clifton
Forge the ore has not only been already,
but is to-day being hauled from its mats
nral beds as fast as men and motive
power can do it.
The latest Development has been made
upon the lands of the Clifton Forge Mi
ming and Development Company, On the
southeast side of Wilson's Hill. After a
careful examination made by the Com
pany's engineer, {, drift was run into the
hill to a distance of about thsae hundred
feet. when the vein was reached and cut
through, showing IA solid strata OF very
rich hematite ore twenfyssiX and half
feet in thickness, at point one hundred
and fifty-six feet below the outcrop and
laying at an angle of about forty five de :
grees Since then an entry has been
driven to the right and left on the level
of the main opening, and an air course
cut through TO the surface, the latter
having been worked both ways and con-
Meeting near the center. The ore as cut
through in the air shaft at a height of
about twenty feet above the gang-way,
shows thickness of about forty-five
feet on its natural slope, thus proving
conclusively that it maintains its ayer~
age thickness as first-cut on the level
of the main entry Another opening will
Immediately be made upon lower lev
ell, so that both mines will be ready for
the shipment of ore as soon as the rail
way. now being located to connect with
the c. & O. road, is completed.
Mr.. d. ST. George Frazer, the Compa-
ny's engineer, informs us that he will be
glad at any time to accompany visitors,
and especially skeptics. to the mines,
where they will have every opportunity
to relieve their minds of all doubt as to
the future resources for the accumula-
tion of wealth in Clifton Forge and its
tributary towns.
A pleasant walk of half an hour
through some of the most romantic see
merry on the continent, is all that is
necessary to view this grand and appa-
rently inexhaustible deposit of mineral
wealth.