The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-03-26
Virginia Mining and Investment Co.


This Company, of which Capt. N. b.
Moore is President and Capt. N. Hib-
bert, General Manager, is moving ac-
lively AS stated last week, II Diamond
Drill has been purchased and received,
and now awaits the securement OF the
services of a man competent to set the
and operate the machine. This
requires expert knowledge, and as TINS
is the first drill of the kind ever intro
duced into this section for work here,
competent person to manage 1t VIII have
to be gotten from II distance. AS soon
as this can be effected, the drill will be
put to work.
The Company has opened several very
promising and valuable beds Of iron ore
in the vicinity of Stuart's Draft. The
result of the work thus far has been
very satisfactory, but there is no telling
to what extent the deposits exist. They
may be large and then again may not be,
as it is an undeveloped field, and no
value placed on the minerals, as they
were not regarded us valuable in-auan-
tity. The value of expert knowledge IN
such matters is illustrated in these in
stances Messrs. Moore HILBERT
thought the indications of iron such as
justified practical examination, and
consequently, after obtaining fair OPP
tions, have been spending their money
to ascertain the quantity and quality OF
the deposits. This work may lead to
good results for the owners of the lands
as we'll as themselves, as there is no tell
ing what values lie hidden beneath the
surface of the valley.
There is one point We would impress
upon those who have mineral lands
which they are not prepared or disposed
to work themselves for want of knows
edge of such matters, and that is they
should grant liberal terms to parties
who are willing at their own expense and
know how to test such properties. Elk
pert men are not going to risk their time
and money on short options, and they
will not take hold of snch properties,
unless they are granted time in which to
make a thorough examination. 1t re-
ouires money and great deal OF it., as
well as knowledge, to properly explore
for minerals, and those who are both
capable and willing to make such exam
nations ought to be allowed ample time
in which to do so.
If liberal spirit is manifested in this
respect, and mutually fair conditions
agreed upon, the Virginia Mining and
Investment Company, represented by
Messrs Moore & Hilbert, will make ex-
tensive explorations in localities hereto
fore not regarded as containing mineral
values. They will not risk, however,
both labor, time, and money, unless
reasonable arrangements are effected.
With the Diamond Drill and thorough
knowledge of minerals and the forma-
lions in which they are generally
found, Messls Moore & HILBERT can be
of incalcuiable benefit to the people in
this section and be the agents in discoy-
ering valuable mineral wealth where it
has not been thought any existed. ex-
As the purpose hereafter is to do all
prospecting with the Diamond Drill,
the results will not be known, except to
those to whom it may be communicate d.
twill extract a core, giving the forma-
tions through which it passes, but that
will be securely guarded, as is always
the case in such operations, and the in
formation thus obtained will be used for
the advantage of those who may be
willing to agree to equitable terms.
We mention this fact for the reason
that sometimes the owners of property
decline to give options, but offer to sell
outright. These gentlemen do not want
to become land owners-they have no
money to invest in or disposition to own
large or small tracts as farms, and will not
consider any such propositions. They will
prospect properties for minerals only on
condition that they have the opportuni-
ty to profit by the risk they run and the
work they perform. No land owner can
possibly lose by reasonable option, and
if the option holders make anything
the land. owner will certainly do SO. 1t
is no speculative scheme. but legitimate
transactions they propose, by which all
concerned will be benefited, if either is
A little reflection will show the fairness
and feasibility of this mode of opera
ton.