The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-03
A TRIP TO THE RORER MINES.
Interesting Sights Seen by a
Times Reporter.
The Mines Soon to DO Turning Out 800
Tons OF Orc neutrality-suspicious. Being
Made for the Extensive Working OF the
Mines Everything Moving Under an
Energetic Management.

crossed the narrow gauge railroad in the
southwestern part of the city have ever
wondered what that narrow road led
to? 1t belongs to the Consolidated Min
ing Company, and runs to the Rorer
mines.
TIMES reporter, upon invitation of
Captain Taylor. the superintendent Of
the mines, made visit to the field Of
operation. At the washer he boarded
the train of dumpcars, which ran to the
mines. The car used is called the
parlor car, though to all appearances it
looks more like tool box than it does
q parlor car.
Tho trip from the washer to the mines
is very interesting one. Tho two
places arc about five miles apart and
along the whole route could be seen
abundant evidence Of splendid crops.
AS the train whisked by the fields,
glimpses of largo and commodious farm
houses would occasionally be caught.
with hero and there an old mud shanty
filled to overlooking with negroes.
Arriving at the mines ono is surprised
to find no mines at all. At least not in
the general acceptance of the word.
There is no deep, dark holo in the
ground with q dirty, dangerous bucket
or cage, in which to make the descent
into mother earth. Here the ore is
mined in open cuts.
The grounds of the company cover
several miles of territory, and openings
have been made. In every direction
men could be seen loading cars. The
company maintains arcgular.rcpair shop
on the grounds for the repair OF it's roll
ing stock.
Tho largest opening is funnel
shaped excavation that has boon
made i'll the center of ono of the ore
bands, about fifty feet deep From the
side OF the hill a tunnel has been driven
to the excavation. Into this tunnel,
which is heavily timbcrcd, ths cars arc
run until they stand under the small
end of the hole.
gang of men scattered along tho
sloping sides Of the hill with pick and
shovel force the ore-laden dirt down
into the cars, and as soon as train is
loaded it is whisked away to the washer
where the dirt is separated from the
mineral, the latter being transferred to
the railroad, where it is shipped to the
different furnaces controlled by the COM
pany.
1t is an interesting sight to stand and
watch these miners, who represent sew
eral different nationalitics. Sticking to
tho sloping, yielding sides like so many
ants, they fill car after car, working in
all kinds OF weather and only stopping
Tor dinner and al six o'clock when work
for the day ceases. These men earn
81. 10 day and live near the mines, the
colorcd men in big houses near the
mines, and the white laborers in new
camp lately built about u third of a
mile from the mines. The company
4 have built twenty three room houses
q and forty two-room houses. The houses
8 have been neatly graywashcd and pre-
sent very attractive appearance. An
sfArtesian well is being drilled to supply
= the camp with pure water.
Besides the deposit already being
worked several others will shortly be
opened and these mines will soon be
shipping orc equal to any mines in this
company has one of the finest orc mines
in Virginia.
Ore can be seen in all directions, on
top Of the ground and cropping out from
the hillSideS. Twining in and out,
up and down over the whole tract Of
land owned by the company is net
work of railroad tracks, and the repor-
ter was informed that moro track was
to be laid
Besides the large opening which is
now being worked there arc number
of smaller openings worked by tipples,
preparatory to their being attacked at
lower level. The ore is mine quite a
distance back of the railroad and
patient mule draws the loaded cars to
the tipple, whore the ore is loaded into
other cars and carried to tho washer.
The Consolidated Mining Company
have.8now shipping capacity of ITS
tons day, which they expect soon
to increase to $50 tons day
In addition to the new deposits being
opened, cars are being built and the
facilities OF the mines otherwise en-
larged.
Captain Taylor. the manager of the
mines, is veteran miner, having had
33 years experience in the business.
lie is a hustler from the word go. and
under his skillful management things
are moving along at q lively rate
The trip to the mines is very inter-
esting one, and any who are fortunate
enough to secure an invitation to take
it should avail themselves of the op-
portunity. The scenery from the top
OF the mountain is unsurpassed by any
section around hcre, and the sights TO
be seen are we'll worth the trip.
An Interesting Entertainments.
OF the Ellin Comedy Company the
Danville Register says: Tho Elfin CON-
edy Company gave very enjoyable
performance at the Academy last night.
'Inshavogue" was the play and it was
well rendered, every character being
we'll taken by the members of the com
pany.
The Elfn Comedy Company improves
as it plays. The play of Mable Heath
11aS snlandidlu ranreSan tod Last ninht