The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-10
MORE ABOUT THE OLD MINT.
Interesting Incidents Of Gold Coinage About
Charlotte.
MONEY OF THE GOLDEN DAYSOF HONESTY.
valuable Building Material Industry-Beau-
tiful Streets-The Dilworth Lot Sale
Gala Occasion.

There are so many matters of interest con-
nected with gold in and around Charlotte
that 1t is impossible to cove them all in one
letter, and / omitted one of importance, if
not great interest in yesterdays CORES
pondence. Mr.. Stuart w. Cramer. the assayst,
is making a careful cabinet collection of the
ores of the Appalachian States. that will add
much to the value of the?assay Office here, as
far as its being of interest and assistance to
the mining district in which it is located Is
concerned He proposes TO make it of such
character that any information wanted con;
corning native mineral ores can he furnished
Complementary and reliably, and the mines
throughout these States are giving him their
cordial assistance.
HONEST COINAGE.
There is a circumstance connected with the
gold circulation of this State in r past decade
that has long been known here and speaks
well for the honesty of its manufacturer
Previous TO the thirties. when gold was plentl-
ful in North Carolina but money circulation
greatly needed. a man named Betchler, OF
Rutherfordton, converted the ore into round
disks about coin size of the denominations OF
one, three and five dollar. pieces On
every piece he stamped his name
the weight and degree of tineness of the gold
For many years these golden disks passed LOT
money not only in this but in other States.
The dollar pieces bear the words, "21 grains
of Carolina gold. A. Betchler." Many OF
them in late years have been assayed at TINS
Office. and in every case have come up 10 the
full standard of a dollars worth of gold lie
made in all not less than one million dollars
of this honest money. The stringent laws OF
this day would preclude the manufacture ana
use Of even such an honest coin.
MINT PARK.
The fact that cid things are passing away
and the impulse of a new era is propeAInS the
wheels of progress in Charlotte is shown no
better anywhere than around this old Govern
ment property. Occupying. az 1t does. nearly
an entire block in a central portion OF the
city it is not only beautifully located but
very valuable. On one corner Of this lot has
lust been completed at a cost of over 800 900
an extremely handsome postofiGe build
ING. constructed of pressed brick with
trimmings of terra Gotta and granite.
Mr.. Cramer is now preparing photo
graphs and drawings of the remaining
territory at the request of the department,
with a view Of converting 1t into park. Inc
plans provide for grading. handsome iron
with trees, shrubs, etc. Ot course the popu-
lation Of Charlotte will have the use OF this
park. which already has all the elements OF
beauty. and this Old place that few years
ago was a picture of decay will be spot OF
beauty on which to rest an admirlng eye and
will be called Mint Park.
PINE BUILDING MATERIAL.
The old buildings and part of the new are
built of native granite, and this brings me 70
a question of importance in the rapid growth
of the future SISTER cities of Dilworth and
Charlotte building material. The soil
is thoroughly underlaid with white granite
unexceHed for building and paving, and many
of the handsOmest buildings Of this beautiful
city have il Incorporated IN their designs.
The granite quarries that furnish the
stone for the sidewalks and pave
ments are within the corporate lin
its. Indeed, granite is as common as DIRT
in and around Charlotte. Just think OF IT.;
streets paved with blocks of 1t foot square,
and sidewalks made of massive blocks OF It,.
and whole buildings made of 1t like any other
common everyday kind Of stone. There Is
also a dark granite of the same order very
near the city. which is used in ornamental
work. The Leoperdite granite quar-
RED right on the edge of Charlotte, IS.
when polished, one Of the most exquisite
pieces of natures handiwork imaginable. As
the name would indicate. this stone IL hand
somely spotted, but go further and examine
il closely and there will be seen the beautiful
outline and tracery of exquisite foliage and
delicate vines What is known as the lradel
granite is brought here in large quantities
from quarries only few miles away: 1t is
declared to be the finest monumental stone
in the world and is shipped from here to
Pennsylvania, Ohio and other Northern
States and AL over the South for monumental
purposes. This granite is very white IN the
rough and takes on dark deep looking color
when polished that makes the combination
of the two extremely attractive and gives
limitless play for the designer. Ii Is in great
demand and is sold in quantity TO other mar
kets for 81 a foot in the rough. In marble
yard to-day | saw besides the stone already
mentioned some called the black diamond
granite that poliShes like ebony; and another,
a syenite as white almost as marble itself,
while another orbicular variegated stone.
made a very snowy appearance. Just imagine
the combinations of color and beautiful effects
that could be wrought from these native
rocks. Nature has indeed been lavish. above
and below ground, in this section. and my
mind but slowly grasps the magnitude and
diversity of her gifts As / write | am using
a paper weight Of lradel granite, and 1t is
worthy of lady's escretoire.
MAGNIFICENT CITY HALL.
Charlotte IS now building a magnificent
CITY hall IF North CarOlin brOwnstOne that