Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-09-03
THE SUNNY SOUTH.
Wonderful Discovery of Phosphate In
Florida-What it is and how
Mined-Rapid Fortunes
Made

Mined-Rapid Fortunes
Made.
Many of our readers are writing for
more light on the phosphate question:
Below will be found an extract from
letter written by Mr.. NJ. IL. Bent to
New York paper dated Ocala, May 9th,
which is interesting aud Instructive.
Ocala was formerly given the soorl-
uuet of the Brick City," on account OF
its many brick buildings. This so6ri-
uuet has been knocked higher than
kite by that of the phosphate CITY,"
because of its location in the center OF
the great phosphate region of Florida.
The chemical analysis of this wonder
full product shows as high as 81 per cent
of phosphoric acid, but / think an
ANALYSIS of the principal business places
of Ocala would go as high as 81 per cent
of phosphate companies. The city con-
tains % phosphate companies ana only
10 LAWYERS, 1t is the only instance on
record where the lawyers ever got left
numerically. And what is more re-
markat lie, all these companies have
sprung into existance in less than 10
months. Two years ago phosphate was
a thing unknown in Florida. 1t is like
the hidden treasures of gold in Califor-
mia. If anyone had predicted their dis
covery in 1848 he would have found
himself in the hands of Il commission
in lunacy. Two years ago if the same
man had said that untold wealth in the
form of phosphate existed in the earth
in the Florida peninsula, he would have
found himself similarly care for again.
And yet he would have been right in
both cases, Two years have witnessed
| the discovery of this most curious and
most valuable mineral, for it is so class
ed) and it's marvellous development.
Fortunes have been made and many
more are in store for the lucky and the
wise. Two years have redeemed the
state. The time phosphate was dis
covered, Florida was in bad way. She
had failure in the orange crop, as pre-
viously mentioned, an estimated loss of
two millions, and had just passed
through a scourge of yellow fever. The
two had taken not less than fine million
dollars out ofthe state. Any ofthe Older
and richer states would have keenly
felt this loss. 1t was the basis Of Flor
ida's prosperity, and this loss greatly
discouraged the inhabitantso ofthe state.
Money was very scarce and everything
looked dark for Florida. In June, 1889
phosphate was discovered, and by a
mere accident, and it may be truly
termed the salvation of Florida's ma
terial and commercial prosperity. 1t
has brought millions of capital into the
state, hundreds of thousands of pro-
spectors and seekers after sudden
wealth, and the enterprise is but yet in
its infancy. state the discovery of
phosphate in connection with the
financial depression of Florida to illus
trate how mere accident changes the
whole future of great state.
HOW IT WAS DISCOVERED.
Two years ago this coming June, Mr..
Albertus Vogt, native of South
Carolina, was at work with a negro
cleaning out spring on his premises
in the little village called Bunneilob,
about 20 miles of Ocala. While thus
at work they took out curious look
ing piece of rock which much resembl-
ed limestone both in color and general
appearance, but which was sufficiently
different to attract Mr.. Vogt's attent-
ton. Mr.. Vogt is man of a prospect
ing turn of mind or otherwise it might
have escaped his notice. He dug con-
siderable of the rock out, ,and coming TO
Ocala some days later brought piece
with him. He called at the Merchants
Bank and exhibited it to the president
the Hon. John F. Dunn, and endeavor.
ed to get the latter interested in inves.
tigating its character. Mr.. V. was sat.
isfied that it was something besides Or
binary rock or limestone, but as to its
true value he did not have suspicion
Mr.. Dunn laughed at him and discard
the matter with hardly a further
thought. However, Mr.. Vogt left the
piece of rock, and it lay about the office
, several days. Finally Mr.. Dunn picked
it up one day, and giving it closer
examination, he thought there woulC
be no harm in having chemist make
an analysis of the stuff. This showed
large per cent of phosphoric acid il
the substance. Mr. Dunn then begar
to think differently of it and obtaining
another piece, sent it to st. Louis for s
careful analysis. The chemist reported
J it to be very rich in phosphoric acit
f and if there was any of the rock Mr.
, Dunn would do well to look after it al
/ it was very desirable product for fer
, tilizing purposes and in good demand.
1t was thus that phosphate was dis
covered in Florida-merely by an &C
, cident. Mr.. Dunn's eyes were thel
: fully opened, but the result showed
: them to be open long time before
= those of the general public. He say
the commercial value which the pro
} duet would command and that an i'm
: mense fortune awaited some one. I'll
8 at once commenced to prospect ant
buy land that was supposed to contain
g phosphate until he had 10000 acres
s straining every nerve to do so. Th
s public was very skep ical for som
Y months and refused to believe tn
stuff anything but worthless. They al
r thought that Mr.. Dunn was nearl
/, crazy on the subject and that he wa
Q going to ruin sure. Some of his towns
men even went so far as to wait o.
| him one day and endeavor to preva
: upon him that his course was ruinou
t to himself and his friends. To-da
4 Mr.. Dunn isa millionaire at least on
1 or two times, when Is years ago he wa
!. a poor man and two years ago only
Q man of moderate fortune. The Incl
9 dent shows that here is one case q
0 least where one mans foresight was Q
Q good as his after sight. From his earl
= and extensive operations In phosphat
K Mr.. Dnnn has been given the title G
| q w. u