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

ance and determined to see for himself. [
Being acquainted with Captains Moore !
and Hilbert. of Stanton, and Mr.. /
Richie, of Ferrol-who is also a BAR
rister at law, in Canada, he made Stauh-
ton his first point. He immediately on
arriving there, went to Ferrol, where MI
Richie is experimenting mining work
in that locality and shipping ore to Low
Moor Furnace. From Ferrol he return
ed to Staunton, and thence, with Mr.. L. ).
Brennan, went to Mine Bank, not far from
Vesnyius. on the S. V. Railroad, where
Captain Moore is laying Il plant for ex-
tensive mining Mine Bank belongs 10
the VirginiaMininga and Investment Com
pany, OF which Captain N. u. Moore is
president. The Company is composed
principally of Staunton men, and Its
holdings give promise to be the most
lucrative mining plant on the Norfolk
and Western system The Noffolk and
Western will at once construct lateral
road to accommodate the mines. A
washer will be erected forthwith; and a
regular mining camp, including commits
sary and residence buildings, and all
other necessary appointments for extern
sive mining operations. In addition to
the 81 acres of solid ore, which has given
this property its local notoriety, recent
Investigations have revealed continu-
anes a Tip are az either side Of tho bill
or mountain WHICH presents a phepom-
email deposit of high grade brown heIna-
tite and manganiferous ores. A test with
the drill discovered it at one point ten
feet below the surface; at another eigh-
teen inches, and at two or three other
locations, about the game distance from
the surface, showing very remarkably
rich and extensive range of ore OF the
same quality as that visibly exposed in
the mountain spar. Ii conversation
with Captain HILBERT, an experienced
miner, whose knowledge was obtained
by extensive engagements in the cele>
brated Gogebic district OF Michigan, he
said that he would pledge everything he
possessed, on rhe assurance that he could
mine and ship 500 tons of ore day from
this mine, as soon as the plant, now
projected and being laid is completed.
An engineer corps from the Norfolk and
Western, was on the property last week,
with view to building branch road
to the mines. 1t will not be longer than
three or four miles and can be cheaply
constructed. There is an ABUNDANCE OF
e., |, i, nd Of fre
mining and building purposes. A saw
mill is at work getting out lumber for
the necessary buildings, and everything
necessary for early active operations is
at command. Both Messrs. Moore and
HILBERT will give their constant personal
attention to this work, as they feel very
confident that the Mine Bank will prove
the most profitable mining property
ever worked on the line OF the Norfolk
and Western.
In addition to this mine the Virginia
Mining and Investment Company, are
working two others-one at Stuart's
Draft, from which about 400 tons have
been shipped to Buena Vista, and one
at the nofey place, lying between
Barterbrook and Htuart:s Draft. At the
latter mine the ore has been tested 70
feet in depth. and cross cut reveals %
feet in width. Analysis of this ore
proves it to be practically Bessemer
ore. A railroad will be at once built to
the Stuart's Draft mine, and as soon as
practicable to the Cotfey lnine-to reach
which it will be more difficult and cost
ly These operations show what our
local enterprise can accomplish, and
that by depending upon ourselves, we
can not only develop our own resources
but reap the profits thereof. We are
too much in the habit of looking away
from home for assistance, instead of
putting our own shoulders to the wheel
and then calling upon Hercules to assist
if we can not move the burden
Wonders can be accomplished when
there is will to do SO; and it is not such
a hard task, when once the situation is
grappled with a firm hand and deter
mined purpose. We believe every dol
lar invested in this enterprise will yield
fourfold within twelve months, and
multiply the returns once If not twice
before five years have rolled by. The
difficulty with our own people is that
too many who have the means lack the
nerve to embark in such undertakings
1t is something new to them. They can
scarcely realize that such fabulous
wealth and such exceptional opportuni.
ties for money making, have been lying
waiting for the application of money
and muscle for 10 these many years right
before them, and no one had awaited of
them. 1t staggers their credulity when
told what is already assured. and what
abundant returns may be had for little
risk and a little backbone, added to
small amount of capital. The real facts
will strike them with good deal more
force, when it is too late for them to
profit by them. The projectors of the
development enterprises and those who
will come to their assistance in the in
ception of the work, will reap an abun.
dant harvest, while those who might |
have done so, will feel like kicking them:
selves because they did not have the
courage to take hold when they had the |
opportunity.
Mr.. Bawden, whose presence here has
suggested these reflections, expressed |
the belief, from what he had seen and |
heard since he reached Virginia, that
this State presents more advantages for
capital and enterprise invested in min
eral properties, than any other In the
Union, and stated to us his purpose
to return to Virginia, as soon as he could
make Mis- arrangements to do SO, to be-
come identified with the industrial de-
velopment that is now going on. He
was pleased with the appearance of
everything he witnessed-the topogra-
ply, the climate, the people, the pictur~
esque and attractive scenery. and espec>
tally the marvellous mineral wealth
which abounds, and which does not seem
to engage the attention and inspire the
confidence of our own people.