The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-07-02
srAUNToN NOTES.

part OF Augusta cOuHa9
few miles north of Vesuvius, in Rock
bridge county, the property OF the Nlr-
ginia Mining and Development Compa-
ny, of which Captain Moore is president
and Mr.. Hilbert general manager, Their
chemist, Mr. Greenhow, with his well
equipped laboratory, has also taken up
his place of business at the ore mines; as
well as Captain 7. j Brennan, the office
manager of the company. The purpose
is thus made Known to concentrate the
entire working force at the command OF
these gentlemen, upon the work OF de>
velopment at Mine Bank, where an ex-
tensive mining plant is being laid by the
company, under the supervision and
direction of Messrs Moore and HILBERT.
They mean business. Both OF them have
had large experience in mining in the
Gogebic district, Michigan. They are
intimately and thoroughly acquainted
with every detail and ramification OF
mine operations; how and where to
work. aud how and where not to work,
ana are competent w VSOilCihtLSs w
every point, and get the best results
from the least expenditures. Their per-
sonal attention is given to every detail OF
the mine operations. which will be push
ed, night and day, as soon as the railroad,
now under construction, is completed,
and the plant properly placed. In their
opinion-an opinion worth a great deal
in such lnatters-there is not a better
iron property in the South-one, indeed,
where as large results can be obtained
from a given amount of capital invested
and labor expended, and where the
profits of mining are so sure and unques-
tionable At this mine, a conservative
measurement, gives nearly 100000 tons
of ore in sight, which can be placed on
the cars, when the plant is fully equlpp-
ed, for 40 cents a ton. Messrs. Moore and
HILBERT are confident that in ninety
days they can commence shipping 500
tons day from this mine alone; and
further that apart from the exposed ore,
as above indicated, the same vein eX-
tends northeast and southwest, on the
property of the company, promising an
indefinite quantity of the ore, which is
of two qualities, -brown hematite and
manganiferous, not yet developed. In
addition to this extensive and valuable
body of ore the Company is working two
other mines, one about mile from Stu
arts Draft, and the other about a mile
and a half To the Mine Bank" and
the Cole bank, the latter the nearest
one to Stuart's Draft, the Norfolk and
Western Company is constructing branch
roads, and as soon as it is deemed advis-
able to do so, will build a branch to the
other mine-the Coffey.' the ore from
this latter being declared Bessemer.
The control of these properties has
been quietly gotten by the Virginia
Mining and Investment Company, which
was as quietly and unpretentiously
formed, and the development work as
quietly proceeded with, without any
blowing or trumpeting. The Company
has now one of the finest mining prop
critics in the whole country, and from
which as much frst-class ore can be got
ten. for the capital and labor employed,
as from any other known mine, and at
less cost Within twelve months, with
| no unforeseen formidable obstacle, there
will be shipped from these mines at least
1000 tons day When the plant is in
full operation, other valuable contiguous
iron properties will be included in the
holdings and far more extensive opera
lions will be carried on, with a pros
pective enlargement of results.
This vast wealth has been lying dead
and improbable for ages. inviting capt.
tai and enterprise, but not until now has
organized effort been dedicated to its de-
veIopment Indeed, not until present
exposures were made, was it believed
that such valuable deposits of iron ore
existed in the county. No one can &C
curately measure the extent of the val
ues that will be uncovered in the work
of this Company, on the properties they
are now operating and those which they
may operate. When the demonstrations
are DldZ0o Ill Uuc l6tCC VI Uilt II
will be an easier matter to induce Others
to unite with their means and energies
to wrench from the earth its hidden
treasures, to enrich the old Common
wealth as well as themselves. The pioneer
work has already been accomplished.
The fruitions will soon be made known,
and when it is no longer risk, but
profitable results assured, any amount
of capital will be at command; and the
untouched resources of the county are
sufficient to command the remunerative
use of millions more of money.
The opening of this mine will have an
important effect upon the entire South
River district, and indeed the Valley
drained and accommodated by the Shen
andoah Valley Railroad. 1t will give
assurance to the furnace owners at Blu
ena VISTA it will assure the completion
to the projected furnace at Basic City;
it will cause the furnaces at Roanoke
and Salem to rest easy, as ore ample
for the use of all these can be furnished
by the Virginia Mining and Investment
Company for an indefinite time
An intelligent iron man remarked to
us few days ago, who is well acquaint-
ed with the purposes of the Company.
that with such assurance of the supply
of ore Basic City was the most eligible
place of which he knew for a large fur
mace plant With two main line railroads
crossing at that point, and directly
connected with the coke and coal fields
of Pennsylvania, Southwest Virg n
ia and West Virginia; limestone at hand
and abundance of ore within half
hours haul, there was no place in his
opinion, where more advantages were
presented The operations OF the min
ing Company will be of infinite benefit
to that entire section, and prove one Of
the most remunerative enterprises ever
projected in this part of Virginia.
The fact of the organization and oper-
alton of the Virginia Mining and Invest
ment Company, is practical demons
stration of what may be accomplished
/ I,o 10,