The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-09-24
South RIVER Mineral District.

The Gem Furnace at Mines, in Page
county, has been out of blast for several
months 1t was stated that it had ''sus-
pended" This word being so full OF
meaning when used in connection with
business matters, that we did not know
how to constrne it. The last Page Courier,
however, offers an explanation in the
statement that the Gem will go into
blast within few weeks We are grat>
fled to learn this. Heretofore the Gem
has provided its ore from it's own mines;
from Black Rock, Ferrol, and probably
other mines, and sometimes had dill
Guilty in getting the kinds that were
adapted to the purpose OF the furnace
This drawback will hereafter be
abated. Since the Gem went out OF
blast, the Stuart Draft mines, worked
by the Virginia Mining and Develop
ment Company, have been opened and
are now shipping about 90 tons daily,
50 per cent metallic iron, to Buena Vista.
By the time the Gem goes into opera
ton, Mine Bank, owned by the same
company, will be ready for shipments.
This mine will be limited in its out
put only by the demand, and can easily
put on the market from 800 to 500 tons
daily, to start with. The railroad to the
mines, about three miles in length, is
now nearly ready for the iron; Nc
CIanahan washer is being rapidly placed;
| and all the equipments for handling
large quantity of ore being perfected.
The opening of this mine of high grade
brown hematite ore, lisa desderatum with
that entire district. 1t will give assur-
| ance to all the furnaces along the Shen
andoah Valley railroad, OF an ample and
steady supply of ore, and thus relieved.
of anxiety, facilitate the plans and OBJ
jects of the furnace managements-
A few months ago it was not known that
ore in commercial quantities existed at
Stuart's Draft. Mine Bank was consid
cred back number by reason of its al
legged inaccessibility, and the cost of
building railroad to it, and putting
down mining plant, commensurate
with the iron ore deposit. But the man
agement of the Virginia Mining and
Investment Co, did not look at it in that
light. Captain n D. Moore, the Presi
dent, and Captain n HILBERT, the Gen
eral Manager. had encountered else
where much more formidable obstacles
to development than were here pre-
sented. To know the ore was there in
merchantable quantity and quality was
the first and controlling point. With
that knowledge obtained by thorough
examination, the ways and means to
get it were promptly determined on.
To them there were mo Alps" in their
line of business. The Virginia Mining
and Investment Company was formed
and work commenced. When the
wealth of the mines became known, to a
| few, several gentlemen of means came
to its ass is t nee-notably Captain
John Mackay, of Ashland. Wisconsin,
and Colonel j. Lewis Peyton, of Staun-
ton, who are now largely interested,
and enthusiastic over the assured results.
The Company is now on solid footing
and one mine is earning a handsome
dividend on the money invested in it,
and the other will prove to be simply a
huge bonanza.
The organization of the Virginia Min
ing and Investment Company was very
opportune. Under it's intelligent and
experienced management it will prove a
benefaction to the South River Mineral
| OF tn I,n avis
tence of practically inexhaustible sup
ply of high grade brown hematite ore
ample to supply all the furnaces along
the railroad, and in fact to induce others
to be erected in close proximity to the
mines. The work has been going on
quietly and energetically, inspiring con-
| fidence in the result at each step of its
progress, and giving the assurance that
every dollar put into the enterprise will
give return of at least ten fold the
amount invested. Not only will the few
gentlemen Immediately interested be
abundantIy rewarded for their faith,
but the whole district will reap the ben>
efits, and be stimulated to endeavor as
to other projects related to iron. Lit will
inaugurate new era for that section,
/ date the dawn of new industrial dis
pensation and revolutionize the meth
DDS and ways that have prevailed
and which have been limited and
contracted because of the absence OF
practical knowledge of such matters and
the necessary means to engage in en-
larged development.
The Virginia Mining and Investment
| Company must be regarded as the pio-
neer organization for the development
of that portion of Virginia. 1t will de-
serve the thanks of the people of the
State when its plans and work have
become more fully understood, and
bring to it's promoters ample returns for
| their patience, confidence, and energy.
Hon. Henry s. Walker, of Charleston,
w. Va, perhaps the most prominent
man in West Virginia, died last Satur-
day at Philadelphia of heart-disease.
He was the most brilliant orator in the
State, and had long been a prominent
figure in politics. He was editor of the
Wheeling Register from 1865 to 1870. He
was Democratic congressional candi-
date there in 1868, but was defeated. He
removed to Charleston with the capitol
in 1870, and became editor of the Char
lesion Courier, which he published for
ten years. In 1875 he was a candidate
for United States Senator against j. N.
Camden, but was beaten in caucus. In
1878 and 1880 he ran for Congress on the
Greenback ticket, being beaten by John
f. Kenna, now United States Senator
In 1885 he was made Secretary of State
by Governor Wilson, and held that Of
flee until 1890. He was for two years
Public Printer, and for ten years a re-
gent of the State University. He has
for over year devoted his time entirely
to business and has done a great deal