The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-12-03
Rich Patch Iron Mines.


Harrison Robertson, of Albemarle coun-
ty, Va, or r. L. Parish, trustee, to the
Rich Patch Iron Company, was consum>
mated by the last payment, of $4,000,
with interest, due in March next, being
anticipated. The whole transaction
was completed, and the full paid stock
of the company issued to the stockhoId-
ers.
The Company is composed of ten di-
rectors, including the president. Its
officers are D. Shanahan, Louisville, KY,
president; G. NJ. Shanahan, Louisville,
KY, President; D. E. Doherty,
Louisville, KY, Treasurer; NJ. Fl. Mes
Carthy, Rich Patch Mines, General Man
ager; James O'Caliahan, of Richmond,
KY, Secretary, Mat O'Doherty, Louis
vile, KY, Counsel The Directors are
D. Shanahan, D. E. Doherty, J. Nc
Alter, c. NJ Shanahan, Mat O'Doherty,
and D. A. Shanahan, Louisville; E. T..
Powell and H. B. Hanger, Cincinnati,
Ohio; M. H. Mccarthy, Rich Patch
Mines, and S. III. Yost, Staunton.
. 1t was due mainly to the ability of the
treasurer of the Company, d. E. Doher-
| ty, that the transaction by which the
property was placed in its present favor
able condition, was effected. OF course
others in interest were indispensably
useful in the arrangement, but to Mr..
| Doherty is due much of the credit of
the final perfecting of the negotiations.
The Company is now in a shape to go
right along with its development work.
| The mining plant is one of the largest
in the State, and is being very success
fully worked under the management of
Captain Mccarthy. 1t is the purpose OF
the Company to open another mine, inn
mediately or the line of the Chesapeake
and Ohio railway, a few miles west OF
the connection of the Rich Patch rail
road with the G. & o., and to operate
it as fully as the conditions will al
low. A number of the Directors were
on the property last week to look into
the matter, and to ascertain the extent
and cost of the improvements necessary
the gentlemen interested in the proper
ty are practical railroad men, who are
familiar with that kind of work. ano
whatever may be determined on, will be
promptly and efficiently executed.
Among those present at the winding
up of the deal, was Col. Ed. Pendleton
of Lexington, Va. He represented the
interest of Mr. Shultz, of Botetourt
From Col Pendleton we learned the
history of that interest. 1t seems that
twenty years ago, an old gentleman
named d. L. Wilson, owned the proper
ty. It was all that he possessed of this
worlds goods, and although rs years OF
age, he had great expectations from the
rich ore deposits on the tract. His fl
nancial condition, however, was such
and his age SO advanced, that he was
prevailed on to sell it to Mr.. Shultz fol
| $16,000-on an option. From M Shultz,
Harrison Robertson agreed to purchase,
and pay the amount due Mr. Wilson,
Mr. Shultz retaining one-fourth inter
est in the property as his share. Mr..
Robertson associated with him w. w.
Gordon and W. L. Darlington, of Rich>
mOnd, who were to give attention to
some litigation over boundary dispute
that was pending and also to a contro-
had arisen under the Wilcher claim.
| The result of this litigation was to place
the property in possession of Harrison
Robertson, in fee, with Gordon and Car
rington as participants in the benefits
for services rendered. On the occasion
of the final close of the sale of the prop
erty to the Rich Patch Company Col.
! Pendleton was present as counsel for
and representative of Mr.. Shultz, and
as such received from Mr.. Robertson
one dollar, except his attorneys fees.
Mr.. Robertson had paid the Wilson debt,
all costs of litigation, during its progress,
and had assumed all obligations in de-
Tending the property from claims set up
to certain parts Of it. OF course the
costs of litigation were assessed against
the losing parties in the suit, which was
decided IL or Is years ago in the Su-
preme Court of the State. So Mr.. Shult2
and his attorney drew out $4,000 with
out putting in one dollar.
Probably there is no similar boundary
OF territory in the whole country which
contains as much high grade iron ore.
1t is estimated by competent mining
/ I'M ,toi RI RI Il
teen millions Of tons most Of which can
be accommodated by few miles of stand
ard guage railroad built by the Rich
Patch Iron Company, come tin G
with the Chesapeake and Ohio railway,
and other parts of the property are access
sible from the main stem of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railway, and the res
mainder will be accommodated by the
Potts Valley railroad, when constructed,
which will be, we are informed, during
the coming year, as all arrangements
have been perfected for that purpose.
The Rich Patch Iron Company, the
present owners of the property, have
erected an extensive and costly mining
| DldDG, anu have DSeu Sulpt)IuS ores lot
the past six months. AS operations pro-
gress additional facilities are made APP
parent and these will be supplied as
rapidly as possible. Other openings
will be made, and other mining plants
established at the most convenient and
accessible points to the ore, and in time,
it is the intention of the Company, to
work the property to It's fullest availa-
BILE capacity.
This property is located in the heart
of the great Rich Patch District, ad
joins the extensive furnace property of
the Low Moor Company, four miles
west of Clifton Forge, and borders on
the Chesapeake and Ohio railway, with
which it connects by it's own railroad.
about one mile west OF Low Moor. The
western part of it, and probably the most
valuable, is near the line of the project
ed Potts Valley railroad. Ample ship
ping facilities will thus be afforded and
! all the conditions favorable for much