The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-13

Editor Times.

EdltOr lines:
In closing my article in the Sunday issue Of
TIE TINES Of the 18th instant | stated that
Mr.. Thomas rutherford promised 20 inform
me of the cause OF delay IN the development
of the vast deposits OF mica in the Amelia
district over which we had prospected. The
gentlemen who first made The discovery Of
these extensive deposits, viz, General
Imbodeu and the late j. g.. Jefferson.
ESD. both OF this state, uneartbed and
brought 10 view these mica leads. As near as
! can ascertain this was in the year ir71
Following this discovery the services OF
Mr. Thomas rutherford were secured 20
further prospect and open up within radius
OF three and half square miles Openings
were made showing the presence OF TINS SUI
periOrQuality. 4 lease was secured by DR..
Henry on two years term. during which
time as near as accounts viii testify, the
statement that thousands Of pounds of sheet
mica was taken ont OF only two OF these
openings. the largest of which by measure
ments showed an opening Of about ninety
feet square and depth OF 10 feet. be
other opening was very much smaller. aud
less than ninety feet deep. Hundreds Of
tons of scrap which was OF the same quality
besides about 1000 tons Ot spar: also guam
titles of gainet and albte were shipped. The
from 4x4 TO lOxl6. This mica
was admitted TO be far better than the in
ported article being more transparent and OF
better clearage. Although every effort seems
TO have been made 10 renew the lease DR..
Henry could not succeed IN making Or secur-
Ing further renewal, 50 he was compelled TO
discontinue his hold on the mines
The product of these two years
were far in excess of what national re-
ports claim as the entire product Of the
nited States. Syndicate manipulation
which controlled the output from these two
openings must have locked up and stored
away this immense quantity, as /
find no reports OF an Official nature
that mention the. extent OF said
mining AT this depth of ll5 feet the sheets of
mica increased IN SIZE and fineness and the
power of the pump was not sufficient 10 enable
the shaft 10 10 kept clear OF water Alr.
rutherford III connection with Mr.. Il. ".
IraylOr, Openedup and continued 10 prospect
very extens .yely with wonder ~ success but
the absence Of proper. means for mining WAS
the main cause with which they mad 10 contend.
Mr. 1raylor IS the inventor OF valuable mill
ing machinery Tor grinding the scrap. which
had been attended with great difficulty uu-
I'll he invented complete and thorough aD-
pllauces for this purpose which ne now has
perfected SO completely as not only 10 ZEN
der the operation OF reducing the
scrap into an impapable powder. but
the expense OF grinding very economical.
Its use for paper hanging manufacturers lu-
brlcatlng oils. cement axle grease, iron
moulders' use and many other purposes opens
up a large and profitable field. probably ex-
ceeding IN Importance the sheet mica busl-
ness.
Ii is rather IA surprise that after running the
importance of this industry that the product
from these shafts should have been over
looked. and that there should be "a complete
absence OF official data However there
may be reason which can be given
by those whose interests II best serves
10 maintain excessive prices by holding
back the supply. ~ shaped leadsl mean
large. rich and continuous deposits. II al OF
these were followed and worked over this IN
exhaustible bed. covering tbs four miles over
which have prOspeCted. mica would be "a
very cheap product Ia the market and
many uses made for II which
cannot now exist IN consequence of high
prices in conclusion / would cali upon all
who are Interested 10 give this important
matter full and serious thought. There exists
righs here greater and more enduring
riches than ever presented ~ any gold
or silver mine. Enterprise and capital
appreciate these conditions and decided IN
terest Is perceptibly on the increase IN cd
Virginia. The TACT exists. the proof Is ready,
Virginia contains uudlsturbed. hidden be-
meath the soil mineral wealth beyond the power
Of estimate. II. X. SrEISMErz.