Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-04-18
Preachers Aid Sociesy.
AlUMiNuM WILL Be CHEAP.
Enormous Beds Of Bauxite Discovered in
Alabama and Georgia.

| coming substitute for iron and wood in q
majority of the inumerable uses they now
subserye. but thus far the industry has
| failed OF the vast possibilities predicted for
| it because of the excessive cost of ex-
| tracing it from the native clay.
Information, however, has come TO the
two important scientific bureaus in Wash
ington-the Geological survey and the
Smithsonian Institution--of absolutely in
exhsustible deposits of bauxite ores in
Alabama and Georgia. which give promise
of solving the chief difficulty heretofore
encountered in the cheap production of
aluminium for commercial purposes.
Specimen Jumps of these ores, recently
anslyzed at the Smithsonian Institution,
show As per cent. of pure aluminium in the
light tints and 40 per cent. in the brown
shades, whereas ordinary clay contains, on
an average, only 33 per cent. Hence, the
value of this bauxite in the popular manu-
facture of aluminium on this account aside
from other favorable qualities, is obvious at
a glance.
Heretofore such bauxite as has been
mined (geologically called ferruginous hy-
drate of alumina) has been utilized princi-
pally in the manufacture of refractory
tflChs am luluatc liiuuSs. liz udhliR Ol
aluminium has been largely scientific and
experimental pastime. But the discovery
of these rich supplies in Georgia and Ala
bama has already given renewed impetus
to its production for practical purposes.
Several carloads of bauxite are now be-
ing shipped every week quietly, to be
sure-from pits near Randall. Calhoun
county. Ala, TO firm in Kensington, a
an bnr of D,tt hpr pa 20
derstood. the white metal is electrically ex-
tracted from the ore and then manufac-
tured by contract into equipage and accou-
trements for the imperial German army, in
the shape of belts, buckles, helmets. car
fridge shells, etc, for which the metal is
admirably suited ON account of its strength
and extraordinary lightness.
In addition prominent iron corporation
of Easton and Catasauqua, Pa, are pre-
pairing to establish an immense plant on the
grounds and so into the manufacture of
aluminium on a large scale. Otherwise no
organized movement has yet been made for
the thorough development of the deposits
and no disposition has been manifested to
promote the industry by adyen,itious
means.
On the contrary as little publicity as pos
sibie has been given to the discoveries and
operations made and contemplated. The
owners of the land are mainly small hold
crs. The field seems to he entirely open to
those who will step in and conquer it.
These bauxite deposites are located in
six contiguous counties on the border line
between Alabama and Georgia-the coun-
ties of Cherokee, Calhoun and Cleburne in
Alabama, and of Floyd, Polk and Barlow
in Georgia. They are declared to be liter
ally underlaid with bauxite. They are all
situated on spurs of the Appalachian range,
and form part of a region rich in hematite
iron ore.
The discovery was first made in Chero-
kee county, Ala, when some prospectors,
in endeavoring to locate a vein of iron ore,
sank number of shallow shafts. In ex-
cavating pit along one little ridge of the
mountain they unexpectedly struck Il bed of
hauxite few yards awav they again put
in the pick, and at depth of four feet
again struck bauxitc.
A few yards further on they struck still
more bauxite, and again still more, until
they arrived at the conclusion, inst recent
y verified. that the bauxite was everywhere
present in the neighborhood.
Since then some additional pits were dug
in the bills east of Jacksonville, in Calhoun
county, Ala. Four feet under the surface
beds of solid bauxite, 10 and Is feet wide
and from : to l2 feet deep, were located at
random. In Cleburne county, adjoining,
similar VEINS have been lail bare with the
greatest ease, and likewise in Floyd, Polk,
and Barlow counties, to the eastward. over
on the Georgia side
The fact now seems unde niable that the
deposits can be found almost anywhere
thereabout, and they are believed to extend
for many miles both east and west of that
particular region, although only few ex-
perments have been tried outside the cOun-
ties enumerated
But it is known positively that the bauxite
veins are to be found at least 30 miles in
all directions from the village of Randall.
the central point, which fortunately is
within a short distance, mile or two, of
two operating railroads. These will afford
admirable facilities for the transportation
of the developed product.
Bauzite derives its name from the fact
that it was discovered first near Baux, or
Beaus. near Aries France. Besides France,
it is found ia \ limited extent in Austria
and elsewhere in Europe a1d in workable
quantities in Arkansas and other states and
territories Of the Union. But the deposits
in Alabama and Georgia are shown to be Of
enormous extent.
This latter disco rery of it, therefore, in
such apparently unlimited quantities and in
! such favorshly locations, must be regarded
! as of incalculahle valne to the infant
aluminium industry in this country.
For many years the old rcd bauxite was
mistaken in Alabama aud Georgia as in
Europe, for iron ore of Indifferent quality
not only by laymen but even by geological
experts At Baux the ore occurs in lime
stone formations somewhat similar to those
in Alabama and Georgia.
! DR.. j. B. Branner. state geolOgist Of
Arkansas, reports the fniirg of cOnsid-
cradle store Of it near Little Rock. Ark, in
formations of the ;eriiJry age. The form
! aiions named are all Of later origin than the
cyroiite rocks which appear in veins of old
| g-anite and gnciss strait The bauxite ex-
lists a beds, analogous 10 those in which
the liuonite or brow n ron ore is found
Like the brown ore bauxite Is supposed
to be chemical change IL the pre-existent
/ rock. by which the sitcil or sand has been
. eliminated through tho wfaring away of
+ the strata and by which a considerable
( portion of water has become incorporated
| with it.