The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-08-14
GOLD DIGGING.
The City of Abbeville 10 he the Head.
quarters of u Mineral Mining Com

The mining machinery Of Messrs Humph
reys L. Brown. Irwin, Pennsylvania, is now
being received at the Southern depot, and
wagons were transporting 1t Monday to the
scene OF their future operation. Some forty
! tons were received last Saturday and other
| machinery is 10 follow.
Judge Brown, master mechanic, and two
machinists were expected to arrive yesterday
evening TO superintend their erection.
The machinery will be put up on the Walk
er Branch, about one mile from the foot OF
! the west side of the Little Mountain, that be-
ing the most convenient centre in which rich
ores are supposed 10 be deposited beneath the
surface of the earth. 1t is proposed to haul
to the machinery the ores that are mined
within five miles of its location.
The material for building houses is on the
ground. and the right to mine In great
stretches OF land has been procured. Among
those who have granted rights are Capt John
Lyon. p. Rosenberg Il Co.. the Jennings
estate, Mrs. w. G. Neel, DIR. J. w. Wideman,
David Wardaw.
The people Of AbbevIle county are indebt-
ed 10 Captain John Lyon for having attracted
the attention Of the prospectors to this field
which is supposed to be itch with the best OF
mineral deposits. Up to this time Captain
Lyon has acted for them, but now they have
appeared on the scene in person and will
push the work energetically for all that 1t is
worth. Success TO all.
For time out OF mind, the people have be-
lieved that rich gold deposits lay hidden
away in that section of the country, and at
various times individual citizens have un-
dertake en- TO find the coveted mineral. Shafts
have been dug In many places by amateur
any scientific or energetic effort been made
TO search for the gold until now, with ipcreas-
ed knowledge, improved machinery and an
abundant capital, II Is hoped that success
effort.
Before the war William Dorm, a struggling
farmer In community not distant from the
location Of this plant found gold in great
ND ha p,I1 lv Dno a
rich man. He found this gold on u farm,
which he contracted to buy at four dollars an
acre. But the land was poor, and he was un-
successful as a farmer. Dr.. J; W. Hearst,
who sold him the tract OF land having
little faith In Mr.. Dorns ability
10 pay for it, and 10 save the expense of titles
and mortgages. gave Mr.. Dorm his promise to
make the titles If he ever paid the
rich man, and Mr.. Dorm had confidence in
his integrity.
He went into possession of the land but it
was poor and Mr.. Dorm could not pay for II
with the crops. and SO 1t was that the land
was not paid for until after Mr.. Dorm discoV-
cred the gold.
The greatest excitement prevailed because
of the poor mans lucky find, but birds OF
evil omen shook their heads. and said "poor
man he has no titles to the land; he has
tailed to pay for it, 1t justly belongs TO an
good fortune" OF course this talk dlsheart-
ened Mr.. Dorm, and he felt that the fates were
against him.
Finally, Mr. Dorm approached DIR. Hearst
on the subject OF titles, when the Doctor eX-
pressed his modification at the seeming dis
position of Mr.. Dorm to doubt his integrity,
and told him TO settle the matter at once
mettle TO pay the few hundred dollars which
he owed for the land, and he would give full
and complete title to the land, from which
Mr. Dorm afterward took q million dollars in
gold. This action on the part OF DR.. Hearst
was considered at the time, and has never
since been denied by any one, as the highest
example of personal integrity that had ever
been known in this or any other country.
Notwithstanding the fabulous stories that
had gone abroad as 10 the great value OF the
gold deposit DR.. Hearst fulfilled his promise,
least one man whose word was better than
gold, and whose character was above price.
But Hearst and Dorm have gone to their re-
ward. Hearst's name shines out In glory, but
Dorn's gold has disappeared, and the rude
machinery for separating IT from the baSer
ores is standing still. The valuable estate
has passed into other hands, new genera
tlon has come upon the scene, and the story
of Dorn's Gold Mine and the fact OF Hearst S
integrity will go down In history and tradi,
ton TO generations yet unborn. IA good
name Is rather TO be chosen than great riches,
and loving favor rather than silver ana
gold" Dorn's gold has gone TO enrich others.
Hearsts good name is a heritage In which we
all have an interest. and to which we may
look for an example OF honesty and integrity.
His influence is still felt In the community
In which he lived, and such men as DIR. }. ID.
Neal, DR.. Joseph l.. Pressly and others OF the
same neighborhood today have just as high
standards as DR.. Hearst maintained.