The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-10
A VIRGINIA INDUSTRY.

n
We take from the Tradesman the fol-
lowing very interesting account OF the
soapstone industry In Albemarle county,
Va:
Albemarle county, Va. IS the home OF
many Industries, but, perhaps, the most
interesting ono is the soapstone quarry
of Alberene. Among the foothills OF the
Ragged mountains IS a tract OF 1880 acres,
fringed with woods, and dotted with tidy
homes, a little world I'm itself, its interests
centering where the great derricks marx
tho sky and long buildings cover busy
saws. Twelve years ago 1t was quiet
farm, but one day a horseman appeared
riding slowly, with observant eyes
man Of experience, an expert IN soap
stone. Here he found outeropping a
vein OF soapstone. the finest IN the Woiiu'
He looked long and carefully, theh ne
went away-but it was 20 form COM
pany which bought the place. lHey W
gan operations at once.
with n force OF thirty-hve men and
inadequate machines. enough soapstone
was put on the market TO establish ltS
reputation and to create a demand. To-
day with n force Of 225 workmen, and
highly-improved machinery, the output
does not supply that demand. Extensions
and Improvements are constantly III pro-
gress. and the capacity of the vein Is
practically limitless.
The first quarry opened showed a VEIN
from thirty-nve TO forty feet woe, III
clined at an angle Of 50 degrees. Exca-
waited TO a depth of leo feet 1t stll yleld-
I'll fine blocks Of workable stone. Az the
end Of six years this quarry was aban-
doned, and about twenty feet away an
other quarry was opened and worked III
the same way. There are now lNrte
quarries I'm operation. Large lngersoll
chambers are used in them to drill out
the blocks: they are run by steam, ana III
spite Of the hardness OF the stone, cut
about the sides OF each block with amaZ-
ing rapdlty. The average block weighs
nine tons but the derricks used are ca
pable OF raising as much az twenty tons.
once out Of the quarry the blocks are
nut on steam trucks and carried 10 the
factory where they are cut into slabs or
varying thickness. This IS done by apra-
sion. Gang saws swing 10 and fro, over
chilled iron globules that wear away the
stone as they are kept continually NOV
ing. Each slab IS then examined ana
moved on its truck to be cut into the
shapes for which It is best adapted Ihe
manufactured output IS about siNty-ihree
tons per day.
As acid has absolutely 10 action upon
the stone Il IS used 20 make tanks Tor
Jewellers: dissecting-rooms, AMI laoora-
tories are fitted up with II; and on ac-
count OF it's non-absorbant qualities, II ls
In great demand for laundry tubs ana
sinks. II Is also used for fireplace nm
incs and for griddles. the latter having
a great advantage over the iron gIldules'
as they never require greasing
The Alberene soapstone Is exported All
o,.er tho world. for its smooth texture
md hardness render the articles manu-
featured from fl absolutely time-deiylhs
in tbeir durability. -Four car-loads or
this stone are I'm the laboratory AT 1ale'
at TiNany's there are acid tanks tic
Hahnemann Hospital. at Chicago anu 'i!o
Vanderbilt clinic. Of New YORK py t"eT
use testify TO its merits ana '1e c"l.t
slty Of Mississippi has set an eAani ,,,..
which the South and west are Spe'N'''
| following. 90
For years this soapstone was put on
tho market ut a loss. The very quality
which gives it superiority made the dli'-
Guilty. No machinery could match JUS
hardness. Machines had 10 be invented
that could cope with II, and in the stru#-
gle raw recruits have become trained
workmen. These workmen are nearly al
whites of the laboring classes from the
country round about. 4 couple OF Swedes,
q German or 'wo, and a Frenchman repre-
sents the foreign element, and the force
Of negroes who fin out the necessary
quota Of employees are those who. In the
twelve years of the Quarry's existence.
represent the survival Of the httest. Alto
gether IL is 4 thriving, busting colony,
and what was venture, Is now an Csc
tablished business on firm footing its Sue
cess adding much 10 the steadily growing
.. s. COLES.
The Times happens to have special in-
formation in connection with this indus
Try and it knows that Ill stated in this
letter is true. Ten years ago there was
hardly the beginning Of a business at the
place described while now It is one Of
magnificent proportions AMI growing all
the time
There is some soapstone in New Hamp-
shire and Connecticut but its puality does
not make il a serious competition with
the Albemarle soapstone, and we believe
there is none other in this country: and.
from our information. we believe there IS
none I'm any other country hat AN COM
pete with that produced from the vein
that runs through Albcmarle. Virginia is
a singularly-bessed State, If only her
people would think so. and rely upon the
development possible for her natural re-
sources by hard labor instead Of upon
cheap money as their saviour.
LOngstreet's Opinion Of General Lee From a
Northern Standpoint.