Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-05-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
Report of George G. UnderhiII, of
Vermont, on the Great Marble
Deposit I'm POcahOntas.

ITO Hon. W. Il. McNeel, Can't. A. M
Edgdr, Geo. Nc Neel and others in
interest at Marble untain,
Acadeniy, Pocahontas county, West
Virginia:
GENTLEMEN-This is to say that
having been employed by you to
visit your property for the purpose
OF ascertaining the facts pertaining
to it's value for marble purposes,
would report as follows: A careful
study of your outcroppings indicates,
first, that there are several miles of
fossiliferous marble strata, perhaps
five or six, exposed to plain view
much of the distance, and nowhere
covered by more than few feet of
debris; the vein is at least forty feet
thick and lies nearly horizontal at
all points, coursing through and
through the low range of hills
wherein it is located.
There is no possible way TO deter
mine the full depth of the stratum
except by core drill or uncovering
the exposure to greater depth than
has been attempted, or by actual ex-
cavatiOn, nor does it matter much
whether it be proven of greater
depth than shown by outcroppings, for
there is moro marble already in sight
than has ever been used during all
the ages. This is in no sense extrava.
CANT or overdrawn. An excavation
1000 feet square and forty feet deep
would produce S0,000,000 cubic feet
of merchantable marble assuming
that one-half the excavation be de-
bris) and I seriously doubt if that
enormous gross total has been pro.
duced since the beginning of time,
for, while the worlds production
now aggregates perhaps 100000
cubic feet annually, it is only Of late
that even 100000 was used, and it
is probable that 100000 feet would
cover the production of fifty years
ago, and proportionately less as we 60
back. Thus it will be seen that with
an area ofseveral miles square ayaila-
BILE, it is not very important to know
accurately whether the depth be 40
or 140 feet more especially as 40
foot strata can be economically
worked.
In quality this marble may be di-
vided INTO two general grades; the
one ranging from the richest red to
to the deepest maroon color while
the other may Be called dove cOlored
richly marked with white mottling
and dark veins.
Perhaps the most important query
is as to the condition of this vast
mass, for many deposits that are
otherwise desirable are so unsOund
and broken by eruption and upheav.
ing forces as to be rendered worth,
less.
A word as to the methods of its pre-
sentation above the present adjacent
country side will make plain that nc
great strain could have obtained
The contour Of the immediate coun
try surrounding Marble Mountain
taken in connection with the position
Of all the exposed rocks makes 1t NOR
ally sure that the hills in question
were forced up from their origina
level, the level where the depositinl
took place, without fitting or contor
tion just as though some force shoul'
operate directly under given piec
of level meadow land so as to lift |
hundreds or thousands of feet abov
its natural surroundings, thus max
ing an elevated table-land or mesa
the top being undisturbed and leve
Is before.
/ have never seen like condition
except at Dorset, Vermont, where
large bed of low grade marble an,