Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-11-25
TIE SOUTH A eoLcoNDA.
Its Mountains Teen With Precious Metals
and Gem Stones.

tnrougn tne south IN the interest OF his
organization, and in speaking about
the mineral resources in the Southern
States, he said:
II have passed through nearly all the
mining sections OF the South to exam.
Inc the mineral products in the inter-
ests OF a number OF capitalists, and,
after careful survey of the field, it is
my honest belief that the future min
ing operations Of this country will be
in the South, instead of the West. |
found the Appalachian range par
ticularly rich in all the auriferous and
argentiferous ores, not only in Virginia,
but throughout the whole length into
Alabama. In Georgia the rich depcs-
its are we'll known, and companies are
now rapidly organizing to mine the
various ores. In South Carolina the
deposits of monazite (crystals of rare
metal known as cerium, used only in
chemistry, and worth $3.50 an ounce J
have been found so valuable that a
big industry has been built up in the
Piedmont section. 1t Is estimated that
this industry is now valued at several
millions Of dollars, although it is only
few years old. When l visited the
fields everybody was locking for mo.
nazite, and the business will bring in
at least 100000 to the people Of the
Piedmont section this year. Owners
OF apparently worthless land have let
1t out to contractors at the rate OF 5000
an acre, and these miners make big
profits besides. A few years ago the
owners would have been glad to have
received SS or "a per acre for this
land.
There is more gold in the South
than any man ever imagined. Traces
OF it crop up in the most unexpected
places, and there must be some veins
hid away in the mountains that will
some day be discovered and startle the
country. Cripple Creek will be moth
ing to the Southern gold fields after
they have once been located. 1t seems
strange, but the fact is nevertheless
true, that the South las never been
thoroughly examined for mineral and
gold products. Before the war every.
body went West to find gold, and the
South was given over to cotton tobacco,
sugar and rice. After the war closed
nothing was donc for q long time to
develop the industries of the Southern
states, but now we are beginning to
realize that great, undeveloped field
is spread out before us. There are
scores of gold. prospectors travelling
through the mountains of the Suth,
looking for treasures that are sure to
come to light som day. People speak
about the future supply Of gold being
found in Africa Why, more gold is
buried in the Appalachian range of
mountains than they will find in AT.
rica In the next 100 years. But the
mountains are so vast, and the region
30 little known, that it will take time
to locate the best mines even after the
prospectors haye been attracted to the
place.
Another thing about the Southern
mines is that many of the most precious
stones have been picked up at various
places and where such jewels are spread
out on the surface you can rest assured
that there are others further down un.
der the ground. For instance, Corun.
1um Hill some beautiful sapphires have
been found. Here are some that Sc.
cured from miner. They were not
mining for sapphires, but happened to
PICK them up while mining for ores.
Over 100 sapphires have been found at
this places, and most OF them are val
ued at $50 to $lOO and upward. But
sapphires are not by any means the
only precious stones found in the
South. Genuine diamonds have been
fonnd in North Carolina, and one
miner secured precious gem that sold
Tor $500. In South Carolina and Geor.
sis fine specimens of emeralds have
also been taken from the ore mines
In fact, we have two mines that have Q
recently been started for the purpose
II digging out the emeralds, for both
he aqua marine and the yellow beryl
ire found. In the last five years nearly
s2O,0O0 worth Of emeralds have been
mined, and they are among the best
'ver discovered in America. Garnets. of
curse, are scattered all over these rich
'uriferous fields, and we pick up
uon large genuine specimens that
hey prove very valuable. Ordinary
mall garnets are not worn much, but
'hen you can mine them as big as
'irds egg you are sure to find a profit
BILE market for them. In Virginia gar.
ets OF wonderful size and brilliancv
ave been taken, and the coal q elds of
alabama and Tennessee also abound
these products. Small specimens of
iamonds have been found in Georgia,
nd there are undoubtedly whole dis.
riots that could be profitably mined
or these precious stones.
"The fact is that we have country
apable Of producing oil the pre-.
ious stones known to science, but so |
much attention has been given to the |
mining of iron, coal, oil, silver and |
,old that the more precious products
# the rocks have been neglected. I
ap,a,nhor diatinctlv I'm CoIifornio