The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-16
VIRGINIA MINERALS,

In connection with the development Of
Southern mineral lands we are interested
to noto that eight counties Of the State
of Virginia are now represented in the
Permanent Mineral Collection, which is
| in process of formation at Salem,
We gather this information from an
article in the Salem Sentinel. in which it
is said that Mr.. Il. II. Miller, the secre-
tary is in correspondence with the out
side world with a view 10 promoting the
cause, and that two propositions have
been received for the formation of a
company with liberal capital to develop
Virginia property. 4 letter Of inquiry
has also come from Mr.. Thomas Dunlap,
Of Doyestown, Pa. who several years
ago was instrumental in Interesting a
number Of English capitalists in proper
ties of the Southwest. In contention Of
the subject the Salem sentinel says:
A recent ouigrOwth of the general plan,
20 which the management IS giving CON
siderable thought, is the encouragement
of certain simple industries which promise
profit. There are several mineral pro-
duets found IN the State the market
price Of which will not bear distant trans
portation. Barytes ochre, whet rock.
soapstOne ana some kinds of slate, how
ever, If ground pretty fine, are worth in
that form very considerably more money.
The same is true of asbestos ST shredded
and rolled into sheets, and OF arsenic
ana many other minerals if concentrated.
The secretary has sent out general in
vitati0n for correspondence from anyone
familiar with the treatment Of these raw
materials. or any of those mentioned be-
low, as likely to prove of mutual advan-
tage TO the correspondent and the man
agcment Of the collection. owners or
land i'm any county OF the State thought
TO contain iron. manganese. zinc, copper,
lead, silver, tin. pyrites, coal, arsenic
asbestos, graphite, barytes paint clay,
fire clay, p0tter's clay fuiiefs EARN
moulding sand, soapstone, glass sand,
engraving stone, serpentine rock, mica
slate. granite, marble, superior limestone
or other valuable mineral may have II
prospected for the purpose OF securing
specimens for the Permanent Exhibit
upon application TO Emlen Hare Miller,
Hotel Duval. Salem. Va IL has been de-
cdod that an specimens. I'm order to have
business value for the purposes OF the
exhibit. must be taken from the ground
by experts working under the auspices
OF the General Committee. y small
charge will be made to cover the eN-
pnsa Of this work so regulated, how
ever. as to bring IL within the means OF
an. Prospectors are now being employed
and sent out az fast as competent men
apply.
On Monday next there VIII BIZ held at
Salem a conference OF such persons as
are interested IN this movement and all
such are invited to correspond with the
secretary, Mr. Miller. At this meeting the
methods of securing specimens and the
benefits Of being represented by samples
in the Permanent Mineral Collection will
be fully explained.
We give prominence 70 this movement
IN the interest of that section of Nir-
ginia. which is 80 rich IN minerals We
believe that the time Is near at hand
when every acre of such property will be
in brisk demand at good prices, and, in
our opinion. Southwest Virginia IS des
tined to be ono Of the richest sections
Of the South. 1t is necessary, however,
that there shall be an organized effort
TO make these vast riches known to the
outside world. and the modest movement
at Salem Is a step In the right direction.