Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-10-27
A SCENE OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY.
Doings of Various Enterprises, as Report
ed BY Our Correspond ent.
special Correspondence to The spectator

SV'"S0 VI 'o' fouS G"tci ~ tScS, as htpVTt-
ed BY Our Correspondent
Special Correspondence to The Spectator.
Rich Patch Mines, Va Oct. M.-The
progress of improvement and develop
ment at Rich Patch Mines are a fair
indication of the remarkable activity
that is manifest in this district on all
industrial lines. Some weeks ago YOUR
correspondent grouped in hasty and
crude way some of the evidences of
new life in The mining business that
were apparent to the casual observer
as he came In contact with the many
signs of change and progress that con-
fronted him as he hurriediy passed
over the field of Operations in this rich
mineral section. A more recent visit
to the Rich Patch Mines exposed to his
view the vast amount of work that was
being done and the energy and capac-
ity which have been engaged to aug.
ment and perfect this extensive mining
plant. When l last wrote you there
were being shipped from the mines
from $50 to 300 tons of ore day. Now
there are dispatched from here from
$40 to 600 tons a day, which are readily
taken at Low Moor, Goshen and Glen
Wilton, and as much more could be
disposed OF were the facilities complet-
ed for mining. About four miles of
standard gauge railroad have been
added to the original line to accom-
modate new openings, and the steam
shovel, which was appropriated to cut
ting out bed for the railroad extern
sion is now doing, its appointed work
in the mines, increasing the output to
double what it was, with pick and
shovel exclusively, and reducing the
cost at least 100 per cent. Exposures
have been made of iron ore seams
ranging from 40 to 80 fe et in width. of
unknown depth and of length limited
by the extent of the property. Mining
Is going on in open cut and tunnel at
number of points sand tramways and
mine cars are kept busy for 10 hours
OF the "A. The whole scene is one of
methodical activity and incessant in
dustry; of enlarged development and
eminently satisfactory results.
At the cOmmissary an addition has
been made for the storage of the gro
Gerry goods and an extensive ell is be-
ing erected for the further accommo
dalton of the increasing trade that is
being carried on in that department.
Full lines Of goods of every descrip
ton suitable for the demands of a
mining camp, as well as those of the
rural sections, are kept in stock and
handled by competent clerks and
statesmen. A new Office for the general
manager and bis force, with needed
conveniences. is being arranged and
the entire building so adjusted as to
hyrCi
operations.
The addition to the residence build
ing OF the general manager mentioned
in former notes, is completed and now
occupied. 1t consists of six we'll
planned and spacious rooms, neatly
finished and handsomely furnished;
heated by water and equipped with
modern improvements, and presided
over by the hospitable and accomplish
ed ladies of the managers household,
whose artistic taste is manifested at
every turn and evidence an eye to the
beautiful, as we'll as the useful.
A contract has been made for hand
some church convenient to the white
residents of the camp, and also one for
the colOred people, as well as for Is or
20 additional buildings for the accom-
mediation of the employees. The presi-
dent of the Rich Patch Iron Ore Co.
w. W. Gibbs, of Philadelphia, will
donate an organ for the church for the
whites as soon as the edifce is COM
pleted. A schoolhouse has been con-
structed in which Sunday school is
held every Sabbath evening and prayer
meeting every Wednesday night under
the auspices of Rev. Mr.. Barth, of the
Presbyterian denomination. These
provisions for the ediication and en-
joyment of the population are very
much appreciated and promise we'll
for the Improvement and uplifting of
the tone Of the people. They stimulate
all to aspire to a higher and better life
and impart a moral flavor to the inter
course and surroundings of the COM
munity.
The foundation is being laid for set
ting two 150-hOrse-power engines.
each, for the electric plant that has
been determined on to light up the
grounds and accommodate the tun-
nels; four jigs are in operation in the
washer house to eliminate foreign sub
stances from the ore and better pre-
pare it for the furnace; and tie third
engine purchased to meet the increas.
ing business that has followed the In
PRODUCTION of modern methods of min
ing. From sunrise to sunset il is one
busy scene of activity-between 800
and 400 men. with mules and carts and
cars and machinery industriously
pressing the work in each department
of the enterprise, eliminating in
dumping at the various furnaces with
which contracts exist, about 600 tons
of ore per day.
1t is now practically settled that 81
200-tOn furnaces will he erected on the
Rich Patch property at once and that
coke ovens will be built near the fur
mace sites 20 make complete one of the
most propitiously located iron m4king |
plants in the country. Locking to
this result the president of the Rich |
Patch Iron Ore Co, recently closed a |
deal for 5000 acres of New River cox
ing coal lands with a view to uniting |
the two properties, thus bringing the |
ore and fuel together under one man
agement and one ownership With |
this arrangement conSummated, as we
understand it will be. as soon as men |
and money can do it, it will be one of |
the most advantageously located ia
uuStFleS lOr making cheap Iron in the |
United States. This arrangement can
be effected without interfering with
the shipment of ore from the present
mining plant, as the western end of
The property, where the furnaces will
be located, presents an even more
abundant supply Of ore than does the
eastern end, where mining operations
Ire now conducted. What further
plans for the utilization of the furnace
may be determined on vel
'ennot say.
But one thing may be taken for
the present owners. of
Rich Patch mean business IN a broad
ense. They know they have good
hing; that the ore is practically inex-
laustible; that they have their own
uel and limestone and that they will
,e able to turn out pig that will
Justify the erection of mills to manu-
acture basic steel, which will defy sue
essful competition and to estab. ish !
'ipe works of large proportions
The entire district Is moving OH the
anne lines that the Rich Patch Co is. {
4 I