Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-08-10
THE RICH PATCH IRON DISTRICT.
An Interesting Report of What is Being
Done There by the Owners.

An interesting hepOTt VI What 20 oo'ns
Done There by the Owners.
Especial Correspondence of the SPEcTAToRD
Rich Patch, Aug. S.-A brief visit
recently to the Rich Patch mines re-
vealed very favorable condition OF
that valuable mining plant. A vast
amount of work has been done by the
present company since they assumed
control of the property in December
last. The standard gauge railroad OF
Al miles, connecting with the G. u U.
railway, has been relaid with ties;
bridges which were in dilapidated
condition, have been replaced by sub
stantial structures; the tressel work at
the washer has been taken down and
a new and durable one erected; the
tunnels have been -timbered; the
open cuts put in better shape; some 80
| or 35 houses for miners put up. making
about so or IS in all on the premises;
the standard gauge railroad has been
extended about 8 miles to new openings;
tramways and inclines placed on the
new work; and exposures OF ore ef-
fected which surpass the most san
guine expectations and calculations.
A six room addition TO the residence
building of the general manager has
been built and is now ready for Occu-
patton. The other buildings have been
painted and repaired; the grounds
around them cleaned up and leveled
off, and a substantial stone wall erect
ed to prevent the grounds from wash
ing, and shade trees and shrubbery will
be planted to give additional esthetical
attraction and comfort to the premises.
Three jigs have been placed in the
washer buildings to facilitate IN the
handling and preparation of the ores;
second washer put in; a new engine
purchased to be used for shifting pur-
poses on the yard; "a steam shovel intro
duced to minimize the cost of mining
and augment the output Of ore, and
many other improvements made which
are necessary to a complete mining
camp. Ali this work has been effect
ed in little more than six months,
while mining andshipping ore have been
going on as fast as the limited facili-
ties up to this time would allow.
4
When it is recalled that there was no
organization on the property at the
time the present manager. James L.
Lightner, took charge; that the win
ter was an exceedingly severe one and
especially unfavorable for mining op-
erations and that all the difficulties
outlined above had to be confronted
and overcome, the results have been
remarkable and testify to the energy.
industry and capacity of the general
manager. With the present equip.
ments he will be able to increase the
output of the mines to at least LOU
tons per day, for which aready market
is available in the district in which
the mines are located, as there are 81.
furnaces in operation and only one idle
for want of an ample supply OF ore ano
coke to this time.
The Victoria Furnace at Goshen
Iva, not strictly in the Rich Patel
District, will, in few weeks, be blowr
| in with a capacity Of 200 tons of irol
day ard consuming something lik'
500 tons of ore to supply 1t, much o
which will have to be secured from out
side mines.
The practical, common sense and es
sential Improvements at the hlcl
Patch mines will arrest the attention
of the casual observer and it was a rea
satisfaction to be an eye witness to tn
business like appearance OF everythln
iconnected with the mines and the in
ltelligent plans which are being carrie
into effect. A further matter OF IL
lterest was the remarkable showing {
ore as evidenced by the new opening
At points where it was not expected
great quantity of ore could be foun
lphenominal seams of high grade OF
Iare exposed, easily attacked with tt
steam shovel and promising the mo-
encouraging and satisfactory result
In fact there has scarcely been 8
opening on this property where the e
posure of the ore has not exceeded
far, the expectations and calculation
and giving assurance that the real VI
ue of the property is double, ii n
quadruple, that of former estimate
and that there is no such a body
hematite ore in the country. embrac
in the 5000 acres, which constitute
holdings of the Rich Patch Iron q
Company.
An intelligent mining engineer
Pennsylvania sent to Rich Patch
make investigation and report on Il
property, after remaining on 1t foI
week or more and making critical
animation, remarked that be regard
it as worth twice as much as the Co
wall mines of his State which are
ued at $4,000, 900. This sounds Il
romance and somewhat staggers cre'
Iity, but the gentleman has "a hl
Reputation in his profession, has
ample opportunities to form intellig
conclusions and could have no obj
in making any other than fair. b
est and truthful report.
An essential need for this valus
property is one or two furnaces OF
tons capacity each. With this effet
it would be one of the best paying
properties in the country. Their
every facility present for not {
making iron cheap, but for manu-
turing basic steel, and why the Pre-
. etors do not at once take steps to e
such plants, can be explained prob
INV by themselves, but which is not ap