The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-08-29
RED GRANITE IN OKLAHOMA.
Valuable Deposits Opened Up In Greer
COunty-Western Produet VIII
shut Out the East


With the buildingof the Chicago. Rock
Island and Pacific railway through the
western portion Of Oklahoma, a new and
valuable industry vas made possible.
This new industry is the quarryirg Of
granite and its preparation for CONNER
cial purposes. The vast deposits Of
granite in Oklahoma have been brought
into railroad communication with the
commercial world and within a very
short time this new industry will be in
full blast.
The Oklahoma granite fields are lOcat-
ed in Greer county. They consist for
the most part Of high and massive noun
tains and there is such an ABUNDANCE OF
this rock exposed above ground that
that portion alone would supply thegran-
ite using world for years to come. The
quality Of the granite is Of the very best.
A large portion Of it is a solid red granite
and IS pronounced by experts to be equal
to the celebrated Peterhead Red Scotch
granite and equally adaptable for monu-
mental and building purposes. The
granite can be taken out IN immense
blocks, which adds much to It's monetary
value as well as to increase its desirabili-
~ for building purposes.
The finding of the red granite in Ok
lahOma is one Of the important discover
les Of the present day. 1t is a discovery
the value Of which can hardly be est
mated. Not only is red granite very
scarce but also the cost is corresponding
~ high as a consequence. The larger
portion Of the red granite used in the
United States comes from Scotland. On
this imported red granite the United
States has for years paid high duty, in
addition TO the cost in freight rates In
transporting the same. With the red
granite from the Oklahoma fields on the
market, a decided change IN this cOndi-
ton viii be made possible and red gran
tie VIII become very popular again for
monumental work as well as for building
purposes. The granite Is easy TO reach.
1t can be taken from the quarries with
very little expense. The Oklahoma
fields are centrally located They are
reached by the Rock Island system.
with short lines to Chicago, Kansas City.
st. Louis, Omaha, Denver, FL Paso and
Fl Worth, and connecting lines at these
points will thus bring the principal mar
kets into close connection with OklahO-
ma fields. The granite from Oklahoma
can be put on the market at a much low
er cost compared to that Of the imported
red granite from Scotland. The result
IS plain. 1t means a revolution IN the
granite industry.
A short time ago accompany was formed
for the purpose Of opening up these
granite deposits. Mr.. Chas. II. More Of
Montpelier, Vt, organized the Chas. H
More Granite company. Associated with
Mr.. More in the company, are Mr.. John
R. Mulvane and Mr.. Joab MulEane, Of
Topeka, Kan, Mr.. A. Henley, ofLawrence
Kan. and Mr.. E. W. Thompson, of Kan
sas City, Mo. tits the intention Of the
company to 60 right to work on a large
scale. Quarries viii be established in
Oklahoma and plant for the dressing
Of the granite viii be located at Topeka,
Kansas. MIR. E. ". Thompson, assistant
general passenger agent of the Rock Is
land System, was the discoverer Of the
value Of the Oklahoma granite and pro
Inoter Of this company. The plant TO be
erected viii be equipped with the latest
machinery and devices for handling and
cutting the granite. Compressed air
viii be the motive power. Skilled work
men will be employed and more men
added and the plant enlarged as becomes
necessary to keep up with the increase
of business. Granite companies, other
than the More Granite company, are
looking over the field. One company
was formed recently, composed Of At
Gibson, Kansas, people
In the line OF monumental granite, 10
is a well known fact that the supply is
obtained and manufactured In New Eng
land. The freight rates from New Eng
land 70 the Missouri river increase the
cost of the rough and finished stone at
lsast one hundred per cent This con
sidered, IL can readily be seen what an
opportunity for reducing the price Of
granite both 10 the territoy west Of Chi
cago and that Of St. Louis, Is made pos
sible by the marketing OF the Oklahoma
granite.
A Newfoundland Hero.