The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-08

undrum mines amounts to about 100000
annually.
Monazite.
This material, formerly existing in the
cabinets of collectors as a rare mineral
has become a money producer for the
State. 1t is valuable as the SOURCE of
oxide of thoria, which finds use in the
production of mantels for the Welsback
incandescent gas burners. This mineral
is found in commercial quantities in
Rutherford, Cleveland, Burke and Nc
Dowell counties, though mining in the /
latter has been abandoned by reason of
legislation forbidding the use of Muddy |
creek for mining purposes. 1t is found |
as a reddishb brown sand in the soil of
hillside and bottom lands. from which it |
is carefully washed, the iron is extracts |
by use of magnets, and in this form goes
to market. The output has value of
about $4,000 a year to the State. Prior |
to the monazite mining, zrcon was
mined and sold for the same purposes. |
and will again assume value as the
monazite becomes exhausted.
Tale.
This white, soft mineral is the basis !
for considerable mining operations in this |
State. Much like it is a kindred sub
stance-pyrophylite- is found in
the central part of the State, while tale
is confined in it's commercial form to the
mountain counties of Cherokee and
Swain. Pyrophyllite is found in Moore,
Chatham and Randolph counties. With
! the exception of pencils-for which tale
is best-both minerals, while differing
in component parts, have many similar
physical properties and are marketed for
the same purpose as ground Hour.
/ Unfortunately it is an excellent adulter-
ant and goes into many compounds to
add weight-soap, candy, paints, etc.,
! etc. 1t is also the basis of most Of the
! face powders on the market. Mining
for these substances is conducted mainly
| in Cherokee, Swain and Chatham coun-
/ ties the combined output adds to the
/ wealth of the State about $50000 a year
at present, with possibilities of greater
! development in the future.
Gem Stones.
Among the economic minerals of the
State are many which find a profitable
market in the form of gems. Mention
has been made above of A. H. Smith C
Co., of New York, who are engaged in
mining ruby corundum and rhodohite in
Macon county. The other corundum
mines of that region also mine gems in
cidentally; and Mr.. w. e. Hidden who
some years ago brought to notice the
rareSt of gemS-H iddenite-is also en-
gagged in that county mining for gems
rhodolites mostly, as that county has q
monopoly Of this rarely beautiful miner
al. The American Gem Mining Com
pany, also of New York, is conducting
mining operations in Macon, Mitchell
and other counties of the State and is
marketing fine rhodoites, rubes, sap
phires, emeralds and rich golden. blue
y apple green, acquamarine and brilliant
light colored broyls, also amethysts
There is also pretty constant search be-
| ing made in Iredell and Alexander coun-
ties for beryls, almandine and bright
: cherry red garnets; for amethysts, cairn-
germ, citrine and rutilated quartz. all OF
which find market. From these sources
, some twelve to fifteen thousand dollars
? came to the State each year-but this
} estimate is hardly fair, as the material
t is all shipped in the rough for the finish
/, ing touches of the lapidist and once in
S the hands of the jeweler their identity is
) lost.
r These are but few of the economic
Y minerals-others should be mentioned did
the OCCASION warrant. however, the great
marble deposits of Cherokee and Swain
7 are crying out for development. Our
sister State of Georgia, just south of
Cherokee county in this State, is making
I her marble deposits a source of great
wealth, the annual income exceeding
n $4,000 while the total of all the quarries
a granite. gneiss sandstone and marble
in this State do not yield more than
o S250,o00 a year. There has just been
n added to the North Carolina exhibit at
9 Charleston. samples of beautiful marble
black. gray, pale blue and other colors
h from the property Of the National Marble
, Co. Of Murphy, Cherokee county. They
, call their produce by the Indian name
4 Koneteha Marble. and the financiers who
a ere developing the property are residents
: OF Charleston. Yet there is room fol
). more, and while Tennessee and Georgia
are making great progress in the develop
ment of their marbla--it is all practically
in the same mineralogical zcne. Our vas
o and attractive deposits remain for tht
y most part inert. There is great fiel(
j. for profitable investment.
6 r. X BRUNER.
II Commissioner in charge of the N c. Elk
;. hibit at Charleston.
It North Carolina Beats Illinois il
IL Corn.