The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-10-19

Yorkville, September ll.-ChcIo'
kcc County enjoys the distinction of
being the first county not only IN
South Carolina, but in the United
United States to have as much as
carload Of tin ore mined within it's
borders. Capt. S. S. Ross, who dis
covered tin mine on his farm near
Gaffney about a year ago, has SO far
shipped two carloads Of ore to Eng
land to be smeltcd at Cornwall. 1t is
said to be fact that not SO much as
ton Of ore has ever before been taken
out of any single mine on the North
American Continent
Willie in Gaffncy few days ago the
writer called on Mr. II. &. Ross, son
of Capt. Ross, and president of the
First National Bank Of Gafiney, and
asked to be told something about the
tin mine and the supposed outlook for
the future.
Mf. Ross said that while as rule
it vas not good policy for business
man 70 tell what he was doing or ex-
pcctcd to do, still in their case they
had no objection to taking the public
into their confidence, in view Of the
fact that they owned and controlled
the only mine of undoubtcd value in
the United States.
''The plantation" he said, ION
which the mine was discovered by my
father, is located near Gatfney, and
includes large body Of original forest
timber. 1t has been his custom for
years to examine this timber once or
twice each year to see whether or not
any depredations were being made,
and that was what he was doing when
he discovered the outcroppings of
tin ore that subsequently led to the
development Of the mine. The speci.
mems we're found among the roots of a
tree that had been blown down.
"Up to this time only the most
primitive methods have been employ
ed in prospecting. A shaft has been
sunk to the depth of about SO feet in
the same manner as is employed in
sinking we'll. At depth of about
SO feet quicksand was struck and it
was with great difficulty that it was
handled. The shaft is substantially
curbed from top to bottom, and we
Save now uncovered or cut through a
vein that promises to stagger the
world 80 far as richness and extent is
concerned. We have decided now,
since We are entirely satisfied with
the outlook, to suspend operations
until we can buy and install the neces-
sary machinery to operate at o mini
mum expense and secure maximum
results. Ills my purpose to 60 North
next week to arrange for the machine.
~ We need or want. We are figuring
on investing about $4,000 in this
way at the outset, and will increase
the size of the plant as developments
warrant.
"Here are some specimens Of our
ore," remarked Mr.. Ross, as he show.
ed about gallon of dark or black
looking mineral specimens. They
were heavier in proportion to size
than lead, but did not present an ap-
pearance that would be calculated to
attract the attention of o novice.
Mr. Ross WAS asked as to the assay
value or proportion Of pure tin con-
tanned in the samples as we'll as of
the general run Of the mine, and
statad that it was over 20 per cent
pure, and that its commercial value
was in the neighborhood Of $500 to
the ton.
Mr.. Ross said that it was not their
intention to sell any part Of their in
terest in the mine, and although they
had numerous attractive offers they
had declined them all, for the reason
that they were satis6ed that they had
most valuable piece Of property and