Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, September 25, 1889, Image 1

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

lewis m. grist, proprietor. J !|n .Independent damili] Dm'spapcr: <|or the fromotion of the $olifiral, Social, |tgriralturat and Commercial Interests of the j^outlt. |TERMS?$2.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE. VOIL. 35 YORKYILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1889. NO. 39. fjarfc (Countn's eouns. biacksburs And the Wonderfnl Resources of Northwestern York, HER MINERALS, WATER POWER AND RAILROADS. "The day is not far distant when the north-western section of York district will be alive with a great mining and manufacturing population. It seems that Divine Wisdom has here concentrated all the elements that contribute to man's comfort, pleasure and happiness. Full investigation of the vast natural wealth stored in O>ouo hillu J*: rn<iirvn,l for (l fiitnro (roni>M. tion. But it is not denied the observer of the present, with prophetic vision, to foretell the coming events that must open up a train of operations in which capital and industry will give range to the inherent power now lying dormant and force this section up to a state of development unsurpassed on this continent." The above is an extract from one of the uncovering a lode of iron ore.?no. 2. many glowing accounts of this section that have been written from time to time by different eminent geologists, and published in The Enquirer some twenty years ago. When this paragraph was written the population of the country was sparse and poor, the nearest railroad was more than twenty miles distiuitTaiKnTif^ossHmuy of available stone coal for the reduction of the numerous valuable ores everywhere X -- MAGNETIC IRON AND STEEL OKI abounding was an idea too vague to be dreamed of. Even in the face of this gloomy outlook, however, the geologists were hot deterred in their bright predictions for a coming generation. As they contemplated the vast mineral wealth underlying the hills, the almost unlimited water power available to the manufacturer, and the fertile farming lands in close proximity, the history of future development could but appear as an open page. Capital, with its instinctive penetration of profitable fields of development, must some day invade this locality to unlock nature's store houses and utilize her workshop. Following close on the heels of the miners must come the manufacturer of his , output, and varying his productions to supply the new demand, the farmer must find more profitable employment in raising food for their support. To such a state of affairs the people of this section have been taught to look forward ever since the first settlement of the country. Numerous and almost desperate have been their attempts to bring it about, hut the obstacles have been too great. 3 Lack of transportation facilities has been the one great barrier defying every effort s at its removal. Hut from an altogether i unexpected source, "coming events" have 1 already commenced their work of innovation. The "train of operations" has been set in motion and the era of development that is now opening up in "Northwestern York" gives the fullest promise of an that has heen predicted tor it. Abundant transportation facilities are soon to be completed, the iron beds connected with the vast coal fields of Virginia and Tennessee, and manufacturing facilities augmented to an almost unlimited extent. In view of this promise a new life is being infused in this whole section, the energy of the inhabitants stimulated into active enterprise, and every indication of an era of development is at hand. BLACKSBUKG. A GROWING TOWN WITH A RECORD OF I'Ll'CK AND PERSEVERANCE. Situated directly in the centre of the rich mineral district of York county and abundantly prepared to avail itself of all the opportunities consequent upon its de MAIX STKKKT?M.AC'KSHl'IUi. voloonient, is the progressive town of Blaeksburg, with a present population estimated at more tlmn twelve hundred inhabitants. The history of Blacksburg dates back to 1S72, when, upon the completion of the Air-Lino railroad through Cherokee township, the citizens of that locality determined to build a town. Though 'offering FIRST llorSElJUILT IX RI.ACKSUURC. few advantages as a trading point by reason of its then limited territory, the site was selected with a view to its* desirable location, and, contrary to the usual order of things in such undertakings, the work commenced by the erection of two or three private residences, Messrs. John (?. Black, Ira Hardin and (i. M. Moore being the j pioneers. Four years later, with still less j than a hundred inhabitants, only one store j and no depot, the little village was incor-, porated under the name of Black's Station, i PINE STREET?FltOM UESIDEM Upon the election of a town council, consist- ] ing of Messrs. Joseph Black, intendant; i and W. A. Baber, James M. Biggerstaff, Walter A. Bridges and G. M. Moore, war- i dens, a municipal government was or- < ganized and the town laid off in streets. 1 As late as 1881 the community boasted 1 of only four hundred. Slowly and sure- ] ly gathering additional strength, however, j in 1885 it had assumed sufficient importance to become an objective point of the ' Charleston, Cincinnati and Cliicago rail- < road, which was at that time projected through this locality. These thrifty, go ahead people at once availed themselves of the opportunity thus presented and se cured a" subscription of twenty-five thousand dollars to that enterprise upon condition that the line should be located through the town. With the completion of the railroad commenced the era of development under which the community is now forging forward with rapid strides. The past five years has seen its population more than doubled, an increase of value in real estate in the same proportion, and many thousand dollars spent in general improvements. No less than thirty houses have been built within the past two years, and at the present time there are fully a dozen in course of construction. From such a small beginning, working together as a unit with unlimited faith in ultimate success, these people have already succeeded in laying a firm foundation for wen deserved prosperity. RAILROADS. \ ] In the transportation facilities she now , possesses, Blacksburg realizes all the hopes rffn 'J s company's "stewari^ine." * to which she has looked forward ever since she aspired to be a town. Located on the Erreat north and south main line of the Richmond and Danville system, twenty HUNDRED FOOT TUNNEL AT IRON MINE. |j six hours from New York and only eight From Atlanta, with four passenger and six Freight trains each twenty-four hours, so b CHEROKEE STREET? FROM RES I fur us eastern and southern connections are [ t concerned, the town is afforded every ad- a vantage that could he desired. i The recently constructed Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago railroad intersects t with the Richmond and Danville at this il point, and besides furnishing valuable fi competition, contributes additional trans- n portation facilities peculiarly calculated to a open up the many avenues of trade and a industry that have heretofore been denied t this section. Already completed and in t operation from Charleston to a point some s forty miles north of Rlacksburg, and the e remainder of the line under contract, it a will penetrate the vast coal fields of Yir- > ginia and Tennessee, and thus make the a manufacture of iron at Rlacksburg not only 11 ikwoMo lint nmfit'ililo i II This road has established its central 11 oftiees and machine shops at Blacksburg * and is now, jointly with the Kielunond c and l)anville, arranging to erect a costly 1 and substantial two story union depot at ii the intersection of the two roads. Other! expensive improvements contemplated, ' some of which have already been com- j menced, abundantly testify to the faith of, this road in the future importance of the town. Having determined to build a branch | line from Augusta, the Three ("s has se-1 leeted Blacksburg as its terminus, and has already made several surveys with that ; end in view. This line will he made to enter the town by way of the splendid water powers along the river, and passing j through the richest iron deposits of the vicinity, will at once develop the most valuable resources of the whole section and concentrate their importance at Blacksburg, thus making that location the busy centre of the mining and manufacturing industries that must necessarily j spring up. BUSINESS. > ( I,IVK AND KNTKKl'llISI N(J MKX IN TIIK VAKIOI S INDl'STRIAL I'l KSl ITS. j \ The various branches of business which i are carried 011 at Blacksburg are represent- i ed hy live and enterprising men. There is a 1 healthy variety of occupation and a strong disposition to work together, and to espo- 1 cially foster home industrial enterprise. ( Lack of capital has in the past greatly J hampered the business interests of the 1 town; but a number of acquisitions have < recently been made to its financial strength, md money matters are constantly growing more brisk. The different mining s companies at work in the vicinity are turning loose a considerable amount of ready cash each week, which added to that ^ SjgjjgL^ 3E91^S3S^553?MREEs|I!^^EP'^^^^IhSI^||B t; c rCE OF I)K. JOHN G. BLACK. f put in circulation by the railroads and ] *??4/\w iti 1\*? MA ?v-?AO! ?o +A hn rlrtjrvionrl - l'UIltrat'li/19) 13 liu iUCilli3 i\/ uv urouiavu# j Besides this, Blacksburg is steadily build- . ing up a good country trade, the demands { jf which the merchants watch closely and ^ keep fully supplied. Following is a list of r the different businesses in which the peo- s pie are engaged, and their respective pro- \ prietors: r Grocers?Moore & Crosby, Whisonant n Bros. & Co., A. II. Pollock, D. L. Brown V CO., 1 ?. I ?. < i:i -1'' n . .lid John G. Bla^k! Che two last named ciikkokgk cot re not practicing. Furniture Dealer?A. H. Pollock. t< Stoves and Hard ware?J.S. P. Hamilton, p Manufacturers of Doors, Sash and Blinds, .V. 1). Shcrer, W. M. Jones. Manufacturers of Brick?W. 11. Stewart, T, r. \V. Rh.vne. . ' Fancy Grocers?L. C. Black, .Jacob B.! loss, L. M. Holland. j }J Millinery and Mantua Making?Miss >allie E. Lucas, Miss Maggie Little. Undertaker?A. H. Pollock. Cotton Buyers? D. 1). Gaston, Whisnant ^ Jros. & Co., D. L. Brown & Co., R. A. j Vesthrook. : Marble Cutting?John H. Crawford. ^ Barbers?Caleb Lay, Winslow Miller. Shoemaker?B. W. Dawson. r! Baker?James S. Lucas. Livery Stable?Borders <Xr ('line. P Meat Market?Marion Putnam. __ Contractors and Builders?H. M. Angle, ? V. 1). Sherrer, W. M. Jones, J. J. Wilis- a lant. Manufacturer of Lumber?J. J. Wilis- 3 lant. Machinists?II. P. Goforth, J. R. Smith, ? ). E. O'Brien, J. P. Martin, W. McDougal, h Villiam Little. i The offices of the Magnetic Iron and f iteel Ore company, John L. Black man- ,& ging director, are located in Blaeksburg. jb Town Officers.?Intendant, N. W. JIar- 1 in; wardens, Joseph Black, J. 1). Kenne- J y, I). S. Raniscur, J. S. Mint/.; marshal, % i.O.Smith. i The local news is furnished through Thk i? r<)KKvii.i.K Exqi'IKKU and the Blacks- jg urg Dispatch. The Dispatch is a neatly "" otten up eight-column folio, edited hy Jr. Frank P. Beard. It is bright, newsy, all of advertisements and altogether well J >atroni/.ed. It is now in its third month. S hotki.s. c'( Though as yet possessed of no suitable uilding for that purpose, in all other par- I V DfiXCK OF MllS. M. E. DEAL. iculars the liotel facilities of Hlackshur^ re all that could he desired by the vis- j tor to this section. The Merchants' hotel, under the proprie-! orship of Mr. J. \V. Thomson, is con- [' 1 ut'teo in first-class style, and provides its 11 uests, whether transient travelers, or per- j nanent boarders, with all the comforts j nd conveniences that they could reasonbly expect in a town of double the size of his. The cuisine, which is always most ! 1 1... M..." MMwuii 1*111 1.^ IWWJU'U <111 l~l llt> I liv/lll- , on, who with equal care' superintends very department of the business. Special ttention is given to pleasure seekers who nay desire to visit this vicinity, and they re assured that they will lind nothing in , j 1 I'AKT <>! ' TIIUKK (. S KAIUtOAD YAKIlS. i ry here to he found. The hotel contains 1 j ijfhteen rooms. The Air Line hotel, under the proprietorhip and management of .Miss L. /. (Jas-j*, on, though not so larjreas the Merchants', rj s also well conducted and well equipped j (] n all its appointments. These hotels are , ioth located conveniently to the depots. | * Besides the hotels, there are live I warding j j muses, all of which afford comfortahle and ^ conomical acconimodations. Their pro- v rietors are as follows: \V. F. Wood, T. j It. Whitesides, K. I'. Ilemsey, Joseph (). | fault, F. M. Davidson, James II. Barnes, i; THE CHURCHES. SUBSTANTIAI. PROGRESS OF THE RELIGIOUS DENOMI NATIONS. Possessed of four creditable cluircli ediices, all erected since 187(?, and each makiifr a creditable exhibit of the strength of heir respective congregations, church vork at ltlacksburg is being pushed with lie zeal and energy characteristic of York ounty ]ieople. The different denomilations, working together with admirible unanimity, have practically made heir one great object a common cause, md church work is progressing with a larmony and effectiveness altogether satsfactory. BEKEA BAPTIST UIIUUCH, m offshoot of Antioch church, in the lortheastern corner of Cherokee townhip, was organized at Blacksburg on Deember 4, 1870, with 50 members. The irst pastor was Itev. W. H. Dudley, vho lias been consecutively followed by levs. W. C. Brown, A. L. Stough, It. F. iamrick, G. M. Webb, and the present >astor, Rev. J. A. White. This church ms kept well apace with the growth, of he town, having more than trebled its nembership, which now numbers' 17*, ince its organization. It supports a well >rganized Sunday-school, weekly prayerneeting, and a flourishing ladies' missioniry society. THE METHODIST CHURCH >f Blacksburg owes its origin to Rev. L. V. Johnson, by whom it was organized in 87(5 with twenty or thirty members, nnong whom were the Blacks, the ])unans, the Bridges, the Martins and others, ["he following year the South Carolina onference placed the work at this point n charge of Rev. - E. E. Archer, ana the hurch has continued to experience a sure and steady growth up to the present ^ ltd' -"1 " time, its memberB ship now numbergj i I ing nearly one huning is a neat frame structure, erected at nnd sit.nntnd nAnrl v TON MILLS?OX HltOAD KIVKIL nvn. Rev. A. J. Stafford is the present astor. T1IK 1MIESJ J YTK KIA X CIIUIU'II f Blacksburg was organized October 27, S84, by a commission from Bethel Presytery, consisting of Rev. M. R. lvirkatrick and Elder W. R. Davies. The riginal members were J. W. Rhyne, Samel G. Brown, W. 1). Shearer, Win, B. hearer, James E. Plexico, Mrs. M. E. )eal, Mrs. M. M. Brown, Mrs. Martha E. hearer, Mrs. A. C. Shearer, Mrs. M. L. Jpscomb and Mrs. Martha B. Plexico, of _t. ir i\ en 1 T \\7 T>U mom nntJJtrer ami u. >r. iwijnc ,rere elected elders, and Wm. B. Shearer eacon. There are now 4d members, and lie present officers are Itev. (i. L. Cook, astor; \V. J). Shearer, J. W. Rliyne, and XI0W OKA OKI) SCHOOL HUILDiNG. noli. Davies, elders; W. B. Shearer, J. . P. Hamilton and W. It. Lipscomb dea)iis. The church building, originally a lain Gothic structure, lias recently been '-modeled after a plan furnished by Major ohn F. Jones, and is now one of the pretest frame church edifices in the county, t occupies a very desirable lot on Lime root?all by 1B(? feet?that was presented > the congregation in the summer of 1884 y Mrs. M. F. Anderson. The dedication noon was preached on the 24th of last ninth bv Rev. J. II. Thornwoll, of Fort [ill. THK KPISl'OPAIi C'lIUUCK f Blacksburg, now consisting of nine immunicanrs, was 111 iw represenieu oy nly two members, Dr. \V. Anderson and Trs. M. F. Anderson, and by tbeir indiidual ellbrts the neat church building in bich the little flock now worships was rected. The plan and construction of the uilding is the work of the Rev. J. I). IcCollough, the present rector, while the lurch lot and necessary materials for the instruction of the building were nearly 11 furnished at the personal expense of >r. W. Anderson. The church was con crated on Sunday of last week. SCHOOLS. KKSKXT AXI) I'KOIHJSKI) KDl'C'ATIOXA I. FAt'I I.ITIKS. Blacksburg already lias much better edcational facilities than would be expected 1 a town of such rapid and sudden growth. Tl~Tini^lBMIIIHMI?l - V WllliniU'h stitlltioll kllOWIl {IS r^B the Cherokee High School, doore, an experienced educator, is princi al, shows up for the past ten months 11 average attendance of 12"> pupils, inluding day scholars and hoarders. The ehool empioys four teachers and gives the mpi Is thorough training in both the prinary and academical branches. The music lepartment is presided over by an accomilished teacher of instrumental and vocal nusic. As looking to the still further improve-j nent of the school facilities of the town, mwever, the corporation has recently apiropriated four thousand dollars for the ruction of a handsome school building, die funds have been placed in the hands if a building committee, consisting of Dr. olm (J. Black and Maj. Jno. F. Jones, and be work of construction is now progressng after a plan furnished by the latter genlenian. The building, an engraving of rhich is presented above, will be of brick. 11A UN KS SCilOOI. OF TKI.KfiHA I'll Y < also an institution deserving of more than passing mention. It is conducted by s Mr. J. II. Barnes, a practical telegraph J operator of years of experience, and affords a to young men every facility for learning t telegraphy. This school is thorough and I efficient, and turns out its graduates with s the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for them to take, immediate i charge of an office. There are usually from fifteen to twenty pupils in regular attendance, and as both board and tuition are obtained at a merely nominal sum, the school draws its patronage from quite a distance. THE MOUNTAIN. OVERLOOK PLACE, THE REAl'TIFUL PARK OX THE SUMMIT. , An object of interest which at once attracts the attention of the visitor to Blacksburg, is Whitaker mountain, a spur of the King's Mountain range, which rises out of V the limits of the town to a height of about five hundred feet above the surrounding country, and fifteen hundred feet above the level of the sea. On account of the magnificent view afforded from its summit, this natural observatory has been converted into a park and a good carriage road graded up to it from the town. A tower fifty feet high has been erected on the crest of the mountain, and from here the visitor enjoys a treat well worth the trouble of ascent, ? if not a journey of many miles. c Below, a valley spreads off from the base 1 of the mountain in billowy like surface, on ^ all sides rolling higher and higher until ? lost in infinity on the south and east, and (' bounded on the north and west by the t Blue Ridge mountains, which skirt the s distant horizon like a solid wall, shooting 1 up its high peaks, at irregular intervals. Over the whole breadth of the intervening expanse and pleasantly relieving its monotony, are to be seen, through stretches of forest, cultivated fields, dotted here and there with comfortable farm houses, and a number of thriving villages that have sprung into existence as if by magic within the past few years. Although its waters, obscured from view by the higher ground lying between, on a warm, clear morning the tortuous course of Broad river, as it breaks its way through the mountain spurs, is plainly marked by the overhanging clouds of fog. Quietly at the foot of the mountain, Blacksburg is spread out like a map, with every street and every house in Elain view of the observer. The great red anks of the railroads can be traced for long distances out of the town, and the progress of the putting engines, drawing long trains of cars, may be watched with interest for miles and miles. Through the enterprise of some Blacks- c burg gentlemen, this mountain has recent- ? ly become one of the most popular picnic grounds in the State. To this end a con- '' siderable outlay of money has been made, a and nearly every means that could be s thought of provided for the pleasure, com- v fort and diversion of visitors. Thougii ^ originally so much as ten square yards of 1 level ground were not to he found on top of the mountaiiij the place has been provided with tennis court, croquet grounds, and commodious dancing and dining pavilions, to which are to be added a howling J alley, and other means of amusement * calculated to engage the interest of pleasure * seekers from morning till night. Negotiations are now pending with the l: owners of the west end of this mountain, S- | 1 - -- (, w. m. jones's wood wouking siioes. l} looking to its sale to a company of Haiti- h more capitalists, who propose making it the site of a large summer hotel. The incomparable climate of this locality, the beautiful scenery of the immediate vicinity and the surrounding country, and the historical associations connected with this section, cannot fail to guarantee immediate success to such an enterprise. Located here, the pleasure seeker is with- j in easy reach of the mountains of Western I North Carolina, also a number of popular II watering places, and not more than two J hours' drive from the famous battle ground . of King's Mountain, which is in plain J sight. The beautiful scfcncry of Broad ( river, with its numerousshoalsand rapids, precipitous banks and the Ninety-nine I Islands, is also a source of never failing in- ? terest and pleasure. The river abounds ? with fish, and this particular portion, only 1 four miles from Blaeksburg, is one of the | X X .1 i? 1 1 . L. U4...4,* I most noieu nsmiig gro units in im* ouuc. : In addition to the incomparable scenery { of this region, another feature of no less B importance to the recreation seeker, is the j great variety of mineral waters that every- e where bubble up from the great laboratory ' underneath. Among the springs that are g found in and around Blacksburg, are many j whose waters have never been analyzed, \ but still numerous others that have had g their virtues demonstrated by actual tests. E Not the least among these latter is one in ? the town whose water has been ascertained to be almost absolutely chemically pure, which fact gives it an inestimable curative value. The famous Whitesides Limestone spring, the water of which is now largely shipped to different parts of this State, is located less than a hundred yards from the centre of the town. About three miles from Blacksburg, is a spring that furnishes water similar to that of the celebrated Epsom spring, of England, and holds sulnbsite of inairnasia in such stroiur solution, I n cthat during the war its waters were boiled down for supplies of that valuable eathartie. Besides these, chalybeate and sul- . pluir springs are found without limit. MINERALS t! a of almost kvkry variety kxowx to " okoi.oov. 0 The subject of minerals in Northwestern York is one upon which we enter with :l many misgivings, for it would require a . volume to give the subject justice. In a 1 letter to The Exqiirek, written in 1h">(>, 0 while making his geological survey of that section, the State geologist, Oscar M. J, Leiber, said: "I am almost tempted to j: hope that the other portions of the State [ will not prove so rich in minerals as this, .\ for if they do, I shall never be able to complete niv survey. A whole corps might 1 lie profitably employed in York alone for an entire year." Such has also been the [ opinion of other eminent geologists who , have subsequently made scientific investigations of this'locality, and from the numerous specimens of various valuable ' ores that are still being found from time J to time, it would seem that these wonder- j ftd mineral deposits are still far from being thoroughly understood. Nearly every metal known in commerce has been found in this district, and a large per cent, of these ores are ofa quality yielding their | respective metals in sufficient quantity to ; guarantee profitable reduction. Following i we mention some of the most important: 1 1KOX. Occurring in vast lodes over tliis whole seetion of country, is iron ore sufficient to J supply the demands of the world for years to conic. It exists in the varieties known , as hematite, specular oxide, and the most valuable and high priced of all ores, magneticoxide. These ores are found in work- ^ able lodes in Broad river and Cherokee j, T 1 t'lT'KK STATION OF THE Til KKK ( 's UA 11.HO A I) AT IIEACKSIU'RC. h r townships, and with the exception of the latter variety, also in Bethel and King's * Mountain. Ilich mines have been worked and will be worked again within the limits j of the town of Blacksburg. \ The magnetic oxides of this region have T been shown by practical tests to be capable I. of producing as tine quality of iron and teel as any similar ores in the world. G dining operations have been commenced, ai md a number of shipments already made o furnaces at Richmond, Steelton and ii Birmingham, and the rolling mills of Res- P emer and Chattanooga. P A recently organized mining company s now operating in the neighborhood of sn ENTUAXCK TO OVKUEOOKPLACE. i CI Smyrna and Hickory Grove. In the vi-1 :inity of lilacksburg, mining operations I lave been under way for more than a year, j V strong company, organized under the mine of the Magnetic Iron and Steel Ore ! A HIT OF SCKXERY IX THE PA ?re on a large scale. After spending' ei everal thousand dollars in prospecting, t<; his company has located no less than is ourteen well defined mines of magnetic ; xideon its property, and having already hipped considerable quantities of ore, for rhich it finds a ready market at remunrative figures, the company is now geting in shape to carry on the mining operations still more extensively. This eom?any numbers among its members as others and directors, well known capitalists rho have had years of experience and uade their fortunes in the iron business, j 'lie officers are as follows: President, R. v. Johnson, New York ; Vice-President, feo. W. Scott, Atlanta; Consulting Chenist and Mining Kngineer, N. A. Pratt, Atmta ; Managing Director, John L. Black, i llacksburg; Directors, A. B. Harris, New fork; John T. Wilder, Johnson City; ohn (J. Black, Blackshurg; Attorney ami ecretary and Treasurer, N. W. Hardin, Macksbiirg. In addition to the deposits of iron that ave already been secured with a view to evelopment, there are still large areas xisting all over this whole section that tier as much inducement to any capital it who has the enterprise to develop them, n fact, when the freight rates are some-; ,'hat improved, but little capital will he equired to engage in the business. The'., res can be cheaply raised, and delivered! t the railroads for about fifty cents per a, mi, and at the funacos they bring from , ' ve to six dollars. Kven with pres-1 ^ .SUMMIT OF WIIITAKKK MOl*> nt freight rates, a good margin of profit j w i realized on slripments to Richmond. j g< Numerous analyses of the magnetic ox-1 31 les of this region have heen made, and bs lie proportion of metalie iron they contain ; it seertained to run from 4<> to CSS per cent.? i 111 2.4 percent, of iron being the limit of in heniical possibility. The Magnetic Ironlyi nd Steel Ore company have in their office j t Blacksburg the following analyses: 1 . By .1. II. Pratt, Birmingham, Ala.?J * wo samples?First from "No. 4," and sec-, * nd washed ore from "No. 2" mine. ! jn No. 1. No. 2. 'oroxido of iron 40.077 <55.117 I * 'rotoxide of iron 22.004 20.0211 j'y 'rotoxide of manganese 1.013 1.131 j 51 dine .' 0.102 0.152 'to Iagnosia 14.800 3.150 j of KKSIllKXCK OK MA.J OK illinium (U)i>:5 o.T.'to ' in 'hospliorus 0.014 0.0008 l 'itaniiiin 0.142 o.:H)2 nlphiiric iiriil tr;ii*o truce j iilpluir trace trace ; ti( ilicio iiiMil (cniiiliintiil) K.i!2.'i l.;ViO i op ilic.'i (free) 4.SX2 l."?7l | p.. I'ater 0..TI0 o.i:k? j ' 00.400 00.007S ',!l I (italic iron 40.882 05.827 ! Oil I'y Saloin A- W'estosson, Philadelphia, j (? 'a.?Sample from mine So. '1 lagnotic oxide..s."?.-i:? Motalie iron Ol.sii I > hosphoric acid.. 0.0">!> Phosphorus <l.02<? 1 itj oroxido mang- ill: anoso 0.2T? Mangannso 0.1(5 Lr;i ulphur o.os I u iM.-a f?.S2 J lluniiiia ;"?.():{ j limo traoo ; I"' [agnosia 0.55755 <y itanic acid noun ! til ioss on ignition 2.551 I th liy 1'. S. (Jovornnient, Vol. In, Tenth ' hi ensus report?Samples from Plantation | :id Brock ley Hank (Mine No. 1. soft ore.) i Plantation. Brock ley. on 54 65 58.34 liosphorus 0.002 0.011 hosph. in 100 parts [ron 0.004 0.019 By X. P. Pratt, Atlanta, Ga.?First j imple, hard ore from "No. 2;" second, rerage sample of Kin tons hard ore from g No. 2;" third, average sample of washed c e from "No. 4 fourth, average sample j ' hard ore from "No. 4." No. 1. No. 2. No. 0. No. 4. ie?ili? gravity 4.755 I lica ami insolu- J hie matter 0.42 18.57 0.47 14.90 I hosphorils 0.0098 0.029 trace trace f etalic Iron 58.87 51.00 59.99 49.30 By II. M. Curry, manager for Carnegie ros., Pittsburg. Concentrates reduced by '. Bradford, Philadelphia.?First, hard j re from "No. 2;" second, "No. 2" hard I e concentrated; third, "No. 2" ditch ore |j incentrated ; fourth, "No. I" soft ore eonnitrated. No, 1. No. 2. No. .'5. No. 4. lica 10.075 4.05 2.45 2.00 l on 54. Kin <i2.5l0 157.1X4 00.245 j hospliorus 0.02H 0.015 0.005 0.000 1 The establishment of furnaces in this lo- | ility is only a question of time. Such an iterprise might he made to pay at pres KK AT OVERLOOK PLACE. * 1 f it, but it is said the price of coke is rather c o great to ensure a safe profit. Charcoal t to be had, should there be a demand for . LAWX THN'NIS COURT , , at from two to four cents per bushel, ij nd in the opinion of iron men, the re- < notion of these ores could be enframed in 1 ith profit even at the present time, using I uit material for fuel and producing as line ' ( quality of charcoal iron as is to be had ( 1 the United States. COM). t Gold mining has been carried on in this j jction from time to time with more or | ws success for a long period of years, i his metal is found in considerable quail- ( ties both in quartz veins and placer de- h osits, and although well-directed scien.tic mining has been engaged in only to L very limited extent, sufficient develop- j ] lents have been made to show that con- i, idei-able (piantities of this valuable j lotal are to be obtained here. In some ortions of Cherokee and Hroatl River, articularly on Wolf creek, in the latter -l.tloii nunii nnu' * / \> i ir?i 111 /j r'linv.r ? <ir*i i tt hi \, t \ n ? ?#?? . rove ;i profitable employment to those iio wish to eii?;si?;e in it. Near this creek, ! 1 the year l.x.")(;, was found a piece of ! uartz ahout the size of a man's head, 1 ITA1X?OVERLOOKPLACK. Iiieli yielded 4,400 pennyweights of pure Oil It was found in the then celebrated [artin mine, which was worked from fi >27 to about the year ls.">7. In this viein- I y there are a number of abandoned | lines, sunk on rich veins, which, with riproved machinery, might be made to j ieid paying quantities of gold. SII.VKK is been found in this locality in small ' lantities, though no mines of it have *er been worked. While digging a well ' his yard at Blacksburg, three years ago, . ajor John F. Jones discovered some rich \ ecimens of silver ore, that assayed V >out $b">() per ton. The vein, however, o small to work, indicates the existence ( the metal in large quantities somewhere v;yir~ (wVi JOHN ! '. JOXKS. the immediate vicinity of the town. 0 u:.u>. Tradition has it that during the Revolu- F ?nary war the patriots of this section itained their supplies of lead along the ^ nks of Doolittle creek, a few miles -uthwist of Iflackshurg. No attention is been given the matter of late years, J id as to whether the metal exists in any ? nsiderable quantity is not known. 4 TIN. Tin ores have been found in this local- 1 r, hut their quality and extent have ? so been allowed to remain uninvesti- ? ted. This metal was mined at King's :ountain, some twelve or fourteen miles stant, for several years, hut the business oving unprofitable, the miners have re- si ntly ceased work. This region is a con- t< uiation of the same general formation as tl at of King's Mountain, and it is possi- ti e that the tin ores of this vicinity may a >rove richer than those worked at that >lace. COI'PEK. Large quantities of copper and sulphur >irites are found at different places in this eetion. Lieher pronounced these copper leposits to be very valuable, but as this CAltOLINA STHEKT. netal hasgreatly depreciated in value durng the past twenty-five years, it is not cnown whether tliese deposits will now >ear working or not. PLATINUM uis been found in small quantities by gold iun+ers. MANGANESE >res are also found in the vicinity of iilacksburg, the Three ("'s railroad cutting hrough an extensive vein some four niles southeast of the town. Several out rops are seen in the vicinity, occurring in iome places in solid lodes, and at others he metal indicating its presence by dis:oloration of the surface over a large area. Phis ore has been analyzed and its qualty ascertained to he of a* good grade, pracically free from phosphorus. LIMESTONE. Blackshurg is situtated directly on a >elt of dolomitie limestone, which runs hrough the northern part of this county vith fourteen miles of continuous exposire. The belt varies from a few hundred arils to three quarters of a mile in width, md is of 11 quality suitable for making the ;ery best grade of lime. The manufacture of lime was comnenced here a few years ago by Messrs. Simon Bros., the lime men of Gallnoy Uty, but soon finding that this location xjssessed 110 transportation advantages >ver their establishment at Gafi'ney's, the ;enture was discontinued. The Three C's ailroad, however, opens up a new market or Blacksburg lime, giving it almost a romplete monopoly at all the towns beween Blacksburg and Charleston an(] \ugusta. This is a splendid opportunity VT OVERLOOKPliACK. waiting a small amount of capital, pushMi up with reasonable energy. KIRK PROOF CLAY. A deposit of tire-proof clay of an excellent quality is found at a point about me mile southwest of (irover, inimediitely on the Air-Line railroad. All of he lire brick useel in lining the various ron furnaces along the river previous to :he war, were made of this material. This mmerty can be developed with a small capital and the bricks find ready sale at from $20 to $70 per thousand. In excavating a deep cut at the intersection of the Three ("s and Air-Line roads, the workmen cut into a uuck imiik ?f pipe clay of a quality admirably adapted :o the manufacture of pottery and tiling. iiakita. Vast quantities of harita (heavy spar) ire found in this vicinity. The belt has >ecn traced from Fauquier county, Virginia, through North Carolina, to a point ust east of Broad river, where it dips and Is seen no more. An outcrop, occurring mi the Three C's railroad, about half way jetween Blaeksburg and Hickory Grove, ins proved to be the finest along the whole listance. In 1S77, Messrs. J. H. Chadvick A Co., of Boston, Mass., shipped sev*ral thousand tons of this ore to be manuactured North, hauling it in wagons to [Jlacksburg and shipping from that point. It is now worth only $2.50per ton, and fOl'XTAIX SCENERY XKAK HLACKSlll'IlG. rot one, has boon obtained by a gentlenan of Blacksburg with that end in iow. The principal value of barita is s an adulterant, and for that purpose it > used in sugar, candy, Hour and white ead; also for giving body to light white loth. About its only legitimate uses are 11 glazing linen cloth, and in making a heap quality of mineral paint. Dr. .J. Wistar Allison, of Hickory Drove, rill furnish all the information that may o desired with reference to this projierty. PM'MIIAGO. There is a lead of plumbago running rithin a half mile of Blacksburg and exhaling several miles in length, that would robably be well worth the investigation f those interested in this material. In addition to the above minerals are lany others, some of which will no doubt >on assume considerable importance, such s marble, eleavableslates, whetstones, itaolumite, sandstones, paint materials (um 1 \ a..i ......v,:.. i#r> aim <Kjrr>/ uue, nu^nrMii, nr., m. WAT Kit row Kit IFKICIICNT TO DIMVIC ALL TIIK Sl'INOLKS IX TIIK STATIC. Another groat source of natural wealth hat is now attracting considerable attenion in this section, is the splendid water owerof Broad river. In less than ten miles fits course, along the western boundary f Cherokee township and within a radius f six miles from Blaeksburg, this noble PKOPOSKD IRON WORKS. tream furnishes available power sufficient :> drive all the machinery now in use in he State. The fall of the river in this dismce is not far from two hundred feet, | nd concentrates a force at four shoals,