The ledger. [volume] (Gaffney City, S.C.) 1896-1907, September 30, 1897, Image 1
4
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IS I
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cicsbxjuo
C. JEFFERIES,4-
GAFFNEY, S. C.
At‘.oiJ.»y and Ccun»cl!or at Lew. PracUc?» in
All the Courts. Collections a Specialty
Ledger
Part II. Pages 9 to 12.
A Newspaper in all that the Word Implies and Devoted to the Best Interests of the People of Cherokee County.
VOL. IV, NO. ol.
GAFFNEY CITY, S. C., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1807.
$1.00 A YEAR.
BLACKSBURG.
A CITY OF WONDERFUL POSSL
BILITIES.
Peopled With a Progressive Populace and Richly
Blessed With Unsurpassed Hineral De
posits is This Thriving City
of Cherokee Co.
Situated directly in the centre of
the rich mineral district of Cherokee
county and abundantly prepared to
avail itself of all the opportunities
consequent upon its development,
is the progressive town of Blacks
burg, with a present population esti
mated at more than two thousand in
habitants.
The history of Blacksburg elates
back to 1872, wlien, upon the com-j
pletion of the Air-Line railroad |
through Cherokee township, the citi- |
zens of that locality determined to
build a town. Though offering 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 pri
vate residences, Messrs. John (J.
Black, Ira Hardin and G, M. Moore
being the pioneers. Four years later,
with still less than a hundred inhab
itants, only one store and no depot,
the little village was incorporated
under the name of Black’s Station.
Upon the election of a town council,
consisting of Messrs. Joseph Black,
intendent; and W. A. Baber, James
M. Biggerstaff, Walter A. Bridges
jfnd G. M. Moore, wardens, a munic
ipal government was organized and
the town laid off in streets. As lute
as 1881 the community boasted of
only four hundred. Slowly and
surely gathering additional strength,
however, in 1885 it had assumed
sufficient importance to become an
objective point of the Charleston,
Cincinnati and Chicago railroad.
These thrifty, go ahead people at
once availed themselves of the op
portunity thus presented and secured
a subscription of twenty-five thou
sand dollars to that enterprise upon
condition that the line should be lo
cated 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 few years lias seen its pop
ulation more than doubled, an in
crease of value in real estate in the
same proportion, and many thousand
dollars spent in general improve
ments,
From
such a
toget
limted faith in
working together
small beginning,
as a unit with un-
ultimute success,
these people have already succeeded
in laying u firm foundation for well
deserved prosperity.
Railroads.
In the transportation facilities she
now possesses, Blacksburg realizes all
the hopes to which she has looked
forward ever since she aspired to be
a town. Located on the great north
and south main line of the Southern
railway, twenty-six hours from New
York and only eight hours from At-
at this point, and besides furnishing
valuable competition, contributes ad
ditional transportation facilities pe
culiarly calculated to open up the
many avenues of trade and industry
that have heretofore been denied this
section. Already completed and in
operation from Charleston to a point
some forty miles nort h of Blacksburg,
and the remainder of the line under
contract, it will penetrate the vast
coal fields of Virginia and Tennessee,
and thus make the manufacture of
iron at Blacksburg not only possible
but profitable.
This road lias established its cen
tral offices and machine shops at
Blacksburg.
Having determined to build a
branch line from Gaffney, the <). R.
k 0., has selected Blacksburg as its
terminus, and the line is now almost
complete. This line made to enter
the town by the way of the splendid
water powers along the river, and
passing through the richest iron
deposits of the vicinity, will at onco
develop the most valuable resources
of the whole section and concentrate
their importance at Blackburg, thus
making that location the busy cen
tre of the mining and manufacturing
industries that must necessarily
spring up.
The Mountain.
An object of interest which at once
attracts tlie attention of the visitor
to Blacksburg, is Whitaker mountain,
a spur of the King’s Mountain range,
which rises out of the limits of the
town to a height of about five hun
dred feet above the surrounding cou n .
try, and fifteen hundred feet above
the levelof the sea. On account of
the magnificent vie* - afforded from
its summit, this natural observa
tory 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 moun
tain, and from here the visitor
enjoys a treat well worth the
trouble of ascent, if not a journey
of many miles.
Below, a valley spreads off from
the base of the mountain in
billowy like surface, on all sides
rolling higher and higher until
lost in infinity on the south
and east, and hounded on the
north and west by the Blue Ridge
mountains, which skirt the distant
norizon like a solid wall, shooting up
its high peaks, at irregular intervals.
Over the whole breadth of the inter
vening expanse and pleasantly reliev
ing its monotony, are to be seen,
through stretches of forest, culti
vated 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, are 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 moun-
the progress of the puffing engines,
drawing long trains of cars, may be
watched with interest for miles and
miles.
Through the enterprise of some
Blacksburg gentlemen, this moun
tain has recently become one of t lie
most popular picnic grounds in the
State. To this end a considerable
outlay of money bus been made, and
nearly ev<*ry means that could be
thought of provided for the pleasure,
comfort and diversion of visitors.
Though originally so much as ten
square yards of level ground were not
to be found on top of the momntain,
the place has been provided with ten
nis court, croquet grounds, and com
modious dancing and dining pavil
ions, to which are to be added a
bowling alley, and other means of
amusement calculated to engage the
interest of pleasure seekers from
morning till night.
Located here, the pleasure seeker
is within easy reach of the mountains
of Western North Carolina, also a
number of popular watering places,
and not more than two hour’s drive
from the famous battle ground of
King’s Mountain, which is in plain
sight. The beautiful scenery of
Broad river, with its numerous shoals
and rapids, precipitous hanks and the
Ninety-nine Islands, is also a source
of never failing interest and pleasure.
The river abounds with lish, and this
particular portion, only four miles
from Blacksburg, is one of the most
noted lishing grounds in the State.
In addition to the incomparable
scenery of this region, another feat
ure of no less importance to the re
creation seeker, is the great variety
of mineral waters that everywhere
bubble up from t he great laboratory
underneath. Among the springs
that are found in and around Bl.acks-
bugr, are many whose waters have
neverbeen analyzed* but sli!I numer
ous others that have had their virtues
demonstrated by actual tests. Not
the least among these latter is one
in town whose water bus been ascer
tained to be almost absolutely chem
ically pur-., which fact gives it an in
estimable curative value. The fa
mous Whitsides Limestone spring,
the water of which is now largely
shipped to different parts of this
some of the most important:
Iron.
Occurring in vast lodes
over this whole section of
country, is iron ore suffic
ient to supply the demands
of the world for years to
come. It exists in the varie
ties known as hematite,
specular oxide, and the most
valuable and high priced of
all ores, magnetic oxide.
These ores are found in work
able lodes in Broad river and
Cherokee townships, and
with the exception of the
latter variety, also in Bethel
and King’s Mountain. Rich
mines have been worked and
will be worked again within
| the limits of the town of
Blacksburg.
The magnetic oxides of
l this region have been shown
j by practical tests to be capa
ble of producing as line qual
ity of iron and steel as any
similar ores in the world.
M ining operations have been
commenced, and a number
of shipments already made
to furnaces at Richmond,
Steelton and Birmingham,
and the rolling mills of Bes
semer and Chattanooga.
In addition to the deposits
of iron that have already
been secured with a view to
development, there are still
large areas existing all over
this whole section that offer
as much inducement to any
capitalist who has the en-
terprise to develop them. In
fact, when the freight rates are some
what improved, hut little capital
will be required to engage in the bus
iness. The ores can be cheaply rais
ed, and delivered at the railroads for
about fifty cents per ton, and at the
phur piriC
places in this
noui.c< d t hes.-
very valuable.
are f< ii at different
section. Lieber pro
copper deposits to be
but a- this metal has
greatly depreciated in ' slue during
tlie past thirty-three years, it is not
known whether these deposits will
now bear working or not.
Platinum
ias been found in small
'old hunters.
M anganese
ores are also found in the vicinity of
Blacksburg, the Three O s railroad
cutting through an extensive vein
some four miles southeast of the
town. Several outcrops are seen in
the vicinity, occurring in some places
in solid lodes, and at others the metal
SUMMIT OF WHITAKER MOUNTAIN OVERLOOK PLACE.
third, “No. 2”ditch ore concentrated-
fourth, “No. 4” soft ore concen
trated.
■ AHT1A
TIIK O
K. H
No. 4.
J.l/U
6»a.4.'»
o.m
No. 1. No. 2. No. :i
Silica... fOjfJS 4 •Vi 2 4f>
Iron 54.100 02.540 07.1H4
Phosphorus 0.02* 0.015 0.005
The establishment of furnaces
in this locality is only a question
of time. Such an enterprise might
be made to pay at present, but it
is said the price of coke is rather
too great to ensure a safe profit.
Charcoal is to be had. should there
be a demand for it, at from two to
four cents per bushel, and in the
opinion of iron men, tiie reduc
tion of these ores could he en
gaged in with profit even at the
present time, using that material
for fuel and producing as fine a
quality of charcoal iron as is to he
had in the United States.
Gold.
Gold mining has been carried on
in this section from time to time
with more or less success for a period
of years. This metal is found in con
siderable quantities both in quartz
indicating its presence by discolora
tion of the surface over a large area.
This ore has been analyzed and its
quality ascertained to be of a good
grade, practically free from phos
phorus.
Limestone.
Blacksburg is situated directly on
a belt of dolomitic limestone, which
runs through the entire county of
Cherokee with fourteen miles of
continuous exposure. The belt varies
from a few hundred yards to three
quarters of a mile in width, and is of
a quality suitable for making the very
best grade of lime.
The manufacture of lime was com
menced here some year ago by-
Messrs.Bitnon Bros.,the th< n lime men
of Gaffney City, hut soon finding that
this location possessed no transporta
tion advantages over their establish
ment at Gaffney’s, the venture was
discontinued. The Three C’s rail
road, however, opens up a new mar
ket for Blacksburg lime, giving it
almost a complete monopoly at all
the towns between Blacksburg and
Charleston and Augusta. This is a
veins and placer deposits, and al- splendid opportunity awaiting a
though well-directed scientific mining small amount of capita!, pushed up
has been engaged in only to a ”ery , w j t h reasonable energy.
MAGNETIC IRON ANI> STEEL ORE COMPANY « “STEWART MINK.
lanta, with six passenger trains
and a number of freight trains eaeh
twenty four hours, so fur as eastern
and southern connectiousare concern
ed, the town is afforded every advan
tage that coudl he desired.
The Ohio River and Charleston
railroad intersects with the Southern
tain spurs, is plainly marked by the
overhanging clouds of fog.
at the foot of the mountain, Blacks
burg is spread out like.a map. with
every street and every house in plain
view of the observer. The great red
hunks of railroads can he traced for
long distances out of the town, and
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 simi
lar to that of tl.e celebrated Epsom
spring, of England, and holds sul
phate of magnesia in such stong so
lution, that during tlie war its waters
were boiled down for supplies of that
valuable cathartic. Besides these,
{ chalybeate and sulphur springs are
found without limit.
Minerals.
| Tlie subject of minerals in North-
I western Cherokee is one upon which
! we enter with many misgivings, for
i it would require a volume to give the
subject justice. In a letter
to The Enquirer, written in
185b, while making his geo
logical survey of that sec
tion, the hi ate geologist,
Oscar M. Leiber, said: “I
am almost tempted to hope
that the other portions of
the htute will not prove so
rich in minerals as this, for
if they do, I shall never be
able to complete my survey.
A whole corps might be
profitably employed in York
(now Cherokee) alone for an
entire year.” Such has also
been the opinion of other
eminent geologists who hftve
subsequently made scientific >
investigations oft bis locali
ty, and from Hie numerous
specimens of various valua
ble ores that are still being
found from time to time,
it would seem that these
wonderful mineral deposits
are still far from being
I thoroughly understood. Nearly
every metal known in commerce
has been found in this district,
and a large per cent, of these ores
are of a quality yielding their re-
| spectivo metals in sufficient quan
tity to guarantee profitable re
duction. Following we mention
furnaces they bring from five to six
dollars. Even with present freight
rates, a good margin of prolit is real
ized on shipments to R’chmond.
Numerous analyses of the magnet
ic oxides of this region have been
made, and tlie proportion of metallic
iron they contain ascertained to run
from 40 to 08 per cent.—72.4 per cent,
of iron being the limit of chemical
possibility. The Magnetic Iron and
Steel Ore company have in their office
at Blacksburg the following analyses:
By J. H. I'ratt. Birmingham, Ala.
—two samples—First from “No. 4,”
and second washed ore from “No. 2”
mine.
weights of
in
I’eroxUle of iron .
i’rot.oxide of iron
Frotoxiiie of man;
No. 1.
4r,.<177
.22.Oil
I 013
No. 2.
*>5.117
30.0.J0
1.1 i!
Lime
0.102
0.152
Muitncsia
il.SOV
3.150
Alumina
<).tl*5.J
o SO
IMiosphorutt
0.014
0.out i*
Titanium
0.14.’
0 3S2
sulphuric iicid
t race
t race
Sulphur
tnifH
Silicic acid (con
iMnco)
A.*i23
J
Siiica (free).
4 MS *
1.571
u.iay
U.MMVT*
Mctahc Iron
ly.xng
1 i >. 2i
By huiotn »
Westesson, I'hiladel-
phia. I'a.—Sample
from mine
No. 2.
Magnetic oxide
*5.43
Meta He Iron
. .til.Htl
I’honphoric acic
IVroxide tnaiiaa
0.0.5'.*
I'hosphorus
0.03.;
ih*m*
0.25
M unxuncsc
.. . 0.10
Suidhur
.0.0"
Silica
Ailurnitta
Lime
Maimcstu
| Titanic iic|iI
1 on ignition
I By U. h.
».8J
. .ll.•re
. .O.ij'i.i
nom*
.liil
Government,
Vol. 15,
Tenth Census report—Samples from
j Plantation and Brockley Bank (Mine
No. 4. sort ore.)
Plantation. Hroekley.
Iron 54 *15 flH.34
PlioKpliorus .e<ii)2 o.oil
Pilot*. Ill ISO parts Iron *1.004 0.010
By N. P. i'ratt, Atlanta, Ga.—First
sample, hard ore from “No. 2;” sec
ond, average sample of lOU tons
hard ore from ‘"No. 2;” third, average
sample of washed ore from “No. 4
fourth, average sample of hard ore
from “No. 4.''
No. 4.
|
<0. 1.
No. 2. No. 3.
Hpccitic gravity
Silica and Insolu
4.754
, ,
.
Lie nuttier
0 42
1*57 *5.47
IMionphoroii*
U.UOUH
o 020 trace
M dalle Iron
5S.H7
51.150 50.5W
14 00
trace
Ui.M
M. Curry, manager for Cur-
limited extent, sufficient develop
ments have been made to show that
considerable quantities of this valua
ble metal are to he obtained here. In
some portions of Cherokee and
Broad River, particularly on Wolf
creek, in the latter township, sluice
washing will even now prove a profit-
; able employment to those who wish
i to engage in it. Near this creek, in
i the year 1856, was found a piece of
: quartz about the size of a man’s
j head, which yielded 4,400 penny-
pure gold. It was found
the then celebrated Martin mine,
which was worked from 1827 to
about the year 1857. In this vicinity
there are a number of abandoned
mines, sunk on rich veins, which,
with improved machinery, might be
made to yield paying quantities of
gold.
Silver
has been found in this locality in
small quantities, though no mines of
it have ever been worked. While
digging a well in his yard at Blacks
burg. eleven years ago, Major John F.
Jones discovered some rich specimens
•if silver ore, that assayed about $150
per ton. The vein, however, loo
small to work, indicates the existence
of the metal in large quantities some
where in the immediate vicinity of
the town.
Lead.
Tradition has it that during the
Revolutionary war the patriots of tin*
section obtained their supplies of lead
along the banks of Doolittle creek, a
few miles southwest of Blacksburg.
No attention has been given the mat
ter of late years, and us to whether
I the metal exis* J in any considerable
quantity is not Known.
Tin.
Tin ores have been found In this
locality, hut their quality and extent
have also been allowed to remain un
investigated. This metal was mined
at King’s Mountain, some twelve or
fourteen miles distant, for several
years, but the business proving un
profitable, the miners have
ceased work. This region is a con
tinuation of the same general forma
tion as that of King’s Mountain, and
it is possible that the tin ores of this
By H
negie Bros., Pittsburg. Concentrate; 1 vicinity may prove richer than those
reduced by H. Bradford, Philadelphia. 1 that place.
—First, hard ore from “No. 2;” sec- Copper.
ond, “No. 2.” hard ore concentrated; Large quantities of copper and aul-
Fire Proof Clay.
A deposit of fire-proof clay of an
excellent quality is found at a point
about one mile southwest of Grover,
immediately on the Southern railroad.
All of the lire brick used in lining
Hie various iron furnaces along the
river previous to the war. were made
of this material. This property lias
been developed with a small captal and
the bricks find ready sale ac extra
good prices.
In excavating a deep cut at the in
ter-section of the O.R. kC. and .South
ern roads, the workmen cut into a
thick bank of pipe clay of a qulaity
admirably adapted to the manufac
ture of pottery and tiling.
Barita.
Vast quantities of barita (heavy
spar) are found in this viciniiy. 1'he
belt lias been traced from Fauquier
county, Virginia, through North Car
olina, to a point justeaot of Broad
river, where it dips and is seen no
more. An outcrop, occurring on the
O. R. A C. railroad, about half way
between Blacksburg and Hickory
Grove, has proved to be tlie finest
along the whole distance. In 1877,
Messrs. J. H. Chadwick k Co., of
Boston, Muss., shipped everal thou
sands tons of this ore to he manufac
tured North, hauling it in wagons to
Blacksburg and shipping from that
point. It is now worth only $2 50
per ton. and will no longer bear
shipment for long distances. It is
believed, however it can he profitably
manufactured at the min* s. and the
process of its preparation, which is a
secret one, has been obtained by a
gentleman of Blacksburg with that
end in view. The principal value of
barita is us an adulterant, and for
that purpose it is used in sugar, can
dy. flour and white lead; also for
giving body to light white cloth.
About its only legitimate uses are In
glazing linen cloth, and in making a
cheap quality of mineral paint,
Plumbago.
There is a lead of plumbago running
within a half mile of Blacksburg and
extending , several miles in length,
that would probably be well worth the
investigation of those interested in
this materiel.
In sddition to the shove minerals
ere msny others, some of which will
no doubt soon assume considerable
importance, such as marble, clcavts-