TREASURE AND WEALTH OF THE ALLEGHANIES
Our Special Correspondent  S. T. W.
Prospect Rock, Md.,
March 22, 1880

In the morning dawn of creation when dim outlines of the world were merging 
from chaos and confusion, the Alleghany Mountains were hurled up by Volcanic
force from heated depths, "a frozen wave of fire." but human speculation
can not tell, till scientific investigation reveals how many views of
precious metals were thrown up by the heart throbs of earthquake shock.  
William Hackett and Joseph M. Cogan were soldiers together, and after the
war sent to Colorado and mined Silver.  They came back and were engineers
on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.  Hearing the usual story of a Lead 
Mine regularly related, they went up the Savage River prospecting, and 
located from favorable indications the site of their present location on
the mouth of a run, in the heart of the Savage Mountains, emptying into
the Savage River.  The vein of Silver Ore is six feet wide, on which they
are sinking shafts.  The first assay was $30.00 to the Ton, the last was
$125.00 to the Ton, and the vein growing richer.  They bought 100 Acres
for $700.00 before revealing their discovery of Silver Ore mixed with
Lead.

The Merril, Sunrise and Duckworth mines have since been opened, and are
in operation; excitement high, and land at fabulous prices.  J. S. Jamison
has ordered a crusher and all the machinery necessary for working the 
Ore.  Lead and Zinc Ores impregnated with Silver have been found at Cranesville
in Preston County, West Virginia, only fifteen miles from Fayette County
line.  Copper Ore has been discovered in West Virginia within ten miles
of the Fayette County border.  The Cranesville lead and Zinc Ores 
resemble the Lowe Ore above Haydentown in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
NOTE:  From a book called "THE LIFE AND WORK OF SAMUEL THOMAS WILEY" It was Published by: W. H. Farwell Co., Uniontown, Pa. August 1968
"If you ever find the Book it is well worth whatever the whatever the price is for anyone interested in the Local History.

Submitted by: Lawson L. Duckworth (llduckworth@hotmail.com)

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