Rediscovering Virginia's Golden Era

Diamond Drill Tests in Buckingham County Seen As 'Key' Which May Unlock Nature's Long-lost Treasure Chests

By Leo Faust

[Editor's note: This is the second and concluding article in Mr. Faust's survey of the possibilities of the old gold fields of Virginia. In this installment he draws a graphic picture of the possible wealth yet to be taken from the hills of the Old Dominion.]

A recent development at the old Waller mine shows that this rejuvenation is on the way. At least an earnest effort was made in that direction. This development is divided into two operations. The first had to do with the finding of the old mine. And after finding, then digging into the old workings and cleaning these out for a distance of about 500 feet.

Naturally there was a rather keen and hopeful interest in wanting to know what this old treasure box looked like on the inside. And what, if anything, the old-timers had left in there when they knocked off over three--quarters of a century before.

Since that time, back in the 1850's, no human being had ever been in these workings. And it isn't hard to appreciate the feelings of those who were engaged in doing this work while prowling around in this old mine. Its having produced some $2,000,000 and some of the ore going over $2,000 to the ton no doubt added to the interest.

Incidentally, and as an evidence of this interest, the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce sent its official photographers to take pictures in these old underground workings.

The finding in there of a wheelbarrow, put together with hand wrought nails, and some other tools, added not a little to the picture. This barrow and these tools were used by slaves long before the Lincoln proclamation and they are mute witnesses of the record left by the early American gold miner.

When this old wheelbarrow was brought out of the mine it was found that considerable gold could be seen in the slivers and other roughened places. An account of this was published and as a result a representative of the Franklin Institutie in Philadelphia was sent to the mine with a request that this old barrow be placed in that institution. Those operating the mine refused, thinking it should find a home in some suitable Virginia institution.

After getting some 500 feet of the old workings cleaned out it was found too dangerous to go any further. The timbering was faulty. As these workings extended for more than 1200 feet along the vein this was less than half the chore. It was hoped to get to both ends. There was keen regret in not being able to get to either.

Disappointed, it was determined to sink below the lowest level of the old workings to see if the vein went down--to find if the mine had been "bottomed." This was done and the results were most gratifying. It was found the vein was big and strong and ore assayed as found in the old English engineers' reports. The mine was not "bottomed" and they found what they had hoped to find.

Financial Crisis Ends Second Attempt

Elated over this discovery it was then determined to open the mine in a big way. The plan agreed upon was to sink a vertical shaft 500 feet deep. With this objective a modern and complete mining equipment was placed on the property. Suitably housed and substantially placed on concrete foundations this machinery was set up and work started. Both day and night shifts were employed. A two-compartment shaft shored from top to bottom with heavy oak timbers was sunk to the 300-foot level.

At this point in the operation, when everythhing so far was encouraging and when everyone connected with the enterprise was highly enthusiastic, and with the job less than half done, work was suspended. A disastrous financial loss prevented those who started it from carrying on. A golden dream about to be realized was dissipated, bringing an abrupt end to an operation which gave so much evidence of putting this ancient mine again in the list of producing gold mines.

The pumps were pulled, the crews discharged, both old and new workings are filled with water and the costly mining machinery now stands idle at the top of the shaft.

Chapter one in the history of this mine came to an end when war broke between the States. Number two has just ended in the shadow of financial reverse. Chapter three? Another spin of the wheel of fortune and -- who knows?

Moss Mine Presents Brighter Picture

However, there is a much brighter picture at the Moss mine. This is one of the old gold mines, too. It has not only been reopened, but is now in production and those who are familiar with it predict a long and profitable operation. The ore in the Moss mine is high grade. It averages better than $25 a ton. Modern mining and milling equipment has been installed and the rumbling of this machinery is concrete evidence that the rejuvenation of the Virginia gold fields is definitely on the march.

This mine has always ranked as one of the most promising in Virginia. It has a record of production of some $300,000 and some exceptionally rich ore was found in it. Some of this assayed over $1,000 to the ton. There was one assay made recently in the State chemist's offce in Richmond which went over $5,000 and that was at the old price for gold, too. This was from a concentrate of some of the rich ore. It takes rich ore to get that kind of concentrate.

The Commodore Stockton or Tellurium is another of the prominent old mines. This is now being developed and with a confidence that it will soon be equipped with milling machinery. This mine operated right up to the outbreak of hostilities between the States. With the coming of war, Stockton, an officer in the Federal forces, was called north. Feeling was such that immediately his plant was destroyed by fire and the mine has been idle for three-quarters of a century.

Virginia Gold First Found in Goochland

The Stockton, the Moss and the Waller are all close together in Goochland County. Of course there are many others, for this was one of the most prominent of the counties in the gold bearing area. The first discovery of gold in Virginia was in Goochland County. It was made by George Fisher in 1831. For the following 30 years gold mining was a major Industry there. It adds a shade of interest, too, that Mr. Fisher was a relative, by marriage, of our first President.

Many geologists have reported favorably on these eastern gold fields. These go as far back as 1836. Among them may be mentioned Dr. Endlich of the Smithsonian Institution. The list is long and from it may be taken the opinion of Professor Overman. This conveys substantially the opinion of all. Overman was known internationally as one of the leading geologists of his day. In concluding his report on the gold fields of North Carolina and Virginia he said:

When work was started on the reopening of the Waller mine there was not a pick nor a shovel being swung in the Virginia gold fields. There is now activity in every country within the gold bearing area.

A recent development is diamond drilling in Buckingham county is being done by Canadian interests at the old London and Virginia gold mine and may prove of vital interest.

There is cumulative evidence that the gold miner is on the way back. He will not be the old time prospector of the glamorous past. More nearly he will be a prosaic and scientific chap wearing blackrimmed goggles, representing capital interested in "making" gold mines. When President Roosevelt tilted the price of gold he started them scurrying everywhere.

Did you miss Part 1?   Read it here

Gold Mines:    Part 1