RECONNAISSANCE OF SOME GOLD AND TIN DEPOSITS 
OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS. 
By L. C. Graton. 
INTRODUCTION. 
FIELD WORK AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 
That part of the Carolinas which lies immediately to the southeast of the Blue Ridge, in 
what is known as the Piedmont region, has long been of both scientific and commercial 
importance, largely on account of the variety and abundance of its minerals. In 1904 the 
writer was detailed to make a brief preliminary study of the mineral resources of a portion 
of this area, under the direction of Mr. Waldemar Lindgren. The work began October 5 
and ended November 25, being thus favored by the delightful autumn of the South. Near 
the close of October the writer enjoyed the advantage of Mr. Lindgren's active supervision 
in the field lor about five days and was also privileged to accompany him on a trip of a few 
days to the Dahlonega gold region of Georgia, where interesting comparisons with the Caro- 
lina deposits could be made. Mr. Lindgren kindly consented to publish in this bulletin a 
brief description of the Dahlonega mines. A few hours were spent in November at the 
Cash tin mine, in Rockbridge County, Va., to ascertain if this deposit is related to those of 
the Carolina belt. Early in May, 1905, the writer made a three days' visit to the tin belt to 
learn of later developments. > 
During the course of the field work assistance was rendered and information furnished by 
many persons residing in the area traversed. Especial thanks are due to Mr. E. A. Thies, 
manager of the Haile mine; Mr. O. J. Thies, manager of the Blackmon mine; Mr. J. L. 
Daniels, superintendent of the Ross mine; Mr. John F. Jones, of Blacksburg, and Messrs. 
M. M. Carpenter and A. R. Rudisill, of Kings Mountain. The writer is glad of this oppor- 
tunity to acknowledge his indebtedness to Mr. Lindgren, whose constant and inspiring 
interest in the work and willing criticism and suggestion have been of great value and 
assistance. 
SCOPE OF REPORT. 
A complete study of the area would have resulted in a thorough understanding of the 
general geology, as well as in detailed information regarding the mineral resources. But 
several things conspired to make it very difficult to obtain an accurate and comprehensive 
idea of the geology. The area to be covered in the time at the writer's disposal made it 
necessary to confine effort almost entirely to visiting mines and mineral localities. No 
topographic or other thoroughly reliable maps of this particular district have been pub- 
lished — a lack which made accurate locations of particular points impossible and reduced 
the amount of ground which could be covered. Finally, decomposition of the rocks is so 
profound that it is, in general, only by careful and repeated examination of the altered prod- 
ucts and extended search for exposures of fresh material that safe conclusions as to lithology 
can be reached. 
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