[LB058382], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to U.S. Geological Survey, November 22nd, 1893
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB058382
Transcription
Nov. 22nd, 1893. J. B. Woodworth, Esq. Assistant Geologist, United States Geological Survey, Cambridge, Mass. Dear Sir:-- I have received your letter of 15th inst., in regard to the magnetic sand deposit on Block Island. I am not familiar with the Block Island deposit, but regarding the Long Island deposit I have made full investigation, having bored holes along the beach, and inland as well. I found that some years there would be an aggregate thickness of ore of from 12 to 15 inches for eight or ten miles. Then the next summer hardly any could be found. This summer my man could find scarcely any. It comes from the sea, for upon boring down on beach 10 to 12 feet, we always struck bog matter, and below this, sand again. It is this unreliability that caused me to give it up as a commercial matter, and I doubt if it would pay to work the Block Island deposit. Yours very truly, Thomas A Edison M.