[LB063632], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Edison Portland Cement Co, William Stockman Pilling, July 18th, 1899
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB063632
Transcription
July 18th, 1899. Mr. W.S. Pilling, Treasurer, Philadelphia, Pa. Dear Sir- Replying to yours of the 10th, in which you state there seems to be much interest on the part of the stock-holders as to the location of our new plant, I beg to state the selection of a proper location and geological formation is a matter that cannot be hurried. Several serious mistakes have already been made by the Lehigh Valley Cement Company and we should try and take advantage of these mistakes. We have to take into consideration he position as to Railroads, ingress, contour of the formation, character of the cement rock, character of the limestone, close proximity of limestone and cement rock, pitch and trend of the rock, supply of water, character of water, proximity to sources of labor and dwelling houses, and other minor considerations. We have secured options to purchase, on the properties shown on attached list, these options running from three months to one year. We have one man obtaining options continuously, another man running boundaries and mapping land and vicinity, and giving contours, Railroads, water courses etc. We have also two mine foremen, each with a gang of men sinking holes to bed rock on the various optioned properties. The rock is drilled, a blast is made, and general samples sent each day to Laboratory. Positions of holes are marked on map, and each sample is assayed for Silica, Iron Alumina, Magnesia, Lime, etc. We have three chemists at work making these assays, which are preliminary to diamond drilling to a greater depth. When we have eradicated all the worthless properties by these preliminary tests, we shall then select the heat, and drill holes to a depth of 100 ft at proper intervals over the properties, assaying the samples or core every foot. Then with all the data and considerations already mentioned, we will select the property we require, and perhaps enough for another mill. We have already closed with the drill people for an apparatus which will be at our service when required. We shall not require the property for about 90 days, and we think that period is sufficient to decide we are the best. In the meantime we are pushing ahead rapidly with the general plans of the plant. Yours very truly, Thos A Edison