[D9234AAK], Letter from John N Calvin to Thomas Alva Edison, March 7th, 1892
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Title
[D9234AAK], Letter from John N Calvin to Thomas Alva Edison, March 7th, 1892
Author
Recipient
Date
1892-03-07
Type
Folder/Volume ID
D9234-F
Microfilm ID
133:93
Document ID
D9234AAK
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
Has Version
Transcription
[TAE Marginalia] Return sample + say its solo but that in 3 counties of N.C. there is scarcely a form that one or more very small gold views don't occur with rather rich gold but owing to narrow + fracture at depths [illegible] gold mine in N.C. has so far been a failure.
Lafayette N.C. Mar 7th 1892
Mr. Edison
Ogdensburg N.J.
My Dear Sir
Excuse me for the disturbance taken in writing you as I presume you are bothered + well vexed with all bonds of communication with all sorts of people.
The enclosed sample of gold I picked up in a corn lot in North Carolina or in Jany last + can not give up the idea that there is an immense fortune in developing the mine.
Gold of whatever it was discovered by a boy 17 years old, his Father had corn on the lot + also a small corn house which was about to tumble down + the boy in trying to get some stones to put under the corners discovered the gold. I have another stone about two inches square that is quite full of fine bits which I picked up. The man that owns the land has dug a hole about six feet long, three feet wide + two feet deep + found plenty such as the enclosed besides any amount of finer bits. The owner is a queer old Southerner + will not let anyone prospect nor will he prospect himself but wants to sell the farm of 125 acres. Lend in that vicinity is worth from $250 to 2500 per acre.
This is a nice stream of water running near the place probably 300 feet away. The rock is about one foot from the top of the ground. I would not have bothered you but I did not know who to write to that would be intended + would know what it really was or could find out whether there is anything in it by looking it over + not be to much expense.
I would like to have the stone returned after you decide about it as I intend to have a pin made of it.
I go South every winter shooting + am well acquainted about the country where I speak of.
I would like to have a talk with you or someone that knows something of gold mining.
Truly,
John N. Calvin Please return the stone + if you feel interested in the matter I would like you to come + see me or if you can not spare the inn + will appoint a day I will meet you in Ogdensburg or at the works. I have saw great boulders of gold (in my mind) ever since I returned Feb 1st + can't get it off my mind nor I suppose I will not until I shall know more about it though I have no such money to prospect with myself.
Excuse this long epistle
J.N.C.
Lafayette N.C. Mar 7th 1892
Mr. Edison
Ogdensburg N.J.
My Dear Sir
Excuse me for the disturbance taken in writing you as I presume you are bothered + well vexed with all bonds of communication with all sorts of people.
The enclosed sample of gold I picked up in a corn lot in North Carolina or in Jany last + can not give up the idea that there is an immense fortune in developing the mine.
Gold of whatever it was discovered by a boy 17 years old, his Father had corn on the lot + also a small corn house which was about to tumble down + the boy in trying to get some stones to put under the corners discovered the gold. I have another stone about two inches square that is quite full of fine bits which I picked up. The man that owns the land has dug a hole about six feet long, three feet wide + two feet deep + found plenty such as the enclosed besides any amount of finer bits. The owner is a queer old Southerner + will not let anyone prospect nor will he prospect himself but wants to sell the farm of 125 acres. Lend in that vicinity is worth from $250 to 2500 per acre.
This is a nice stream of water running near the place probably 300 feet away. The rock is about one foot from the top of the ground. I would not have bothered you but I did not know who to write to that would be intended + would know what it really was or could find out whether there is anything in it by looking it over + not be to much expense.
I would like to have the stone returned after you decide about it as I intend to have a pin made of it.
I go South every winter shooting + am well acquainted about the country where I speak of.
I would like to have a talk with you or someone that knows something of gold mining.
Truly,
John N. Calvin Please return the stone + if you feel interested in the matter I would like you to come + see me or if you can not spare the inn + will appoint a day I will meet you in Ogdensburg or at the works. I have saw great boulders of gold (in my mind) ever since I returned Feb 1st + can't get it off my mind nor I suppose I will not until I shall know more about it though I have no such money to prospect with myself.
Excuse this long epistle
J.N.C.