19th century Minerva — Excitement over ore beds

One could always hope.

“There is a moderate excitement over the Minerva ore beds again. A Philadelphia party visited them lately and after closely inspecting the old forge, engine, etc. left without saying a word,” the Elizabethtown Post & Gazette reported on Jan. 1, 1880. “It is hoped that the mysterious gentleman means business.”

It is not clear what the Philadelphia party concluded, but Troy investors were soon operating a mine.

“Twelve teams are now engaged in hauling ore from the Rosekrans mine in Minerva to North Creek railroad station for the Messrs. Burden of Troy,” the Post & Gazette reported on Feb. 19.

The mine employed 18 men, the Post & Gazette reported on April 8.

“The Burdens of Troy are raising an average of fifty tons per day of iron ore from the Rosekrans mine in Minerva, Essex County, and are shipping the same from North Creek. The ore is a rich magnetic, yielding sixty-six percent of metal. The vein is interspersed with deposits of lead ore.”

In other 19th century Minerva news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

1880

“Minerva is the one bright spot,” the Elizabethtown Post & Gazette editorialized on Nov. 4, a reference to Minerva being the only town in Essex County which Democratic presidential candidate carried.

“We are dejected but not disheartened,” the Democratic newspaper opined, about the county-wide results.

• “Aiden Lair Lodge, a summer residence name by and formerly under the management of … (Edmund) Williams and located in the town of Minerva has been leased by Thomas Murphy of Fort Edward,” the Elizabethtown Post & Gazette reported on July 1.

1852

• Democrat Franklin Pierce carried Minerva, North Elba, Schroon and St. Armands in the presidential election, The Elizabethtown Post reported on Nov. 5.

Whig Winfield Scott cared the remaining towns in the county and Essex County in total.

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