The General Mica & Clay Company, operating a kaolin and mica mine at Lotla bridge, while now a great producer of mica and clay, is enlarging its plant so as to triple its present capacity. The new buildings will be completed and the machinery installed and in operation by July 15th.
Within the past five months this company has shipped 890 tons of kaolin and ground mica from the station at Franklin. The kaolin, washed and ready for the manufacturer, is used in the pottery trade and in making fine china ware and tiling. Ground mica is used for many purposes, such as making prepared roofing, automobile tires, paints and various other products. The dry grinding method is used in preparing mica for the market.
With the additions to the present plant in operation, the General Mica & Clay company expects to ship at least 10,000 tons of mica and clay to the markets each year, possibly considerably more.
Since January 1st, this company has paid the farmers of Macon county for wood $2,600, for hauling $1,500 and as wages $4,700.
On December 1, this year, the General Mica & Clay company will begin the use of electricity instead of steam for power purposes, it having contracted with the city of Franklin for $3,710 worth of current per year. As a matter of fact, the company will use probably twice this amount.
The company owns an entire mountain of clay and mica—a seeming inexhaustible supply. Mr. D.D. Rice, the superintendent and general manager, is very optimistic for the future.
In Macon count there are many other similar mines either developed or awaiting development.
With cheap electric power, a plentiful supply of raw material—clay and mica—with abundant labor, it would appear that Franklin or near vicinity is the logical place for factories to utilize these products in making finished articles for the markets. Those interested in this line of endeavor are cordially invited to visit Macon and investigate this matter for themselves.
From the front page of The Franklin Press, Friday, June 3, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92074069/1925-07-03/ed-1/seq-1/
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