South Yorkshire Times and Mexorough & Swinton Times – Friday 21 September 1883
The Find of Iron Ore
With reference to the find of an extensive bed of ironstone and iron ore in the vicinity of Conisboro’, which we noticed a week or two ago, we are informed that a survey is being made on behalf of the Great Northern Railway Company, preparatory to laying down a line from Rossington through Wadworth, Edlington, Mexboro’, on to the Swinton and Knottingley line, near South Kirby.
The extent and richness of the bed of ore has not yet been fully ascertained, but it is known to reach from near the Holywell Brewery, Conisboro’, to Bramley, beyond which it has not been followed. The ore is said to be within a few inches of the surface in some places, and much superior in quality to that from Frodingham.
If further investigations bear out the very favourable reports of the gentlemen who have been busy in the work, it is very probable that the directors of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company will bring to light again their project for constructing a line from Shireoaks to Warmsworth, which would cross the district in another direction to the one already alluded to.
The Rotherham and Barnsley Railway, if carried out, would reach another point, so that it does not seem likely that the resources of the district will long remain undeveloped for want of railway accommodation.