Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 05 October 1883
I learn that the discovery of iron ore by Mr. Barron, the station-master at Conisboro’, is not the only interesting news from that charming village. From the remarks of one or two persons, working on the M. S. & L. line of railway as platelayers, there is no doubt that a more interesting discovery still is only awaiting the advent of an antiquarian to bring it before the world in its true light.
When the whole face of the country around Conisboro’ was covered with wood; when the ugly keel, and its still more ugly companion, the skinny and draped which nowadays pull along were in the distant future; when the ancient Briton in his oracle, skimming the waters of the Don, was the only object to be discerned on its then clear waters, unpolluted by the mysterious compounds which at present make it a stream of liquid filth; iron ore appears to have been smelted by our progenitors, who, although far behind the nineteenth century in civilization, were quite eighteen hundred years in advance of us in their knowledge of the mineral wealth of the district.
Sheffield, it seems, has been situated by chance at the precise spot where the vast mineral resources of the district can be developed to their greatest extent. It is whispered that some of the ore found near Conisboro’ actually contains 90 per cent. of the metal. Our painted forefathers, who roamed the woods about a score of centuries ago, wearing nothing but a smile, are stated to have smelted the ore for the purpose of obtaining iron for their spear heads.
Heaps of debris have been noticed by several persons, who aver that they really cover the spots where smelting operations were carried on in the past. Yet another discovery is said to have been made in the shape of a hammer of the old stone age—but more of that anon.
They say that the workmen engaged in boring at Conisboro’ for water in connection with the Doncaster Water Supply scheme, cut through a rich bed of ironstone, and that curses and “muttering loud and deep” was the order of the day.
The workmen, little knowing what a rich mine of wealth they had struck upon, and only understanding that their work was rendered doubly toilsome by reason of the hard substance, after indulging in no small amount of grumbling, at the conclusion of their operations industriously shovelled the iron ore in again. This statement can be easily believed in places where the “knights of the pick and shovel” are not so geologically inclined as in our district, but I can hardly believe it of Yorkshiremen!
When Mr. Barron first noticed the discolouration of the brook near the Holywell Brewery, Conisboro’, he communicated his idea that there was ironstone in the district somewhere near the surface to a workman who knew a great deal concerning the geology of the district around Conisboro’.
“I believe that somewhere in the district there is a great quantity of iron,” said Mr. Barron. His companion shrugged his shoulders and answered, “Oh, I know that; I have actually seen the ironstone lying at the bed of the brook in dry weather.”
With such good ground to start upon it is not to be wondered at that Mr. Warburton made an investigation of the locality, which is likely to be fraught with momentous issues for the whole of the South Yorkshire district. Mexboro’ will largely participate in any advantages which might accrue from the discovery.
I learn that the new line of railway from Rossington to Mexboro’, Swinton, and South Kirby is being actively surveyed by the agents of the Great Northern and Great Eastern Railway Companies, and that the project will be laid before Parliament at the commencement of the next session.
The sale of property near Conisboro’ which was arranged to take place a few weeks ago at Doncaster did not come off exactly as was anticipated. This was no fault of the auctioneer, who acquainted the company present with the manifold advantages which the possession of the minerals of the district would give to any purchaser.
Strange to say, the company did not seem to believe the auctioneer, but when the word “iron” was mentioned a fleeting smile broke out on each countenance which, gradually enlarging, soon developed into a broad grin.
I presume the grin will now be on the face of the gentleman who owns the property, and that the company who did not bid are by this time reproaching themselves for their negligence.