The following article appeared in the Danville newspaper, Intelligencer, April 25, 1837

The deposit of this valuable mineral in the hills and valleys of the immediate vicinity of our town and neighborhood, is but in the infancy of its development. – For several years, the discovery of Iron was confined to two tracts of land, adjoining each other; and but two banks worked, to supply the Catawissa works, and one or two others of less magnitude in the neighborhood. Now the deposit has been explored for several miles in extent; and numerous new discoveries have been made, which have attracted the attention of Capitalists and Manufacturers from abroad.

About a year ago, the Farrandsville Company directed their attention to this section, with a view of obtaining a supply of ore for their extensive works on the West branch of the Susquehanna, and purchased several tracts of land, conditionally, if iron could be found. – Their exploration proved successful, and they are now excavating ore on a large and extensive scale. These discoveries, led other land holders to seek for the "hidden treasures," and their labours have been abundantly repaid.

The richness and other good qualities of this ore, renders it very valuable – it is said to yield from 60 to 75 per cent – makes excellent bar iron; and for machinery castings, which require hardness and toughness, it has the character of being unrivalled in the United States.

The demand for this ore increases, as the means of obtaining it is gained; it is believed, that not less than 50,000 dollars will be deposited in our Iron region the ensuing summer, in exchange for ore.

The above paragraph is from the Columbia County Register, printed at Bloomsburg. Searching for Iron ore is now the chief order of the day in the immediate vicinity of Danville, and it affords us the utmost pleasure to state that the enterprising capitalists who have resolved to ferret out these rich deposits, have already discovered excellent veins of ore in different places, near the town, and much nearer ample water power for furnaces, and the canal and river for transportation, than any large and extensive deposits heretofore discovered. For years past, we have heard much of the importance of the Centre county, and other Iron Works; but if they are not destined shortly to be eclipsed by the Columbia County Iron Works, it will be owing to some other cause than the want of abundance of pure ore, advantageously located. The Catawissa Furnace and Forge is now under the superintendence of lads of genius, spirit, and enterprise, and doing a large business; the Briarcreek Furnace and Foundries, we understand, have passed into the hands of men who have capital and energy suited to the times we live in, and will now do business with big augar. We also understand that it is in contemplation, by some of the citizens of our county, who are famed for capital, business, and public spirit, to erect large Iron Works near the canal and river, in the vicinity of Judge Rupert’s residence – an admirable location for the use of the rich and exhaustless Hemlock ore. And we trust that the time is now close at hand when Danville, and vicinity, will be enlivened and replenished by the active operation of Furnaces, Forges, Rolling Mills, Slitting Mills, Nail Works, and Foundries. We already have a very extensive Iron Foundry in operation, conducted by our enterprising townsmen, Moore & Stuart, which, for the quality of its hollow ware, and castings in general, is not surpassed, if equaled by any other Foundry in the United States. Their casings are sought for with avidity, both in city and county, by the best judges of superior work. We repeat – Columbia County is looking up.