Folklore says that the red crystals,
from Gore Mountain’s wooded slopes.
Were originally peddled as rubies.
To uninitiated downstate folks.
This was somewhat similar to the mistakes
made by the early prospectors seeking gold.
Who bought iron pyrite salted western mines
which by swindlers they were sold.
But Henry Barton knew the difference
and saw true value there.
The best use was as abrasives
more resistant than sand for wear.
So the whole mountain he would purchase
and as the Barton Mines sprung anew.
The North Creek area would also flourish
as the garnet business grew and grew.
A major logistical issue was
how to get the embedded crystals out.
The slopes were steep and any road
would be tortuous and roundabout.
But halfway down the mountain,
on Harvey Mountain’s lower slopes.
The Little Brook joined the Balm of Gilead
and the streambed was a natural route.
The old mine road was the best way,
for the wagons and early model trucks,
to reach the plant along the Hudson
with some skill and a little luck.
The gravel road traversed our property
at the foot of the steep slopes.
Adjacent to the old hay farm and orchard
worked by the Bakers and other local folks.
By the early 1900s, big excavators came along.
And a new straighter route was cut on the slope above
But there were still steep grades to deal with.
For which the truckers had no love.
In the early mornings, after buying the old Baker farm.
Shortly after dawn, the brakes would begin to rumble and squeal.
No need to set a clock for a morning wakening alarm.
It certainly added to the camp’s local color and appeal.
Now the operation of active mining
has moved to Ruby Mountain, further to the west.
The only sounds we hear now are an occasional siren warning
and the distant rumble of a blast.