But when did it start?? Would it generate the money for land purchases?? I don't see iron or lead be 'floated' anywhere. That would have to been limited to locate consumption. Even horses would not take lead far over the roads of the day. >Mr. Hearl said: Tobacco and salt produced in southwest Va. was floated by flatboat down the >rivers to New Orleans to be sold. There was also lead and iron from Wythe County. The old Shot Tower still stands that was near the lead mines. Robert Crabtree "Toto, I don't think we are in NH any more."