To All: I recently stopped and took a picture of the Old Shot Tower on New River.. and have placed it on my web site so others can see it without having to make the trip! I understand the shot tower had a shaft dug down to the level of the river and a tunnel through which boats could be brough in to collect the shot. Molten lead was poured through screens at the top of the tower and the hot lead particles fell to the bottom, turning into round shot before hitting the cold water which chilled it, retaining the shape.. The lead was mined nearby in Wythe County, Va.. Many people who apparently owned no land in the area very likely were employed in the mining and smelting operations.. Go to my website and click on "Scenes" to see this and other pictures of Southwest Va.. http://hearlshill.freeservers.com/index.html Thanks for Your Time, G. Lee Hearl Authentic Appalachian Storyteller Abingdon, Va.