McDonough County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 17 of those read), 1878

A careful study of chapter fourteen will give the reader a knowledge of the geological formation of McDonough county, including coal, stone, and clay; still we think a more detailed statement than there given of the items mentioned will be appreciated by all in whose hands this work may fall.

Coal. - The area of the coal fields of McDonough is nearly, if not quite, co-extensive with its entire surface, having been found in every township, except Walnut Grove. There are thirty-nine shafts and banks in active operation, aiibrding employment to hundreds of men, some of whom work in the banks, while others are constantly engaged in hauling to our home markets and the towns surrounding. An average of twelve cars per day have been shipped from the town of Colchester, over the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, during the last five years. This is exclusive of that shipped for the sole use of the railroad company, which amounts to several cars more. An average of two cars is consumed in Macomb, while surrounding towns use as much more, making a total af twenty-four cars per day. There is no limit to the supply, as the bed? are inexhaustible.

The coal of this county is regarded as the best in the State, and is used extensively in the manufacture of gas in several of our large western cities.

Stone. - The quarries of McDonough county are becoming justly noted for their superior quality of freestone and sandstone. As remarked of coal, the supply is almost inexhaustible, and capable of meeting the demand for hundreds of years. T/est of Macomb a short distance are two or three quarries that have been worked for many years, and the rock from them used for building purposes have stood the test of time in a remarkable degree. Until the past year the stone has been used principally for foundation purposes, wells, and sidewalks. A few months ago Mr. liowley, of New York, who, for many years has been the proprietor of the quarry known as Stuart's, having tested the stone in every conceivable way, erected a factory for the purpose of manufacturing grindstones. lie has now in employ a large number of hands, and is turning out an article that is giving universal satisfaction. Shipments are being made daily to all parts of the United States, and we have no doubt in time this will be one of the institions of the county. John McLean, Esq., of Macomb, at our request, furnished us with the following statement of the quarry formerly worked by Hector McLean, Sr., and his three sons, Alex. John, and Duncan :

"AVe commenced work in the Randolph quarry in the fall of 1849, and in 1852 left, purchasing the interest of Swigart & Broaddus in the quarry known as Bartleson's, and considered the best freestone or sandstone in the State. The quarry was easy to work, having seams in every ledge, running the entire length. AYe frequently pried up stones 30x15 feet, flat and smooth, fitted for any kind of pavement, the ledges being from 1^^ inches, increasing in thickness to three feet, being the lowest ledge we Avorked.

"We had the quarry rented for four years at ten cents per perch. In 1857 we purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on which the quarry was situated, of a Mr. Airy, of Philadelphia, a brother of the late Mrs. Bartleson, of Macomb, for which we paid $1,600 ; sold the same to C. IsT. Harding, Esq., in 1867, for $4,000. AVe worked in the quarry twelve years, in which time we averaged one thousand perches per year of all kinds of rock.

"In looking over the accounts of some years, I find that we made as high as $8,500 per year, paying for extra labor, tools and powder for blasting purposes, 81,300. In these times this was considered 'big money.' We usually did all the business ourselves, having four yoke of oxen, and a large wagon capable of carrying five tons or four perches. The wagon was made by our former townsman, Sidney S. Chapman, and a splendid wagon it was, painted on the axle 1852, the year in which it was made. We quarried, hauled and built, receiving therefor $2.50 to $3.25 per perch, according to wall."

Besides the quarries mentioned, there is an excellent quality of stone near Industry, on Grindstone creek, of the same general character as the foregoing.

Clay. - For the manufacture of drain tile, tire brick, &c., we have an excellent clay, and already we have one or two very extensive manufactories for these articles. Ilorrocks, Stevens & Co., Bardolph, are doing an excellent business in this line, their trade extending east and west for hundreds of miles. It is said that the tire brick manufactured is superior to the New Jersey article, which is so widely known. "We have no doubt in addition to these articles mentioned, clay for the manufacture of Iron-stone China can be had of a superior quality. Capitalists would do well to investigate the subject.