Randolph County, Indiana - Chapter 2: Geology and Topography, 1914

Chapter 2: Geology and Topography

Randolph county being one of the oldest as well as the highest counties in the state has been the subject for very careful survey, both as to its geology, fauna and flora.

The geological survey was carefully made of the county in 1882 by Prof. A. J. Phinney. Dr. Phinney was a physician, located in Muncie and made his report to Prof. John Collett, at that time state geologist.

Dr. Phinney's report is so complete and exact and was made after such careful investigation and research that we feel the best interests of our readers will be served by re-publishing his report, which is as follows :

Surface Configuration

The surface is generally level or rolling, with the exception of three ridges in the southern part, which might in places be termed hilly. These ridges are highest south of the water-shed, owing to the erosion of the valleys during the slow elevation of the divide. The surface near the water-shed is usually level, but grows more hilly as you go towards the south line of the county. North of White River is a low ridge, forming the water-shed of the northern part. The highest land in the state is formed on the middle ridge near Bloomingsport (one and one-half miles northwest), on the summit between Green's Fork and Martindale creek, the elevation of the road bed of the I., B. and \Y. R. R., being here 1,234.40 feet above the ocean. Colonel ^loore, Chief Engineer, estimates the elevation of some of the hills south of this point to be at least fifty feet higher, making the highest point in the state about 1,285 f^st above the ocean. Hills on the east ridge are nearly as high. The following table of altitudes of the road bed of the I., B. & W. R. R. was furnished by Colonel Moore, Chief Engineer. The base line of this road places the Union Depot, at Indianapolis, at 721.20 feet above the sea level.

Table Of Altitudes

The county, as a whole, is one of the most elevated in the state, its southern part forming the water-shed of eastern Indiana. Streams flow in every direction from its summit. The principal rivers are the Mississinewa, and its branches, viz. : Elkhorn and Bear creeks, and the Little Mississinewa ; White river and its tributaries, viz. : Little White river, Cabin creek. Sugar creek, and Salt creek, in the central part. South of the divide. West river, Martindale creek, Green's fork and Noland's Fork of White Water river, while on the east Greenville and Dismal creeks drain the swampy tracts near the summit. All these streams form an abundance of water for stock, though none are hardly large enough to furnish much water power for manufactories. \Miere streams are not accessible, water can usually be obtained by wells, the depth varying from ten to thirty feet. Springs are numerous, though mostly small, and the character of the water such as is usually found in limestone regions, though a few were observed which are chalj^beate.

swampy tracts, which, when the country was first settled, were almost impassable, and were from one quarter to two miles wide, and the larger from five to six miles long. The water-shed between" Noland's Fork and Greenville creek is hardly perceptible, and the broad prairie which now borders both these streams can be traced from the south line of the county, with the direction a little east of north, to a point east of Union City, from thence continuing in the same direction for fifteen miles through the northwestern portion of Darke county, Ohio. South of Union City a branch of this prairie crosses the east ridge, and extends in a southwesterly direction to the valley of Green's Fork, forming the broad prairie from which Dismal creek, the east branch of Green's fork and White river have their sources. Cabin Creek and West River , rise in another long swampy tract, which lies to the east of the west ridge. North of West River township, this swampy tract extends for about two miles. Bear creek and the stream from the north, which empties into the Mississinewa river a short distance above the mouth of Bear creek, are in the same line. The streams which occupy these broad valleys could never have excavated them; in fact, until ditches were cut, they had not even made a channel for themselves. They evidently- mark the course of glacial rivers, flowing from the northeast to the valley of the Ohio of the ocean. The direction of the flow of these ancient streams, at right angles to the present lines of drainage, shows that the surface at the north was relatively much higher than at present, and that the divide now so prominent a feature of the surface configuration, hardly had an existence at the close of the Glacial epoch. The three ridges are only remnants of the broad table land which once existed, the glacial streams having carried away the material which once united them. The hills, so prominent a feature of the southern part of the ridges, were carved from the level table land by currents of water. They have nothing in common with those hills of sand and gravel (kames), found so frequently in Delaware county and other portions of the state.

Union City is situated on the east ridge, and the people have always had more or less difficulty in obtaining water. In order to secure a supply for water works, an excavation was made southwest of the city, thirty feet in diameter and twenty feet deep. A drill was then sunk twenty feet more, striking a vein of water which filled the well and overflowed the top, and has since continued to supply the city with clear cold water. They evidently tapped the ancient channel which passed a little to the east. In draining the swamps, elks' antlers have been found : some very large and having a spread of six feet. Remains of the mastodon have been occasionally met with.

Lost Mountain. This ridge has a similar position, and evidently originated in the same manner as the low divide north of White river. Overflows from the Glacial river evidently once covered most of Wayne and White River townships, finding an outlet through the channel marked "probable course of Glacial river." Although no deep channel was formed, enough material was removed to give to the remaining portion the character of a ridge, and the erosive action of White river has still further contributed to that result. A similar condition prevails north of the Missigsinewa river, in fact that channel marked "probable course of Glacial river" can be traced through Randolph to Jay county. West of Ridgeville it curves to the east, and with a somewhat circuitous course terminates in the main channel in Darke county, Ohio, making probably the supposition that the ridge is the result of erosion.

General Geology Quaternary Age

Under this head may be classed all those de^sits which have taken place during and since the close of the Glacial epoch, and it embraces all those accumulations of peat, muck and vegetable mold which are now among the very best farming lands in the county. The largest of these deposits occur in the valleys of those ancient rivers, their channels having been silted up with sand and gravel, leaving, at first series of shallow lakes. All depressions in the surface were left filled as the waters slowly receded. These lakes and ponds, after a long period of time, became filled from the accumulations of an aquatic vegetation and the wash from the higher lands.. Although shunned by the earlier settlers, the judicious use of ditching has redeemed these wastes, and now, over a great part of these prairies, may be seen the fields of golden grain. The depths of these deposits varies from two to ten feet, the lower part, in places, resembling a marl. The largest of these prairies are found bordering Greenville and Dismal creeks on the east and Cabin creek and West river, near the southwestern part of the county. Smaller accumulations of muck occur in every township.

Alluvium

All of the streams of the county being small, no very extensive alluvial deposits are found here. The valleys of the Mississinewa and ^Vhite rivers afford the best example of this formation. Although limited in extent, they are noted for their fertility - a characteristic of these deposits wherever found. Formed from the finer clay and sand washed from the higher lands, and mixed with vegetable detritus, they have every element necessary for the production of magnificent crops.

The Drift

This deposit covers the whole county, the depth ranging from twentyfive to possibly one hundred feet. It is here a. gray and yellowish clay, with some sand and gravel in the deeper portions. From ten to thirty feet of clay is passed through, in digging wells before gravel is reached. The depth of the surface clays together with their extent, and the numerous large bowlders which are found on the surface are records of melting of extensive glaciers. The clays, sand and gravel, which are scattered over such a large extent of territory, tell us of the mighty force which ground to powder the shales, destroyed the cohesion of sandstones, and brought from the Canadian highlands mere remnants of tho;e azoic rocks that were torn from their parent ledges.

If, standing upon the summit of Little mountain, Lake county, Ohio, seven hundred and fifty feet above the surface of Lake Erie, one will fill, in imagination, that vast vacuity which probably extends to the Canadian shore with the Erie shale, Waverl}^ group and carboniferous conglomerate, which once occupied it, he will be able to form some conception of the mighty force which excavated the basin of Lake Erie, and scattered the debris oyer Indiana and Ohio. That great glacier moved from the northeast to the southwest, and the Little mountain, with its precipitous walls facing the lake, indicates the position of the land side of that glacial plow. Probably the low divide, which extends from northeastern Ohio into Indiana, passing through the southern part of Randolph county, marked the southern border of this glacier. This was followed by the great glacier from the north, which covered the continent as far south as the fortieth parallel of latitude. As this melted, leaving the debris of its work of destruction behind, to be sorted by the volumes of water flowing from it, a depression of the continent took place, the glaciers dropped their loads of gravel, sand, clay and bowlders. After this part of the ice age the surface clays were deposited and the future wealth of the soil determined. During the period of elevation which followed, the sheet of clay was cut through by the rivers which were draining the waters from the basins of the Great lakes. As the rivers flowed across the divide, they excavated those deep and broad valleys now occupied by

Greenville and Dismal creeks, Cabin creek and West river. Portions of the table land separating them were subject to the action of currents of water, which carved those rounded hills, so common near the summit of the divide. As the lake basins became drained, the ancient river channels were silted up, in many places wholly obliterated, leaving only a series of shallow lakes to mark their former course. During this last act in the great drama of water and ice, the surface configuration of the county was marked out. Gradually, with a continued but unequal elevation, the p^sent lines of drainage became established at right angles to those ancient river channels.

Bowlders are common everywhere, but are found in greater numbers in the southern part, near the summit of the divide, the erosion which this part of the county has suffered having carried away the finer material, leaving them exposed. East of Windsor and south of White river is a line of bowlders, extending nearly to IMacksville, many of which are of large size. In section 29, White River township, range 14 east, 20 north, is one thirteen feet long and five feet above the surface and with not less than five or six feet imbedded in the earth. W^est of Fairview and south of the Mississinewa river is another nearly as large. Quartzytes, green-stones and granites are the prevailing kinds. ^lany of the quartzytes are of great size, and show by their well-rounded forms the rough usage to which they have been subjected. The greenstones (Dioryte, with others of the Hornblende series) are, many of them, large, and are usually angular. All forms of granites occur here. The transition into the gneissoid rocks, however, is rare, the tendency of the gradations being towards the Syenites. But few limestones were found. In many places bowlders were so numerous that the farmers were complelled to haul them off their fields. The immense pile along the roadsides afforded ample opportunity for their study.

Paleozoic Geology

The only rocks found in the county belong to the Niagara period, Upper Silurian age. But few exposures occur, and only along the larger streams. At IMacksville, on White river, is an outcrop exposing a thickness of about six feet of a soft friable and coarse grained limestone of a whitish cream color, becoming yellowish on exposure, judging from what was seen on the suiface. This is suitable only for lime, of which it makes an excellent quality. It ^ets quick, owing to its being nearly a pure carbonate. Air. J.

C. Brickley burns annually about seven thousand bushels, which hardly supplies the local demand. This industry might be much increased if the rock was quarried properly. Instead of taking a few loads from where it can be obtained the easiest, a quarry ought to be opened and worked below the surface of tiie river, and with a front not less than ten or twelve rods in length. When once opened, rock could be obtained with much less expense than at present, and if a continual burner was used the cost of production would be much less. Not over two or three feet of stripping is required here, and that principally the alluvial deposits of the river. Although this rock is a magnesian limestone, the amount of magnesia present is much less than in rocks of the same age in Grant and Huntington counties.

Analysis Of Rock At Macksville

"The principal ingredients of this rock, as seen from the above, are carbonate of lime, carbonate of magnesia and alumina. In calcining, probably tiie greater part of the magnesia is driven off, especially if a white heat is obtained. The strata here range from two to five inches in thickness, and though very soft when first taken from the quarry, become hard on exposure. In the upper layers, casts of pentamerus oblongus are very abundant, many being nearly perfect; but as no pains have been taken to save the finest ones, only weathered specimens could be obtained. Impressions of an Orthis and Spirifer were observed, and, judging from the description given, Orthoceras annulatum and Platyostoma niagarensis have been occasionally met with. The direction and amount of dip could not be determined. A small exposure occurs in section 8, West River township, range 13 east, 19 north, on Cabin

Near Ridgeville the rock is exposed along the Mississinewa river for about two miles. Here is found about six feet of a whitish, coarse-grained limestone which, though soft and friable when first taken from the quarry, hardens on exposure and forms the principal stone used in the vicinity for walls and building. The strata range from two to four inches in thickness. This stone makes excellent lime, though nona-is being burnt at present. This rock differs very little from that at Macksville, as can be seen from the following analysis from the Indiana Geographical Report 1878.

Analysis Of Rock At Ridgeville

The presence of iron in the upper layers causes them to turn rusty or yellowish red upon expoaire to the air, - the oxide becoming a sesquioxide. Numerous ixnpressions of fossils were seen. Corals of the genus Favosites were numerous, but good specimens could not be obtained. The more common of the fossils found are Favosites niagarensis. F. Favosus, Strophomena, rhomboidalis, S. striata, Orthis elegantula, Pentamerus oblongus, P. sp., Cladopora reticulata, Zaphrentis bilateralis, IMeristina nitida and Platyostoma niagarensis. W'est of Fairview, near the river, rock is found about two feet below the surface. This differs in no particular from that at Ridgeville, except that the strata are thicker. Only a small amount has been quarried. At neither of these localities could the dip be determined. The rocks in this county differ from that found in Delaware countv in the absence of the argillaceous and cherty layers, as well as the more durable and desirable blue stone. The dip in Delaware county being to the southwest, the rock there belongs higher in the series. The difference is not due to a change in the"

At the close of the Lower Sihirian age the southern portion of that Hne of upheaval known as the Cincinnati arch was raised above the sea. In the continental ocean surrounding it was deposited the Niagara limestone, the most extensive of any of the formations subsequent to the Lower Silurian. The Cincinnati arch, extending from Nashville, Tennessee, to a point between Toledo and Sandusky. C)hio, was a line of uner|ual disturbance, which finally culminated in the elevation of the whole arch above the ocean at the close of the Devonian age. This arch is not a single fold, but, as ably shown by Prof. J. S. Newberry, in the geological survey of Ohio, its northern portion consists of at least two distinct folds. During the deposition of the Niagara limestone around the Lower Silurian island, the sea was gradually returning with the elevation of the arch, and the dififerent portions of the Niagara group, following the retreating waters, were deposited successively further from the old shore line. Today the most recently formed strata of the Niagara are probably found along the AVabash river, showing that there has been a gradual elevation of this portion of eastern Indiana, during the Niagara period. The dip of the strata is both to southwest and northwest.

The dip of the blue limestone of Delaware county is such "that the strata, if continued into Randolph county, would overlap the whitish rock found here. This blue limestone if traced to the northwest, is found to underlie the yellowish, massive limestone of Grant county, the probable equivalent of the Guelph, Cedarville, or Pentamerus limestone, which is found covered by the whitish limestone along the Wabash. The limestone of Jay is similar to that of this county, but in Wells county the blue limestone appears in the bed of the Waba-h.

Above the Niagara group in Ohio, is the Salina, with its beds of gypsum, but if any of this formation was deposited in Indiana, it is either covered by the drift or has been removed by erosion. Immediately succeeding this is the water-lime (Lower Helderburg), which forms the surface rock over a large part of Ohio, but gradually becomes thinner and disappears before reaching this portion of Indiana. It is possible that this formation may be covered by the drift in the northeastern part of the state; but so far, where the Devonian is exposed v/ith the Niagara, there has been no water-lime intervening, and the exposures are so numerous along the western border of the .arch, that if ever deposited it would have been observed; so far no out-crop of water-lime is found in Indiana. The water-lime of the falls of the Ohio at Louisville, belongs to the Upper Helderburg of Devonian age.

The prevalence of rocks of the Niagara group over so large an extent of territory in this state, together with the absence of the water-lime and salina, indicates that this portion of the state was above the ocean, at the time of their deposition. There is no evidence to show that Randolph and Jay counties were covered by Devonian seas, although they may have been. It is possible, even probable, that investigation will show that the Cincinnati arch, north of the Ohio river, consist of three folds instead of two, and that the older one of these extended from the Lowei* Silurian island, west of north, far into Indiana.

This county is the highest in the state, because it forms part of the Cincinnati arch which is crossed by the gentle fold extending from northeastern Ohio into Indiana; everywhere through its course it marks a high elevation, and where these two lines of disturbances - if they be such - cross, is found the highest point measured in Ohio and Indiana. The highest points do not necessarily coincide with the water-shed, for deep valleys were excavated through this ridge by the glacial streams, showing that its present relative altitude is of comparatively recent date.

Economic Geology

The soil of this county is its only genuine and real mine of wealth and most bountifully has it responded to the labors of the husbandman. Although, with the exception of the prairies, the soil is for the most part a heavy clay, it ha.-i been enriched by the vegetable accumulations of ages. The days being the debris of many different formations, contain all the elements necessar}' for a fertile soil. In the southwestern part of the county the soil is somewhat sandy; the fields of wheat one can see here, show well the adaptability of the soil. North of White river, the soil is a heavy clay, with occasional patches of muck; but as all this portion admits of draining but little difference could be seen as regards the prospects of a bountiful harvest. Wheat, corn and grass are the principal productions, and if the prospects for this year are a criterion from which to judge, few counties in the state will have better cause to feel proud of their crops of wheat and grass. Some complaint was heard that the wheat was turning to chess, but the real difficulty was that the farmer showed chess instead of wheat, and now, as harvest is near at hand, he tries to shirk the responsibility by claiming his misfortune to be due to a freak of nature, rather than to the proper cause - his own carelessness - as wheat never turns to cheat, nor cheat to timothy.

lands are about equally divided, giving more variety of soil than is found in the northern part. All this portion admits of easy drainage, and the farmers are fast learning that labor expended in ditching is repaid many fold. The prairies and tracts of muck are well adapted to corn and wheat, while the clays, in addition, produce heavy crops of grass. Many fields will yield from two to three tons of hay per acre. Blue grass (Poa pretensis), is the most abundant of the native grasses, but timothy (Phleum pratense), grows equally well.

It must not be supposed that, however fertile a soil, it will continue to produce abundant harvests unless some effort is made to supply that waste of plant food which is lost with every crop harvested. Rotation of crops is a help to prolong the fertility of the soil; but as every crop of grass, corn stalks or straw, removes some of the silica, potash lime and phosphates, this waste will have to be supplied if the soil is expected to produce with its usual degree of fertility.

Randolph is comparatively a new county, and the vegetable accumulation of ages is still present, but the time will come when this will disappear, as it is constantly exposed to atmospheric agencies, and then over a great part of the county will be found a stiff and unproductive clay. The loss of vegetable material can be supplied by turning under green crops of clover, weed, corn stalks, etc., but the mineral loss must be replaced by some of the many fertilizers. There has been very little need of the farmer paying much attention to this subject; but the time will come when the successful farmer will be the one who knows best how to supply the soil the waste of mineral and vegetable material."

The analysis of the rock at Macksville and Ridgeville is of the upper strata. At the present time the analysis of the rock at Ridgeville is quite different from that reported by Professor Cox, in 1878. The quarries there are now worked some forty or fifty feet deeper than what they were in 1878. The stone crusher at Ridgeville is one of the largest and mo.st complete of any found in the state and hundreds of car loads of crushed lime stone are sent annually from this quarry for the purpose pi building roads.

Gravel And Sand

Stoney Creek township has some great pits as almost the entire township is underlaid with a good quality of gravel. Xettle Creek township in the southwestern portion has some gravel ; W§st River has but little excepting along the stream of West river. The recent dredging of this stream brought to light that the entire valley is underlaid with a vein of gravel twelve and fifteen feet thick. Washington township has one or two pits west of Lynn but very little elsewhere in the township. Greensfork has but little and Wayne township has one or two large pits, especially one that is known as the Thornburg pit. Jackson township is somewhat underlaid along the Alississinewa, as is W^ard, Franklin and Green. The northeastern portion of W hite River has, so far as has been discovered, no supply whatever. These pits however, are all surface pits.

In recent }ear5 it has been discovered that the best gravel is far below the surface and can be brought to the surface only by pumping or dredging. Thousands of yards of first-class gravel have been brought to the surface in this way, principally by dredging. The county commissioners have had a dredge on the county farm and thousands of yards have been dredged there. In the eastern part of White River township along White river are some other dredge pits. Along W'est river many are also found. This has been responsiljle in two ways for the many splendid roads spoken of elsewhere.

In the communities where gravel is to be found the gravel roads are found, in other communities the crushed stone is to be fuund, the stone coming from the Ridgeville and !Macksville crushers.

Formerly, almost any man who wished to build a very large brick house would manufacture the brick on his own farm. This led to local brick yards furnishing the immediate community. Scores and scores of such factories

Tile has been manufactured in several parts of the county and there have been large factories at Farmland, "Strahan's Corner," half way between Farmland and AA'inchester, Oak Grove, two miles north of Parker, Huntsville, Winchester, Ridgeville and no doubt many other places. Two extensive factories have been started, one north of Winchester and the other at Lynn but at the present time, 1914 both of these factories have stopped making tile so it can be said of the tile as of the brick, the industry has gone and all the products now used in the county are shipped from other places.

Since Dr. Phinney has written his article on the geology of Randolph county a great change has been made in the water supply of the county. The rivers are no longer as large as they were at that time due to clearing of the forests and the draining of the land. Practically all of the streams of his time have now been tiled and the farmer plows the original bed of the small creek. The dug well is rapidly disappearing and very few, if any, are .being put down in this day. Through the study of sanitation it has been found that the walls in these wells are so easily contaminated, thereby spreading many diseases, such as typhoid fever, that people no longer use this supply of water but resort to the driven deep well. These wells range in depth from sixty -to two hundred ninety feet in the county.

Some obtain the water supply in gravel but nearly all find it in rock or limestone. This insures a bountiful supply of pure water which can not be contaminated from any surface conditions. ]\Iany flowing wells are found in different parts of the county. These wells are found in nearly every, part of the count}-. Some of the strongest are along Greenville creek near Spartanburg, along AVest river, in West River township, Cabin creek in Stoney Creek township, Ali-sissinewa in Jackson and AA^ard townships, and Salt creek in AA'hite River township. One of the strongest of these wells is upon the count}- farm only a few miles distance from the highest point in the state, making it somewhat problematical as to the source of the pressure raising this water. These wells have taken the place of the natural springs, once found so abundantly in the county and now almost a thing of the past. These springs which once furnished the supply of water to the early settler have long since ceased to flow, due of course to the draining of the swamps and ponds. (4)

Gas And Oil

Another natural resource that has proven of great value to the county is that of natural gas and oil. When it was discovered that Indiana was underlaid with a supply of these fluids the people of Randolph county were quick to test for them. Practically the entire county has been tested but only three fields of an}' consequence have been found. - The strongest gas wells were found in and around Parker, Monroe and Green townships. Many, however, have been dug in White River township around Winchester and a few have been drilled with success in the neighborhood of Saratoga, in Ward and Jackson townships. The rock pressure of these wells originally was about three hundred twenty pounds but have decreased in recent years to very much less half that amount. This supply was so wantonly destroyed and misused that instead of being an abundant cheap fuel, it has been wasted until it has become a very expensive one. When the flow of gas was at its height $i.oo per month was considered a high price for each stove but at the present time with the same amount of gas burned it would cost five to ten times that amount. The supply at present is very limited and it is only a question of a short time until it will be completely exhausted.

Oil was discovered about 1896 and the "boom" spread over this county as well as the remainder of the state. None of any consequence, however, was found in the county except in and around Parker, in Monroe township. The supply here was heavy for a while but was soon exhausted and the field is now practically abandoned.

Randolph county is one of the richest agricultural counties in the state, made so from its fertile soil, cultivated and developed by its industrious and intelligent people.

That the natural resources of the soil are fast disappearing is a matter of fact. These resources have been conserved and replenished by intelligent farming in many communities but it must be said that in many cases much of it has been wantonly destroyed through ignorance and greed. People have constantly taken from the soil as though it was an inexhaustible supply but already the efifects of this debauchery may be seen in many communities. The agricultural communities are learning the values of conservation and fertilization and are giving this question study and experiment as it has never been given before.

At this time the county has as one of its officers, a county agent whose duty it is to confer with farmers upon these various questions, also to bring to them the latest and most scientific knowledge gained from study and re- search work in the problems thej' ha^'e to solve. The present incumbent of the office, Mr. Charles A. Mahan is a graduate of Kentucky Agricultural College, a man of three and one-half year's experience as a soil expert in the Philippines and one year's experience as Coun|:y Advisor in Kentucky, hence his services to the county are those that would come from a trained mind and are of great benefit to the farming community. Randolph county will no doubt be much benefited by the progressive movements along agricultural lines as well as other lines. Its inhabitants are progressive, intelligent and energetic, characteristics which will make any county great.