Jackson Township (part 12 of 19)

Mr. C. C. Smith, who operates mines north of Etna Station, hauls the coal in wagons to the cars at the Etna switch. He works about 20 miners and 5 men with teams. The Halley Coal Company has operated shipping mines in the vicinity of Etna Station for many years. The mines are level-free, and the hauling is done by mule power. The capacity, under normal conditions, is reported to be about 200 tons per day. W. R. Maxey mines the lower Kittanning coal, near Lawrence Furnace, along with limestone and clay. The equipment is described under Ferriferous limestone mines. The total men employed in mining by him is 30. A few^ small wagon mines are also in operation near Lawrence Furnace. E. B. Willard mines some coal at Bartles. The equipment has been given, and the output is about 400 car? per year. A few small mines are being worked for local use near Center Station. The Superior Portland Cement Company mines the Lower Kittanning coal for steaming purposes and for local domestic use. Its mines near the plant are electrically equipped with power for hauling and cutting, and are also lighted by electricity. It also works a few wagon mines south of the plant. There are a few mines in the northern part of the field east of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad in Washington Township, the most important of which are given below. The Portsmouth Refractories Company mines the Lower Kittanning coal and its associated clay. The coal is used for fuel in burning the fire brick, and for local domestic use. The clay and coal are brought from .the mines to the plant by a tram road. The York Portland Cement Company formerly operated mines in Spencer Hollow.

The Cambria Clay Products Company works the Lower Kittanning coal and the associated clay. The coal is used for burning brick and for local domestic purposes. Formerly these mines were operated on a large scale, and were electrically equipped. The hauling was done with motors and the cutting with machines, but at present the mining is done by hand and the hauling by mules.

At present the equipment in most of these mines is comparatively simple. The ventilation is produced by shafts, furnaces, or fans in the larger mines, but in the smaller ones the only ventilation is through old works. The drainage is natural or by ditches in most cases, although a few are drained by means of pumps. The mining in general has been unsystematic and wasteful, owing to the haphazard method of driving entries and working rooms. A few of the larger mines have been worked with more economy, as they have been properly surveyed and plotted. The usual method pursued by the small operator is to drive an entry until he can turn two rooms, which are worked almost any width and length as long as the air is good, and as long as the distance to "buggy" the coal is not too great; then the entry is driven until he can turn two more rooms, which are worked in the same manner. The result is the coal along the outcrop is worked out, while good blocks, which are imavailable, or can be mined only with considerable dead expense, are left farther in the hill.

The roof material of the Lower Kittanning coal in the entire southern part of the field is a massive sandstone, but in the northern part this is replaced by clays and shales. In general the roof is excellent and the mining conditions fair.

The character of the bed is such that the coal mines more or less dirty. Normally it is made up of two coal benches with a clay parting intervening, the thickness of which varies greatly. In that part of the field around Royerville, Etna, and Lawrence Furnace this parting is often less than one inch thick, but in the northern part of the field, around Blackfork, it thickens in places from 1 to 2 feet. The maximum is found on Ice Creek, where the parting is 8 feet. The average is about 5 or 6 inches. In places a thin bony band is found about the middle of the upper bench, but this seldom reaches over 1 inch in thickness. The "nigger head" or shaly coal found above the upper bench is a part of the member. In that part of the field on Little Pine Creek, where the coal is best developed, this shaly coal is also quite thick, often reaching IS inches. It is made up of coal interstratified with bands of carbonaceous shale. It does not have the tough nature of a shale, but is blocky and brittle much like coal. In Spencer Hollow a heavy plastic or flint clay is found above the coal. This makes a very poor roof, owing to the crumbly and brittle nature of the clay.

exercised. At present but little coal is cut by the pick. The usual method is to "shoot off the solid," which requires much harder shooting than where bearing-ins have been made. This not only breaks up the coal severely, but also breaks up the clay and "nigger head" which come down with the fuel. The larger pieces of clay and "nigger head" are picked out, but the finer pieces are loaded. The lump coal that passes over the screen is fairly clean, but the nut and slack coal contains all this fine deleterious material which makes the quality poor, and consequently makes the market value low. In many of the mines, after picking out the large pieces of clay and "nigger head," the coal is forked, which leaves considerable nut and slack coal, and fine impurities in the mine. This method is wasteful, as much good fuel that should be utilized for some purpose is allowed to remain in the works. The quality of the Lower Kittanning coal is shown by the following analyses:

Lower Kittanning coal from the mine of John Peters, Coalgrove, Lawrence County. This is one of the southernmost mines of the state. The coal is used in burning brick and two or three mines are kept regularly at work. The sample was taken about one mile from the entrance where there was a vertical cover of 100 feet. While considerable water was in the mine, the sample was cut in a dry place and measured 5 by 3 inches. Sampled by D. D. Condit in November, 1907. Chemical analysis and calorific value of sample:

Sample from mine No. 2 of the Halley Coal Company, £2tna Station, Lawrence Coimty. Sample taken about 1,500 feet from entrance and where there was a vertical cover of 50 feet. The sample was cut from a fresh face and measured 5 by 3 inches. Taken by D. D. Condit in November, 1907. Chemical analysis and calorific valuie of sample:

Analyses of the top and bottom benches were made by the Belfont Iron CJompany and of the full bed by the Ashland Coal & Iron Company, Ashland, Ky. The latter company also took a car of our coal and washed it in its plant at Ashland. Then it was pulverized and made into coke, with the result that we got as nice looking a product as is on the market. The analysis of the coke is as follows:^

It is an excellent steam coal. The bed is 42 inches thick, and we have our mine in operation. The tests that have been made with this coal show that by a mixture of a small percentage of Pocahontas coal an excellent grade of coke can be produced.

The Lower Kittanning coal has been coked for years by the Ashland Coal & Iron Company at Ashland, Ky. The coke produced is of fair quality, but the yield is low. Since the introduction of the retort oven, many coals that made poor coke, or gave low yields in the beehive ovens, are now important. Either alone or mixed with other coals they make good coke, and valuable by-products are saved.

This coal has a good reputation for steam purposes. It is a freeburning long-flamed coal, and the ash clinkers but little. It is also an excellent coal for burning clay products, especially building brick, sewer pipe, or tile, as the color is developed mainly by the impinging of the flame on the ware. The calorific value compares favorably with that of other coals of the State. The Lower Kittanning coal has a fair reputation as a gas coal, but has not been extensively used for this purpose. The shipping qualities are rather poor, as the coal is soft and breaks up easily in handling.

the most important coal bed in Lawrence Comity, as the area available is large, as the quality is equal or superior to other coals in the county, as the mining conditions are fair, as the associated clays are of excellent quality, and as it has possibilities in the manufacture of retort coke and valuable by-products.

This coal is locally known as the '^Lost Seam," owing to the fact that it is found only in one region, and that covers but a few square miles of territory. The bed is best developed in the region near Center Station, in Decatur Township, where it reaches a thickness of 3 feet. ' SoHth of this area it is replaced by heavy sandstone, and north by sandstone as far as the northern part of Washington Township where the shales appear. Its position is from 1 to 6 feet above the Lower Kittanning coal, from which it is separated by shale or clay. In the hill south of Center Station the following section, which shows its relation to the Lower and Middle Kittanning coals, was taken:

This bed was traced eastward to the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway, but was not seen beyond this. Along the road on the divide from Center Station to Center Furnace the following section was taken:

This section shows that the "Lost Seam" is wanting, as it has been replaced by sandstone. It disappears in about one-half mile, and is not found farther north. A section was taken near the head of the first hollow east and north of the Superior Cement plant which shows the "Lost Seam." This section is as follows:

The "Lost Seam" was not foimd either north or west of this hollow. It is confined to a few square miles only. It is not a part of the Lower Kittanning member, but distinctly a separate deposit.

This "Lost Seam" is of small importance. In part of the territory, especially around Center Station, it lies near enough to the Lower Kittanning coal to be mined with the latter. Where the shale thickens to several feet, this cannot be done. The coal is of poor quality. It has man^'' plant markings in which thin pyrite bands are found, and the ash is reported high.

The only area in Lawrence County in which the Oak Hill clay was seen is in Spencer Hollow, where it lies close to the Lower Kittanning coal, as shown by the section taken at the mine of the Portsmouth Refractories Company, which is as follows:

In this locality a few feet of shale often separate the Oak Hill clay from the underlying Lower Kittanning coal. This is the case also in the northern part of Jackson County, but near Oak Hill it often lies directly on the coal.. The deposits of this clay in Lawrence County are very local, and have not been utilized as yet. For a more complete description of this member the reader is referred to this subject in the report on Jackson County, where the Oak Hill clay is treated at some length.

The Middle Kittanning is one of the most important coal members in Ohio. This bed, which has notable thickness in the Hocking Valley region in its extension southward, thins so that it becomes of far kss value. Small areas of good coal are foimd, however, in Vinton, Gallia, and Lawrence counties. In its extension southward from Lawrence County into Kentucky it appears again in force. In Lawrence County the Middle Kittanning coal is best developed in the Sheridan District, in Perry Township, while isolated pockets of coal are also found in Upper, Elizabeth, Decatur, Washington, Symmes, and Aid townships. The Middle Kittanning coal is found generally from 35 to 40 feet above the Lower Kittanning coal, and from 65 to 90 feet below the Upper Freeport. See Map VI facing page 390.

Perry Township. - The Middle Kittanning coal has good volume in the Sheridan District, in Perry Township, where it was formerly mined in a large way for coaling steamboats on the Ohio River anel for river shipment. At present only small mines are operated to supply local domestic needs, although large areas of coal are yet available. Owing to the value of the bed in this district it will be traced with some care.

On the Hecla property, along Pancake Branch of Ice Creek, the Middle Kittanning coal was opened and worked at one time, and is reported by Mr. Charles Campbell to be 42 inches thick. On the property of Josephine Ball this bed has been worked in a small way. No mines are open at present, but Mr. Edward Cannon reports it from 20 to 42 inches in thickness. It has been worked in a few places near the mouth of Turkey Fork, but appears thin and irregular. Along the lower course of Little Ice Creek the Middle Kittanning coal is thin, and in places is represented only by the clay. Towards the headwaters, however, the coal is present in force. Just east of Forestdale, on the property, of John Pancake, the following record was obtained, where the coal was well exposed for measurement: , and east of this, on Little Ice Creek, to where the bed falls below drainage, it is reported to be somewhat patchy. Near where it passes below drainage, however, it again expands to about the normal volume for this coal in the Sheridan District. This is shown by the record given below, which was taken on the farm of G. W. Graham*

Mr. Graham reports that the coal in this locality averages al^out 3 feet 6 inches in thickness. East of this the Middle Kittanning coal has .been mined by stripping on the property of Edward Crabtree who reports the bed to be 4 feet 5 inches in thickness. This member has good volume on Little Ice Creek, where it passes under cover. Along th« Ohio River, north of the village of Sheridan on the land of the Sheridan Coal Company, this coal was mined for a number of years, but the territory is not yet exhausted. No good exposures were found, but the bed is reported to average about 3 feet 6 inches in thickness. This statement is borne out by the measurements of the member obtained at mines on the land of Charles Chatfield, on the branch of Lick Creek north of Sheridan. The record follows:

In this locality the shale below the sandstone is stated to vary from 1 foot 6 inches to 2 feet, while the clay above the coal varies from 2 feet to 2 feet 6 inches. The coal bench expands from 3 feet 6 inches to 3 feet 11 inches and is not separated by clay or bony coal partings. In this hollow small wagon mines are operated for the local fuel supply. The clay above the coal makes a rather unsatisfactory roof, but it may be held up by careful posting and by driving narrow works. On Lick Creek, the Middle Kittanning bed passes below drainage about one mile east of the flood plain of the Ohio River. The bed is quite persistent and has good volume along this stream. On the farm of Henderson Rickman the following measurements were obtained in a drift mine:

In this locality north of Lick Creek, the coal is reported to average about 3 feet 6 inches in thickness, and to vary from 3 feet 3 inches to 3 feet 11 inches, while south of the stream, the bed is stated to average 2 feet 10 inches and to vary from 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet 4 inches. There is quite a gooel area of Middle Kittanning coal above drainage, in the Sheridan District, that is undeveloped. From surface indications the coal appears to be rather steady and to have good volume. Furthermore, as the bed is present in force, where it passes below drainage on Little Ice and Lick creeks, it is reasonable to expect the coal to extend with the same volume under cover for at least a short distance. Drill records east of this appear to indicate that it extends eastward across the county, but the tests are too scattered to obtain an opinion on the continuity of the member.

Upper Township. - In Upper Township there are only small pockets of Middle Kittanning coal that have sufficient thickness for regular drift mining. In the greater part of the area the bed, if present at all, is marked only by a thin layer of impure coal. The best pockets of coal will be described.

Near Coalgrove, on the property of the Petersburg Fire Brick and Tile Company, the Middle Kittanning coal is reported by John Peters to be well developed. The mines had all fallen in, so that the coal was not seen. The section reported is as follows:

The Middle Kittanning coal is worked at present in Upper Township on the Sailor property on Sugar Creek near the Ironton road, where the section is as follows:

This is only a local pocket and the bed thins west on Storms Creek. Near the road on the divide from Storms Creek to Lagrange Furnace, the Middle Kittanning coal has been opened and mined on the John Lane property, but the area of workable coal is small. The section is as follows: *

Lawrence Township. - North of the Sailor pocket on the headwaters of the tributary of Storms Creek in Lawrence Township, the Middle Kittanning has been opened in a few places, where J. H. Keys reports the coal to be 1 foot 3 inches thick.

Elizabeth Township. - North of the above, it is generally thin and of little value as far as Center Station in Elizabeth Township, where there is another small pocket of Middle Kittanning coal, which

Washiimton Township. - The Middle Kittanninp coal in Washington To'A7i>hip, althoujrh sr/rnr-what thin, has been minr-d at many places in ^\l*' r-o^tJl^^l part of the an-a, while in the southern part it is quite \.\\\u afd oft^n wantiij^f. (hi Olive Creek the blossom of this member ffOf/i I itftti to I foot 0 infhf .s in thiekn«^ss was noted in a number of \thu'(Hf whil" or> Brady Oe^^k the outcrop of the bed indicates that jf I* «<r" rally thin and often replaced by thick sandstones. Xo mines working thJH coal wc-re H"en on the creek. In Spencer Hollow it is alno tKin arfrj of ro importance. On Black Fork, east of the plant of th<' f larnbria Clay Products C'ompany, it has been mined. The entries w/ r" fallen ip, Wi the coal was not seen, but Henry Watson, who worked ir» t^Mm* miri'H, n ports the bed as follows:

He also reports that the quaUty of the coal is good, but that it thins down to 6 inches or less in places. It has also been worked some for local use near the head of Black Fork, where the thickness is practically the same as in Irish Hollow.

Aid Township. - The Middle Kittanning coal is above drainage in the northern part of the basin of Symmes Creek. On Elkins Creek, in Aid Township, above Oak Ridge Furnace, the coal is found in the creek bed for a short distance. Mr. John Waugh reports that it is 1 foot 6 inches thick. On Aaron Creek it may be seen above drainage for a short distance. On the property of S. D. Griffith it has been opened in the bed of the stream, where he reports it 2 feet thick and of good quality. A small mine was worked about one-half mile farther down the creek. Here Mr. Griffith states that the coal on the outcrop is about 2 feet thick, but that it thins to a few inches as the bed is followed into the hill.

Symmes Township. - On Johns Creek, in Symmes Township, the Middle Kittanning coal is above drainage from Sherritts to near its headwaters, and it is found on the northern tributaries. Buckeye, North, and Slab forks, well up their courses. It has been opened in a few places on Johns Creek, but as all the workings have fallen the coal was not exposed for measurement. It was worked some for local use on the property of Mr. Alfred Keller, near the head of the creek. He reports the bed to have a maximum thickness of 4 feet, but to lie in pockets which thin to a few inches. A section in one of his mines is reported as follows :

He reports the coal to lie between two sandstones, which, in places in whole or in part, replace the coal. Near the head of Slab Fork one foot of coal was seen in the bed of the creek. ^ Farther down it has been opened and worked in a small way for local use. A section in a mine shows the following:

The Middle Kittanning coal has also been opened and worked on the property of A. Neal, who reports that it lies in pockets, which vary in thickness from a few inches to 31 feet. On North Fork, in Symmes Township, it has been mined in a small way for local use. On the property of W. H. Boggs, along this stream, a section was taken in a mine south of his residence, which is as follows: «^

Near the head of the creek it has been mined in the bed of the stream, where Oliver Dennin reports about 3 feet of coal. On Buckeye Creek the bed, only a few inches in thickness, was observed at a number of places. Near the head of the creek in the bed of the stream it is as follows:

In the Symmes Creek Valley the Middle Kittanning coal is found near the Ixd of the stream about one mile north of Waterloo. Here it is rtpns rted by only a few inches of coal, which condition is maintained to near the mouth of Buffalo Creek, where it thickens locally. On the property of T. H. Neal it and the Upper Freeport coal have been opened. The section is as follows:

Economic Valine Excepting the small area near Sheridan the Middle Kittanning or No. 6 coal in Lawrence County is of small importance, as it is developed to a workable thickness in pockets only. The quantity of coal in this bed, however, if properly worked, is sufficient to furnish the local fuel supply for many years in the central part of the county. The coal is of fair quality. An analysis of a sample from the mine of G. L.

The quality of the coal is excellent for domestic and steam purposes. It is a free burning fuel with a moderate amount of ash, which does not clinker in the grates. A^ shown by the sections, the root in part of the field is ver>' poor, as it is either a soft joints shale, or a soft clay, or a draw slate bettv^een the coal and sandstone above. In some places, however, the roof is good as it is a sandstone or a tough shale. All the mines working this bed at present are small and the coal is hauled by wagons. Formerly a few railroad mines were operated on Black Fork in Washington Township. The mines were electrically equipped and the coal loaded from a well built tipple into the railroad cars, but as the coal is too thin and broken for successful mining in this manner, the operations were abandoned.

The clay associated with the coal in some parts of the field is of fair quality, but this, like the coal, is uncertain in extent. No works of importance should be based on this clay and coal without thorough testing and prospecting. "^

Yellow Kidney Ore

Between the Middle Kittanning and Lower Freeport coals there occurs in places in Lawrence Coimty a bastard limestone bed, which is often very ferruginous. In fact, along the outcrop it is often an iron ore and is characterized by a high content of phosphorus, which makes it valuable for some grades of iron. This deposit is best seen in small areas in Hamilton, Upper, and Elizabeth townships. The thickest deposit of ore noted on this horizon was in Mile Hollow, on Osborn Run on the property of the Hanging Rock Iron Company, where the follo^^ing record was obtained:

The Yellow Kidney is a calcareous, high phosphorus ore with sufficient iron to make it worth while for furnace use. As a general thing it is more than self-fluxing, which adds materially to its value. There are two benches of the ore, the upper one of which carries the largest percentage of iron. This ore was used to a small extent by the charcoal furnaces, and has also been used occasionally by the present furnaces. An analysis of the ore furnished by the Hanging Rock Iron Company follows:

Lawrence Qounty 397

Usually the Lower Freeport coal is found about 40 feet above the Middle Kittanning coal, and about the same distance below the Upper Freeport. These intervals, however, vary from 30 to 50 feet. In Lawrence County, the Lower Freeport coal is best developed in Perry Township, although it is represented in southwestern Fayette, eastern Upper, Lawrence, eastern Elizabeth, Aid, Symmes, eastern Decatur, and eastern Washington. A few sections are given to show the structure of the bed and to show the general character of the materials in the interval from the Middle Kittanning to the Upper Freeport coals. A section taken in Decatur Township, on the divide from Center Station to Center Furnace, is as follows: .

In the western part of Lawrence Township, near the head of the stream that rises near Kitts Hill, the Lower and Middle Kittanning and the Lower and Upper Freeport coals are represented. The section is as follows:

In Perry Township, small quantities of Lower Freeport coal are mined to supply local needs. The bed here often has sufficient thickness for regular drift mining, but the coal is very hard and is difficult to work. On Little Ice Creek, north of Sheridan on the property of W. J. Graham, the bed has the following structure:

Under heavy cover at this place, the coal is reported to be 2 feet 9 inches in thickness, and to be in one block without a parting. On this stream, near the road that leads to Sheridan this coal has been mined by stripping, and is reported to be 3 feet in thickness. On Lick Creek, 1^ miles east of Sheridan, the Lower Freeport coal is mined by drifting on the land of Fred Wineka, where the following record was secured:

In Fayette Township, the Lower Freeport coal has furnished a small quantity of house fuel. The productive areas are small and confined to the southwestern part of the township. Near the head of Williams Run this coal is exposed at places along the banks of the stream, and is from 1 foot to 1 foot 6 inches in thickness. On Salliday

Creek, on the property of D. H. Davidson, the bed has been mined in a small way and is reported to be about 4 feet in thickness. East of the Kenova bridge, on the property of Benjamin Davidson, the Lower Freeport coal is regularly mined by drifting. The following record was taken well under cover:

The bed is somewhat variable in thickness and in composition. In places in the mine it is reported to expand to 3 feet in jthickness. Just west of the bridge this coal has also been worked and is reported to measure from 2 to 4 feet.

The Lower Freeport coal adds but little to the mineral resources of Lawrence County, but it has a value, however, for supplying domestic needs in a few localities, especially in Perry and Fayette townships. It is a hard, dense, oily coal often approaching a true cannel coal in appearance. It bums with a long flame and has fair heating value. The ash and sulphur are not excessive, but the former clinkers at high temperatures. Its main importance is for local use. The associated clay is usually thin and siliceous; hence it increases the value of the coal but little. However, the shales above the coal in many places have ceramic value.

Usually the Upper Freeport coal is found from 35 to 45 feet above the Lower Freeport coal, or from 70 to 90 feet above the Middle Kittanning or Sheridan bed. Its position is below the Mahoning sandstone, which is not persistent in Lawrence County. In some localities the coal lies directly below this member, while in other places shales intervene between the coal and sandstone. In a few localities the sandstone replaces the coal completely. On the Ohio River the horizon of the Upper Freeport coal passes below cover east of North Kenova, on Little Ice Creek, near the eastern line of Perry Township, and on l^ce Creek, near the village of Rock Camp. The bed, however, is above cover on Dog Fork, well towards its headwaters. North of this the Upper Freeport coal disappears east of Symmes Creek from Marion to the northern boundary of the county. On the west, small outliers are found on the tops of the hills close to the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railway from Ironton to Center Station, and from there north the western boundaries of Decatur and Washington townships are practically the western boundary of the outcrop of the Upper Freeport coal. The Upper Freeport coal is above drainage in practically all of Symmes and Aid townships, in southern Fayette, in western Perry and Lawrence, in eastern Upper, Elizabeth, Decatiu*, and Washington, and in northwestern Mason. The Upper Freeport coal is not persistent, but is developed only in pockets, the best of which are in the Symmes Creek basin. It has been mined for years for local use near Waterloo; consequently it is generally known in Lawrence County as the Waterloo coal. The best of these pockets that have been worked or prospected will be given. See Map VII.

Fayette Township. - The horizon of the Upper . Freeport coal is marked by red clays with a smut streak, or by a thin impure layer of coal in places along Salliday Creek and along the base of the Ohio River hills near North Kenova, in Fayette Township. No coal of value was observed.

Perry Township. - The Upper Freeport coal expands so that it is mined in local areas in Perry Township. The deposits are somewhat thin, but the coal is of good quality. On Little Ice Creek the Upper Freeport coal seldom thickens to over 1 foot, and the usual measurement is less than this. North of this stream, on Ice Creek, near the mouth of Turkey Fork, the bed has sufficient volume in a small area for drift mining. The record obtained follows :

On Ice Creek, one mile west of Rock Camp, the Upper Freeport coal has been opened and worked, but no mines were in operation when the locality was visited in 1912. J. R. Bowman reports that the bed varies in thickness from 1 foot 6 inches to 2 feet 6 inches, and in some places carries a bony parting. A characteristic section reported by him is as follows:

In the vicinity of Rock Camp the Upper Freeport coal was worked for years, although not mined at present. H. S. Brammer reports that the coal is in a solid block about 2 feet thick, and has a clay or shale between it and the overlying sandstone. There is a considerable area of unworked coal in this vicinity.

Lawrence Township. - In Lawrence Township the Upper Freeport coal is above drainage along Dog Fork, along the headwaters of Turkey Fork, and along the tributarie's of Storms Creek, that rise in the western part of the area. The workable coal is confined to small pockets, the beet of which will be considered. The Upper Freeport coal has been opened and worked near the head of Turkey Fork just south of Kitts Hill, in Lawrence Township. The section is as follows:

Not far from the head of the stream, one-half mile north of Kitts Hill, near the western edge of Lawrence Township, where the Upper Freeport coal goes under cover, it has been benched in the creek bottom. Pleasant Webb reports the coal as follows:

On the next stream north of this the coal has been worked to a small extent, and near the head of the stream the following section was taken in a cave:

It has also been mined by benching from the bed of the stream. The Upper Freeport coal is above drainage for one and one-half miles up Ned Fork, in Perry and Lawrence townships, but where seen it is only a few inches in thickness. No mines have been opened on this creek. On Dog Fork, however, near the Marion Road, in Lawrence Township, it is worked at present. On the property of E. L. Willis the following section was taken: feet 8 inches in thickness. Mr. Willis reports that the bed holds its thickness well as far as it has been tested. One-half mile north of this it is being mined at the level of the Marion road, where the section is as follows:

Upper, Elizabeth, and Decatur Townships. - The horizon of the* Upper Freeport coal is found in the eastern parts of all these townships, but the member is not represented by coal in any considerable thickness. No deposits that may be mined by drifting were noted.

Aid Township. - In local areas in Aid Township the Upper Freeport coal has excellent volume, and regularly contributes most of the local fuel supply. The best of the coal areas are located on Sharps Creek near Cherryville, on Symmes Creek near Marion, and on Elkins Creek near Oak Ridge Furnace. Near Manker the Upper Freeport coal was seen in the bed of the creek, and was represented by a thin stain and 4 feet of clay. About one-half mile north of here, on the property of

On the east side of Symmes Creek in Aid Township, one mile north of Marion, it has been opened and worked on the Edward Russel farm. The banks had fallen, but Mr. Russel reports the section as below:

The upper bench is usually left for a roof. Near the bridge over Symmes Creek, north of Marion, on the property of Charles Russel, the following section was taken:

On the west side of Symmes Creek, just south of the bridge, the coal has been mined for years. A section measured in the mine of Calvin Haskins is as follows:

Mr. Haskins reports that the lower bench holds its thickness well and averages about 3 feet 2 inches. The upper 5 inches of coal is somewhat bony, so that it is left to form a roof. The coal is used for local domestic purposes. On Sharps Creek, near Cherryville, there is a well developed pocket of Upper Freeport coal. It has been mined for local use, but no mines were open in 1912. Wm. M. Nance reports the section as follows:

On Elkins Creek, near Oak Ridge Furnace and on the largest northern tributary, Bamett Creek, it has been mined in a small way for years. A section taken in the Wm. Hoover mine, near Oak Ridge Furnace, is as follows:

The upper bench of coal here is reported by Mr. Hoover to have some bone coal in it in places, but generally it is good. Up Bamett Creek, Vhere the bed has also been mined, the lower bench of coal is reported to be 3 feet thick. On Symmes Creek, about one mile north of the mouth of Elkins Creek on the land of Joseph Howard, a small mine has been worked. Mr. Howard reports the coal only 1 foot 6 inches in thickness. About a mile southeast of Arabia, on Long Creek in Mason Township, where the Upper Freeport coal goes under cover, J. C. Neal reports the bed as below:

On Aaron Creek, in Aid Township, south of Tipton Knob, the Upper Freeport coal is again w^ell developed, and some small mines have been worked for a local coal supply. S. D. Griffith reports the coal. on his property as follows:

Mr. Griffith states that the lower coal bench varies from 3 to 4 feet. Near the head of the stream, south of Tipton Knob, it has been opened. No banks were being operated in 1912, but the bed is reported to be from 3 to 4 feet in thickness. Near the head of the stream, east of Tipton Knob, W. M. Herell reports the lower block of the Upper Freeport coal on his property to be 4 feet thick. On Symmes Creek, from Arabia to Waterloo, the coal is thin where seen, and no banks have been opened.

Symmes Township. - Some areas in which the Upper Freeport coal has excellent volume and purity are found in Symmes Township. The best of the field of this coal in southern Ohio is near Waterloo, in Gallia County. The areas in which the member has workable thickness will be discussed. On Johns Creek, east of Sherritts in Symmes Township, the Upper Freeport coal has been worked for years on the property of A. T. Pyles. No banks were being operated when the locality was visited in 1912. Mr. Pyles reports that the coal is in only 1 bench here and will average 3 feet 6 inches in thickness with a maximum of 4 feet 7 inches. The coal is of good quality.

About 1 mile west of Waterloo, on the first small tributary to Johns Creek, the Upper Freeport coal has been opened and worked somewhat for local use. A section taken here is as follows:

Farther west on Johns Creek the blossom of this coal, only a few inches thick, was observed in a number of places, but no banks were found. On Buckeye Fork, the blossom of the coal observed in a number of places indicates that the bed is thin in this locality, which is also the case on North and Slab forks.

The Upper Freeport coal is well developed east of Waterloo in Gallia County, where it has been worked for many years to furnish the local fuel supply for Waterloo and vicinity. A section taken in the mine of John Strait, near the Lawrence County line, is as follows:

On the property of T. H. Neal, on Symmes Creek near the mouth of Buffalo, the Symmes Valley Coal Company drove an entry through the hill in which the next section was measured:

M. V. Thompson reports a pocket of Upper Fteeport coal on CauUey Creek, which shows on the outcrop from 3 feet to 3 feet 6 inches in thickness. At the head of the first southern tributary of BufiFalo Creek, H. W. Steward states that the Upper Freeport coal is about 4 feet thick on the outcrop.

Washington Township. - The Upper Freeport horizon is present near the summits of the main ridges in eastern Washington Township, but it is marked by only a thin stratum of coal, when marked at all. At no place was coal of value found. In the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway tunnel near Hoadley, the Upper Freeport coal is exposed and it varies from a stain to 12 inches in thickness.

The Upper Freeport coal is invariably thin along its most western exposures, but thickens generally to the east. The most western pocket of any considerable thickness is on the headwaters of the tributary of Storms Creek northwest of Kitts Hill in the northwestern corner of Lawrence Township. Thus the sections indicate that there is a belt in which the coal is somewhat continuous and regular, commencing south in the vicinity of Rock Camp and Kitts Hill, and extending northward across Sharp Creek near Cherryville, Elkins Creek near Oak Ridge Furnace, Aaron Creek east of Tipton Knob, Johns Creek near Sherritts, and striking Symmes Creek in the Waterloo region.

The sections further indicate that there is another belt from the Marion pocket extending northward across the mouth of Long Creek east of Arabia. The deposit on Buffalo and CauUey creeks seems to be a small outlying pocket. Prospecting by the drill in this part of the field should be done north and south along these belts. As the bed generally thickens eastward, and as it is well developed where it goes under cover near Marion, Arabia, and east of Waterloo, it is reasonable to think that at least there are other pockets of good coal imder heavy cover. If the thin and pockety condition of the bed in the western part of the field represents the edge of the coal basin, then the best of the field should be eastward under heavy cover. The prospects at least warrant some testing with the drill.

The hills in the Symmes Creek basin are considerably broken by slips, which throw the coal on the outcrop out of position, and which cause trouble in driving entries. Breaks were noticed in several mines.

The coal in the localities where it is or has been worked is generally sufficiently thick for ease in mining, in fact, the maximum thickness of this bed far exceeds that of any other coal found in the county. Thick- . nesses of from 4 to 6 feet for the entire deposit are quite common.

The sections show that in most of the field the bed is broken into several benches of coal, with clay or shale intervening. These partings increase the cost of mining as they must be removed from the mine or gobbed, and as they also decrease the value of the coal for more or less of these materials are loaded with it. In many of the mines the roof is bad, as it is a clay, or clay shale, or a soft jointed shale, which falls unless well posted. In some of the mines the shale between the coal and sandstone above is thin, and it soon loosens atid falls. Circulating waters descend through the porous sandstone above to the more impervious shale, which loosens from the sandstone. In some localities the Mahoning sandstone forms the roof, and it often extends down to the main bench of coal, or occasionally replaces the entire bed. In some of the mines the upper layers of coal, which are somewhat bony, are left, as they make a much better roof than the soft shale or clay. The floor is clay or clay shales. In some localities this clay is of fair quality and may be used for ceramic products. The floors of the mines are usually irregular, owing to a change in the thickness of the lower coal bench, and also to rolls in the underlying beds. The mining conditions ar^ not ideal on account of the character of the roof materials, of the structure of the bed, which is composed usually of* several benches of coal with partings intervening, of the uncertainty in the thickness of the deposit, and of the variable quality of the coal in the upper benches. The territory should be thoroughly tested with the core drill before any large mining operations are installed. The coal in the lower bench is invariably of excellent quality, while that in the next bench is usually of a much inferior grade,, owing to its bony nature and high ash content. The thin upper benches, where present, are good block coals. The marketable coal is found in the lower and upper benches. Where a plant is mining coal for its own use the fuel from the entire deposit may be utilized successfully. The quality of the coal, and the section from which the sample was taken, is given in the following:^

Sample and section from Cooper's mine, section 24 or 25, Symmes Township Lawrence County. Sample was taken from lower bench only. Good sample. Taken by E. E. Somermeier, in August, 1901.

Sample and section of mine of G. W. Peach, section 23, Symmes Township, Lawrence County. Sample includes both benches. Sampled by E. E. Somermeier, in August, 1901.^

Sample and section of mine of William Sneed, section 26 or 27, Syzomes Township, Lawrence County. One bench only sampled, that being the only part mined. Fjresh face of coal. Sampled by E. E. Somermeier, in August, 1901.'

Sample and section of Haskin's mine section 36, Aid Township, Lawrence County. Sample taken from lower bench only, the upper bench not mined. Sampled by E. E. Somermeier in August, 1901.'

Sample and section of mine of Thomas Bennett, section 35, Aid Township, Lawrence County. Both benches included in the sample. Sampled by E. E. Somermeier, in August, 1901."

Sample and section of mine of Frank Kitts, section 16, Lawrence Lawrence County. Lower bench only sampled, the upper one not worked, by E, E. Somermeier, in August, 1901.*

The average calorific value, 6,523 calories, or 11,741 B. t. u., of the Upper Freeport coal in Lawrence County is somewhat low, thus giving it a rather poor rating if sold on the heat unit basis in competition with the Pocahontas coal of West Virginia. It is only a medium freeburning coal, and has a short flame. The ash, which is about on the average with other Ohio coals, does not clinker, but goes to a light powder. It is a tender fuel and would not ship well, as the lumps break easily in handling. The coal has a good bright luster, and that in the lower benA is usually quite free from pyrite. The average sulphur, 1.59 per cent, is lower than for any other bed in the county. It is a coking coal, but has not been used for this purpose in Ohio, although it is coked in western Pennsylvania, and produces a fair product.

The average sulphur content of the seven samples of the Upper Freeport coal in Lawrence County is 1.59 per cent, of which about one-half is lost during the process of coking. This will put the sulphur within the limit of cokes now used, but it will still be above the standard, which is 1.00 per cent. The average ash is 10.01 per cent, which is high for a coking coal. In the retort oven the yield of coke will be about as followa:

During coking part of the heavy gaseous compounds are broken up with deposition of carbon, the latter amounting to about 1 per cent. The ash and sulphur, both of jvhich can be considerably lowered by proper care in mining and washing, are too high for marketable coke. The average of the three samples from Cooper, Peach and Haskin's mines is as given below:

This sulphur, .93 per cent, is within the limit, but the ash is still high. A mixture of the Upper Freeport coal with Pocahontas would increase the yield considerably, and lower the sulphur and ash content. The analysis of Pocahontas coal averages about as follows:^

Oeologt Of Southern Ohio

The Conemaugh formation, formerly known as the Lower Barren Coal Measures, includes the rocks in the interval from the Upper Freeport to the Pittsburgh coal. These rocks are mainly massive sandstones, highly ferruginous and calcareous shales and clays, and occasional thin limestones and coals. The limestones are variable in composition and uncertain in extent, as they are often replaced bj' other ocks. With the exception of the Wilgus coal, which is quite per- ^tent and of local importance, the beds in Lawrence County are thin and of little value. The western boundary of the Conemaugh formation is marked by the limit of the Upper Freeport coal, which in a general way is the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railway from Ironton to Center Station, thence westward to the western part of Decatur and Elizabeth townships. Along this boundary the Conemaugh rocks cap only the highest hills, but eastward the dip is such that the Mahoning sandstone, which is the lowest member of the Conemaugh, is just above drainage on Ice Creek near Rock Camp, on Dog Fork, and on Symmes Creek from Marion north of the Lawrence-Gallia county line. In the eastern part of the county the Monongahela formation appears and caps the hills and ridges.

The Conemaugh formation is characterized by the shales and clays which are highly colored, owing to the impregnation of iron oxides, and which are rich in lime that occurs both in the highly disseminated and nodular forms. The phosphoric acid content is also far above that ordinarily found in clays or shales.

Geologt Op Southern Ohio Brush Creek Limestone

This limestone, when present, is found usually from 80 to 90 feet above the Upper Freeport coal, and from 20 to 30 feet below the Cambridge limestone. In parts of Gallia County, where characteristically developed, there are two beds of this member, which are separated by 15 to 20 feet of shale. As the Brush Creek limestone extends southward into Lawrence County, the separate limestone beds become less distinct, and the whole interval in places is taken by thin layers of flinty limestone interbedded with shales. The member is best represented in Symmes, Aid, Mason, and Lawrence townships, but it is also found in local areas in Decatur, Elizabeth, Perry, and Windsor. Some of the best developed exposures noted will be described in the next few pages.

South of Aaron Creek in Aid Township, the Brush Creek limestone is usually wanting, as it is replaced by a heavy sandstone. In the bed of Ice Creek, near Andis in Lawrence Township, it is represented by about 2 feet of flinty limestone; while tjhin siliceous layers were noted on the outcrop in a few other adjacent localities. On the ridge south of the head of Aaron Creek in Aid Township, a few feet of Brush Creek limestone are found, while on the ridge between Aaron and Johns creeks, the limestone is well developed and persistent. Near Tipton's Knob a section taken is as follows:

East of Tipton Knob in Aid Township, the Brush Creek limestone thins, and on the hills near Symmes Creek, it is wanting or represented by a foot or two of siliceous limestone. West of Tipton Knob, it is well developed on the ridge between Aaron and Johns creeks to their heads, and then in eastern Elizabeth and Decatur townships on the ridge between these streams and Storms and Cannons creeks. East of Arabia in Mason Township on Buck Creek, the deposit is again quite thick. A section was taken along the road that goes from Buck Creek to Pigeon Creek, and it shows the structure of the Brush Creek limestone as follows:

On Johns Creek, on the knob west of Sherritts in Symmes Township, the stone has been quarried for road use. A section taken in the quarry is as follows:

In Symmes Township, on the ridge between Johns and Buffalo creeks north of Sherritts, the Brush Creek limestone is heavy, but it thins eastward towards Symmes Creek, where it is only from 1 to 5 feet in thickness. In the region around Stewart Knob it is also thin or wanting, but on the ridge in Decatur Township, east of the tunnel on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway north of Dean, it is again well developed, and the bed at one exposure measured 8 feet in thickness. On the highest knobs on the ridge westward from the tunnel to Poplar Flats, the member is exposed and at the latter place this deposit, the most western noted in Lawrence County, where it caps the highest point, is several feet in thickness.

Near the top of the divide from Slab Fork to Pine Creek in Decatur Township, 6 feet of flinty Brush Cre^k limestone are exposed in the road. It is also found on the ridge at the head of North and Buckeye forks along the Symmes-Decatur township line, where it is several feet in thickness. There are a few feet of Brush Creek limestone on Phillips Knob, but on the ridge north of this, it thins down to a foot or two or is wanting. The member was not seen in any considerable thickness in Symmes Township north of Buffalo Creek.

The Brush Creek limestone is of little importance economically, as it is very siliceous and in many cases practically flint. It is far too impure for metallurgical use oFland dressing and about all the value it has is for building roads in the localities in which it occurs. For this purpose the quality of the limestone is considered much inferior to either the Cambridge or the Ferriferous. Owing to its brittle flinty nature it is lacking in toughness, which is required in materials subjected to abrasive strains. It is used to good advantage in road building for the foundation, where a better grade of stone is added for the facing.

The next members of importance are the Wilgus coal and the Cambridge limestone, which have only a local value, the coal for domestic use and the limestone for road purposes. Both are quite persistent, but usually thin. They are best developed near Wilgus, in Mason Township, near Arabia in Aid, and on the ridge north of Sherritts in Symmes. These beds are found with less volume, or with less areal extent, also in Decatur, Washington, Elizabeth, Lawrence, Perry, Fayette, Windsor, and Union townships. The Wilgus coal lies either directly or only a few feet below the Cambridge limestone, the position of which is about 20 feet above the Brush Creek limestone and about 80 feet below the Ames, although the latter is seldom present in Lawrence County. These members will be hurriedly traced across the countv, and their relations to each other and to various members vnll be shown by sections taken along the line of outcrop.

Fayette Township. - The Wilgus coal is marked in local areas in Fayette TowTiship by a stratum of more or less impure coal, overlaid usually by shale and sandstone, while the Cambridge limestone is found only in isolated areas, and is seldom over 2 feet in thickness. On the ridge north of Salliday Creek, on the property of Samuel Stanley, the Wilgus coal has the following structure :

On the Ohio River hills, near the mouth of Salliday Creek, on the land of J. B. McKee, the Wilgus coal is present, but the .Cambridge limestone is replaced by a thick sandstone. The section secured follows:

Perry Township. - The Wilgus ' coal is quite steady in eastern Perry Township, but it is usually shaly; hence it is of small value. The Cambridge limestone was only occasionally observed, for in most of the area its place is taken by a massive sandstone. On the Ohio River hills, south of Lick Creek, the Wilgus coal has been prospected on the property of William Talbot by a short entry, where the measurements given below were taken :

North of this the blossom of the Wilgus coal was noted at a number of places, but everywhere it was shaly in character. The structure reported is from 1 foot to 1 foot 6 inches of good coal, underlaid by 2 or 3 feet of bony coal. At some exposures from 1 to 2 feet of siliceous Cambridge limestone are found about 10 feet above the coal. South of Rock Camp the limestone was seen on several hills about 120 feet above the horizon of the Upper Freeport coal.

Union Township. - The Cambridge limestone, from 1 to 2 feet in thickness, and the underlying Wilgus coal, from 1 to 3 feet, are found along the Symmes Creek Valley, in the western part of Union Township, They disappear below cover about one mile from the mouth of Symmes Creek, and the coal is mined in a small way at a few places. No sections were obtained.

Lawrence Township. - Both the Wilgus coal and the Cambridge limestone are fairly constant in Lawrence Township, where the coal is mined some for domestic use, and where the limestone is quarried for road building. They extend across practically the whole of the township,

Windsor Township. - The Wilgus coal and Cambridge limestone are present along the Symmes Creek Valley, in the western part of Windsor Township. The limestone has been utilized for road making, while the coal has contributed a small quantity of house fuel. At Millville, in Windsor Township, on the property of William Holschuh, the limestone has been quarried for road use. The coal was not seen, but was reported present by Mr. Holschuh. The ssection is as follows:

Aid Township. - In their extension northward from Lawrence Township into Aid both the Wilgus coal and the Cambridge limestone increase in thickness and in purity. The Cambridge bed furnishes most of the limestone used for road work, while the Wilgus member, near Arabia, reaches its maximum thickness in southern Ohio, and contributes a good part of the local fuel. North of Marion, on the property of Edward Russel, the Wilgus coal has been mined by drifting, and is reported to have the following measurements:

In this locality the Cambridge limestone is stated to vary from 3 to 6 feet in thickness, and the Wilgus member in places to expand to 3 feet. On the land of Charles Russel the coal has also been mined, and is reported to average about 2 feet in thickness. On the ridge south of Sharps Creek the Wilgus coal and Cambridge limestone are reported by William M. Nance to have on the average the following measurements:

On the ridge between Sharps and Elkins creeks both coal and limestone are thin near the heads of the streams, but thicker eastward towards Symmes Creek. On the ridge south of the head of Elkins Creek a section obtained is as follows:

On the knob south of Arabia in Aid Township, the Wilgus coal has been mined for years for local use, and the section taken under heavy cover is as follows:

In Aid Township, on the ridge between Elkins and Aaron creeks, both the limestone and coal were noted on the^ outcrop in a number of places. The limestone is from 2 to 5 feet in thickness, and the coal is reported by J. L. Ferrell to run generally from 20 to 22 inches. About one and one-half miles northwest of Arabia, on the property of A. N. Justice, the coal has been mined in a small way for 45 years. The section taken in a mine is as follows:

The coal has been opened in a number of places near Tipton Knob, inf Aid Township. No banks in operation were seen, but W. M. Herell reports as follows:

West from Tipton Knob the coal thins, and at the head of Johns Creek it is only about 1 foot in thickness, but the limestone, where seen, is from 2 to 3 feet.

Mason Township. - Owing to the fact that the coal lying below the Cambridge limestone has been mined for many years for local consumption, and has excellent volume in the vicinity of Wilgus, this bed was called Wilgus coal by D. D. Condit. Both coal and limestone are found on Long and Buck creeks, and extend well towards their headwaters. In this township the limestone varies from 1 to 6 feet in thickness, while the coal expands from 1 foot to 3 feet 6 inches. The usual measurement of the latter, however, is between 2 and 3 feet.

The limestone attains 5 feet in thickness in this vicinity, but the coal averages about as given above. On Buckeye Creek the thickness of the coal and that of the limestone are practically the same as on Long Creek. Near the mouth of Long Creek, on the property of J. C. Neal, the following section was taken in a new opening:

Both the limestone and coal are well developed on Buck Creek in northern Mason Township, Near the head of the stream,. on the property of John A. Wilson, the section seen and reported is as follows:

The coal has been mined in a number of places on this creek, but no banks are in operation at present, (1912.) Mr. Wilson reports the coal from 3 feet to 3 feet 6 inches, and the limestone about 6 feet in thickness.

Symmes Township. - The Cambridge limestone holds its thickness quite well as it extends northward across Symmes Township into Gallia Coimty, but the Wilgus coal thins rather gradually until it is only about 1 foot in thickness or even less. In the western part of the township, the members are found near the summits of the high ridges at an elevation of about 950 feet, but along the Symmes Creek Valley in the eastern part they are found at an elevation of about 800 feet. The limestone is regularly used for road making, as it is available . over most of the area; while the coal has been mined at only a few places and is not important at present. Near the mouth of Johns Creek in Symmes Township, on the property of A. T. Pyles, the Wilgus coal has been prospected by a drift mine at which the record given below was obtained :

In Symmes Township, west of Symmes Creek and north of Johns Creek, both coal and limestone are quite persistent. On Stewart Knob there is a small area in which the bed has been worked for local use. The section is as follows:

North of Sherritts on the ridge between Johns and Buffalo creeks, the limestone and coal outcrop on the high points. At the mouth of an old mine, on the property of H. W. Stewart, the section measured is as given below:

Elizabeth, Decatur, and Washington Townships. - The Cambridge limestone, with the underlying Wilgus coal, is pres?nt on the high knobs on the main ridges in the northwestern part of Elizabeth Township. The Wilgus coal has weathered, so that it is but little more than dust. The limestone varies from 1 to 2 feet in thickness. Small isolated areas of these members are present along the main ridges in eastern Decatur Township. On Phillips Knob the following s?ction was obtained:

The most northern, exposure in Lawrence County is just west ( f Hoadley in Washington Township, where a section in a small min»* )^ as given below:

The area above drainage in which the Wilgus coal carries a thickness of 2\ to 3^ feet, begins near the head of Long Creek, extends northward past Arabia, then across the ridge between Aaron and Jolir> creeks, and then across the ridge between Johns and Buffalo crecKs north of Sherritts. Its maximum development is fomid in the region around Arabia and Wilgus. On Long and Buck creeks where it passes below drainage, it has good thickness, which it may hold for some distance. The deposit is persistent, but thins gradually westward from the main axis, and also east of this in the Symmes Creek Valley north of Waterloo.

The Wilgus coal has a local value only. It furnishes the principal part of the fuel used at Wilgus, Arabia, and vicinity. The farmers on the ridges between Aaron and Buffalo creeks draw their main supply from this bed. In the future, after the thicker coals have been worked out, the Wilgus coal may be of considerable importance, as the area in which it is 'found is quite large, and as the conditions for mining are favorable, although the deposit is thin.

There are no regular partings in the bed, and it contains but little shale impurities in the main field in Symmes, Aid, and Mason townships. The Cambridge limestone is the roof material throughout the entire fields with the exception of small areas on Long Creek and in the southern part of the county, where shales intervene between the coal and limestone. With this exception there is no "draw slate" with which to contend. Along the outcrop, or imder shallow cover, the -limestone is usually weathered into shelly blocks, separated by mud partings, which form a dangerous roof. Under heavy cover the limestone is very solid and is but little jointed; hence it forms a roof of excellent quality. The floor material is generally a dense, siliceous, calcareous clay, and is solid enough to carry well the weight of the overburden on the mine props, ribs, and pillars without giving, in properly worked mines. The coal is very regular. There are but few small rolls in the floor, so that the mines are easily drained when driven against the dip. The coal is bright and solid and has the appearance of a short fiber cannel coal.

The minerals associated with the Wilgus coal are of small importance. The clay below, where examined, in most cases contains a considerable quantity of impurities in the form of ferrous and calcium carbonate nodules; consequently it is suitable only for low grade ceramic work. The Cambridge limestone above is generally siliceous and thin, but it has good use for road ballast or concrete work. The materials above the limestone are usually soft shales, which form dangerous mine roofs; hence, for safety in mining, part of the stone should be left for this purpose. This can be done, however, only in a part of the field, as the limestone is too thin. The Wilgus coal is an oily, freeburning, long-flamed coal. The ash is low, but clinkers considerably. Earnest Griffith, of the Arabia Milling Company, considers the Wilgus coal for steaming purposes superior to the Upper Freeport, and about equal to the Greasy Ridge or Pomeroy coal. An analysis of the Wilgus coal from a mine near Hoadley, made by Mr. Downs Schaaf, is as follows:

It is also a coking coal, as shown by a test, but the yield is low, and the sulphur largely in the form of organic sulphides is entirely too high. It is rich in gas and tarry compounds. As already stated, the Wilgus coal at present is of value chiefly for a local fuel supply, or for a reserve when the thicker deposits have become exhausted.

The Cambridge limestone is found over a wide area in Lawrence County, extending in a belt about 10 miles wide from the Ohio River to the northern boundary. Its western limit is practically the ridges that form the divide between the Symmes Creek and Pine and Storms creeks basins from the northern boundary of the county to Kitts Hill, then south from this point to Coalgrove. Its eastern boundary is close to Symmes Creek, from near its mouth to as far north as Willowwood, then northward to the heads of Long and Buck creeks and to the Lawrence-Gallia line, which then forms the boundary. The average thickness of* this limestone is between 3 and 4 feet, with a maximum of 6 or 7 feet. It is best developed in the region extending from Marion Township, and from the head of Long Creek, in Aid and Mason townships, northward to Arabia, thence across the ridge between Aaron and Johns creeks to the ridge between Johns and Buffalo creeks, in Symmes Township, north of Sherritts. In this area the limestone usually is from 4 to 6 feet in thickness. The Cambridge limestone in Lawrence County is generally quite siliceous, which restricts it to a few uses; the most important of these are for road ballast and concrete work, for which it is largely used in the Symmes Creek Valley, where the higher grade Ferriferous limestone is less available.

Ames Limestone

The Ames limestone, which lies about 80 feet above the Cambridge, is seldom present in Lawrence County. This member is very fossiliferous, and is a good guide for stratigraphic work. A thin bed of Ames limestone was poted on the McGuirr Hill south of Manker, in Lawrence Township, and another deposit was seen on the property of OIlie Moore, on Buffalo Creek, in Fayette.

Fruit Culture

Southeastern Ohio should become one of the important fruit regions of the United States, as the land is especially adapted for the cultivation of apples. The fruit belt is that in which the country rock belongs to the Conemaugh and to the Monongahela formations, which arc made up largely' of highly calcareous and ferruginous shales having a deep red color, with occasional thin and nodular beds of limestone. In Lawrence County this belt includes the area from the eastern boundary of the county to about the central part, or, in other words, it includes that part of the county made up of the rocks above the Upper Freeport or Waterloo coal. Here the rocks of this interval are largely shales which are especially rich in calcium and magnesium carbonates, iron oxides and phosphates, some thick sandstone beds, and a few thin limestones. The residual soil thus contains most of the mineral foods demanded by the trees to produce a vigorous hardy growth. Clover does well; hence the soil may easily be enriched in the necessary nitrogen compounds at a small expense. The trees on this land are hardy, quite free from disease, and bear abundantly. The apples are of good size, very highly colored, excellently flavored, solid, and firm. They are not as large in size as the western apple, but are as highly colored and far better flavored. The keeping quality is equal to that of any of the western apples.

There are thousands of acres of these red shale lands in eastern Lawrence County, well located, and available for fruit culture. The land on the ridges is generally preferred to that in the valleys, as the frosts are less destructive. On many of these ridges there are large tracts on which fruit may be tended and harvested with ease. One of the most serious objections to fruit raising in this locality at present is a lack of proper marketing facilities, as the country roads are poor and the railroad service is inadequate. Compared to that of western fruit lands, the price of these lands is very low; consequently, for the same capital, the acreage will far exceed that in the west. Further, a more intelligent and cheaper labor may be secured in this locality than is obtaineel in the west, and the fruit is closer to market. Fruit raising in southern Ohio is not an experiment, as some very fine orchards are located in Lawrence and Gallia counties. This industry should be encouraged and extended.

Chapter Iii

The minerals of Pike County liave been but little developed, i^lthough deposits of shale, sandstone, conglomerate, and coal are found, which in the future may lead to the establishment of important industries. The region is too far west to contain notable amounts of ores, which, through the charcoal iron industry, brought about early activity in the wiiming of the minerals of the counties eastward. The most striking geological feature is the massive stratum of Sharon conglomerate marked by the bold cliffs on the points, or by the long line of steep escarpments along the main ridges, or by the abrupt walls of the gorges along the headwaters of the small streams, where the rocks with the varied profusion of plant life yield a wildness both beautiful and impressive.

Pike County, dissected by the Scioto River, is bounded on the north by Ross, on the east by Jackson, on the south by Scioto and Adams, and on the west by Highland. According to the latest government estimate the area is 470 square miles.

In this report only that part of Pike County east of the Scioto River will be considered. The region is a part of the old Appalachian Plateau, the outline of which may be observed by standing on one of the high hills, and by followiug with the eye the elevations of the high ridges, and of the hills which thus approximately mark the original plane. This plateau was first traversed by a system of rivers flowing northward, which, cutting deep into the rock strata, produced the general outlines of the present relief. During the glacial epoch a reversal of the drainage took place, which gave rise to the present system of drainage and caused many of the old waterways to be modified or even abandoned. The present streams have been active in cutting new beds or deepening the old ones, and in extending their headwaters farther into the highlands. The resultant of the forces acting is shown by the highly dissected character of the region, which, excepting the valleys of the Scioto, and the preglacial California rivers, and remnants of the valley of the old Portsmouth River, is made up of steep hills with narrow valleys. In Pike County the width of the California Valley is from IJ to 2 miles, that of the Scioto from 2 to 3| miles, and the fragments of the Portsmouth Valley from 1 to 2 miles. The summits of the main ridges just east of the Scioto often rise to an altitude of more than 1,100 feet, while the flood plains of the small streams below are about 600 feet above tide. Along the eastern boundary of the county, the elevation of the crests of the main ridges is about 1,000 feet, and that of the valley plains nearly 700 feet. Thus the slope of the Appalachian Plateau is eastward; hence, measuring from the level of the small streams, the ridges near the Scioto rise approximately 200 feet higher than those along the eastern border of the county.

The relief of the region is also influenced by the character of the rock strata. The formations above drainage in that part of Pike County east of the Scioto River are Cuyahoga, Logau,, and lower Pottaville. The Cuyahoga formation is made up of sandy shales with thin and medium bedded sandstone interstratified, but the former constitute the main mass of the deposits. The next formation in ascending order, the Logan, which in the main is also composed of sandy shales, contains in some localities thick strata of argillaceous sandstones. Above this comes the Pottsville formation, the basal member of which is the Sharon conglomerate, represented in a part of the territory by massive deposits of pebbles and sands. The difference in the topography of the territory, where the hills are composed of Cuyahoga and Logan strata, from that where the hills also contain thick deposits of Sharon conglomerate, is striking. In the former region the features forcibly pronounced are the narrow, sharp ridges, the steep but gradual slope of the hills, and the V-shaped valleys of the small streams, while in the latter the features characteristic are the broad ridges on which are found many good upland farrcs, the abrupt declivity of the hills with many high precipices, and the constricted U-shaped valleys of the small streams. The nature of the outcropping rocks thus influences, to a marked degree the character of the surface, for the relief in Seal, Scioto, and western Jackson, Beaver, and Union townships, where the strata exposed are Cuyahoga and Logan shales and sandstones, is noticeably different from that in Marion, and eastern Jackson and Beaver townships, where massive deposits of Sharon conglomerate are exposed.

A study of the relief shows that the Sharon conglomerate, although its texture is open and the particles poorly cemented, is more resistant to weathering agencies than the shales and sandstones of the Cuyahoga and Logan formations, but when the abrasive action of streams is considered the effects are reversed. The differential effects of weathering are shown in traveling the ridges, for here if the rocks exposed are Logan shales and sandstones, they are very narrow, often scarcely wide enough for a wagon road, but if the Sharon conglomerate comes in, they widen to a marked degree thus producing easily tillable land. Many good upland farms are found on the ridges just above the outcrop of the Sharon conglomerate, while but few occur where the prevailing rocks are Cuyahoga and Logan.

The difiference in the cutting power of streams acting on the thick stratum of Sharon conglomerate or on the shales and sandstones below, is shown by observation of the valley walls and the stream gradients. Streams acting on the conglomerate secim to drop through the deposit, the declivity is abrupt and the valley walls very steep or precipitous, but those acting on the shales and sandstones, have regularly changing gradients and more constantly sloping walls.

The resultant of the forces of weathering and stream action on the different classes of rocks is especially well illustrated by the relief in Jackson Township. Here in the western part, east of the Scioto River, the rocks are shales and sandstones of the Cuyahoga and Logan formations, and the features are narrow ridges with steep but constant slopes, and regularly changing stream gradients. In the eastern part, the Sharon conglomerate comes in with force, often measuring 150 feet in thickness, and the features noticeable are wide ridges with the outcropping conglomerate marked by lines of rugged cliffs and steep escarpments and the abrupt descent of the stream through this member.

The Ohio River receives through the Scioto and the Little Scioto rivers the waters from the entire area. The Little Scioto drains eastern Beaver, eastern and southern Marion and southern Union townships. The Scioto, with the aid of a number of small tributaries, drains the remainder of the area. A few small runs flowing directly to the Scioto drain southern Scioto Township. Beaver Creek drains northern Scioto, northern Union, northwestern Marion, western Beaver and all of Seal, excepting a narrow strip along the Scioto and a small territory in the northern part drained by Marcus Run and Straight Creek. The Scioto, with its small tributaries, the most important of which are Straight Creek, Cars, Mutton, and Hickson runs, drains directly all of Jackson Township w4th the exception of a few sections in the eastern part, which are drained by western tributaries of Pigeon Creek, whose waters finally reach the Scioto through Little Salt and Salt creeks.

Beaver Creek, which follows throughout most of its coiu^se the old Teays River Valley, is the largest stream entirely within the area. Its course is tortuous and the stream under normal conditions sluggish. The numerous small streams rising in the hilly lands are eroding streams, active in both deepening and widening their valleys. Diu-ing rainy seasons their currents are swift, and they transport heavy loads of broken stones, gravel, and sediments. The work of the Scioto is mainly that of removing glacial debris from its valley.

The railroads crossing the county follow the main drainage lines. The county and township roads are usually located in the valleys, although in the eastern part some follow the principal ridges.

of the old Kanawha drainage system, and by one of its important tributaries, the Portsmouth River, the general descriptions of which have been given in the discussion of the drainage features of Lawrence and Scioto counties. The Teays River, the course of which is well defined by the broad valley that it eroded through the hilly country, entered Pike County near Stockdale. From here, making a great bend, it flowed across the corner of Marion Township into Scioto Township, Jackson Count}^ thence northward to Glade, and thence westward, entering Pike County in the northern part of Marion Township. From this point it flowed on westward to Waverly, thence turning abruptly, flowed northeastward to Richmondale, Ross County. Its course has also been traced from Richmondale northward past Londonderry and thence northwestward to Chillicothe, where the old bed is buried with glacial drift.

The old valley is especially well defined from the Scioto River near Waverly to the eastern boundary near Beaver, as its valley floor, bordered b}^ hills rising from 200 to 300 feet above, is from 1 to 2 miles in width. Judging from the elevation and nature of the deposits northward from Waverly, the upland plain, l>dng between the flood plains of the Scioto and the hills to the west, is evidently a fragment of the old valley, the most of which was obliterated by the present stream. For a complete discussion of the subject, the reader is referred to the work of Tight, ** Drainage modification in southeastern Ohio and adjacent parts of West Virginia and Kentucky,"* and also that of Leverett, ^'Glacial formatims and drainage features of the Erie and Ohio basins."^

The largest tributary uniting with the Teays River, in Pike County, was the Portsmouth, which is defined by Tight as follows: "It is therefore evident that at Waverly this old Kanawha drainage received a large tributary from the south, which included the waters of Salt Creek and Kinniconick Creek of Lewis County, Ky., with the minor tributaries, and that the old direction of this drainage was along the reversed Ohio to Portsmouth, and, from Portsmouth along the reversed Scioto to Waverly."'

All the consolidated rocks appearing at the surface in Pike County, east of the Scioto River, belong to the Devonian, Mississippian, and Pennsylvanian systems, while the unconsolidated clays, sands, and gravels found on the floors of both the present and preglacial streams, belong to the Quaternary. The Devonian system in this area is represented only by the Ohio formation, which is not exposed in its full thickness at any point. This formation, which is made up largely of shales, has not yet been divided into members. The rocks of the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian systems are subdivided into formations and members. The six formations of the Mississippian series, Bedford, Berea, Sunbury, Cuyahoga, Logan, and Maxville, are present in eastern Pike County, but the Maxville is represented only by scattered fragments of cherty limestone. Of the four formations of the Pennsylvanian system, Pottsville, Allegheny, Conemaugh, and Monongahela, only the lower one, the Pottsville, is present. The Mississippian strata consist, in the main, of shales and sandstones, but they also contain conglomerates, fragments of limestone, and nodular ores. The Pennsylvanian rocks are conglomerates, sandstones, shales, clays, coals, limestones, and iron ores. The total thickness of Mjississippian rocks is between 600 and 700 feet, while that of the Pennsylvanian is about 300 feet. At present the latter are of chief interest as they carry coal of workable thickness. In this report the Quaternary rocks are first described, then the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian rocks, which are treated in more detail, are considered in ascending order, beginning with the oldest.

Pleistocene Series

The heavy deposits of clays and sands found on the floor of the Teays Valley, which extends from the Scioto River eastward past Beaver to Glade, Jackson County, and thencen southward to Stockdale, and also those deposits found on the floor of the fragment of the Portsmouth Valley, in Scioto and Seal townships, were laid down during Pleistocene time. The sands in the main are fine-grained and argillaceous. The clays vary in texture from a rather open or porous body to ona very dense and impervious; in color, from a light gray to a dark brown; and in composition, from those containing notable amounts of silica, iron oxides, and lime, to those in which these components are quite low. When seen in cross section these clays have a jointed structure, which in most cases is well defined. The clays, which are found along the margins of the valley, and on elevated points and divides, and which were deposited during the slack-water period, are characterized by their high degree of stratification. The thickness of the deposits on these old valley floors varies from 30 to 60 or more feet.

The clays of the Pleistocene series have some value for the manufacture of ceramic products, although they are but little used in Pike County. They are well suited for the making of red brick and drain tile especially. The winning of the clay from the deposits is accomplished at a low cost, as it only involves stripping off the soil and digging by plow or mattock. Plastic muds are formed by simply working the clay with water in a pug mill, but this process is hastened by preliminary grinding of the lumps by a roll crusher. The muds thus formed flow through the dies of the brick or tile machine with but little defects, especially if the clays used are somewhat siliceous. If the clays used are highly plastic, such as those produced during the slack-water period, laminations, which cause loss of ware during drying and burning, are produced. The ware checks with rapid drying, but, with a reasonable amount of care in regulating the temperature and air currents, it dries safely, and has good toughness, withstanding easily the handling in setting. The ware bums to a good dense body at a low temperature, but the total shrinkage, both drying and burning, is relatively high, usually averaging from \\ to 1^ inches per foot. With tile some ware is lost on account of warpage. In color the ware ranges from a light red to a dark brownish red. The only plant in Pike County working these clays at present is the Beaver Tile and Brick Company, the following description of which was furnished by the general manager, John A. Stout:

The plant, located one mile west of Beaver, was built by Theobald Bros, in 1911, but has since been rearranged and enlarged. The clays used are the silt deposits in the old

- BsmeB Stmd & Gravel Company's plant near Wakefield, Pike County. Glacial drift gravel from the flood plains of the Scioto River is mioed, sized, and washed for the general market.

river valley; the stratum worked at present has an average thickness of about 10 feet. The power is furnished by an Atlas 60-H. P. boiler and engine. The clays are first crushed by a roll disintegrator, then worked into a soft iDudl)y a common type pug mill. The mud is shaped into ware by a No. 281 auger machine, made by American Clay Machinery Co. This ware is handled on 60 triple-deck steel cars with transfer cars. The drying is done by exhaust steam from the engine or live steam from the boiler. The ware is burned in three 25-foot downdraft kilns and the fuel used is No. 1 or Jackson Shaft coal. The capacity of the plant is 15 M. brick or 10 M. 4-inch tile. The plant Has a yard-level switch from the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railway, over which a l&rgiQ part of the ware is shipped. Standard tile from 3-inch to 12-inch, with shapes for connections, and common building brick are kept in stock. The firm also operates one Bucke3re traction stream ditcher, size 11} inches by 4i feet, and controls by lease 40 acres of Jackson Shaft coal land from which at present the main supply of fuel is drawn.

Along the Scioto Valley, gravels and sands deposited in Pleistocene time ai^e worked for local use. Formerly this gravel was used quite extensively for railroad ballast and road facing, but at present the gravel has been supplanted largely by limestone. These gravels and sands are excellent materials for concrete and mortar work, as they are usually quite free from silt and coal particles. At present at no point in the county are these materials regularly mined and marketed.

Along the flood plains of the small streams the deposits consist of interbedded gravels and alluvium, which, due to the variable nature of the deposition, have no practical value. Along the Scioto the deposits in the main consist of glacial gravel and sand, with a surface coating of alluvium. Where this material has been worked over by the streams, and thus differentially separated, beds of clean sand or gravel are found, which are used locally to a small extent. The sand is used for mortar work, and the gravel for concrete and road facing.

Devonian System Ohio Formation

The Ohio formation, commonly known as the Ohio' shales, is the only division of Devonian rocks appearing at the surface in the eastern half of Pike County. Its outcrop, found at the base of the hills, extends along the Scioto River from near Wakefield north to near the mouth of Marcus Run, in Seal Township. The formation is nowhere in this vicinity exposed in its entire thickness, only a thin section of the upper part being above drainage level. Owing to the deep covering along the valley these rocks are seldom exposed for observation, except in the beds of the small streams as they enter the flood plains of the Scioto River. The rocks of the Ohio formation in this locality are black shales, containing about 10 per cent carbonaceous matter, to which the coloration is primarily due. The stratification planes are closely spaced, thus allowing the shale to be split into thin sheets. These shales are rather hard and tough; hence they are more weather resistant than the average shales. The Ohio shales are not well fitted for ceramic uses, as their working qualities are poor, and as the concretionary and carbonaceous matter contained cause serious trouble during the burning of the product. When the supply of oil and gas, which nature has stored in the rocks below, is exhausted, the shales may be utilized for the production of these valuable fuels now so largely used. When these shales are subjected to destructive distillation they yield both oil and gas, as the carbonaceous matter is broken down into such compounds. At present the shales of the Ohio formation have but little practical value, but in the future they may be useful in contributing to the needs of mankind.

The rocks laid down during the early part of Mississippian time are shales with thin to medium bedded layers of argillaceous sandstones. They indicate deposition in quiet waters, which at times at least were shoaly, as the sandstones are usually highly ripple marked. The rocks above these are siliceou^s shales and shaly sandstones, while those laid down during the latter part of the epoch are shales, sandstones, and a limestone. The sandstones, containing differentiated layers of coarse and fine materials, and showing some cross bedding and ripple marks, suggest deposition by currents both in open waters and along old sea beaches. The limestone, deposited in quiet waters, was later nearly completely removed for only scattered fragments of the deposit now remain. Mississippian time was one of general subsidence, although slight elevations occurred as shown by a few small disconformities.

The rocks exposed at the base of the hills east of the Scioto belong to the Mississippian system. The rocks exposed on the crests of the highest points in Scioto and in Seal townships, with the exception of two knobs in the eastern part of Seal, are Mississippian. In western Union, Beaver, and Jackson townships the highest hills and ridges are capped by Pennsylvanian strata. The dip of the strata south of east, measured by using the AUensville conglomerate as the basis, is 39 feet to the mile. The Mississippian rocks extend eastward entirely across the county and go below drainage in the western part of Jackson County. Along the eastern boimdary of the county the elevation of the upper surface of the Mississippian is from 800 to 900 feet, generally about 850 feet or from 100 to 200 feet above drainage. The Mississippian system, as already stated, is divided into six formations, which will now be considered in ascending order. As these rocks are being investigated by another member of the Survey, J. E. Hyde, they will be treated only in a general way.

Bedford Formation

part of Seal Township. It is made up of shales in which some thin to medium bedded layers of sandstones are interstratified. Lithologically these shales differ greatly from those of the underlying Ohio formation, but they are somewhat similar to those of the Cuyahoga division of rocks, which is found higher in the geological column. The sandstones resemble those of the overlying Berea and Cuyahoga formations, but they are thinner bedded, finer grained, more argillaceous and more widely spaced.

In the main these shales are rather soft, and on weathering, they crumble to fine powders. In some localities layers near the upper part of the formation are clay-like in character. Good plasticity is always developed in these shales by weathering or by working with water. They are somewhat less siliceous than the shales of the Portsmouth member of the Cuyahoga formation. The color of the main body of the deposit is light gray or bluish gray, while that of the clay-like layers is usually mottled with iron oxide pigments.

Berea Formation

In eastern Pikfe County, the Berea formation is above drainage along the Scioto Valley, from the southern line to near the mouth of Cars Run in Jackson Township. It is made 'up of sandstone beds with which thin layers of shales are interstratified. The sandstone layers vary in thickness from 1 inch or even less to as much as 7 feet, but most of them measure between 6 inches and 2 feet. The beds are regularly jointed by planes which cross at approximately right angles. A few layers have a concretionary structure, often very pronounced. These sandstones are highly ripple marked, and the lq,yers of siliceous shales also show the same features. The stone is composed of quartz sand with a small amount of argillaceous matter and iron compounds for the bonding components. Most of the beds are quite weather resistant, but a few layers crumble when exposed to severe conditions. Only a few observations were made regarding the thickness of the formation, which varies considerably from place to place, but these views indicate that the thickness is from 20 to 40 feet. In eastern Pike County, the Berea sandstones have been worked for shipment in only one locality, which is at Piketon. A description of the quarry follows:^

A quarry in the Berea sandstone was opened many years ago on a hill at Piketon. It was operated on a small scale, but was abandoned perhaps 25 years ago. Following is a section in this quarry:

The layers in this quarry, except the top 6 feet, are quite regular, and nearly always separated by from 1 to 4 inches of shales. The rock is not much broken nor is the concretionary structure prominent. The stone had a large market on the Norfolk & Western Railway, which used it for bridges.

Sunbury Formation

The area of the Sunbury formation in eastern Pike County is confined to a narrow belt extending along the Scioto River, and the lower courses of its small tributaries, from the southern boundary of the county to the central part of Jackson Township. The formation is made up of shales, which in many respects resemble the shales of the Ohio formation. Owing to the presence of carbonaceous matter they are dark colored, varying from coffee brown to nearly black. These shales are hard, bony, and fissile. They are also quite weather resistant, but when reduced by the elements they flake off in thin sheets instead of crumbling to powders. These shales are often highly charged with small nodules of pyrite, yet they seldom contain concretions of other materials. The thickness of the formation, where measured, is from 15 to 30 feet, but these figures may not represent the extremes. The average thickness observed is about 20 feet.