Jackson Township (part 16 of 19)

The Little Red Block or Lower Mercer ore was used to a considerable extent and liked very much by the operators of the charcoal furnaces. Under heavy cover it is a blue carbonate, but along the outcrop the ore has weathered to the hydrated oxide forirs which were the types most desired for charcoal furnace work. The bed, usually from 2 to 4 inches in thickness, and with a maximum measurement of 8 or 10 inches, is quite persistent when the interval is composed of shales. This ore was extensively mined by stripping in Bloom Township, although it was also worked in Porter, Vernon, and Creen townships. The ore was obtained entirely by stripping from along the outcrop where the cover was shallow, and where the ore was oxidized to the ferric state. A partial analysis by the writer, of a sample obtained from near Scioto Furnace, is as follows:

The quality of the ore thus shown is excellent for foundry- iron. Since the advent of the Lake ores, these thin deposits are of little value, but they have an interest in connection with the early history of the

The Lower Mercer limestone found along Pine Creek, in Vernon Township, is a hard, dense rock, but as the bed is usually thin, and as the better developed Ferriferous limestone is present in the same area, it has no special economic value. It is of interest mainly for stratigraphic work, as the bed has wide areal distribution, extending from Pennsylvania across Ohio into Kentucky, and as the member is easily recognized by its characteristic fossils. The flinty deposit of limestone on this horizon, noted in Green Township, is also quite fossiliferous, and affords good collecting. No analyses were made in order to determine the quality of the limestone in this region, but from general appearances, the components are much the same as those found in the rock in Jackson County.

The Upper Mercer coal, with its associated clay, is found in the interval between the Lower and Upper Mercer limestones, or between the Lower and Upper Mercer ores, which in most cases alone represent the Mercer horizons. It lies closer to the Sand Block ore, when this member is present, than to either of the Mercer ores. The bed is quite persistent when the interval is composed largely of shales/ but in some localities the coal is completely replaced by a heavy sandstone. The Upper Mercer or Webster Block coal is found only in Bloom, Vernon, and Green townships. Its position with reference to other members is shown in the following sections.

Green Township.^ - In Green Township the Upper Mercer coal, although usually present, seldom has sufficient thickness to be of much value even for a domestic supply. This bed, however, has fair volume along the Ohio River just east of this township in Hamilton Township, Lawrence County. Just north of the divide, along the tram road that leads from the Ohio Valley to Ohio Furnace, the Upper Mercer coal is mined by drifting for local needs. The following measurements were taken in a mine on the property of the Hanging Rock Iron Company:

In the vicinity of Ohio Furnace this bed is thin, seldom exceeding 1 foot in thickness; further in some places it is of a cannel nature, which usually represents shore stages of deposition. This is the condition of the bed also on the Henry Folsom farm, south of Franklin Furnace, where the following record was secured:

On the ridges north and east of Franklin and Junior furnaces the Upper Mercer coal is thin, and in many places completely replaced by thick sandstones. The position of the member is shown in the following section, taken on the land of J. D. Willis, about one mile west of Powellsville:

Vernon Township. - The Upper Mercer coal is also generally thin in Vernon Township, but in the vicinity of the village of Lyra it expands so that the deposit is mined for a part of the local fuel supply. However, the coal is crrr.tically bedded in this small field and the mining conditions are somewhat unsatisfactory. These features are brought out in more detail by the recorded sections. The position of the Upper Mercer coal with reference to that of other members is illustrated by a record obtained along the road that leads from Poplar Fork to Clinton Ridge, in Section.28. The measurements follow:

Along the road that leads from Germany Hollow to the eastern end of Clinton Ridge, in Section 26, the following rocks were exposed for measurement:

In the vicinity of Lyra the Upper Mercer coal has been mined for many years for local use. The following record was obtained just east of the road in Section 23, on the land of Thomas Patton: p^ j^

South of the above locality, near Clinton Furnace, the Upper Mercer coal was mined for use when the furnace was in operation. The bed is reported to be about 2 feet in thickness. In Section 14, on the farm of C. F. Taylor, the Upper Mercer coal has excellent volume, and is regularly mined for a part of the neighborhood supply of fuel. The bed is made up of two coal benches, divided by a parting of bony coal and shale. There are from 6 to 10 inches of draw shale above the coal which must be removed in mining the fuel. Above this shale bed there is a massive sandstone which forms an excellent roof. The record taken here follows:

Just cast of the village of Lyra the Upper Mercer coal has contributed fuel for local needs for many years, and is known in this locality as the Nagcl coal.

West of Lyra the Upper Mercer coal also contributes fuel for domestic needs. Here the deposit is made up of two coal benches separated by a clay parting, which structure is also found in restricted areas south of South Webster in Bloom Township, and west of Hanging Rock in Hamilton Township, Lawrence County. The structure of the bed is shown in the following section taken on the farm of Charles Hay ward :

In this locality the Upper Mercer coal is also mined on the property of Susan Newland. North and west of this small Lyra field the bed thins to about 1 foot 4 inches in thickness, and is represented only by the upper bench of coal.

Bloom Township. - Although the Upper Mercer coal in Bloom Township is everywhere thin, seldom expanding to 2 feet, it has contributed for over 40 years the main supply of domestic fuel for the village of South Webster and for the adjacent region. The areal extent of this coal in a general way is across the eastern half of the township. In this area the bed is persistent and has excellent mining conditions. In Section 22, on the property of the Webster Brick Company, the record is as follows: ' p^ j^

In the same section one-half mile south of the above, on the land of John Grant, the lower bench of this member is present, and the associated clays have good ceramic qualities. A record taken in a mine on this property follows: p^ j^

In Section 13, on the land of S. H. Wiseman and R. G. Huffman, this coal is somewhat thin, and is of a cannel nature. The following record is given as it shows the positions of the ore beds with reference *to the Upper Mercer coal:

In Section 24, on the W. M. Galligei- property, the Upper Mercer coal and tlie Boggs ore have been mined by drifting, and the interval of stparution obtained by measurement is given below:

In the tw^o northern tiers of sections in Bloom Township, the Webster Block coal is thin or completely replaced by the massive sandstone found at this horizon. In the isolated hill in the western part of Section 19, the Upper Mercer or Webster Block coal is a true cannel. A section at this place is as follows :

On the Bloom Furnace land in Section 30, just west of the furnace stack, the coal is showTi giving way to the sandstone. It is only a few inches in thickness and is of a cannel nature.

Both benches of the Upper Mercer coal, which are separated by about 10 inches of clay, are present on the land of Edward Bowers in Section 24. A record taken at a drift mine here is given below:

The Upper Mercer coal, which is really important only in parts of Bloom and Vernon townships, in this county, has furnished a considerable part of the local fuel supply for many years. Tfie quantity of coal yet available is large as only a small territory has been worked o^ut. In some localities the bed is composed of one bench only, while at other places it has a lower bench separated from the one above by clay or shale. The quality of the coal in the upper bench is far superior to that in the lower, which is often somewhat bony. The lower bench is thin, seldom reaching 1 foot in thickness, while the upper bench has a maximum thickness of about 2 feet, with an average of about 1 foot 4 inches. The Webster Block or Upper Mercer coal is usually a bituminous variety, with a high volatile content, but in a few localities it changes to a true cannel coal.

The Upper Mercer coal is one of the best domestic coals in the State. It lights easily, burns with a long flame, and has good heating value. The sulphur content is low, the ash small in amount and light colored, and it clinkers only at high temperatures. For domestic use it is considered superior to the Quakertown or Wellston coal.

Although the bed is thin, the coal is mined for 5 cents per bushel, or ;$1.25 per ton. One man is able to average about 60 bushels per day in regular work. Usually the coal lies in regularly jointed blocks with a soft clay below, in which the cutting is done. The clay is thus picked out and the coal wedged down. In this way practically all the coal is obtained in large lumps, so the loss from fine coal is at a minimum. In some easts the clay below is shot loose, then the coal taken dova. The roof is either a tough shale or a sandstone.

Below the Upper Mercer coal there is foimd a deposit of Upper Mercer clay, which is usually from 3 to 5 feet in thickness, and which varies in composition from a quite pure plastic clay to one very siliceous. This clay is of value, as it is well fitted for the manufacture of highgrade face brick and stoneware, or for bonding clay for various purposes. It was formerly mined along with the coal by the Webster Brick Company for the manufacture of building brick. Worked conjunctly, the cost of mining the clay is from 30 to 50 cents per ton, and that of mining the coal is from 50 to 70 centfe.

Counting 60 per cent available in mining, the specific gravity of coal 1.3, and that of clay 2.5, the yield per acre for coal, where the bed is 1 foot 4 inches thick, is 1,416 tons (2,000 lbs.), and for the clay, where 4 feet thick, is 8,168 tons. The coal from this thin bed amounts to over one-half the quantity required to manufacture the clay into ware, which under the above specified conditions will produce 2,300,000 building brick. Conjunctly the Upper Mercer coal and clay are an asset worthy of consideration, especially whei^e manufacturing conditions are favorable. Otherwise the coal l)ed is valuable only for local domestic cor sumption.

Where present the Sand Block ore is found in the interval between the Upper Mercer coal and the Upper Mercer limestone or Big Red Block ore. In some places the ore lies close to the coal, while at other places it n:ay be found as much as 30 feet above. The average interval is about 15 feet. The n'lation of this ore to members both below and above is s}:own in many of the preceding sections; hence its stratigraphy will not be cewisidered further h(re. This deposit, found in Ble)om, Vernon, and Cn ( n to^\nships, contributed some ore for the old e^harcoal furnaces tl.at formtTly existed in the re^gion. The bed averages from 4 to 6 inches in th.ickness and has a maximum measurement of about 12 inches. Under heavy ee)ver it is a siliceous blue carbonate, but along the outcrop this has weathered to the hydrateel o^ieles. The eleposit is too thin and the ore too lean to be of any special importance at present.

Upper Mercer Limestone Horizon

The Upper Mercer limestone is seldom present in Scioto County, but the horizem is quite cemstantly marked by an iron ore whie^h is known as the Uj)per Mercer, Big Red Block, or Franklin. It was the main reliance of Franklin Furnace, anel was extensivelv useel also at Junior and Ohio furnaces. Further, it was useel but to a more limited extent by Scioto, Empire, Clinton, Howard, and Bloom furnaces. The Upper Mercer ore is found in Green, Vernon, and eastern Bloom townships. Also on this horizon there is found in some localities a coal bed which nowhere expands to any considerable thickness, but which has yielded a small quantity of domestic fuel. The average interval between the Lower Mercer ore and the Upper Mercer ore is approximately 52 feet. It is about 30 feet above the Upper Mercer or Webster Block coal and approximately 35 feet below the Tioncsta coal. The mean interval from the Upper Mercer ore to the Ferriferous ore is nearly 110 feet. The positions of various members with reference to thos3 of the Upper Mercer beds will be brought out in more detail in tfie general stratigraphy and in the discussion under the township headings.

Green Towmhip. - The Upper Mercer ore is much better developed in Green Township than it is in either Vernon or Bloom, although in thes? it often has gooel volume for a coal formation ore. This ore was regularly mined for many ^''ears by drifting at Ohio Furnace by the Hanging Rock Iron Company, although at presrnt the mines are abandoned, owing to the influence of the more available and somewhat richer Lake ores. A section taken at the mines of the above mentioned company, located north of Ohio Furnace, is given below: p^ j^

The Upper Mercer ore in this locality is sparingly fossiliferous and the lower part of the bed is quite calcareous also, often approaching limestone in composition, and in fact the rock should be called a ferruginous limestone. On the river hills, south of Ohio Furnace, John Norris reports that the Upper Mercer ore is only from 4 to 5 inches in thickness and is unsteady. This is the condition of the ore where noted in the hills south of Junior Furnace. North of this place, however, the ore has good volume anxi continuity, and is reported to vary in tbickncvss from 6 inches to 1 foot 8 inches.

The Upper Mercer ore is present only on the high knobs on the main ridges from Franklin Furnace north to Pine Creek. From observations and re]^orts the usual thickness of the bed is from 6 to 10 inches. This ore has been n?ined rather extensively by stripping along Tick Ridge, where it is stated to have excellent volume for a coal formation ore. On the north end of Tick Ridge, on the property of J. D. Willis, the following measurements were obtained: p^ j^ sented in most of Vemon Township, it is best developed in local areas along Pine Creek, in the eastern part. Next to the Ferriferous ore it was the main reliance for the ore supply of the charcoal furnaces, Empire, Clinton, and Howard. The Upper Mercer limestone was not observed in this township. The interval from the Upper Mercer ore to other members is shown in the following record, obtained along the road that leads from Poplar Fork to Clinton Ridge, in Section 28:

The Upper Mercer ore has excellent volume on the land of T. Kern, and on the adjoining properties in Section 23. The ore is reported to have a thickness varying from 1 to 3 feet, and it was formerly mined by drifting. The Upper Mercer ore was also mined north of the village of Lyra, along Pine Creek, but the bed is much thinner and quite unsteady.

Bloom Township. - The Upper Mercer ore is somewhat persistent in the eastern part of Bloom Township, but the limestone is not well represented. The normal volume of the ore is from 6 to 10 inches although at a few places it expands to as much as 1 foot 6 inches. This ore was well liked by the charcoal furnace operators, as it made a good grade of foundry iron; hence it was mined by benching quite extensively. The only place in Bloom Township that the Uppfer Mercer limestone was observed was at the foot of the incline of the Morgan and Horton mines, in Section 5, where the following composite section was measured: p^ j^

The coal found at the Upper Mercer horizon is of good quality, but, as the bed is thin, it is mined by stripping only in the creek beds and under shallow cover along the outcrop. It has no practical value at present. The Upper Mercer limestone, where found, is thin and usually very siliceous. It is important only for its stratigraphic value as it is a good bench mark which aids in determining the position of other membei-s. Next to the Ferriferous, the Big Red Block, or Upper Mercer ore was the most important deposit worked for the old charcoal furnaces during their period of activity. In fact, it was the main source of ore for most of the furnaces west of the limestone district, and even there it furnished a considerable part of the supply. It has also been used by the modem furnaces to some extent. The Hanging Rock Iron Company mined this ore for many years, near Ohio Furnace, in Scioto Coimty, but it abandoned the mines in 1912.

In many places on the Upper Mercer horizon there are two ore benches which differ in quality and in physical appearance. The upper bench, usually thin, is much richer in iron than the lower bench, which often lias excellent volume. The following analyses made by the writer, are used through the courtesy of the Columbus Iron and Steel Company. The partial analyses of Upper Mercer ore from the outcrop on the John Poetker land, are as given below:

The Upper Mercer ore, which was formerly mined by drifting, on the Kern and McCallister properties, near Cornwall, south of Lyra, gave the following results: ,

The above sample, which was taken from an entry, and thus under good cover, well represents the average composition of the ore. The Upper Mercer ore makes a good grade of founelry iron, and this fact is well illustrated by the supt rior quality of the old charcoal iron. The usual quality of the ore compares favorably with the siliceous Lake ores, and, where the mining conditions are good, it should be utilized. The ordinary method of comparing the value of Lake ores with these high volatile or carbonate ores is such that the latter are reduced below their true value. If the actual worth of these are obtained, they can be n:ined at a profit, (specially where the eleposit has good volume.

The interval from the Tionesta coal to the overlying Ferriferous limestone varies from 50 to 90 feet, but averages about 70 feet, while the interval from this coal to the Upper Mercer ore, which lies below, varies from 20 to 55 feet, but averages about 35 feet. The bed, unless replaceel by lieavy sanelstoi^e s, is quite persistent, although in places it is thin or b()>\v. Black carbonaeieous shales, anel in places a fossiliferous saiM]ste)ne above the coal, are aids in identifying the horizon. The eoal is fouiul well above drainage in the eastern parts of Bloom,

Vernon, and Green townships. It. is of most importance in the vicinity of Empire Furnace, in Vernon Township, where it is regularly mined for a part of the local fuel supply.

Green Township. - The Tionesta coal is found well towards the summits of the main ridges in the eastern half of Green Township, but the bed in a part of this area is replaced by massive sandstones, or it is thin and bony. In a few places, however, the member thickens so that it may furnish a small supply of domestic fuel when the more available Lower Kittanning coal found east of this in Lawrence County is exhausted. On the divide along the road that leads from Ohio Furnace to Pine Creek the Tionesta coal was well exposed for measurement. The record secured follows: ,

At places in this locality the bed is reported to expand so that the good coal has a thickness of 1 foot 8 inches. On the Ohio River hills south of Ohio Furnace the Tionesta coal is thin, or replaced by thick sandstones, and from outcrop indications the member is poorly represented on the hills north of Junior Furnace.

Vernon Township. - The best field of Tionesta coal in Scioto County is in Vernon Township, in the vicinity' of Empire Furnace, and on Clinton Ridge, north of this where the bed is regularly mined by drifting. The coal, however, is somewhat uncertain in character and in extent, as the massive overlying sandstone often modifies or replaces it. The fuel is generally of good quality for domestic purposes. East of Empire Furnace on the property of Fred Smith, in Section 33, the Tionesta coal is regularly mined by drifting. The record obtained at this place f oflows :

This bed is also mined on the land of G. Knapp, and to a less extent on adjoining properties. On this ridge the member is reported to be made up of two main coal benches as shown above, while on the adjoining ridges it is said to consist of only the upper coal stratum. On Clinton Ridge, at the head of Lick Run, the Tionesta coal is also regularly mined. The structure of the bed in this locality is shown by

On Clinton Ridge east of this, on the property of Elias Weaver, in Section 22, only the upper bei^ch of the.Tionesta coal is present. The following record shows the structure of the bed at this place:

Along Pine Creek the Tionesta coal is generally thin, and has been mined but little even for house use. Its position is shown in the following record made about one mile north of Clinton Furnace:

East of the village of Lyra the Tionesta coal is mined by drifting in a small way on the Yates property, where the measurements given below were obtained:

Bloom ToMmship. - The Tionesta coal extends from Vernon Township across Bloom into Jackson County, where at Monroe Furnace the deposit has excellent volume, and where it was formerly mined for railroad shipment. The bed, although generally thin ill Bloom Township, furnishes a small supply of domestic coal which is of good quality. The coal areas are confined to the e^btem half of the township. A record taken at the mine of Morgan & Horton, in Section 5, shows the position of the Tionesta coal with reference to that of other well known beds: ,

The outcrops of the Tionesta coal and the associated black shales were seen in many places along the main ridge and spurs in the northern part of Bloom Township in sections 1, 2, 11, 12, and 13. On Brady Rim, in Lawrence County, just over the line, this coal has been mined for local use, and often has good volume. In the eastern part of Section 19, on the land of L. Holenbeck, where the Tionesta coal is mined by drifting, the measurements of the rocks show the following relations:

In Section 30, near Bloom Furnace, this coal has been mined for local use. In the eastern part of Section 29 the Tionesta coal has been worked on the Frank Holmes property. The banks have fallen in, but the thickness of the bed is reported to be the same as that found in Hawkins Hollow, just across the line in Lawrence County, a section of which follows:

The coal, 2 feet thick, has been mined on the D. T. Holeomb land, in the southern part of Section 36. In Section 35, on the property of Smith Hayward, the Tionesta coal is mined by drifting.

The Tionesta coal, which is of workable thickness in local areas of the eastern halves of Bloom, Vernon, and Green townships, is variable both in thickness and in structure. The maximum thickness of this coal in Scioto County is about 3 feet, but the average measurement is about 1 foot 6 inches. In some localities only one coal bench is represented, while in others two or three benches, separated by clay or shale partings, are found. The tough shale above the coal forms an excellent roof which aids materially in mining. The quality of the coal in the lower bench is very good, while the quality of that in the upper benches is usually poor. It is a high volatile, free-burning coal, with a moderate amount of ash and sulphur, and has furnished a part of the local supply for many years. Most of the mining done has been l)y short entric s, thus leaving the main bodies of coal in the hills. The main value of this bed is for present and future local domestic needs. At no place in the county is the character of the deposit such as to justify mining on a large seal? for the coal alone. In many places the clay below the Tionesta coal has good thickmss, and, although usually siliceous, it is low in fluxes; hence well suited for many ceramic purposes. This clay at present is not regularly worked in Scioto County. For economic reasons both coal and clay should be utilized.

Rocks l)elonging to the Allegheny formation are found well above drainage in a narrow belt extending across the eastern part of Scioto County from the Ohio River to Jackson County. Dipping eastward they disappear in the central part of Lawrence County. Only the lower part of this important division of rocks is found in the area imder consideration. The interval embraced is that beginning with the Brookville coal, which is the basal member, and ending with the Middle Kittanning coal, only decayed remnants of which are found on a few of the highest knobs in eastern Bloom and Vernon townships. The rocks represented are sandstones, clays, coals, iron ores, shales, and limestone. As a whole the formation in Scioto County is of no great im-

The Brookville coal is wanting in most of the territory, as it is replaced by heavy sandstone. When present, the bed is thin, seldom reaching 1 foot in thickness, and is usually found about 20 feet below the Ferriferous limestone. The Brookville coal is shown in the following record taken in the eastern part of Section 19, 6loom Township, on the land of L. Holenbeck:

A few inches of coal are found on the Brookville horizon at other places in Bloom Township. This member in Vernon and Green townships is occasionally represented by thin lenses of coal in sandstone, or by dark bony shales with thin coal bands. In Scioto County the Brookville coal has no value worthy of consideration aside from its stratigraphic relations.

A sandstone which is found below the Clarion coal or clay in massive beds, and which was formerly used for hearthstones by the charcoal furnaces, is designated Hecla sandstone in former reports. This type sandstone lies just below the Clarion clay. It is rather coarse-grained, low in iron compounds, and has a clay for the bonding material. It is an excellent ganister, as its refractory qualities were thoroughly tested bv the charcoal furnaces. The Clarion sandstone is found onlv on the high hills and ridges in the eastern part of Scioto County, and at present it is not utilized except for minor purposes.

The Canary iron ore is found from 25 to 30 feet below the Ferriferous limestone, but the bed is quite unsteady, being developed only in restricted areas. In Scioto County it is best developed on Clinton Ridge in Verron To\vrship, where this ore was formerly mined in a small way for the charcoal furnaces. The bed extends along the ridge from Pine Creek to the Cadot Hill in Section 22. The Canary ore is also present at a few plac( s near the summits of the main ridges in the eastern part of Green Township, but it was not observed in eastern Bloom as the horizon is taken by massive sandstones. The interval from the Canary ore to the Ferriferous limestone is shown in the following section, taken on Clinton Ridge near the head of Germany Hollow, in Section 26, Vernon TowTiship: p^ ^^

The Canary is a concretionary ore of the carbonate variety, and is usually siliceous in character. It has no special value at present, although it contributed in a small way to the ore supply of the charcoal furnaces that operated in eastern Scioto County.

Coal And Clay

These important members of the Allegheny formation are poorly represented in Scioto County, as they are found only on the high knobs and ridges in the eastern parts of Bloom, Vernon, and Green townships. Owing to the shallow covering and to the disappearance of the bed in its extension southward, the Clarion coal has normal <levelopment only in small areas in northern Bloom Township and in the extreme eastern part of Vernon. The Ferriferous limestone, which extends with some wants across eastern Scioto County from Jackson County on the north to the Ohio River on the south, is generally thin and often flinty. However, in local areas in northern Bloom Township this member is present in force. The Ferriferous ore has better continuity, and has about the same volume throughout its extent. As these members are so closely associated general sections showing their stratigraphy and extent will be given instead of considering each bed separately.

Bloom Township. - The Clarion coal and the Ferriferous ore and limestone in Bloom Township are confined to small areas on the main ridges in sections 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36, and sections 5 and 6 south. The most important area is that west of Eifort where the members all have normal volume. The strata exposed at the mines of Morgan & Horton, west of Eifort, in S(iction 5, show about the average thicknesses and relations of the various members-when normally developed. The measurements follow:

The structure of the deposits in sections 1 and 6 is practically the same as the above. The small pockets of limestone and coal on this horizon, found in the high knobs in the southeastern part of Bloom Township, have been worked to a small extent, but the strata were not favorably exposed for measurement. The Clarion coal, however.

Vernon Township. - In Vernon Township the Ferriferous limestone with its associated ore, and the Clarion coal and clay are found on all the high ridges east of Pine Creek, but west of this stream the beds are present only along the main hill and spurs of what is known as Clinton Ridge as far west and north as the western part of Section 22. The Clarion coal is not well developed, however, in the areas south of Howard Run and east of Pine Creek, or in those on Clinton Ridge, while the Ferriferous limestone thins or becomes patchy in its extension southward and westward. The Ferriferous ore is far more persistent than the limestone, but it is often completely replaced by massive sandstones. The beds have only local value. In Section 1 the Clarion coal, which is mined for local use, and the Ferriferous limest>>ne and ore have about their normal volume. The following record was obtained from an outcrop" exposure: pt. In,

On Clinton Ridge the Ferriferous limestone is stated to vary from 2 ta 7 feet in thickness, while the Clarion coal is reported to be of no value, as it is thin and rotten. The Ferriferous ore is quite steady, and was formerly mined along the entire ridge. The thickness of the ore varies from a few inches to about 1 foot. The Clarion clay has good volume but is siliceous in character.

Green Township. - In Green Township the horizon of the Clarion coal. Clarion clay, Ferriferous limestone, and Ferriferous ore extends westward on the main ridge to about one mile west of Ohio Furnace. The Clarion coal is marked only by a smut streak, but the Clarion clay, although quite siliceous in character, is from 2 to 5 feet in thickness. The Ferriferous limestone is traced by scattered lenses of flinty or cherty material. The most constant of these members by far is the Ferriferous ore, which varies in thickness from 3 inches to about 1 foot 6 inches,, and which was mined by stripping along its entire outcrop during the days of the charcoal furnaces.

The total area of Clarion clay in Scioto County is relatively small, and as the deposits are usually widely scattered, and as the clay is siliceous in character, although low in fluxes, it has no value worthy of special consideration. At present the Clarion clay has not been utilized in this county for commercial purposes.

is small, and owing to the shallow cover and to the absence of the coal in its extension southward only a part of this area is productive. The area in which the coal may be mined will not exceed 3 square miles. The Clarion coal at present is mined for railroad shipment at only one place in the county, which is near Eifort Station, in Bloom Township, but formerly it was also worked by other companies in this region. Near Eifort Station, Morgan & Horton mine the Clarion coal witli the overlying Ferriferous limestone and Lower Kittanning clay for railroad shipment. The character of the coal is shown by the following analysis:^

Mine of Morgan and Horton, Eifort Station, Bloom Township, Scioto County. Coal has ample cover. Sampled in August, 1901, by Professor Edward Orton, Jr.

In Scioto County the Clarion coal is important mainly for a local supply, as the acreage in the isolated tracts is too small to justify large operations.

The Ferriferous limestone was first utilized for flux stone for the old charcoal furnaces that existed in the eastern part of the county. At present it is used principally for flux stone and road ballast. The chemical properties of the stone are such that it is well suited for furnace flux, cement manufacture, or agricultural lime, while the phj'^ical properties make it a valuable road material. The quality is shown by the analyses of three cars of stone from the mines of Morgan & Horton, furnished by the Buckeye Steel Casting Company, Columbus, Ohio. Analyst, Downs Schaaf.

Morgan & Horton, of Eifort Station, is the only firm in Scioto County regularly mining and marketing this limestone! It is mined by surface stripping and also by underground working. Compressed air is .used for drilling. The stone is sold in the lump form. In Scioto County this limestone is used extensively for road building, but only a part of the supply is local as most of it comes from mines in Washington Township, Lawrence County.

The Ferriferous ore was highly prized by the charcoal furnace operators, as it gave a good yield and as it made foundry iron of the very best quality. The most successful furnaces were those in this ore belt. The area of ore in Scioto County is small as the bed is confined to isolated tracts near the summits of the hills and ridges in the eastern parts of Bloom, Vernon, and Green townships. The quality of the ore has been fully described in the report on Lawrence County; hence the subject will not be considered here.

In Scioto County the Lower Kittanning members are best represented in the northeast corner of Bloom Township, where they Occur near the summits of the main ridges. Isolated tmcts are also found in the southwestern part of this township east of Hales Creek. In Vernon Township the Lower Kittanning deposits are confined to the summits of the high hills east of Pine Creek, and to a few isolated knobs on Clinton Ridge. In Green Township these beds are present in small areas on the main hills east of Ohio Furnace. This is the only locality m Scioto County in which the Lower Kittanning coal is regularly mined for local use. The following section, taken at a mine on the land of the Hanging Rock Iron Company, shows that both coal and clay have the normal development characteristic of these members in the Newcastle field in Lawrence County:

On the Ohio River hills near the eastern edge of Green Township, on the land of Joseph Andre, the Lower Kittanning coal has been prospected, but the coal is badly decayed. The section taken at this place is as follows:

In Vemon and Bloom townships this coal is so thin, or so badly weathered, that it has no fuel value. The clay is of good quality, but the amount available in any particular locality is seldom sufficient for working in a large way. It is regularly mined at one place only in the county, viz. : Section 5, Bloom Township, where the clay is mined by stripping b}- Morgan & Horton. A section of their mine is as follows:

The 8 feet of clay worked is of excellent quality, and it goes on the market in good condition, as care is used in mining to keep it free from foreign or impure materials. The clay is sold in the lump or in the crushed form. The clay is groimd in a 9-foot dry pan and is then screened to remove the coarser materials.

The Oak Hill clay is present in eastern Scioto County, but is of no importance as the area is small, the stratum thin, and the clay poor in quality. Its position is just above the Lower Kittanning coal.

The Red Kidney ore was found on a few high hills in the northeastem and southeastern parts of Bloom Township only. In some places it is only a few feet above the Lower Kittanning coal, but as a general thing it is from 10 to 15 feet above this member. The usual relation is shown by the following measurement taken in Section 5:

The weathered outcrop of the Middle Kittanning coal may be seen in a few places only in eastern Bloom Township, but it has no interest except for its stratigraphic relations.

for the strata everywhere are at least sparingly fossiliferous. During Cuyahoga, Logan, and Maxville time the conditions were favorable for the preservation of animal life that thrived on the muddy floors of the seas, while during Pottsville and Allegheny time the conditions were conducive for the fossilization of plant life that grew luxuriantly 6n the land and in the shallow waters. The rocks of each formation, however, contain remains of both plant and animal life. There are a number of fossil horizons in the rock strata of Scioto County, some of which are worthy of attention. Those of special interest are listed below.

Cuyahoga Shales and Sandstones. - A locality of exceptional importance is the rock bar along the Ohio River just east of the mouth of the Little Scioto. The fossils are found in the ferruginous concretions io the shales, and in the sandstones also.

Logan Shales and Sandstones. - ^The shales and sandstones of this formation are usually fossil bearing, but the horizons at which they occur most abundantly are in the Allensville member. Good collecting is found at this horizon in an old road formerly used for hauling clay from the Daum property, located in the southeastern part of Section 33, Harrison Township. The clay road joins the Harrisonville pike in the narrows along the Little Scioto, one and one-half miles from Sciotoville. The ore layer, from 2 to 6 inches in thickness, is made up largely of marine fossils, and is found about 80 feet below the horizon of the Sciotoville clay. Near this, just below the bend in the clay road that leads to Munn Hill, the sandstones on the horizon of the Allensville conglomerate contain many well preserved fossils. The ore above the Alleivsville conglomerate is also exposed along the road near the home of John Oberly, in Section 2, Harrison Township. This horizon was again observed along the roadside in the central part of Section IL The fossiliferous ore occurs about 20 feet above the Allensville conglomerate, a good exposure of which is seen near the foot of the hill. Many fossils were noticed at the horizon of the Allensville conglomerate, which, on land of Samuel Shoemaker, in Section 26, Madison Township, is exposed in the stream bed just north of the Portsmouth- Jackson pike.

Maxville Limestone. - The deposits of Maxville limestone found in a few localities on the main ridges in Clay Township north of Portsmouth, and on Woods Ridge in Harrison, are sparingly fossiliferous. In a pile of cherty limestone which was taken from a mine south of the Woods house a few types may be obtained. The limestone which was taken from the Harper shaft in Section 32, Bloom 'J'ownship, and piled nearby, also contains fossils. They were best represented in the thin shaly partings that separated the limestone layers, but this material at present is completely disintegrated.

Harrison Ore. - A few fossils were found in the Harrison ore, which is exposed at the forks of the road on the Niner Hill, in Section 20, Harrison Township. The cherty material which was derived from the erosion of the Maxville limestone, and which is found in the conglomerate ore that occurs on the zone of contact of Mississippian and Pennsylvanian rocks, also contains imperfect remains of marine life. This material is exposed near the summits of the main ridges in many localities in Clay and Jefferson townships, and at a few places in western Harrison and Madison.

Sharon Conglomerate. - In the sandy layers of the Sharon conglomerate in eastern Harrison and Madison townships well preserved trunks and stems of Coal Measure plants were seen and in a few places observed even in the pebbly layers.

Sharon Coal Horizon. - As would be expected, plant remains are common on this horizon, especially in the regions where the coal is well developed. Many root markings are present in the clays below the coal, while in the shales above the impressions of plant trunks and stems are common. The leaves are not usually well preserved. The shales directly above the Sharon coal at a mine on land of John Alexander, i?i Section 15, Madison Township, contain many Lingulae in a good state of preservation.

Sharon Ore. - The Sharon ore on the land of Joseph Jenkins, . on Lick Run, in Section 14, Porter Township, is very fossiliferous, and the remains are well preserved. /

Sciotoville Clay Horizon. - The clay contains impressions of roots of Coal Measure plants^ but no evidence of animal life was found. The shales .and shaly sandstones above the clay in many localities m Scioto and Jackson counties contain fossil Conostiehus and Astern, ophycus in large numbers. A few places for collecting are: The clay mine on Daum Hill, Section 33, Harrison Township; on land of Dr. Keyes, in Section 28; along the cut of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad near Gephart; and on the point just north of the plant of the Buckeye Fire Brick & Clay Co., Scioto Furnace. At the last named locality worm tracks are also found in the shaly sandstone.

Guinea Fowl Ore. - Well preserved impressions of leaves and stems of Coal Measure plants were found in an exposure of this ore seen along the roadside north of the home of Sampson Spriggs, in Section 10, Madison Township. No remains of animal life were seen in this member.

Quakertown Coal Horizon. - The shales above this coal on land of Henry Moore, near Scioto Furnace, contain scattered imprints of plant life. ^

Bear Run Coal Horizon. - On this horizon both plant and animal life are represented. On lanel of H. H. Stevenson, near the forks of the road in the northern part of Section 3, Bloom Township, the shales directly above the coal contain many fossils of Lin^h in a good state of preservation. At the mines of this coal in the Dever Valley in Jackson County the same fossils were seen also. Plant fossils are present on this horizon, but seldom well preserved.

Vandusen Coal Horizon. - In Scioto County the shales above this coal contain some plant remains, but in some localities in Jackson County these shales are highly fossiliferous, and the delicate tracings of the plant tissues are minutely preserved.

Boggs Ore. - The Boggs ore is sparingly fossiliferous. A few marine fossils were seen in the deposit which lies near the head of the hollow south of the home of Charles Dillon, in Section 2, Bloom Township.

Lower Mercer Limestone. - The Lower Mercer Limestone, outcropping along Pine Creek south of Lyra, in Vernon Township, contains the marine fossils characteristic of the member found farther north. Fossils are also present in the flinty material that represents this limestone, and is exposed near the summit of the hill that leads from Haverhill to Ohio Furnace, in Green Township.

Lower Mercer or Little Red Block Ore. - This ore wherever found usually contains fossils which are characteristic of the Lower Mercer limestone. The ore is easily found in the vicinity of Scioto Furnace, or of South Webster.

Sand Block Ore. - This ore is sparingly fossiliferous, and the types found are those common to the two Mercer limestones. The stratum is four el in the eastern part of the county in a number of localities, one of which is in the hills south of South Webster, and another is on land of Smith Hay ward, in Section 35, Bloom Township.

Upper Mercer Limestone. - This fossil-bearing limestone was seen at the foot of the Morgan <fe Horton incline, in Section 5, Bloom Township.

Upper Mercer or Big Red Block Ore. - This member, wherever found, contains a few scattered fossils. The ore is quite persistent in the eastern part of the county, and was worked from the Jackson County line to the Ohio River. At present a number of specimens may be collected from the pile of ore at t^e mouth of a mine on land of Smith Haywarel, in Section 35, Bloom Township. Another favorable locality is at the ore mines of the Hanging Rock Iron Company near Ohio Furnace, in Green Township.

Tionesta Coal Horizon. - In Jackson County the shales, and especially the calcareous sandstones above this coal, are exceedingly fossiliferous, but in Scioto County the horizon is not so productive, although many good specimens may be obtained. A few localities in this county are on the hill south of the Morgan & Horton incline in Section 5, Bloom Township; at the mine on the W. L. Cook property, east of Bloom Junction, and at the mines just south of Bloom Furnace.

in Scioto County, is fossil bearing. A good collection may be obtained from the flint and limestone outcropping at the summit of the ridge in Section 1, Bloom Township; from the limestone at the mines of Morgan & Horton, in Section 5, of the same township; or from .the flint and lime on the ridges east of Bloom Furnace.

Gallia County came into prominence for its iron ores when Gallia Furnace, now marked only by cinder dumps, was erected in 1847, The thick deposits of coal in the Symmes and Little Raccoon valleys, and those farther east in the county, early attracted the attention of miners and operators. The thin limestones, occurring at various horizons in the geological column, have been of only minor importance in the industrial development of the county, but their part in the soil enrichment has been of marked value, as is attested by the fine fruit and grazing lands. The ceramic materials of the area have been but little attacked, although deposits of known worth, especially in the Allegheny formation, occur in many localities.

Gallia County is located on the Ohio River, which forms in the main its eastern boundary. On the south it is bounded by Lawrence County, on the west by Lawrence and Jackson coimties, and on the north by Vinton and Meigs. According to the latest estimate of the Federal Government its area is 430 square miles.

The surface of Gallia County, like all the rest of southeastern Ohio, unaffected by direct glacial action, is rugged and maturely dissected. The pres3?it features are the resultant of erosive and weathering agencie3 that have cut deep into the old Appalachian Plateau, the outlines of which may be seen distinctly from high elevations. The hills are usually steep and, due to differential weathering of the shales and sandstones, have long lines of benches with abrupt bluffs, features common in coal formations. Although. the hills are steep, the ridges, especially along the lines of outcrop of the Conemaugh rocks, are usually broad and moderately sloping, thus affording much good farming land. The principal valleys are entrenched about 300 or 400 feet below the summits of the dividing ridges. In general the flood plains of the larger streams, such as the Symmes, Raccoon, Indian Guyan, and Campaign creeks, are comparatively narrow, and in some localities restricted to narrow passes, while the smaller streams have only been able to build ribbon-like plains along their courses. Along the Ohio River the flood plain in Gallia County is often more than one mile wide, while at other places, due to the flexure of the stream, there is scarcely sufficient level land for road building. The old preglacial waterways left their imprints truly characterized and well outlined in Gallia County; for example, the broad expanse of elevated valleys seen at Centerville, Rio Grande, Bidwell, Rodney, and other places was formed before the advance of the ice sheet. These ^valleys now contain some of the most valuable farms in the county, and have been useful also in determining the location of pikes and railroads.

The elevations of a few knobs in the county rise slightly above 1,000 feet, but the main ridges average much lower than this, usually between 850 and 950 feet. The highest group of hills is found in southern Greenfield Township, although in Perry, northeast of Patriot, there are a few ridges equally as high. The general slope of the land is more directly towards the preglacial streams than towards the present streams, for the former, advanced in age, have reduced the land well towards their headwaters, thus leaving the hills adjacent to the courses especially low and well rounded. The main work of the present streams, often flowing with but little regard to the old waterways, has been to intrench their courses 60 or more feet below the main preglacial drainage lines. Some of the highest ridges in the county are close to Raccoon and Symmcs creeks. The elevation of the flood plain at the mouth of Raccoon Creek, the largest through-flowing stream in the county, is about 525 feet, and where the stream enters Gallia from Vinton County it is about 605 feet. Since the fall is thus 80 feet and the length of the stream within the county approximately 41 miles, the gradient is about 2 feet per mile. On Symmes Creek the gradient is about 2.3 feet per mile. The fall along the lower courses of the smaller streams is considerably greater than this, while near their headwaters the descent is rapid.

The surface waters of Gallia County flow either directly or indirectly into the Ohio River which forms its eastern boundary. The largest through-flowing stream is Raccoon Creek, which enters the county from the north and, flowing in a general southern direction through Huntington, Raccoon, Perry, Green, Harrison, and Clay townships^ empties into the Ohio River near Raccoon Island. Symmes Creek,, which crosses the western part of Gallia County, flows through Greenfield, Perry, and Walnut townships. Indian Guyan Creek drains Guyan Township. From Guyan TowTiship the main stream, flowing in a southern direction through Lawrence County and nearly parallel to the Ohio River, empties into the latter near Bradrick.

Raccoon, Greenfield, Perry^ and parts of Morgan, Springfield, and Walnut townships. A sedimentary origin is evident for all the rocks appearing at the surface within this field. They were deposited in water or by the agency of water and consist of sandstones, limestones, shales, coals, iron ores, antl clays. The alluvium deposits laid down during inundation periods on the flood plains of the present streams are of recent origin, while the more compact clays, gravels, and sands, found in the terraces bordering the larger water courses, and in the vallej^s of the preglacial rivers, are of Pleistocene Age. Excepting these, which constitute only a small part of the total mass, the rocks were all deposited during Pennsylvanian time. The total thickness of the strata exposed from the Tionesta coal, seen in the stream bed in northwestern Greenfield Township near old Cambria Furnace, to the Ames limestone, found in a number of localities in central Gallia County, is about 430 feet.

During flood periods the streams carry loads of silt, sand, and gravel, parts of which are deposited along their beds or on their flood plains. Due to the differentiating power of running water the fine materials are left in the quiet waters on the flood plain, while the coarse parts are deposited near the main stream. These materials may be worked over many times, deposition taking place in some areas while cutting is going on in others, contributions being thus added or removed by each rain. The beds so laid dowTi form the Recent deposits, which usually extend well towards the headwaters of even the smaller streams.

The thickness of the deposits depends on tlie volume of water, on the gradient of the stream, and on the character of the strata in the water basin. Along the Ohio River the beds often reach 50 feet in thickness, while along Raccoon and Symmes creeks they seldom exceed 30 feet. Along the small streams the bedrock is usually found at a depth of only a few feet. Due to the variability of the depositive forces the beds are very irregular in their composition and in the arrangement of the s(_parate layers. Lenticular and irregular masses of sand or gravel are found irterbedded with clays, or the clays with the sands. No eorstancy of nlation is shown excipt in a general way. Vertically the usual order of arrangement is bowlders and coarse gravel near the bedrock, then sands and gravel with some clays interbedded, and then, lastly, clays with more or less sands erratically distributed; while longitudinally there is an imperfect gradation of materials from the headwaters-of the stream, where the coarse matter not readily transported is found, to the mouth, where the clays and fine saxuls are carried even by a sluggish current.

soils and mulch from the upland are laid down during inundation periods. The clays, however, have considerable value for ceramic uses, being well adapted for the manufacture of common brick and draintile. They may also be used to good advantage in making roofing tile, fire proofing, and fancy building brick. The working properties are usually excellent, as they may be formed with ease into the shapes desired. The ware thus formed dries safely under almost any common method of heat treatment. The vitrification range, during burning, is moderately long, especially with the clays carrying considerable siliceous matter. The best structure is developed between 1,700** and 2,000° F.; the definite temperature depending of course on both the amounts and kinds of bases present. The burned ware is rather free from deleterious defects, such as cracks, warping, or deformation.

The uncertainty of the deposits largely restricts their use, for the beds may feather out or become interstratified with sands in a short distance. Before the erection of a plant for their utilization, thorough prospecting to determine both the arcount and character of the material available is advised. The clays have been used to a small extent for common ware at Gallipolis, Bidwell, and Vinton. At present, they are not worked regularly at any place within the area under discussion.

Throughout Gallia County are found many old preglacial valleys with thick deposits upon their floors, which evidently were la'd down during glacial time. Near the villages of Centcrville, Rio Grande, Vinton, Bidwell, and Rodney these old waterways are "Very apparent and their age is well shown by surface features. Thexhills adjacent are low and well rounded, the valleys broad and distinctly defined, and the floors flat-bottomed but slightly graded. These vallej's are in marked contrast to those of the present streams. For a more complete description of the preglacial drainage the reader is referred to the work of W. G. Tight.*

In many respects the deposits found here resemble those laid down by the present streams, but as a general rule they contain much less coarse material. In the main, they are clays and fine-grained sands, although on the valley floors a thin layer of gravel and bowlders is occasionally seen. Bowlders of flint or chert, which were derived from some limestone found in places towards the source of the stream, occur locally intermingled with the finer materials. The clays are finely stratified, denoting deposition in quiet waters. The materials composing them have been so completely comminuted that the clays have a soapy feel and a high plasticity. The color varies from light to gray, or, where weathered, from yellow to brown. In these old valleys such clays are best seen on divides of the present streams for here the original deposits have been least disturbed. These same features may also be seen in the clays of the terraces along the preglacial valleys.

The surface clays, where considerably weathered, make a good grade of the common classes of ceramic products. On account of their abnormally high shrinkage and their short vitrification range, the soapy, finely stratified clays are excluded from the ceramic field although the color of the burned body is pleasing. In local areas, some of the lower layers contain sufiicient siliceous material to produce normal burning behavior. On the whole these clays should be thoroughly tested before' any considerable outlays for ceramic plants are made. Like the cliays, the sands found in these deposits are with few exceptions fine-grained. They are stained to a certain extent with iron oxides and contain small amounts of argillaceous matter. In a few localities sand for local needs is taken from these beds, but at no point have they been worked in a large way. The physical qualities of the sand suggest its fitness for use as molding sand.

The great mass of rocks forming the hills and valley floors of Gallia County belong to the Penasylvaoian system. This is the great coalbearing division of rocks in the Uaited States.

In Gallia County the general dip of the rock is towards the Ohio River. It varies locally and is feomewhat greater in the northern part of the county than in the southern part. The average dip east, measured by the Ferriferous limestone. Middle Kittanning coal, and Cambridge limestone, is about 31 feet per mile. The dip of the rocks south is more constant. Measured by the Upper Freeport coal and the Cambridge limestone, it is slightly less than 10 feet per mile. From these results the strike of the rocks is calculated to be 17° 53' east of north. The maximum dip is of course at right angles to this or 17° 53' south of east. It amounts to 36 feet per mile.

In the southern part of Greenfield Township there is a marked arresting of the dip, and the general trend of this area is north and south. It may be traced south some distance into Lawrence County where it crosses Johns Creek near Sherritts, thence across Aaron Creek and finally across Elkins Creek near Oak Ridge Furnace. . These features traced northward fade out before reaching the Jackson-Gallia line. This arresting of the dip in a minor degree is also apparent along Raccoon Creek from Vinton to Cora.

Minor features of interest are the variatiors of the intervals separating members such as coals, limestones, or iron ores. Massive sandstones play a prominent part here. They appear to act as wedges crowding some members closer together and pushing others farther apart. The normal interval from the Lower Kittanning coal to the

Geolxxjy Of Southern Ohio

Ferriferous limestone is about 25 feet, but north of Gallia Fumaee where a massive sandstone is found above the coal, the remnant of this bed is only 16 feet from the limestone. Due also to this sandstone the Lower Kittanning and Middle Kittanning coals are separated by an interval of about 75 feet, while the normal distance is about 40 feet. Along Little Raccoon (Veek, in Section 19, Huntington Township, the two members are only 27 feet apart. Where shales predominate the interval from the Cambridge limestone to the Upper Freeport coal below is usually about 130 feet, while in Section 13, Greenfield Township, where heavy sandstones appear, this expands- to 177 feet. These abnormalities are rather to be expected since the sandstones repnscnt shore or delta d( posits.

I'pper Freeport, Waterloo, or No. 7 coal. Upj)er Freeport, or Bolivar clay. Lower FrtH'port, or No. 6a coal. Middle Kittanning, Sheridan, Hocking, or

No. G coal. Middle Kittanning clay. Lower Kittanning, Newcastle, or No. 5 coal. Lower Kittanning clay. Ferriferous ore. Ferriferous, Hanging Rock, or Vanport

A general section of the surface rocks of western (lallia County is given to show the order of the succ(ssion of the various members, and the average thickness of the beds when well developed.

In (Jaliia C'ourty in the northwestern part of Greenfield Township about 40 fret of rocks belonging to the upper part of the Pottsville formation, the basal division of the Pennsylvanian sy^stem, appears above drainage. This formation begins with the Sharon eonglomerate and ends \Aith the Tionesta or Homewood sandstone. In Jaekson County to the w(st, it is exposed in its full thickness and carries coal beds of exceptional economic importance. At present in the county under discussion but little is known regarding these lower coals, for they are under deep cover and hence the only source of information is from drill records most of which were made when testing the rocks below for oil. The meager evidence thus obtained fails to give a definite clue to the situation but points more toward the absence than the presence of workable deposits. Future work in the area may change this opinion. The Pottsville formation is divided into a number of members, but only those appearing at the surface will be described here. These are the Tionesta coal and the shales and ore on the Black Flint horizon.

The Tionesta coal is found about 28 feet above the Upper Mercer ore or limestone, when either of these is present, or about 35 feet below the Brookville coal, the basal member of 'the Allegheny formation. Since the latter coal is seldom present in southern Ohio, a better bench for reference is that of the Ferriferous or Vanport limestone, from which the Tionesta coal in this locality is separated by an interval of approximately 60 feet. The bed along its outcrop in Jackson and Scioto counties is very unsteady, for in many localities it is completely replaced by massive sandstones. Its variability in structure is also marked for the stratum may be represented by bone shales, by bone shales interstratified with thin coal bands, by a series of coal benches separated by clay partings, or by a thick deposit of clean coal. Reasoning from its surface behavior, but little should be expected of the stratum under cover in Gallia County, although small areas of good coal may be located.

The coal bed was not seen, but near old Cambria Furnace, Section 7, Greenfield TowTiship, it is reported to lie in the stream bed, from which it was mined by stripping. This is the only place in the county where the horizon of the coal is above drainage. The fossiliferous shales, which mark the horizon immediatelv above the coal in other localities, are exposed along the banks of this stream, so the position of the coal at most is only a few feet below. The section taken here is given below in order to show the relation of the Tionesta coal to higher mom])ers in the scale:

The Tionesta coal belongs to the free-buming class, resembling in this respect the two Mercer coals below. Along the borders of the coal basins a part or the whole of the stratum may be cannel coal of fair quality. The ash in the fuel is moderate in amount and nonclinkering under ordinary conditions of firing, while the sulphur content compares favorably with that of the average market coal. This component, occurring in the form of pyrite, is distributed mainly in thin bands along the bedding planes. The eoal makes a good heat, and on the whole is well suited for domestic and steaming purposes.

In the interval from the Tionesta to the Brookville coal, the latter here replaced by massive sandstones, the shales and shaly sandstones are somewhat calcareous, and along certain zones very fossiliferous. Thin deposits of carbonate ores are also common. While the range in thicknes.** is from 15 to 30 feet the average thickness is about 25 feet. The general character of the deposits indicates that during their deposition the tendency was somewhat toward limestone formation. The fossiliferous sandstone, found only a few feet above the Tionesta coal near Cambria Furoace, contains nearly 30 per cent of calcium and magixesium carbonates, and in appearance resembles impure limestone. In the northern part of Jackson County black flint with ore and calcareous shales is found just below the horizon of the Brookville coal, while to the east of the town of Jackson the flint is wanting, but its position is marked by the presence of one or more block ore layers. The ore foimd just above drainage on Lefthand Fork, Section 7, Greenfield Township, evidently belongs either on of just below the flint horizon. While the old furnace was in blast this ore was mined to a smatl extent by stripping. It is quite siliceous and low in iron, hence it has but little value at present.

The Alllegheny formation in Gallia County is of noteworthy importance, for it contains five coal beds, from which may be drawn a large supply of fuel. It contains also clays, shales, iron ores, and limestone of value. This formation begins with the Brookville coal, which is wanting in this area, and ends with the Upper Freeport coal, which for years has been the main reliance for fuel in the Waterloo region. The total thickness of the formation is about 180 feet. Its base is found above drainage only in northwestern Greenfield Township. Dipping eastward it disappears from view in the Raccoon Valley from the Vinton County line to the central part of Perry Township, thence m the Symmcs Valley to the Lawrence County line. The Allegheny formation is sub-divided into a number of members, which will be taken up in regular order beginning with the oldest.

The Brook ville coal marks the bam* of the Allegheny formation. The normal position of the bed is from 20 to 30 feet below the Clarion coal, or 25 to 35 feet below the Ferriferous limestone. .This coal should occur in northwestern (Greenfield Township, but it is replaced by the massive Clarion or Heda sandstone. Since the Brookville coal is usually wanting in southern Ohio, or when present, thin or bony, excepting in one locality, the prospect for productive fields under cover is very discouraging.

The n(xt member in the ascending scale is the Clarion or Hf'cla sandstone, which is quite persistent in southern Ohio. It usually occupies the entire interval between the Clarion and the Br<x)kville cbal, biit in some places it cuts far down into the Pottsville formation or coalesces with the Homewood sandstone, so that the two members appear as a single bed. In Gallia County the. Clarion sandstone is prese^nt in the localities where it is due. Its area above drainage is small, since it is found only along the streams in the northern part of (Jrcenfield Township and along Little "Raccoon Creek, in Section 18, Huntington Towaiship.

An item of interest in regarel to the Clarion or Hecla sandstone is that in the elays of the charcoal iron industry in southern Ohio it was widely used for hearthstone. It has good heat-resisting qualities and its chemical comj^osition is such that it is well suited to counteract the action of acid slags. The stone is composed of quartz sand with a small amount of clay and basic materials for the bonding matter. The total fluxes are low.

Clarion Clay

The Clarion clay, the position of which is directh' below the Clarion or No. 4a coal, is not an important mineral assent of Gallia County. The bed, where observed, averages about 3 feet in thickness. The day is usually very siliceous and gradates into the Clarion sandstone b( low. Locally, small lenses of flint clay are found in the upp(r part of the Ixd, but this clay is s: Idom pure. Since the value of the Clarion clay is far overshadowed by the Lower Kittanning clay above, its use for industrial purposes is practically eliminated.

The Clarion, or No. 4a coal is the second coal stratum in the Alle?- gheny formation. Due to its proximity to the Ferriferous limestone, it is often designated Limestone coal. Where both members are present, the coal and limestone are in direct contact, or at most, separated only by a thin layer of shale. The Clarion coal is not a persis- tent depoisit for, even where the limestone is present, the upper bench of coal or the entire bed may be wanting. Again, the massive sandstone, found locally on the horizon of the Lower Kittanning clay, may replace both limestone and coal. These conditions are all illustrated in GalUa County.

The Clarion coal, when normally developed, is made up of three coal benches with two clay partings. The average thickness of the separate layers is about as follows: lower bench, 11 inches; middle bench, 1 foot 3 inches; upper bench, 1 foot 2 inches. The lower parting composed of clay with pyrite nodules is only about 1 inch in thickness, while the upper bench, made up of clay with thin coal and bone shale bands, is about 7 inches. Bone partings are not common in the coal itself. A few sections will be given in order to illustrate the various structural phases of the Clarion coal in Gallia County.

Near the head of Kokeene Hollow, Section 18, Greenfield Township, the Clarion coal has been mined by stripping on the land of Wesley Clarkson. The bed was not exposed for measurement, but Mr. Clarkson reports the rocks here as follows: p^ j^

East of the above exposure, but in the same valley, the structure of the stratum is considerably different. The upper bench of coal is here wanting, and, in local areas, the bed is represented only by a soot streak. The section given below was taken in a mine on land belonging to William Lewis, Section 8: Ft in

The bed was also exposed on the land of John Jenkins, but the structure noted practically duplicates the above. The Clarion coal, on Lefthand Fork, in Section 7, is also unsteady, varying from normal development to a black stain. Further, this is the condition reported in Pokepatch Hollow, where the bed is found close to drainage level. A section taken in the limestone mine of N. A. Wood, at Gallia, shows the condition of the coal in this locality. The measurements follow:

Along Blaak Fork Creek, in sections 9 and 10, the stratum, where seen, is represented by only two coal benches or by a foot or so of decayed coal. In Section 18, Huntington Township, the horizon again appears above drainage. Here, in local areas, a massive sandstone has replaced both limestone and coal, but the latter, when present, has normal structure. Along Raccoon Creek the bed disappears below cover about 1 mile north of the Gallia County line; hence it should be only slightly covered in northern Huntington Township.

The area above drainage in Gallia County underlain by Clarion coal is small, not exceeding 10 square miles. Along Lefthand Fork, in Section 7, Greenfield Township, the coal is from 60 to 80 feet above the stream, while in Kokeene Hollow, in sections 8 and 16, the interval is only about one-half this. Along Pokepatch Hollow, the horizon is just above drainage in the western part of Section 20 and in the eastern part of Section 19, but in the latter it again appears in the southwest corner. The Ferriferous limestone is found along the flood plains of Dirtyface Creek in the northwestern part of Section 29, so the coal if present may be obtained by stripping. At Gallia, the remnant of the bed is found near water level. Along Black Fork Creek, in Section 9, it occurs near the base of the hill and in Section 10 disappears near where this stream joins Symmcs Creek. The Clarion coal appears above drainage in only one locality in Huntington Township, which is along Little Raccoon Creek in Section 18, and near the mouth of a small tributary in the western part of Section 7. The bed is within easy shafting distance in other parts of northern Huntington Township, for the strata, appearing at the surface on Spring Run and Raccoon Creek, show that the coal horizon is not far below. At Miller's ford in Section 12, west. Walnut ToMVTiship, the Lower Kittanning coal is about 16 feet above the level of the waters of Symmes Creek, so the Clarion coal should be found at a depth not to exceed 20 feet. For a few miles along this stream the cost of shafting the coal would not be excessive.

In Gallia County the extent and character of the Clarion coal under cover are not known, as but little accurate testing by the drill has been dore. Owing to the unsteadiness of the bed in southern Ohio it is scarcely safe to predict in regard to these features, but from surface conditions probable conclusions may be drawn. In Lawrence County, the southern boundary of the productive field is marked by a line drawn from east to west through Moulton. In that part of Decatur Township north of this, the bed is quite persistent and well developed. Near the Rehmcr School on Buffalo Creek, Symmes Township, the coal, where exposed in the bed of the stream for a short distance only, is thin and rotten. In Greenfield Township, Gallia County, the eastern expopure of the deposit on Dirtyface Creek, in Pokepatoh and Kokeene hollows, and on Black Fork Creek, shows but little coal of value, and in fact this line appears to mark the boundary of the field. The coal is somewhat patchy where it disappears below drainage farther east in Madison and Bloomfield townships, Jackson County. North of this on Greasy and^ Buffalo runs in Milton Township of the same county, the bed is quite steady and has normal structure. This is the condition also found near Minerton and Clarion in Wilkesville Township, Vinton County. These surface indications suggest, therefore, that the most likely field under cover should be found in northwestern Huntington Township. Near the line drawn from the Gravel Hollow School, Section 18, Huntington Township, Gallia County, to the Rehmer School, Section 8, Symmes Township, Lawrence County, the coal is patchy, thin, or completely wanting. These adverse conditions will evidently carry under cover for some distance at least, and this line may mark the eastern productive limit of the field. At best the prospects east of this are somewhat discouraging ahd the presence of the coal should not be assumed, although this zone may be only a local disarrangement in a large field, the limits of which are yet undefined.

A close approximation to the quantity of Clarion coal above or near drainage in Gallia County is diflScult to make owing to the unsteadiness of the bed. In the main ridge in western Greenfield Township in which the bed is known to be probably constant there is an area of about 5 square miles. To this must be added the field along Little Raccoon Creek in northwestern Huntington Township, embracing at least 2 square miles. From present knowledge no trustworthy estimate of the area of good coal under covet* should be attempted, but the conditions at least favor a productive area in northern Huntington Township.

The Clarion coal yields but little fuel at present in Gallia County. Small amounts are mined for local domestic use on Lefthand Fork and in Kokeene Hollow, Greenfield Township. Along Little Raccoon Creek it has not been attacked since other beds supply the necessary wants.

The Clarion coal belongs to the high volatile, free-burning class, but is quite distinct in its behavior for it burns freely only while the gaseous matter is being consumed. The fixed carbon bums slowly. It is an oily coal and has a high cementing value, making coke of good structure undler ordinary conditions. The ash of the coal as ordinarily mined usually rims from 12 to 15 per cent, but a part of this is derived from the partings and must be attributed to dirty mining. In the

At other place? along Clear Fork north of this, the flinty part oi t f*^- ^>^'^^* roTf d in the above section, is much thicker, and in local areas f^int apr>ear« in the entire deposit. The Ferriferous limestone was not favorably exposed for measurement in Pokepatch Hollow, but it is reported to average about 6 fett in thickness. On Dirtyface Creek, in Section 29, flinty limestone was seen at drainage level, but the thickness of the bed was not obtained. The measurement of this stratum, taken in the mine of N. A. Wood, at Gallia, and given below, shows the usual thickness of the deposit in this locality: p^ j^

In this mine the thickness of the bed is somewhat variable, ranging from 3 feet 6 inches to 6 feet, but the quality is up to standard, for the stone is quite free from flint or cherty material. In the cut of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway north of Gallia, the bed is again well exposed, and measures 5 feet in thickness.

In Huntington Township the Ferriferous limestone is above drainage in only one locality, which is along Little Raccoon Creek and its small laterals in sections 18 and 7. Here in restricted areas, the bed is replaced by sandstone, but where present, the thickness averages from 5 to 7 feet. The quality of the stone also is generally good.

The Ferriferous limestone was of great importance during the days of the charcoal furnaces, for it furnished the necessary flux stone required in iron smelting. From this bed old Gallia Furnace, the only stack built in Gallia (,^ounty, drew its main supply of limestone for many years. Since the stone averages about 94 per cent calcium and magnesium carbonates, it is well suited for metallurgical purposes, and is used to some extent by the modern furnaces in Jackson and Lawrence counties. The sulphur is low and the phosphorus within the limits rcquircei for making iron of any grade except Bessemer.

The suitability of the Ferriferous limestone for highway construction is well shown by the many miles of excellent macadamized roads found along its line of outcrop. While it has not been so largely used for road work in Gallia County, it is the main reliance in Jackson, Scioto, and Lawrence counties. The general wearing qualities of this limestone are on a par with those of others used in the State. The stone is hard, yet has great toughness. Its impact strength is high but the cementing value of the elust is low. The crushed stone is also highly recommeneleel for concrete, as it holds the cement well, and as the interlocking of the angular fragments gives great crushing strength. It has been widely used in (lallia and the adjoining counties to the west in bridge, culvert, anel founelation work, and to a less degree in house, barn, and silo construction.

In southern Ohio, the soils derived largely from the decay and weathering of the Pottsville and Allegheny rocks have, on the whole a low content of lime. As this component is one of the few substances required for the growth of plant life, and, as it is especially necessary to legumes, the nitrogen producing order, the limestones of the county at once become a subject of interest on account of their agricultural value. Western Gallia County is within the belt of low lime soils, which fact is well sho^Ti by observing the large number of acid noncalcareous loving plants found, and by noting the impoverished state of those requiring a soil rich in lime. The fine blue grass sods found along the outcrop of the Conemaugh formation, in central and eastern Gallia County, should be attributed to the lime disseminated throughout the shahs, and the ease of germination of the legumes and their hardiness are in marked contrast to that in the western part of the county.

The Ferriferous limestone is well suited for agricultural piuposes. The content of calcium carbonate is about 93 per cent, while that of magnesium carbonate is approximately 1 per cent; hence the ratio of these components is well balanced for the requirement of plant Ufe. The stone also contains phosphorus, which is slowly available for nourishment. The amount of this is small, yet computed to phosphorus pentoxide, the state in which it occurs in the stone, and in which it is taken up by the plant, it equals .2 per cent. This means 4 pounds of phosi)horic acid per ton of limestone. There is always present in the fresh limestone a small amount of iron disulphide, which at first may have a slight toxic effect on the plants, but as this compound soon weathers to the sulphate, which, according to some authorities, is beneficial, its action may be neglected. The silica, alumina, and iron oxidf s, making up about 5 per cent of the stone, may be regarded neutral substances.

N. A. Wood is the only person or firm preparing the Ferriferous limestone for agricultural purposes in Gallia County. His plant is located at the village of Gallia, and the site is well chosen, for the limestone, outcropping near by, has a massive sandstone above, which forns the roof of the n7ii).e. Under such conditions, mining is both econoniical and safe. The Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railwayaffords shipping facilities to distant points. The local trade is good for the farmers in this locality are fast appreciating the benefits derived from the proper application of lime. The stone, mined in the regular way, by drilling and then shooting off the solid, is hauled on tram cars with mule power. The coarse grinding is done in a jaw crusher which breaks the blocks of stone to pieces about 1 inch in diameter. A Jeffrey pulverizer is used next, and it reduces the material to a fine powder, very suitable for agricultural purposes. The necessary power is obtained from a steam e^ngine using coal as the fuel.

Western Half Op G.Vllia County 615

The grinding capacity of the plant is 25 tons per day. The pulverized limestone is marketed on a guarantee of 90 per cent calcium and magnesium carbonates.

The Ferriferous ore was the most important bed of rock in southern Ohio during the palmy days of the charcoal furnaces, for it was along the outcrop of this ore that the industry flourished best. It was the main reliance of the furnaces, and, when these ran, times were good, for work was plentiful and brought a fair reward, and trade was active, for the farmer and merchant foimd a ready market for their products. The iron produced commanded the highest market prices, for its excellence was known far and wide; hence 'fair returns on the money invested were realized by the stockholders. To the Ferriferous ore, then, much of the early activity and wealth of the area must be credited. Since this time, the importance of the Ferriferous ore has diminished, until at present it can be corsidered an asset of only sn^all importance, for these furnaces, with one exception, are known only by abandoned stacks or by heaps of cinders.

The Ferriferous ore lies directly above the Ferriferous or Vanport limestone. Usually the ore and limestone are separated by a thin parting, but in some localities the two beds have so coalesced that no line of demarcation is recognized. The thickness of the deposit is variable. Where observed in Gallia County the measurements show from 1 inch to 1 foot, but in restricted areas it is reported to have a thickness of 2 feet. On the outcrop the ore has a elecidedly coneretionary or blocky structure, but under heavy cover this is not £0 apparent. The iron was laid down as ferrous carbonate with a small amount of admixed argillaceous and calcareous ingredients. Along the outcrop or under shallow cover the ferrous carbonate has weathered to the hydrated ferric oxides. It is then classed as a limonite ore.

The Ferriferous ore is foimd along Lefthand Fork, in Section 7, Greenfield Township. Here, as it was mined by stripping for use at Cambria Furnace, during its active period, the ore is not well exposed for measurement, but is reported to vary from 3 to 12 inches in thickness. The ore has good volume evidently in Kokeene Hollow, since it has been benched to deep cover. Wesley Clarkson states that, wl ile the deposit varies in thickness from a few inches to 2 feet, the average measurement is from 6 to 10 inches. The thickness of the ore conforms in a measure to the irregularities of the upper surface of the limestone below, because, where there is a low depression in the limestone the ore is quite thick, and conversely, on the most elevated portions, it is thin. The thick deposits of ore are, with few exceptions, local. In Pokepatch Hollow the best deposits of ore are reported to have a thickness of about 1 foot. The ore is thin and flinty where it appears at the surface on Dirtyface Creek, in Section 29, Greenfield Township. In the mine of N. A. Wood, at GaUia, the Ferriferous ore is well exposed, and its thickness is probably typical of the entire locality. The thickness varies from a mere stain to 8 inches, but the average measurement is about 3 inches. North of Gallia, where exposed in the cut of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway, the ore measures 5 inches. At the abandoned Black Diamond mine, in Section 9, Greenfield Township, the ore is again well exposed in the prospect mine, found near the base of the hill:

The Ferriferous ore is found above drainage in one locality only, in Huntington Township, which is along Little Raccoon Creek, in sections 7 and 18. Because the bed was mined by stripping for use at Keystone Furnace, outcrop exposures were seldom seen, but from a few observations and reports, the thickness of the ore is estimated to vary f^om a few inches to 1 foot. No information is at hand in regard to the thickness and character of the Ferriferous ore under heavy cover.

The economic value of the Ferriferous ore at present is small, for the great ore beds of the Northwest now supply at a low cost the necessary demands of the iron industry. The bed is too thin to be mined for the ore alone, but it has a fair value as a secondary product when mined with the limestone below. Under heavy cover the iron present is in the form of ferrous carbonate, hence the ore must be classed as a siderite, but along the outcrop and under shallow cover this compound has been oxidized to the hydrated ferric oxides, so the ore here belongs to the limonite class. The charcoal furnaces were able to smelt successfully the oxidized ores only, consequently mining was confined mainly to stripping, and hence the great bodies of ore in the hills are yet untouched. The quality of this native ore compares favorably with that of the siliceous grades of Lake ores now on the market. The Ferriferous ore in the natural state carries from 30 to 55 per cent iron, from .10 to .35 per cent metallic phosphorus, and from .40 to 1.25 per cent manganese. It also contains small amounts of lime and magnesia, which therefore decrease the necessary addition of flux stone and promote early fusion of the slag. Thus its composition is such that it requires ro mixing with other ores to produce, on smelting, foundry iron of the best quality. The ore has a high content of hydroscopic water and of volatile matter, which when expelled by heat leave the structure open or porous, a condition very favorable for ease of reduction by furnace gases. Owing largely to its physical (condition, the

Ferriferous ore was readily reduced in the short stacks of the charcoal furnaces while the Lake ores, which are more compact, were smelted With difficulty. The operators of today say the ore works well in the coke furnaces, but they complain that the amounts readily available are too small to form a regular part of the burden. The worth of the bed to future generations can not be predicted, but its value to the country during the days of the charcoal furnaces will scarcely be surpassed.

The Lower Kittanning clay in a few localities occupies all of the interval from the Ferriferous ore to the Lower Kittanning coal, but in most of the area it makes up only a part of this interval. The usual order of arrangement, however, in this area is that in which the clay comes directly below the coal, and sandstones or shales occupy the remainder of the interval to the Ferriferous ore below. Where the clay occupies nearly all of the interval from the ore to the coal, it is usually broken about midway by a thin band of bony coal; in fact, the deposit is really made up of two clay beds. The sandstones found in the interval have clay for their main bonding component, and they may gradate both horizontally and vertically into siliceous clays. The clay bed itself is usually made up of two parts: a fat, plastic clay which lies next to the coal and a highly siliceous clay which is below this. The total thickness of the Lower Kittanning clay interval, in Gallia County, is about 23 feet, but in this the clay bed that lies directly below the Lower Kittanning coal has the most value. It has an average measurement of about 7 feet. The remainder of the interval is usually made up of sandstones or shales.

In the area above drainage in Gallia County, the Lower Kittanning clay shows best development in northwestern Greenfield Township. It has good volume on Lefthand Fork and at the heads of Kokeene and Pokepatch hollows, but traced eastward the deposit becomes thin and broken and in local areas it is wanting. A few sections will be given to illustrate the various phases of the deposit in this area.

On Lefthand Fork in Section 7, Greenfield Township, the Lower Kittanning clay has normal thickness and quality. These features are shown by the following section taken near Cambria Furnace: the valley. In Pokepatch Hollow, the Lower Kittanning clay is above drainage in sections 19 and 20, and it has excellent volume, but the coal above is thin. The clay is also divided by a parting of coal. These features are shown in the following section taken on the land of the Cambria Clay Products Company in the northeastern part of Section 19:

This clay is above drainage on the tributary of Dirtjrface Creek in Section 30. Near the central part of this section, the rocks were well exposed along the roadside where the measurements given below were obtained:

East of the above, on the farm of Cecelia Pickens, in Section 29, the clay is exposed near drainage level in a prospect mine located east of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway. The section is given below:

At the village of Gallia the member. is due above drainage, but both clay and coal are completely replaced by a massive sandstone. However, north of this in the railroad cut in the eastern part of Section 29, a thin deposit of clay, the measurement of which is given in the following section, was exposed near the track level:

The Lower KittarTing clay, even when present, is poorly represented alorg Black Fork Creek in sections 9 and 10, Greenfield Township. Here the Lower Kittanning interval was much disturbed during or just prior to the deposition of the massive sandstone on the horizon above. The followirg section, taken near drainage level at the abandoned Black Diamond mine, in Section 9, illustrates these features:

Here the Lower Kittanning coal is represented only by finger coal in the lower part of the massive sandstone, while the clay below, varying from 3 to 6 feet in thickness, is shaly and siliceous.

Huntington Township. - In Huntington Township the Lower Kittanning clay is above drainage along Little Raccoon Qreek and its small tributaries frOm the Jackson-Gallia County line to where it disappears below cover in the northern part of Section 20. The bed is irregular in structure and somewhat uncertain in extent, since it is replaced locally by sandstones. Some of the rocks exposed along th(B road from the bridge across Little Raccoon Creek to the summit of the hill in the northwestern part of Section 19 are given in the following section, which illustrates the deviation of the bed from its normal structure:

The thin coals interstratified with the clay in this area are very local in extent, but layers, similarly placed, are found in the deposit in Lawrence and Jackson counties.

Walnut Township. - The Lower Kittanning clay appears above the waters of Symmes Creek in the western part of Section 12, west, Walnut Township. The following rocks were exposed for measurement at Miller's Ford:

No definite information was obtained in regard to the thickness and character of the Lower Kittanning clay under cover in Gallia County. Above drainage there is a general decrease eastward in both thickness and quality; hence the prospects for large development under cover are not encouraging.