Jackson Township (part 17 of 19)

The sections of the Gallia County rocks given show that while the arrangement and character of the beds lying between the Ferriferous ore and the Lower Kittanning coal are variable, the interval contains clays Suitable for ceramic purposes. The clay averages about 7 feet in thickness, and for some grades of ware the clay-bond sand-> stones associated with it may also be utilized. Both the clay and sandstone are bufif burning and moderately refractory. The alumina in the clay varies from 25 to 37 per cent, and the bases seldom exceed 6 per cent. The working qualities of the Lower Kittanning clay are excellent; in fact, it is regarded as the standard plastic clay of Ohio. It is easily ground or crushed to the fineness desired, and it forms plastic muds by simply working or pugging with water. The mud is easily shaped into ware by molding or turning, and it flows through dies to form columns which seldom show serious defects. The green ware may be dried quickly and safely by any of the modern drying systems, but of course the kind of ware manufactured determines to a degree the type of drier to be used. The burning behavior of the Lower Kittanning clay is its best feature, and the one that gives it superiority over most of the other coal formation clays. At moderate temperatures it solidifies to a well cemented body, the density of which may be varied easily by changing the physical structure of the mass or by burning to different temperatures. The vitrification range is long, thus assuring a high percentage of properly burned ware from each kiln. The fire and also the drying shrinkages are moderately low; hence but little ware is lost through cracking, warping, or deformation. Another quality of prime importance is that the color of the burned body is stable and exceptionally pleasing, so the ware appeals to the prospective purchaser. The clay is well adapted for the manufacture of stoneware, sewer pipe, fireproofing, high-grade face brick, second-grade fire brick, and paving blocks. It is also used in the manufacture of terra cotta, roofing tile, yellow ware, and enameled tile.

The Lower Kittanning clay is directly associated with the Lower Kittanning coal, which is also a bed of importance. Both clay and coal may be mined from the same entry, and the combined thickness of the beds gives sufficient height for ease and economy in mining. The coal may be used in the manufacture and burning of the clay into marketable ware. With only ordinary economy IJ tons of coal give the power and heat necessary for the production of 1,000 brick; hence under these conditions a 4-foot bed of clay may be converted into ware with a 2-foot 8-inch bed of coal. In Gallia County the Clarion and Middle Kittanning coals are also present near the Lower Kittanning clay field, so they may be drawn upon if necessity demands. The Lower Kittanning clay has not been utilized in Gallia County, but the conditions are favorable for the establishment of ceramic plants, especially in western Greenfield Township.

The Lower Kittanning coal is one of the most valuable coal deposits in southern Ohio, for it is the main reliance for fuel in Lawrence County. It is also worked extensively in Jackson County. At present it ranks fourth in importance in Gallia County. It is far more steady than the other beds, as with fair thickness and with few wants it may be readily traced from the Ohio River near Ironton in Lawrence County to Hamden in yinton County. The associated clays of economic worth also give the Lower Kittanning coal a special value over other coals in the area since this combination of materials has l6d to the establishment of large industrial plants.

When the members are considered in ascending order, the Lower Kittanning coal is the third coal deposit in the Allegheny formation; but, in Gallia County, it is the second coal deposit exposed, since the Brookville coal, which should outcrop here, is wanting. Its position in this county is about 23 feet above the Ferriferous limestone and 38 feet below the Middle Kittanning coal. Here the deposit is very unsteady and averages thin, not to exceed 1 foot 8 inches. When the bed is traced from place to place along its outcrop, the observer is impressed by the various phases shown.

Greenfield Township. - ^Along Lefthand Fork, near old Cambria Furnace, Section 7, Greenfield Township, the structure of the bed is normal, but thie upper coal bench is somewhat thin and the clay parting exceptionally heavy. The section taken follows: ^ j^

Farther down the valley the bed is generally thin and in places wanting. Near the head of Kokeene Hollow, in Section 18, the Lower Kittanning coal was formerly mined for local use. The coal was not exposed for measurement, but the bed is reported by Wesley Clarkson to have the following structure: p^^ j^

From here to the mouth of the valley the deposit is poorly represented. It is usually thin, and in some localities it is replaced by the overlying massive sandstone.

But little may be said in favor of the Lower Kittanning coal in Pokepatch Hollow, because, when present, it is thin and bony. A section taken along an old ore road in this hollow, on the property of the Cambria Clay Products Company, shows the general character of the bed in Section 19, and the measurements of the rocks are given

The layer of coal, 7 inches in thickness, shown in the section just given, and separated from the coal above by 5 feet of clay and clay shale, may represent the normal lower bench of the Lower Kittanning deposit, but, from its character and extent, it appears to be only a stray bed. The stratum is above drainage in the western part of Section 20, but no coal of value was found.

Near the mouth of this stream, and on Dirtyface Creek, in Section 29, the Lower Kittanning coal is only a few inches in thickness, and in a part of the area it is wanting.

At the village of Gallia the bed is also thin, or completely replaced by the overlying massive sandstone. North of this, it is exposed in the cuts of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dajiion Railway, and its thickness is shown in the following section:

At the abandoned Black Diamond mine, in Section 9, Greenfield Township, the horizon of the Lower Kittanning coal is near the base of the hill, and the bed is represented only by finger coals in the sandstone. This is illustrated by the following section, taken in a prospect mine:

7, 17, 18, and 19, Huntington Township. The following section, taken near the residence of W. F. White, in the central part of Section 7, shows the thickness of the bed at this place, and the interval to coal higher in the geological column:

On the farm of A. Long, in the southern part of Section 18, the coal was exposed for measurement along the bank of Little Raccoon Creek. The record taken follows:

The two thin coal layers shown below the regular bench of the Lower Kittanning deposit in the above section, are strays, and very local in extent. The massive sandstone, often conglomeratic, found directly above the Lower Kittanning coal along Little Raccoon Creek, was laid down by currents of sufficient strength to affect the coal bed previously deposited. The irregularity in the thickness of the coal bed in most of this area, and also its absence in restricted districts, may be accounted for in this way. The Lower Kittanning coal is also above drainage at the head of the hollow in the western part of Section 6.

Walnut Township. - The Lower Kittanning coal is found near drainage level along Symmes Creek, in the western part of Section 12, west, Walnut Township. Years ago it was mined to a small extent for house use, and is reported by local parties to be from 2 feet to 2 feet 6 inches in thickness. A section taken at Miller's Ford shows its relation to the Middle Kittanning coal above. The measurements follow:

The Survey was unable to collect any drill records which gave information m regard to the volume and extent of the Lower Kittanning coal below drainage level, but from the character of the bed shown along the outcrop the prospects for good fields under cover are not encouraging. Since the coal is thin and bony where exposed in adjoining territory on Little Bu£falo Creek, and on Caulley Fork in Symmes Townships, Lawrence County, and on Dirtyface Creek in Greenfield Township, Gallia County, the prospects for much coal of value in southern Greenfield Township are poor; however, the coal exposed along Symmes Creek near McDaniel gives some hope for a covered field in western Walnut Township. The Lower Kittanning coal, where exposed along Sjnrmes Creek and its tributaries in northeastern Greenfield Township, Gallia County, and in Madison Township, Jackson County, is usually partially or completely replaced by a massive sandstone, which will thus continue under cover for some distance at least; hence the bed is doubtfully of economic value in northwestern Perry and western Raccoon townships. In western Huntington Township, along the Little Raccoon Valley, the coal is usually thin, while along Raccoon Creek south of Minerton, Wilkesville Township, Vinton County, the bed is thin or wanting. Such conditions do not favor the presence of large areas of well-developed coal in Himtington Township. It is not safe to advance any statement as to the condition of the Lower Kittauning coal east of the belt traced, since so many factors were operative during its deposition. The aid of the drill will be required to give definite information on this matter.

At a few places in Gallia County, the Lower Kittanning coal has been worked occasionally for local domestic use. The thickness of the bed, excluding clay partings, is from a few inches to about 3 feet, but the average measurement is about I foot 8 inches. In local areas, however, the deposit has a mean thickness of 2 feet 6 inches. The bed under normal conditions is divided into two coal benches with a parting of clay. It also has clay for the floor. These clays are aids in mining, especially where the coal is low, since the cutting may be done in them. The real roof of the coal in most of the area examined is a massive sandstone under which mining is moderately safe. In some localities the coal and sandstone are separated by a thin shale, which must be removed in mining the coal, since water readily loosens this from the sandstone above. The coal is quite free from sulphur balls, bone partings, or sand pockets; hence it drills easily and requires no sorting to yield clean fuel.

The Lower Kittanning coal bums freely during its entire period of combustion. The fixed carbon averages about 48 per cent, while the calorific value is about 1,200 B. t. u. The hydroscopic water is high as the coal is rather soft, and as it contains many thin layers of ''mother coal'\ The sulphur, usually amounting to 2.50 per cent, occurs in the form of pyrite or marcasite, which is distributed in thin sheets along the bedding planes. The ash is clay-like in character and clinkers only at high temperatures. The usual amount of this constituent in the fuel is about 8 per cent although it varies in different localities and in different parts of the bed. The amount of soot it produces diu-ing combustion is small. In fact, in this respect it ranks much above the other coals in the Allegheny formation. The Lower Kittanning coal has a cementing value; hence it will make coke, but the product is somewhat dense and brittle as the cells have small volume and thin walls. This coal is considered an excellent steaming fuel, and when all of its qualities are duly considered it deserves a high position in the scale of southern Ohio coals. It has the main qualities desired for a general domestic coal, and it is rated by its consumers close to the Quakertown coal, which has been the standard house fuel for many years. There are only a few coals in southern Ohio that are regarded with favor for use as fuel in developing attractive shades and mature finish on the surface of ceramic ware. Of the important coals, the Quakertown bed ranks first, and the Lower Kittanning second. At present the latter coal, where found in the area above drainage in Gallia County, is usually too thin to be worked alone with economy for a general market product. Thus marketed the coal will bring into the county only a small revenue. If both coal and clay are mined, and the fuel used on the ground in the manufacture and burning of the clay into ware, which is then sold, the amount of money received will far exceed that derived from the sale of the coal alone. This utilization will also give employment to a large additional force of men.

Middle Kittanning Clay

The Middle Kittanning clay lies directly below the Middle Kittanning coal, and in Gallia County it averages about 3 feet in thickness. In a few localities the bed has a thickness of 6 feet, while in other areas it is practically wanting, as the coal lies close to the massive sandstone below. The clay is everywhere siliceous, but has sufficient plasticity to be easily manufactured into ware. The deposit often contains concretionary matter which is troublesome in ceramic work. The clay and clay shales found above the Middle Kittanning coal in a number of mines are also of good quality, and they may be worked along with the clay below. These clays are more restricted in their application than the Lower Kittanning clay, but they may be used in the manufacture of a variety of products, although they are best suited for paving and building brick.

Middle Khtanning Coal

The Middle Kittanning coal lies about midway in the rocks that make up the Allegheny formation. When only the important coal beds are considered in regard to their position in the formation, it is fourth from the base and third from the top. The Middle Kittanning coal in Gallia Coimty usually lies about 63 feet above the Ferriferous limestone, or 38 feet above the Lower Kittanning coal. From the average of the intervals measured in the county this bed is also placed about 24 feet below the Lower Freeport coal and about 78 feet below the Upper Freeport coal. However, the intervals are far from being constant, since the basins were undergoing many changes during that time. Waves were eroding land areas, or portions only slightly submerged; currents were here cutting deposits, and elsewhere laying down thick beds of sands with occasional intermingling of gravel; rivers were building up deltas of S£Mid and silt, while during the more quiescent stages other forces were depositing limestones, shales, clays, and coals, tinder such conditions of deposit constancy of interval or of structure and persistency in the extent of the beds are not to be expected. These phases are well illustrated in the rocks of Gallia County. The interval from the Middle Kittanning coal to the Lower Kittanning coal below varies in thickness from 25 to 85 feet, but from the former coal to the Ferriferous limestone it is much more constant. From the Middle Kittanning coal to the Lower Freeport coal above the interval expands from 12 to as much as 45 feet, while it averages much less in thickness here than in Lawrence County. See Map IX.

The structure of the Middle Kittanning coal in Gallia County is also erratic, brt that most commonly observed is as follows, - a lower coal bench with a mean thickness of 2 feet 1 inch, a clay or clay shale parting about 5 inches in thickness, and an upper coal bench the average measurement of which is about 1 foot. In restricted areas other benches of coal, usually bony and separated by clays, are found above the main bed. The lower or principal coal bench varies in thickness from a mere mark to 2 feet 8 inches, and it may also be separated by bedding planes into tw(5 or more layers of block coals of somewhat different grades. The partings and upper coal benches are wanting in some areas, since they are often replaced by the massive sandstone found on the horizon above. The parting between the lower or principal coal bench and the one above varies in thickness from 1 inch, or even less, to 2 feet. The second coal bench is wanting in many localities, but, when present, its thickness ranges from 5 inches to 2 feet. The coal benches and the partings found above the main bed in only a few localities are very unsteady in thickness and changeable in composition.

In extent, also, the Middle Kittanning coal is very inconstant, for it is subject to many wants. In some localities apparently the bed was never deposited to any considerable thickness, for the clay is found with only a marking of coal. Above the coal shale is present, indicating quiet water deposition with little erosive action. In other areas the coal bed was evidently deposited, but later eroded, since scattered remnants of the coal are found from place to place along its horizon. In parts of Greenfield and Huntington townships the interval is made up of massive sandstones, in which no trace of the coal bed is found. From this it appears that during the coal forming time conditions were favorable only for the deposition of sandstones. Many of these features are illustrated in the sections given later. The Middle Kittanning coal is above drainage in all of Greenfield, in four Siections in northwestern Walnut, in two sections in western Perry, in western Raccoon, and in western and northern Himtington townships.

Greenfield Township. - ^The .Middle Kittanning coal has fair thickness, and is quite steady in the northern part of Greenfield Township, but it thins, or in local areas goes out completely in the southern part. In sections^ and 18 the horizon lies near the summits of the ridges, and the coal bed has a thickness of about 1 foot 8 inches. On the land of Albert Miller, in the southwestern part of section 9, the bed is mined by drifting for local use. The section taken here follows: ^^ j^

In the southern part of the same section the bed is also mined near the road that leads to the village of Gallia. Besides the main coal bench there is present also another bench above, which varies in thickness from a thin stain to 1 foot 4 inches. The following measurements, illustrating the structure of the coal, were made at a mine on land of Garnet t Trainer: ^ ,

The Middle Kittanning coal was formerly mined for railroad shipment north of Black Fork Creek, in Section 9. The bed at this place is made up of three coal benches, separated by thin partings.

Geology Of Soutuebn Ohio

and has 1 foot or more of shale, and then sandstone for the roof. The influence of the various forces that deposited the massive sandstone between the two Kittanning coals is noticed in the expansion of the interval separating them from a normal distance of 38 feet to one of 86 feet. The section taken at the abandoned Black Diamond mine is given below:

In Section 10 the Middle Kittanning coal has been mined in the few high hills in which the bed is due, and from local reports it has much the same thickness here as it has at the Black Diamond mine. The bed is present in the eastern and southern parts of Section 11, where it has been mined for many years for a local fuel supply. The following measurements were made at the mine of Henry Wood:

' :The upper coal bench measures from 1 foot 4 inches to 1 foot 6 inches, the clay parting from 1 to 6 inches, and the lower coal bench from 1 foot 11 inches to 2 feet 2 inches. North of the above locality it is also mined on the land of J. W. Shelton, where the bed has the following structure: Pt. in.

The thin block layer of coal below the main bench varies in thickness from 2 to 4 inches, and it is quite free from impurities. The other two coal benches have about the normal thickness for the deposit in this area. The bed is found above cover only along a small stream in the southwestern part of Section 12. No information was obtained in regard to its character here. In Section 13, Greenfield Township, the Middle Kittannmg coal is found near the base of the hills along Symmes Creek, and it has been, and is at present, mined at a number of places for the local fuel supply. In the northern part of this section, on land of Henry Hutchison, both the Middle Kit-

Western Half Op Gaia.Ia County 629

The interval at this place, from the Middle Kittanning coal to the Upper Freeport coal, is very short, but this appears to be due more to irregularities of the latter than to those of the former, since the Upper Freeport coal at this point lies 177 feet below the Cambridge limestone, while the normal interval separating the two is about 140 feet. In the southern part of Section 13, on the land of Ben Franklin Evans, the bed is mined by drifting, for the neighborhood supply of fuel. The record obtained here is given below: ^^ j^^

East of the Evans mine, on the land of L. D. Davis, the structure of the bed reported is much the same as that shown in the above section. Along the banks of the small stream in the northwestern part of Section 24, and the northeastern part of Section 23, the Middie Kittanning coal was formerly mined at a number of places. The thickness of the bed is reported to be the same as it is at tne Evans mine, on Symmes Creek, to the north. The measurements of the bed at this place also apply in a general way to the thickness of the coal in the central part of Section 15, where it is mined from time to time for local use. In Section 14, the upper bench of coal is generally wanting, and in local areas the main bench is thin. The bed has been mined by drifting on the ridges near the Pumpkintown School, and is reported to have the following structure: p^ j^

In the northern part of Section 16, the Middle Kittanning coal is represented by only one coal bench, but this has a thickness of about 2 feet, as shown by the following section, taken at the mine of Bonaparte Jenkins: pt in. Coal.

In the southern part of the same section the bed is generally thin, and in restricted areas wanting. The deposit is usually thin and unsteady in Section 17, but in local areas, in Section 18, it again haB good volume. Measurements of the bed, taken on the land of Wesley Clarkson, are given below: Pt. in. Shale 4

The Middle Kittanning coal is poorly represented in Pokepatch Hollow, in sections 19 and 20, and east of this, in Section 21, it is usually represented only by black shales with thin coal bands. Along Dirtyface Creek and its tributaries, in sections 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32, the horizon is above drainage, but the member is thin or wanting. In the southern part of Section 32, on the land of David Howell, this coal was formerly mined by stripping from the bed of Caulley Fork. The thickness is reported to vary from 1 foot to 1 foot 8 inches. The bed appears at drainage level also on Camp Creek, in the western part of Section 36, Greenfield Township, but it is of no importance, as the coal is only about 8 inches in thickness.

Walnut Township. - In Walnut Township the Middle Kittanning coal is above drainage along Symmes Creek, in sections 6, 1, 12 and 7. The bed is somewhat imsteady, but in much of the area it has fair thickness, and has furnished a part of the local fuel supply for many years. On land of Frank Sanders it was formerly mined by drifting, and the bed has the following reported thickness: pt. in.

The upper coal bench is reported to vary in thickness from a few inches to 4 feet, and the lower bench from 2 feet to 2 feet 8 inches. Near the bridge across Symmes Creek, on the land of Frank McDaniel, the bed, where exposed for measurement, has the following structure: Ft. In.

Along the banks of Symmes Creek, in the northwestern part of Section 7, coal has been mined at a number of places. The bed in this locality is reported by J. G. Williams to have the thickness given below: ^^

The upper coal bench is reported to be variable, both in thickness and in quality, while the lower bench is said to have a maximum thickness of 3 feet, but to average about 2 feet 6 inches.

Perry Township. - The Middle Kittanning coal is above drainage only in one locality in Perry Township, which is along S^Tnmes Creek, in the southwesteri part of Section 18, and the northern part of Section 19. On land of Jackcreek Evans, in the latter section, the bed was formerly worked for local consumption. The thickness of the bed is reported by L. D. Davis to be as follows:

Raccoon Township. - In Raccoon Township the Middle Kittanning coal has been mined in a small way for local use in the vicinity of Centerville, and it is also present along Little Indian Creek, but here the bed is thin and unimportant.. Just. south of the village of Centerville, on the land of M. E. Beman, the bed was exposed for measurement along the bank of Indian Creek. The record taken is given below:

Both the Middle Kittanning and Lower Freeport coals have been worked on the land of David Jones, in the northeastern part of Section 30. The following measurements were obtained here:

In this locality the thickness of the Middle Kittanning coal is reported to vary from 1 foot 8 inches to 3 feet. North of the village of Centerville the bed is thin, seldom exceeding 1 foot 8 inches in thickness, while along Little Indian Creek the deposit is also thin and in local areas wanting.

Huntington Township. - The next area in which the Middle Kittanning coal is important, is that in western Huntington Township, along Little Raccoon Creek and its tributaries as far down the stream as the Ghee Bridge, which is located in the eastern part of Section 28. Along Keton Run or in the Tomato Valley, as the region is more commonly called, the bed has been worked for many years to supply the local fuel demand. Coal is hauled by wagon from this place to the villages of Vinton, Centerville, and Rio Grande, and to the farm houses in the region for many miles around. The bed is quite persistent here and has good thickness, while the coal is well liked for domestic purposes. Just below the bridge across Little Raccoon Creek, in Section 34, a slope was put down in order to mine the Middle Kittanning coal, but on accoimt of water troubles and other unfavorable conditions it was soon abandoned. The thickness of the bed is reported by A. SaDor to be as follows:

Mr. Sailor states that the parting separating the two coal benches varies in thickness from 10 inches to 2 feet, but that it usually has the latter measurement. Formerly coal was mined from the bed of Little Raccoon Creek near the Ghee Bridge, in the eastern part of Section 28. Local parties report the deposit here to be made up of two coal benches, averaging about 3 feet in thickness, with a clay parting measuring about 1 foot. On the farm of Calvin Pierce, in the central part of Section 29, the Middle Kittanning coal has been mined from entries for years. The record obtained follows:

The structure of the bed shown in the above section approaches somewhat that of the great bed found in the Hocking Valley region, excepting here the upper 3-foot bench of coal is bony, and the 6-inch bench of nut coal in the bottom is separated only by a bedding plane and not by a clay or shale parting. However, there is a general similarity between the beds in the two regions in regard to the number and arrangement of the coal benches, and the nature of the partings. The character and appearance of the coal in Gallia County is also similar to that in the Hocking Valley field. In both regions the upper coal benches are the most unsteady in thickness, variable in composition, and local in extent. When only one coal bench is present it is the lower one. At the F. H. Frick mine, in the hollow south of the Hartsook workings, the upper bony bench of coal is wanting, while the lower bench has much the same structure as in the Hartsook mines. The following section taken here shows these features:

In parts of Section 30, the upper coal bench, having a thickness of about 3 feet, is of good quality, and it is the one mined for local use. The section obtained at the mine of Evan F. Evans shows the relation of the coal benches and the thickness and character of the partings:

Along Little Raccoon Creek, in the southeastern part of Section 20, several mines have been operated on the land of Eliza Ann Chavies. The section obtained at the mouth of an abandoned mine follows:

The lower surface of the sandstone above the coal is very irregular, and an erosion plane here is quite evident, for the sandstone in places in the entry replaces the 1 foot of clay and the 2 feet 2 inches of coal below the clay. The upper coal bench also varies much in thickness, but the middle and lower benches are very steady. North of this near Mrs. Chavies' home the structure of the bed is considerably different from that shown above. The measurements made here are given below:

The Middle Kittanning coal is above drainage in the western part of Section 21, Huntington Township, but the bed, although formerly worked at a few places, was poorly exposed for measurement. It is reported to vary from 2 to 4 feet in thickness. A section obtained on

In Section 19 a heavy blossom of the bed was Sv^en along the road that crosses Little Raccoon Creek, and then leads to the ridge south. The bed was formerly worked by drifting on the hill west of this exposure, and the coal is reported to be of excellent quality and to have good thickness. This deposit was also mined on the land of R. C. Radekin in the southeastern part of Section 18, where the thickness of the bed is stated to be approximately 4 feet. In the northern part of this section, along the Little Raccoon Valley, the blossom of the coal was observed at a number of places, but the surface features indicate that the bed in this locality is generally thin. The interval from the Middle Kittanring coal to the f pper Freeport coal measures 89 feet at the mine of B. Snyder.

The bed ha« been opened on land of T. J. Jor.es in Section 17, Himtington Township, but due to a poor roof it was not mined to any extent. The coal measures 4 feet at this place and has a tender shale roof.

Along Spring Run, in Section 8, the Middle Kittanning coal is found near drairage level, but the bed is generally thin, and in places it is wanting. The blossom of the bed was seen at several places along the small tributary of Little Raccoon Creek in Section 7. The deposit is usually thin, but on the W. L. Huntley farm it is reported to have a thickness of 3 feet. The Middle Kittanning coal is also due along the Raccoon Valley from the northern line of the county to south of the village of Ewington, but the bed is nearly completely replaced by the massive sandstones that make up the interval.

The prospects for productive fields of Middle Kittanning coal under cover in western Gallia County are far more encouraging than they are for the other coals that outcrop in the area. The conditions favor a covered field in central and southern Huntington Township, for the bed is quite steady anel has good thickness where it dips below drainage. Where exposed along Little Indian and Indian creeks in western Raccoon Townsbip it is thin and patchy, but as the bed along Little Raccoon Creek in Huntington TowTiship thickens when traced eastward it may also do the same here; in fact this is the general tendency. In southeastern Madison TowTiship, Jackson County, the bed is best represented near Centerpoint, where it passes below drainage. This is the condition also found along Symmes Creek in northeastern Greenfield Township, Gallia County, for here, where it disappears from view, the bed has good volume* and is quite persistent. These features point to an area of good coal under cover in western Perry and southwestern Raccoon townships. Along Symmes Creek in northwestern Walnut Township there is found another area of good coal, which a short distance west is generally thin and often wanting. The surface conditions of the Middle Kittanning coal in western Gallia County thus indicate that there is a belt below cover in which the coal bed is moderately continuous at least, and in which the volume should equal that held where the bed disappears below drainage. This belt extends from western Walnut Township across Perry and Raccoon townships, and ends in central Huntington Township. This general thickening of the Middle Kittanning coal in its extension eastward is also well defined in southern Lawrence County, since the maximum volume of the bed here is found where it goes below cover in the Sheridan district which is on a line with the belt traced in Gallia County.

The Middle Kittanning coal has features unfavorable for producing fuel at a low cost by the methods of mining in common practice. The bed, when well developed, is made up of two or more coal benches separated by soft clay or by carbonaceous shale partings, which vary in thickness from one inch or less to many feet. Further bone coal bands often divide the coal benches into layers; hence much care is required in mining to keep the fuel free from this deleterious material. The clays and shales interstratified with the coal are usually soft and more or less plastic, and when loosened by the pick or by shooting they crumble or break into a relatively fine material, which is hard to remove from the nut and^lack coal. When only small amounts of clay are present in coal which is exposed to the weather in transit or in storage, the clay disintegrates, and so whitewashes the fuel, which then has an unsightly appearance, although it is but little damaged. As these parting materials must be handled in mining the coal, their effect on the expenditure of unproductive labor should be duly considered. In new entry work they are usually removed from the mine, while in room work, if the partings are not too thick, the materials may be thrown back or as the miners say ^^gobbed." In either case, however, this material is handled. The average thickness of the parting between two coal benches, which are commonly present, is 5 inches, and the yield of waste material from it amounts to approximately 585 pounds per square yard of surface. This is about one-fourth the weight of the coal in a like area in which the two coal benches have a mean thickness of 3 feet 1 inch, since the yield of coal is about 2,255 pounds. The thickening of the parting soon makes the mining of the coal prohibitive where only the fuel is utilized. Another feature along this same line is the character of the roof in a part of the field in Gallia County. In some of the best coal areas the roof material is either a soft clay or a tender shale, from

1 to 4 feet in thickness, above which is found a massive sandstone. Through the action of ^percolating waters the clay or shale soon loosens from the sandstone above and becomes a menace in mining. If the shale is a few feet in thickness it may be held up by thorough posting, but if the stratum is thin it must be removed^ for it will break down over the posts and caps. Clays are very difficult to hold under any ordinary system of mine posting. Water readily softens them until they will not bear their own weight, much less that of the materials above. They crumble rapidly when exposed to a circulation of air, and they break easily along the slickersidcs planes, thus producing '^kettle bottoms," especially dreaded by miners. For safety these clays must be taken dowTi. The clays and the shales also have good ceramic qualities, and should be utilized in the manufacture of commercial products. In a number of localities in Gallia County the soft clays and tender shales of the roof and partings with the clay below the coal bed will furnish, when the coal is mined in a large way, a sufficient amount of material to supply a ceramic plant of average capacity. The best economy in coal mining in this area will be obtained only when the clays are put to such subsidiary uses. The impure benches of coal, often found in the deposit in the Tomato Valley region, Huntington Township, and also at other places, have thicknesses from a few inches to 3 feet. Bone coal partings a few inches in thickness are also a common feature of the productive field. If used in the burning of clay ware, this bone coal, otherwise of no value, with also the low-grade nut and slack coal, may yield a fair reward for the labor expended in its mining although under the present conditions of operating it is an expensive waste. The clay and clay shale partings have a value, however, as they give some aid in mining the coal. Either the clay or the shale is easily cut b}'^ the pick or by the cutting machine. By cutting in them the full thickness of the coal is saved. In low coal, also, the increased height of the mine elue to the partings gives more comfort in working the bed anel more case in hauling the fuel.

The Middle Kittanning coal has some mining features in its favor. The coal, although not dense, is quite firmlj^ bonded, therefore it mines in good sized lumps, with only a small percentage ot fine coa^. This is also favored somewhat by the division of the deposit into benches and by the separation, of the benches often by bedding planes. The coal is moderately free from sulphur balls, which cause trouble in boring holes for explosives. The partings also tend to neutralize the serious effects of the explosions on the roof of the mine, especially when the coal is shot off the solid, as the miners say. The bony layers are usually either at the top or the bottom of the coal bench; hence they may be separated easily from the gooel coal. The firm, lumpy character of the Middle Kittanning coal is a feature of importance in shipping and handling the fuel, as screened coal for the general trade must be able to withstand severe usage without producing an appreciable loss from its reduction to fine material.

On the whole, the roining conditions of the Middle Kittanning coal "In Gallia County are not the best; therefore the bed should not be attacked blindly, but it should be studied thoroughly before large operations are attempted. The knowledge of all the various phases of the bed in any given locality may eliminate difficulties otherwise vital to successful mining. The value of the associated beds should also be duly considered.

The quality of the Middle Kittanning coal in Gallia County is on a par with that found for the fuel in this great deposit elsewhere in Ohio. It is high in volatile matter, therefore it is classed as a freeburning coal. In this respect it ranks between the Lower Kittanning and Upper Frceport coals, but much below the Quakertown and Mercer coals of the Pottsville formation. The amount of volatile matter in the fuel, although varying Bomewhat in coals from different localities, averages about 38 per cent. Since the volatile matter is high, the fixed carbon is necessarily low. This component is present in amounts varying from 46 to 53 per cent, but averaging about 48 per cent. In this coal th/e hydroscopic water or natural moisture is also rather high, since it runs to about 7 per cent. The ash, amounting to about 8 per cent, is clay-like in character and light gray in color. It clinkers but little unless subjected to severe heat or to highly reducing conditions. The Middle Kittanning coal in Gallia County averages rather high in sulphur. The pyrite, or rather marcasite, for this is the form in which the sulphur is most often present, is distributed mainly in thin irregular sheets along the bedding planes, or along the bands of **mother coal''. The lower, or main bench of coal is usually less contaminated with this objectionable impurity than the upper benches are. The deposit, as a whole, contains from 2.5 to 3.5 per cent sulphur. The Middle Kittanning coal has a heating value of about 12,400 B.t.u. The follo\ving analysis shows the general quality of the bed in GalliR County:*

Mine of Black Diamond Coal Company, Section 9, Greenfield Township, Gallia County. The sample was taken from a fresh face, well under cover, and measured 6 by 4 inches. The upper bench is less pure and varies much in thickness. The thm coal at the bottom is not mined and was rejected in sample. The latter was taken by D. D. Condit in November, 1906.

The above analysis shows that the Middle Kittanniixg coal is a very good general purpose fuel. It is well liked for domestic use as it ignites quite readily and makes a lasting fire, especially if the lumps are laid so that the bedding planes of the coal are horizontal to the grates. During ^combustion the coal produces some soot, the amount of which is too small to be troublesome. The ash is light or powdery, hence it passes through the grates without seriously affecting the draft. The* lumpy character of the fuel is also liked by the housewife. The Middle Kittanning coal is highly regarded Jor steaming purposes on account of its free-burning character, of its heating qualities, and of the non-clinkering nature of its ash. The cementing value of this coal is low; hence it cokes but little in the beehive oven. If used in moderate amounts with some rich coking coal in retort ovens, the coal may have some coking value, although at present this point has not been determined by practice or even by experiment. Many coals that make an imsatisfactory product in the beehive ovens coke very well in the modern retort ovens. Since the latter method of coke making is rapidly replacing the former method, and since the coke question is becoming more important each year in Ohio, the value of coal beds for this purpose in any important coal field should not be overlooked. The Middle Kittanning coal in Gallia County is quite high in sulphur, in fact above the limit for coke making, but a part of this can be removed by crushing and washing. The lower or main coal bench is lower in this impurity than the upper benches are. The Middle Kittanning coal, although not ranking high, is one of the standard coals of Ohio for the manufacture of artificial gas. It is also a very good fuel for ceramic purposes. As it burns freely, the temperature desired in "the kiln may be readily obtained. The flame produced by the combustion of the coal in the kiln arches is of sufficient length to completely envelop the entire body of ware in the kiln This impinging of the flame on the surface of the ware produces the fine color and finish desired. The pon-clinkering nature of the ash, except at high temperatures, is also an advantage in the burning of clay products. The Middle Kittanning coal, when considered from various standards, is one of the most important mineral assets of Gallia County.

Lower Freeport Clay

The clay associated with the Lower Freeport coal has small economic value, for the deposit is usually thin and unsteady. The thickness of the bed varies from about 1 foot to 5 feet, but the average thickness will not exceed 2 feet. The clay is everywhere siliceous in character, 3'et it has sufficient plasticity for use in the general field of ceramic work. In local areas the deporit contains consid(rable concretionary matter in the form of ferrous carbonate, which is trouble- some in clay working. Profitable utilization of the bed is scarcely possible under the present status of the ceramic industry in Ohio, unUss other factors, especially favorable, are at hand.

When the rock strata in southern Ohio are considered in ascending order, the Lower Freeport coal is the next well recognized fuel bed above the great Middle Kittanning coal. In Lawrence County, the Lower Freeport deposit is locally called "Hatcher'' coal. In Gallia County this bed is found on an average about 24 feet above the Middle Kittanning coal or approximately 63 feet below the Upper Freeport coal. These intervals are usually made up of massive sandstones and they contract or expand very erratically. The distance from the Lower Freeport coal to the underlying Middle Kittanning coal varies from about 12 to 45 feet, while the distance from the former to the Upper Freeport coal expands irregularly from 30 to 60 feet. The bed in this area is difficult to trace as it is so often wanting, and as the intervals to other well known members are so extremely variable.

'The horizon of the Lower Freeport coal is above drainage in Greenfield, western Walnut, western Perry, northwestern Raccoon, and - western and northern Huntington townships. The bed in this area is made up of a single coal bench, which seldom has sufficient volume for drift mining under the present system of operation.

Walnut Township. - In western Walnut Township, the bed where present has a thickness varying from a thin slaty band to about 1 foot 8 inches, but the usual measurement found is from 6 to 10 inches. A composite section, taken in the vicinity of McDaniel in Section 1, west. Walnut Town.ship, and showing the intervals to other important members, is given below:

In sections 5, 7, 8, and 12, the coal is generally replaced by a massive sandstone, but, where present, it has not attracted attention even for local use. East of the village of Waterloo, in sections 30 and 31, Walnut Township, the Lower Freeport coal is found about 35 feet bslow the thick deposit of Upper Free^^ort coal. In this locality the bed is quite constant, and has a thickness varying from 6 inches to 1 foot 6 inches.

Greenfield Township. - In Greenfield Townshi'p, the Lower Freeport coal is generally wanting, and, where present, it has small value. Near the head of Camp Creek, in Section 34, coal has been mined by stripping from the stream bed, where the deposit is reported to have a thickness of about 1 foot. The blossom of the coal is also expoped at other places along the valley in sections 35 and 36. Along Dirtyface Creek and its eastern tributaries the coal is also present in restricted districts, while north of this, on the ridges between Pokepatch Hollow and Lefthand Fork, the deposit is generally replaced by thick sandstones.

The horizon of the Lower Freeport coal is also above drainage along Symmes Creek and its tributaries in western Perry Township, but coal of value was not found.

Raccoon Township. - The Lower Freeport coal is best developed in western Raccoon Township, near the \'illage of Centerville, where it has 3^ielded a part of the local fuel supply for many years. In this locality the bed lies very close to the Middle Kittanning coal. On land of David Jones in Section 19, the strata, exposed at the mouth of an old mine entry, measured as follows:

Under heavy cover in this locality, Mr. Jones reports the coal to have a thickness from 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet. The bed is not broken by partings and has about the same composition throughout the mine. East of the above, in Section 30, but on another tract of land belonging to Mr. Jones, both the Lower Freeport and the Middle Kittanning coals have been mined in a small way. The section obtained is given below :

Near by, the interval between the two beds is even less than that shown in the above section. The deposit has also been mined along the small stream south of Indian Creek in the western part of Section 29. The coal was not exposed for measurement at this place, but it is reported to have a thickness of about 2 feet. Along a small stream in the southeastern part of the same section the bed was formerly mined in rather a large way by drifting. The thickness of the coal in these mines is reported to vary from 1 foot 6 inches to 4 feet. In some parts of the mines, shales intervene between the coal and the overlying massive sandstone, thus making mining somewhat dangerous. North of Indian Creek, in the same section, the bed has been worked on land of D. N. Williams for local use. The Middle Kittanning coal is also present here and has been mined by stripping. Tfhe section obtained shows the relation between the two deposits and the measurements recorded are given below: p^ j^

Mr Williams reports that the Lower Freeport coal is very unsteady and that it varies in thickness from 1 foot 6 inches to 4 feet. The thickness of the shale above the coal is also variable. The clay above the coal is wanting in parts of the mine, while in other parts it expands to about 3 feet. The coal bed also varies in thickness from 2 to 3 feet. In the part of Section 28, the deposit has been mined at a few places along the south bank of Indian Creek.

The Lower Freeport coal has been mined near drainage level on Little Indian Creek in Section 16, on lands of O. L. Evans, D. D. Thomas, and L. A. Swain. Here the deposit is reported to have a thickness from 1 foot 6 inches to 1 foot 8 inches. The thin blossom of the bed is also exposed at other places farther up the stream but the coal has not been mined.

Huntington Township. - In Huntington Township the Lower Freer port coal is present at a few points along the valley of Little Raccoon Creek and its tributaries. Where exposfed, the member is marked by only a few inches of coal, or by a soot streak, with a siliceous clay below. In this area the deposit is found from 25 to 45 feet above the Middle Kittanning coal. The bed is also due along Raccoon Creek, but the massive sandstones have so completely replaced it that only mere traces of the deposit are found.

The Lower Freeport coal adds but little to the mineral wealth of Ciallia County. The deposit has sufficient thickness to be worked at present by drift mining in only one locality in the county, which is along the valley of Indian Creek east of the village of Centerville. It was not regularly mined at any place when this region was visited (1915), but it may yet contribute a small supply of fuel for local needs, since the field has not been exhausted. The bed often has objectionable mining features which retard its utilization. The most serious of these is the variability of the coal bed itself, for the thickness may change in a short distance from a few inches to 3 or 4 feet. This cauaetf.much unproductive labor in driving entries from one pocket of coal to aaother. In local areas the character of the roof is often objectionable^ because the roof materials are tender shales or soft clays. These are dangerous to the lives of the workmen. The deposit, however, has scMBe- good qualities. It is, with few exceptions, made up of a single coat beach which is quite free from shaly impurities. The coal is quite hard and firm; hence it mines in lumps with only a small loss of fine malerial. The quality of the Low^r Freeport coal much resembles that'ofthe Middle Kittanning coal, except that it has a larger content of T^olalile matter. In restricted areas its appearance indicates that it it dx»ut midway between an ordinary bituminous and a true cannel cod* It is an oily free-burning fuel with good heating properties. The aflfa is moderate in amount and clinkers slightly.

Clay And Shale On The Upper Frebport Coal Horizon

The Upper Freeport clay, the position of which is directly below the Upper Freeport coal, is far more persistent than the coal bed, but in many localities it is also wanting. Where present, however, it is. not always of ceramic quality, since concretionary matter and finely divided oxides of iron are present in amounts sufficiently large to cause serious trouble in manufacturing the clay into a marketable product. This clay, with few exceptions, is very siliceous in character, and, when underlain by sandstone, which is the commqn bedrock, it gradates into this mateiial, with no definite line of demarcation. Although lime and magnesia, principally in the form of carbonates, are always present in the clay, the amounts are seldom enough to exclude the clay from the ceramic fidd. The thickness of the bed varies fr6m 1 to 10 feet, but the average measurement is about 3 feet 6 inches. The plasticity of the clay is moderately good; hence no serious difficulty should be encountered in manufacturing it into ware. This clay, except when charged with concretionary and comminuted fluxing components, should bum to a strong body with no serious defects. The material is best suited for the manufacjture of the more common classes of clay products, such as common and face building brick, paving blocks, and fireproofing. The shale found directly above the coal in some localities is also fitted for the production of building and paving brick.

Upper Freeport Coal

The deposition of the Upper Freeport coal closes the record of the series of coals and clays which are separated by less valuable deposits of shales, sandstones, iron ores, and limestones, laid down during Allegheny time. Since this coal underlies shale or sandstone of Conemaugh age, it marks the line separating these two great formations of the Pennsylvanian series. The outcrop of the Upper Freeport coal forms a belt that crosses the state from Columbiana County on the east to

Lawrence County on the south. From the latter plaee it crosses into Kentucky, where it is known as the Zelda or No. 9 coal. Although the bed is very patchy in this state it has yielded a large amount of fuel and holds a good supply for future needs. In western Gallia County, especially in what is known as the Waterloo or Flag Springs field, this member, due to the volume of the bed and to the excellence of the fuel, early attracted attention for the local fuel supply, and has been worked constantly for many years. In Huntington Township, also, this bed contributes fuel for domestic needs.

In Gallia Coimty the Upper Freeport or Waterloo coal lies about 53 feet above the Lower Freeport coal or about 78 feet above the more persistent Middle Kittanning coal, which is thus a better bench mark for reference. Although the structure of the bed varies from place to place, the general features of the deposit are much the same when present in good volume. The greatest changes are noted in the character and arrangement of the upper coal benches. The Upper Freeport coal has from one to three coal benches, separated by clay or shale partings. The lower coal bench is the one of prime importance, since it is far more persistent than the ones above, and since it surpasses them to a marked degree in volume and purity. This coal bench, in the area in which the Upper Freeport coal is of value in Gallia County, varies in thickness from 2 feet to 4 feet 6 inches, and it has a mean measurement of 3 feet. The clay parting separating the lower coal bench from the one above averages only about 3 inches in thickness, but in some localities the middle bench of coal is wanting, then the clay coalesces with the parting above and measures 1 foot or more in thickness. The thickness of the middle coal bench, often shaly, varies from 2 inches to 1 toot 6 inches, but the good coal in it seldom exceeds 10 inches. In a part of the Flag Springs field the second parting is about 5 inches In thickness, and the upper or third coal bench, usually somewhat impure, has a mean thickness of 1 foot 3 inches. These features will be brought out in more detail as the deposit is traced across the county.

The Upper Freeport coal in Gallia County is represented only by isolated patches of coal, the areas of which are relatively small. It is far more uncertain than the Kittanning coals below. The coal may go out completely, in passing from one hill to another, or from one point on the same hill to another only 100 yards or so distant. Usually not even a stain is present to mark the horizon. In a few localities, the Upper Freeport coal is replaced by the massive overlying Mahoning sandstone, but in most of the area this is not the cas?, for the coal is wanting, even when the beds above are soft ferruginous clays or fine-grained shales. When thus placed, there is no apparent disconformity along the horizon. When all the factors are considered, they suggest, rather, that the bed was not laid down in»a continuous sheet, but that it was deposited only in local basins, and that the coal in parts of these isolated areas was later removed by the action of the currents which laid down the Mahoning sandstone, also local in extent.

The horizon of the Upper Freeport coal passes above the summits of the highest knobs in the northwestern part of Greenfield Township, but in the southwestern part it is present along the main ridges at an elevation of approximately 860 feet above tide. Owing to the dip of the rocks to the east, the bed is well down on the hills in the eastern part of this to\^T.8hip. The elevation in the northeastern pfirt is about 760 feet, while that in the southeastern part is about 720 feet. The bed is generally present along Symmes Creek and well towards the headwaters of its tributaries in western Walnut Township. The height of the deposit above tide here is from 600 to 740 feet. The horizon of the Upper Freeport coal is found close to drainage level in the western part of Perry Township. Along S3'mnies Creek and its tributaries, the elevation of the bed is from 640 to 740 feet, while along Fork Creek, and another small tributary of Raccoon Creek, north of this, its position above tide is from 600 to 640 feet. In Raccoon Toi^Tship, the place of the Upper Freeport coal is above drainage in practically all of the territory except small areas along Raccoon Creek. The elevation of the bed in the western part of the township is from 740 to 780 feet, while in the eastern part it is from 580 to 620 feet. The rise of the rock strata, in passing northward places the horizon of the coal bed above drainage in all of Huntington TowTship. Measuring from ti,de, the elevation in the western part is between 780 and 820 feet, while along Raccoon Creek, in the eastern part, it is between 620 and 700 feet.

purities, while the upper bench contains some thin bands of shale, which injure its sale. Since the shale above this coal bench is somewhat tendef , the coal is left to form the roof of the mine. This coal bench varies considerably in thickness in different parts of the mine, while the middle coal bench in places thins to 2 inches. The lower or main coal bench in this locality is seldom less than 3 feet or more than 5 feet in thickness. At the mine of Jason Strait, in the western part of the same section, the middle bench of coal is wanting, but the upper and lower benches have much the same thickness as they have in the Webster mire. A composite section measured here follows: p^ j^

The Upper Freeport coal has been mined quite extensively along the western and northern bank of the little stream in the western part of Section 20. Along the opposite bank the bed is much thinner and in places wanting, although where it passes below drainage the coal has good volume. Measurements taken in a mine on land of T. J. Neal are given below: - p^ j^

The deposit is poorly represented in Section 18. Where it is exposed, the bed is thin or shaly, while in part of the area it is wanting. This is the condition also of the bed exposed along the small stream in the northern part of Section 17, but north of this in Section 8, coal was formerly mined in a small way. E. L. McDaniel reports that on his property the lower coal bench has a thickness of 3 feet, while the upper bench measures about 1 foot 6 inches. He also states that the two coal benches are separated by 1 foot 6 inches of clay. In sections 7 and 12 the horizon, where exposed, is marked by siliceous clays with only a smut streak of coal at most. Coal of value was not found at any place on this horizon in sections 1, 6, 5, or 4.

Perry Township. - In this township the Upper Freeport coal was not found in good development ^long Symmes Creek or its tributaries, except in the northern part of Section 18 and the southern part of Section 7. Here there is a small area of coal, which appears to be a part of the local field in sections 12 and 13, Greenfield Township. The bed was mined for several years by drifting on the land of William M. Jones in the northwestern part of Section 18. The record obtained follows:

In the southern part of Section 7, on the farm of James Davis, the deposit was also worked at one time. Mr. Davis states that the upper bench of coal is about 1 foot in thickness, while the lower bench varies from 2 feet to 2 feet 6 inches. He reports also that in this area the parting expands from 4 inches to 1 foot in thickness. The deposit, however, is quite local in extent for good coal has not been found elsewhere in the northern part of Perry Township, although the horizon is above drainage in other sections.

Greenfield Township. - Although the< horizon of the Upper Freeport^ coal is above drainage in all of Greenfield Township, the bed was found with sufficient volume for mining in only one locality, which is in sections 12 and 13. In most of the area it is completely wanting or represented by siliceous clays or by thin layers of impure coal. In Section 12, on the farm of H. T. Lambert, the Upper Freeport coal is mined for local needs. A section obtained follows:

The lower bench of coal in this mine varies from 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet 4 inches in thickness, while the upper bench is more constant. From 1 to 4 inches of good cannel coal is present near the middle of the lower bench of coal in parts of the mine. This productive area extends south into Section 13, where the bed was mined for several years on the land oi Henry Hutchison, and on the adjoining farms also.

Raccoon Township. - The surface conditions indicate that the Upper Freeport coal is poorly represented in Raccoon Township. In some parts of the area it is completely replaced by massive sandstones, while in other parts the horizon is marked only by thin coal lajTrs or by dark carbonaceous shales. However, this does not prove that the deposit at r.o place has good volume, but rather that, if such pockets of coal exist under heavy cover, their areas are relatively small.

coal has good volume, and in which the bed is mined for local use. Measurements taken at the mines of Edward Snyder, in Section 18, show the structure of the bed and the interval to the Middle Kittanning coal below. The record follows:

The main coal bench is reported to be much thicker in parts of the mine than it is shown to be in the above section; however, the thick coal is very local in extent. The interval between the main coal bench and the massive overlying sandstone, which is the real roof of the bed, expands erratically from a few inches to as much as 6 feet. This interval is made up of clay shales with a layer of very impure coal, the thickness of which is from 1 to 2 feet. This impure layer of coal, which corresponds to the upper bench of coal in the Waterloo field, is made up of thin bands of coal, shale, and sandstone. The relation of the two coal benches is shown in the following section taken at the mine of Emmett Oiler, which is located in the northern part of Section 18:

In this locality the lower bench or good coal varies in thickness from 1 foot 6 inches to 5 feet 6 inches, but the average measurement is about 3 feet 6 inches, while the impure layer, often wanting, has a mj^ximum thickness of about 2 feet. In the southern part of Section 7, on the land of W. L. Huntley, the deposit is workc*d also by drift mining. The measurements taken in his mine are given below:

In this locality the deposit is reported to have a maximum thickness of about 6 feet. In the northwestern part of the same section the Upper Freeport coal again has good volume and has been worked for local use. On the ridge north of the residence of W. F. White, the bed where mrasurrd in an old mine has a thickness of 4 feet 2 inches North

This field in northern Huntington Township extends northward into Wilkcsville Township, Vinton County, where, especially in the vicinity of the Cooney School, the bed has excellent volume and purity. In the remainder of Huntington Township the Upper Freeport coal where exposed along the outcrop is feither thin or wantiog. In fact the prospects for locating other areas of good coal with sufHcient volume for drift mining are very poor. The bed has no value in that part of Morgan Township where it is above drainage level.

The areas in Gallia County in which the Upper Freeport coal is known to have good volume will not exceed 3 square miles. The productive territory, however, is less than this, for in all of the small isolated fields the bed is subject to wants or to thin coal. A much safer estimate of the areas in which the bed, considering only the thickness of good coal, has an average measurement of 3 feet 6 inches is from 1,000 to 1,200 acres. The yield of fuel on 1,000 acres, counting the specific gravity 1.31, the thickness of the bed 3 feet 6 inches, and the amount available in mining 60 per cent, is approximately 3,745,000 tons. Since these fields have been worked for many years in a very wasteful way, the total amount of fuel yet available for future needs ynll probably not exceed 2,000,000 tons. The mining features of the Upper Freeport coal, although not the best, are usually favorable for safety in working and for economy in production when the operation is carried on in a systematic way. Above the upper bench of coal in most of the territory there are present a few feet or more of soft clays or tender shales which are held up with difficulty. If the upper coal bench, which is usually too impure to be of value, is allowed to remain for the roof of the mi^^/ and is properly supported by posts, the clays and shales above are not especially troublesome or dangerous. In some localities the overlying stratum is a massive sandstone, and then of course the roof is strong and safe.

The Upper Freeport coal is a high volatile fuel, but is. not so freeburning as the Kittanning coals below. It is a bright lustrous coal, and is quite free from '^mother coal" or shaly impurities- As the fuel is quite fragile or tender, it is rot well suited to withstand severe handling* The composition of the Upper Freeport coal in Gallia Coimty is shown by the following analyses: sampled, the upper bench not mined. The mine had not been worked for three years but the coal appeared fresh^ The surface of the coal was cut off before sampling. Sampled by E. £. Somermeier in August, 1902.

The analysis of the sample of Upper Freeport coal from the Sander's property represents the character of the coal along the border of the Flag Springs field, while that of the sample from the Webster farm represents the character of the fuel near the center of this area, or where the deposit is at its best. The average character of the deposit in Gallia County is between these results.

The Upper Freeport coal is well liked for domestic and steaming purposes. It is a lasting fuel, for the fixed carbon is slowly consumed. It makes a good heat and produces only a small amount of soot. The ash, which is light gray in color, clinkers somewhat, especially if subjected to reducing conditions. The Upper Freeport coal is one of the few coking coals of southern Ohio. Although its cementing value is only moderately high, it makes coke of fair quality in the beehive oven. In the retort oven the better grades of this coal should >deld approximately 64 per cent coke. The sulphur in the coal occurs principally in the form of the mineral marcasite, which is irregularly distributed throughout the bed in thin lenses or in nodular masses. Owing to the difference in the specific gravities of coal and marcasite, proper sizing and washing of the coal will remove a large percentage of this deleterious material. Further, the amount of the sulphur is decreased during the coking for about one-half of it passes off in the gases. Under good practice of coke making, the sulphur in the product should be reduced below the limit demanded for standard coke. The rapid increase in the erection of retort ovens makes the subject of moment, especially in Ohio, where but few coking coals are foimd.

The general character of the rocks making up the Conemaugh formation is in marked contrast to that of the rocks composing the Allegheny formation below. During Conemaugh time, the conditions were not so favorable for the deposition of great coal beds as they were during the preceding age. Although many coal beds were laid dovrn they are, with few exceptions, wanting in volume, shaly in character, and local in extent. On this account, this division of rocks was formerly called the Lower Barren Coal Measures. There is a great difference also in the amounts of carbonate minerals found in the two formations. The Allegheny formation contains one regularly bedded limestone and a few thin layers of shales, containing appreciable amounts of calcium, magnesium, and ferrous carbonates, which occur in fine powders or in concretionary masses of various sizes. The Conemaugh formation contains not only several well defined limestone beds, but also thick deposits of shales highly charged with these common carbonates. These minerals occur in the form of impalpable powders, and in the form of nodules, varying in size from fine seed to 1 foot, or even more, in diameter. Further, the Conemaugh shales are readily distinguished from those in the coal formations below by the increased coloration. In the former, the beds with red, brown, yellow, and green tints predominate over those with the less conspicuous gray colors, while in the latter, highly colored beds are seldom present. In a less degree tliis coloration of the shales is also apparent in some localities in the upper part of the Allegheny formation. The prime coloring agent is the oxide of iron, although its power is often modified, also by other pigments such as carbon, manganese oxides, and dark granitic minerals. The intensity of the color in the shales with red, brown, and yellow tints, depends primarily on both the state of hydration of the ferric oxide and on the state of division of the pigment. In the shales with green and blue shades, the principal coloring agent is ferrous compounds. The shales in the Conemaugh formation are also more clay-like in character than those in the underlying coal formations. In a general way the lithological characters of the rocks in the two divisions are notablv different.

south of Vinlon. Gallin County. The upper limcatone bed is near the top of the pictuie and ia marked by a small white paper. The lower bed, which b 20 feet below the upper one, is near the middle of the picture and is similarly marked.

The soils resulting from the decay and weathering of 'the Conemaugh rocks contain components valuable for the growth of plant life. The powdery and concretionary limestone, disseminated especially throughout the shales, continually supplies the residual soils with a sufficient amount of lime to produce luxuriant growth of plants, and especially such plants as blue grass and clover. These shales also contain phosphoric acid in appreciable amounts; further, they contain available potash in amounts adequate for the healthy growth of plant life. The fourth component necessary for plants is nitrogen,, which is usually low in most of thesa soils. However, since these soils contain the other required substances necessary for the growth of legumes which are the great nitrogen producing class, this element may be supplied to the soils at a low cost. On the red shale soils in particular, are foimd tough sods of blue grass, highly valuable for grazing. The clovers also grow here luxuriantly, while the common grasses do very well. The value of these soils for fruit raising is attested by the many himdreds of acres of fine orchards found in the region. The trees are quite thrifty, lo^g-lived, and heavy producers. The trees are also very free froln the ravages of disease. Fruit raised on these soils is highly colored, hence it is attractive in appearance. In quality it is of the highest grade. These soils are far better suited for grazing and fruit lands than for general farming.

In western Gallia County, the Ames limestone, which is about midway in the Conemaugh formation, is found near the summits of a few of the highest hills. The Cambridge and Brush Creek limestones, however, are present in much of the area. The few coals found are not persistent beds, and they seldom have sufficient volume for mining. Since the economic values of the beds in the lower half of the formation are, relatively small, only a few of the most important ones will be considered in this report, and these will be treated in a general way. For a more complete discussion of the formation the reader is referred to the work of D. D. Condit, on the Conemaugh Formation of Ohio.*

The members which have most importance, either economically or stratigraphically, are Mahoning sandstone, Mahoning coal. Mason coal. Brush Creek limestones, Wilgus coal, Cambridge limestone, and Ames limestone. These members of the Conemaugh formation will be taken up in ascending order, beginning with the oldest.

Mahoning Sandstone

formation. It thus forms the roof of this important coal bed. The Mahoning sandstone, however, is very unsteady; in fact it is more often absent than present. Its position is shown by the following section taken at the mine of Emmett Oiler, in Section 18, Huntington Township:

The Mahoning sandstone is coarse-grained, light colored, and massively bedded. This rock is more weather resistant than the average coal formation sandstone, hence it is often employed locally for foundation work and for other minor purposes. The usual thickness of the bed, when well defined, is from 20 to 30 feet.

The Mahoning coal lies close to the Mahoning sandstone, when this member is present, while the interval to the underlying Upper Freeport coal is found to be from 35 to 45 feet. The position of the bed and its relation to other members are shown in the following section taken near Nebo Church, in Section 17, Perry Township:

The Mahoning coal is very unsteady and seldom thickens to more than 1 foot 6 inches. It is mined along the outcrop by stripping at a few places. The value of the bed in Gallia County is small.

Mason Coal

The position of the Mason coal is best located by its proximity to the Brush Creek limestone above, for the coal bed is found not far below this member. In western Gallia County it lies from 50 to 70 feet below the Cambridge limestone, which is more persistent than the Brush Creek beds. Its position with reference to other members is shown in the section taken near Nebo Church, and given under Mahoning coal. Like the Mahoning coal this bed is also mined by stripping at a few localities along its outcrop. The coal is of good quality, but the deposit is too thin to be followed under cover; hence the bed is of more value for its strait igraphic features than for its economic worth.

Brush Creek Horizon

On the Brush Creek horizon there are two limestone beds separated by shale, the average thickness of which, in western Gallia County, is about 24 feet. The upper stratum of limestone is far more constant than the lower one, but both are wanting in many localities. They are replaced by massive sandstones, which often extend from near the base of the Cambridge limestone down to the horizon of the Mason coal. The upper bed of the Brush Creek limestone in this area is usually found about 27 feet below the overlying Cambridge limestone. This interval, however, varies from 12 to 40 feet. The lithological character Of these limestones varies greatly from place to place. The composition changes from a quite pure limestone through ferruginous, siliceous limestone to a flinty material, containing but little calcium and magnesium carbonates. The upper layer when only about 1 foot in thickness is usually rather pure, but when it thickens to several feet it is shaly and flinty in character. The bed shows many local thickenings, especially in its extension southward. In local areas in Lawrence County, it is a heavy flinty deposit, often measuring from 10 to 15 feet in thickness. The shales in the interval between the two limestone beds often assume a calcareous siliceous phase. The lower limestone bed usually has a thickness of about 1 foot, although in a few localities it expands to 2 or 3 feet. The composition of this bed resembles very much that of the upper one. A few sections are given in order to show, the character of the deposits, and to show their relation to other members. A composite section taken along the road in Section 33, Morgan Township, is given below: p^ j^

The upper limestone bed of the Brush Creek member is quite constant in Morgan Township, but the lower bed is rather unsteady. In Huntington Township, these limestones are found in the area east of Raccoon Creek, but they are absent in the territory west of this stream. However, a few loose blocks of limestone from these beds were observed on the summit of the high knob, in the northwestern part of Section 4. They were rot found in that part of Raccoon Township north of Indian Creek and west of Raccoon Creek, although many of the ridges and knobs extend well above this horizon. Along the main ridge south of Indian Creek they are absent also, yet the Cambridge limestone is regularly present. The upper stratum of limestone is present, however, in sections 34 and 35. In this township east of Raccoon Creek, the upper layer of the Brush Creek member is quite steady.

In western Springfield Township the upper bed is commonly present, but the lower bed is seldom found. The Brush Creek member, in most of Ptrry Township, is represented by the upper bed of limestone, and in restricted areas it has both beds developed. Thjb following section taken near Salome Church, in Section 23, shows the general character of the deposit:

The flinty character of the upper bed shown in the above section is quite typical of the character of this stratum in Lawrence County. This member is found near the summits of the main ridges, but in local areas only in southeastern Greenfield Township. As a general thing only the upper stratum of limestone is present. Measurements obtained along the roadside in the northern part of Section 24 follow:

Only the upper limestone bed of the Brush Creek member was observed in western Walnut Township, although the lower bed may be present in limited areas.

The chief value of the Brush Creek limestone is for road building. The beds are widely distributed; hence they are often at the locality where road material is needed. The quantity of the loose or uncovered stone along the outcrop of the beds is usually sufficient to meet the requirements for this purpose, while if more is demanded the supply may be readily obtained by only shallow stripping. Both the high calcium and high siliceous stones are quite tough and wear well; further the shaly material has a high cementing value. Along the outcrop of the Brush Creek member good roads may be built at a relatively low cost.

Wilgus Coal

The position of the Wilgus coal is directly below the Cambridge' limestone, which is a well recognized bed in the Conemaugh formation. The Wilgus coal is very unsteady and poorly developed in Gallia County, although in the vicinity of the villages of Arabia and Wilgus, in Lawrence County> the bed has good volume, and is mined by drifting for local use. This coal, however, has been mined in a small way by stripping at a few places in western Morgan Township, where the maximum thickness of the deposit is about 1 foot 8 inches. It, most of this township the usual thickness observed is less than 1 foot, often only a smut streak. Although the deposit is present at other places in western Gallia County its volume is too small to justify mining.

Cambridge Limestone

The Cambridge limestone is one of the well defined and generally known beds in the Conemaugh formation of southern Ohio. In Gallia County and also in Lawrence the bed is usually present on the horizon where due. There are local wants, however, where the deposit is replaced by massive sandstones. The Cambridge limestone of the Conemaugh formation resembles the Ferriferous or Vanport limestone of the Allegheny formation in texture and composition and in the types of fossils present.

The Cambridge limestone in western Gallia County lies about 27 feet above the Brush Creek member, and about 80 feet below the Ames limestone, another bed also important in stratigraphic geology. There is only one limestone stratum in the Cambridge deposit, but occasionally a thin block of iron ore, closely associated, may also be considered a part of the member. Lithologically the limestone is quite cor^tant throughout the entire extent of the bed. In local areas the outcrop rock is somewhat siliceous, owing apparently to solution of carbonates and deposition of silica. The deposit in western Morgan Township is very steady, and is from 1 to 3 feet in thickness. The average measurement is about 2 feet. Its relation to other members is shown in the following record taken in Section 34: p^ j^

From Morgan Township the Cambridge limestone extends westward to Raccoon Creek in Huntington Township. West of this stream the deposit was not found, although some of the knobs on the main ridges extend well above the horizon. The bed is quite constant in western Springfield Township, but in Raccoon Township it is wanting in the area west of Raccoon Creek and north of Indian Creek. Along the main ridge south of Indian Creek the deposit, which is very p(*rsistent, has a thickness varying from 1 to 4 feet. Large blocks of Cambridge limestone, strewn along the hillsides, are striking features of rock exposure in Perry Township. The bed often has a thickness of 4 feet and the stone has excellent quality. The high ridges in the southern part of Greenfield Township also contain good deposits of this member. The bed is from 1 to 3 feet in thickness. A record taken in Section 13 shows the interval to the upper limestone stratum of the Brush Creek member. The section follows:

The Cambridge limestone is rather steady throughout western Walnut Township, but the deposit seldom reaches more than 2 feet in thickness. Here the bed lies about 20 feet above the Brush Creek lime stone, and about 120 feet above the Upper Freeport coal.

The Cambridge is the most important of the limestone depositii in the Conemaugh formation of western Gallia County. The bed is quite constant over a wide area; hence there are many points for attack. It is usually well exposed along its outcrop for it is more weather resistant than the associated shales. This feature is so apparent in part of the area that the bed may be traced by the eye on ridges some distance away. Large loose blocks are often found in abundance along the hillsides below its outcrop. The average thickness of the bed is about 2 feet, but iii local areas this expands to 4 feet. The amount of easily available limestone that may be utilized for different purposes is large.

The stone is fine-grained and well cemented; hence it is tough but not brittle. The color of the fresh rock varies from light gray to dark gray. It contains many marine fossils which are best exposed in weathered surfaces. The stone contains only small amounts of crystalline carbonates or of siliceous matter. The chemical composition of the limestone is quite uniform throughout the county. Its qualities are shown by the following analysis by Prof. D. J. Demorest, of a sample taken on the ridge in the southern part of Raccoon Township:

The Cambridge limestone has qualities which recommend it for several purposes. Its physical properties, combined with its availability over so large an area are especially favorable for the utilization of the stone in road construction. It is used some for this purpose in Gallia County and it has proved very satisfactory. The stone wears well and the dust has good cementing value. It also makes strong abutments and retaining walls. The chemical properties of the stone fit it for agricultural lime. The amounts of lime and of magnesia are in about the right proportions to meet the demands of plant life. Although the amount of phosphorus in the limestone is small, its value is worth considering, since this component is necessary for the healthy growth of plants and for the proper maturity of their seeds. Limestone from this bed 18 prepared in small quantity for soil purposes in Gallia County. Small portable crushers, which may be moved frotn place to place, are used. This stone is also of service for many minor purposes, such as walks, building foundations, cellar walls, well curbings, etc.

The Ames limestone is another bed in the Conemaugh formation that is well known on account of its stratigraphic importance. It is at once recognized by the presence of certain types of marine fossils which are remarkably abundant, often constituting the greater part of the rock mass. This bed is seldom found in western Gallia County. In western Morgan Township, especially in the colored settlement, the Ames limestone is locally present. At a few^ places here it reaches a thickness of 2 feet, and it is conspicuous on account of the great number of fossil remains present. The bed was also observed on the high knobs in sections 30 and 31, Perry Township, where it lies about 70 feet above the Cambridge limestone. It was found again on the high ridge in Section 25, Greenfield Township, but the bed in this locality is quite thin. The Ames limestone in western Gallia County has no economic value worthy of consideration.

Fossils are very abundant in the shales above the Tionesta coal found near old Cambria Furnace in northwestern Greenfield Township. The Ferriferous or Vanport limestone, wherever found, contains many well preserved specimens. Plant fossils are common features of the shales above the Lower Kittanning, Middle Kittanning, Lower Freeport, and Upper Freeport coals. The roof shales of the Mahoning coal, especially in western Morgan Township, contain a profusion of plant fossils which are remarkably well preserved. The Brush Creek, Cambridge, and Ames limestones are highly fossiliferous along their entire extent. Silicified wood is very common in the shales of the Conemaugh formation of western Gallia County. Many beautiful specimens may be easily obtained in the area east of Raccoon Creek.

Chapter Vi Search For Oil And Gas

The discovery of oil in the deep-seated rocks of Pennsylvania, in 1859| led to a search for this valuable product of nature in other states, and in the year 1860, the operators in Ohio were rewarded, for oil was found at Macksburg, in Washington County. Since that time the drill has been active continously in this state, and has developed many new and important fields. According to the Federal Government, the total production of oil in Ohio, in 1914, was 8,536,352 barrels with a value of $13,372,729. In the United States the utilization of natural gas for industrial purposes began in the Kanawha Valley, in 1843, when it was used for the fuel in the evaporation of salt brines.* In Ohio natural gas became an important factor both for domestic and industrial purposes when the great Findlay field was opened in 1884. ' Since then the production of this natural fuel has steadily increased so that in 1914 it was 68,270,174 M. cubic feet, with a value of $14,667,790.' Ohio, in 1914, ranked seventh in the production of petroleum and third in that of natural gas.

The area under discussion in this bulletin includes all of Lawrence and Jackson counties, the western half of Gallia County, and the parts of Scioto and Pike counties east of the Scioto Valley. Owing to the fact that a part of the Hamden gas field extends northward from Jackson County into Vinton, and that the Clinton sand has better developnsenfc and continuity as it extends northward, wells located in the southwestern part of Vinton County will also be included in the discussion here. The search for oil in this area began about the year 1862, when shallow wells were drilled by means of the spring pole and treadle, and since then not only the shallow sands but the deep ones also have been tested by the drill at many places. On the whole the results are not especially encouraging for only traces of oil have been found. However, the production of natural gas is an item of some importance for about 50 wells out of a total of 213 drilled produce gas in commercial quantities. Sandstones usually form the reservoirs; hence they are commonly called oil or gas sands. A brief description of these sands beginning with the oldest will now be given. The section begins with the Lower Magnosian of the Ordovician and extends to the base of the Monongahela of the Pennsylvanian, an interval of more than 5,300 feet.

Search For Oil And Gas

Portsmouth member. Shales with sandstones interbedded. Found above drainage along the Ohio River near Portsmouth, and along the Scioto in Pike and and Scioto counties.

Hamden gas sand in upper part of member. Gas occurs in several layers. The small flows of gas in the Willard wells in Lawrence County also on this horizon.

Alternating biyere of sandstone and shale. Very persistent but variable in thickness. Outcrop along the Scioto River in Pike and Scioto counties.

Gas sand at Ixonton 18 in the body of the Ohio shale. The position of this sand is about 270 feet above the Delaware limestone and 500 feet below the Berea sandstone.

Foot Note. - In the above generalized section of the rock strata in southern Ohio use was made of the works of the Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia Geological Surveys, of the Stratigraphy of a Ty^ep Well at Waverly. Ohio, by R. S. Bassler, American Journal of Science, Vol XXXI, January, 1911, and of notes kindly furnished by Professor Charles S. Prosser of the Ohio State University.

The lithological character of the oil and gas producing rocks varies greatly, but the most essential feature is porosity. In this respect sandstones and crystalline limestones usually meet the requirement, anel they are the most common reservoirs in which thess valuable hydrocarbon compounds are stored. The character of the overlying strata is important as these must be sufficiently impervious to prevent the escape of the slowly distilled oil and gas. The geological structure must also be such that the oil and gas are not allowed to escape to the surface. The main force s active in circulation are rock pressure, capillarity, and gravity, but other factors, as viscosity, temperature, diffusion, anel solubility must also be taken into consideration. A brief description of the best knowTi sands in southern Ohio is given in the next few pages in order to elefine the main characteristics of these oil and gas bearing rocks. The sands will be considered in order, beginning with the oldest.

St. Peters Sand. - A sand which has been defined as the St. Peters* was pierced by the drill in the wtII located just south of Waverly, in Pike County, and it is the lowest oil or gas bearing rock reached in the area treated in this bulletin. The drill record shows it to be made up of sandstones with some shales interstratified the total thickness of which is 175 feet. It lies below the great beds of Mohawkian limestones and above those of the Canadian. Only a showing of oil and gas was found.