Scioto Township (part 13 of 14)

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.

Trenton Limestone. - The most important oil bearing rock in the geological column of Ohio yet discovered is the Trenton limestone. In this formation the oil is found in layers, which in the productive fields are crystalline and magnesian in character. At Waverly the drill descended through this formation, and in one well near Ironton it penetrated the upper layers. No oil was found in this rock.

"Clinton" Sand. - The "Clinton'' sand of the Medina formation, like the St. Peters, lies between two great deposits of limestone, the Brassfield above, and the Cincinnatian below. The well records obtained in southern Ohio show that the "Qlinton" sand lies about 200 feet below the base of the Brassfield limestone. The large producing gas wells in northern Jackson and western Vinton counties are in the "Clinton'' sand. So far this sand in southern Ohio has not produced oil in paying quantities.

Ironton Gas Sand. - Near Ironton, in Lawretice County, there is found a sand in the body of the Ohio shales which produces gas in paying quantities, and which has not been correlated with any well recognized oil or gas bearing bed. For convenience, and not for stratigraphic reasons, this sand in this report will be called Ironton Gas sand. The record furnished by the Ironton Portland Cement Company shows this gas producing sand to be 578 feet below the top of the Berea sand and 272 feet above the Delaware limestone. In this locality it produces gas in commercial quantities.

Berea Sand. - The Berea is the most constant and best defined sand in the area under discussion, and is recorded in every well in which the drill desceneled to or below this horizon. The sand is variable in thickness, expanding erratically from 5 feet, or even less, to as much as 80 feet, and is made up of alternating layers of sandstone and shale. The sandstones are fine-grained and somewhat argillaceous in character. The Berea sand is above drainage along the Scioto River in Pike and in northern Scioto cpunties, but, owing to the dip of the strata to the east and south, it is about 870 feet below the surface near Hamden, Vinton County; 1,330 feet near Adamsville, Gallia County; 1,200 feet near Coalgrove, Lawrence County; 1,730 feet at Central City, West Virginia, and 1,475 feet near Gallipolis in Gallia County. In the area under discussion, although the Berea sand is present everj^where and has good covering, it has produced neither oil nor gas in paying quantities.

Owing to the geographical location of the field, which is near the village of Hamden, this gas-bearing rock is here called Hamden sand. On an average the Hamden sand lies about 100 feet above the Berea sand. In the Hamden field there are about 40 producing wells in this sand. A small flow of gas was struck by the drill in the Moriah well, Section 21, Madison Township, Jackson County, in a sand 5 feet in thickness and 147 feet above the top of the Berea sand. This bed is evidently correlative with the Hamden. In the three wells drilled by E. B. Willard near Bartles^ in Lawrence County, small flows of gas were found in a sand, the average position of which is 174 feet above the Berea. Here the sand is broken and varies from 5 to 30 feet in thickness. This gas-bearing sand is in the Cuyahoga formation, and appears to be on the same general horizon as the Hamden sand.

Squaw Sand. - The Squaw sand of southeastern Ohio and northern West Virginia is not well defined in the area under discussion in this bulletin. Its position appears to be close. to the base of the Logan formation, or possibly in the upper part of the Cuyahoga. In a few wells, a sand with water that may correlate with the Squaw is recorded. It appears to be only locally developed, or, if present, in most places to be merged with the overlying Big Injun. In this area no sand on this horizon has produced oil or gas in paying quantities.

Big Injun Sand. - The Big Injun sand, which in this area is probably the equivalent of the Bytr member of the Logan formation, is generally present, but is productive only of salt water flows. The Big Injun is an argillaceous sandstone in which more or less siliceous shales are interstratified, and on the average, it, with the overlying Keener sand, is about 150 feet in thickness. In this area it has yielded neither oil nor gas in commercial quantities. It outcrops along the Ohio River from Franklin Furnace to Portsmouth, and along the Scioto from Portsmouth to Chillicothe.

Keener Sand. - The next oil bearing sand which is known to drillers in southeastern Ohio is the Keener, the position of which is at the top of the Logan formation. It may be correlative with the Vinton sandstone of southern Ohio, or it may be another bed occupying this position. In the area under discussion this sand is not sharply defined, but a bed producing salt water is recorded in a number of wells, and is about 40 feet below the Maxville limestone, or, when this is absent, about the same distance below the base of the Pottsville formation. It is non-productive in southern Ohio.

Maxton Sand. - The evidence obtained from drill records in southern Ohio tends to show that the Maxton sand is correlative with the Sharon conglomerate, for it lies just above the Maxville limestone, or at the base of the Pottsville formation. The Sharon conglomerate outcrops in western Jackson, eastern Pike, western Vinton, and eastern Scioto counties. It is most massively developed in the northern part of this area, where the member often exceeds 100 feet in thickness and is characteristically pebbly. The well records in the southern part give an average measurement of about 40 feet with a maximum of 70, and a minimum of 10 feet. In this locality it is a sandstone containing but few pebbles. This sand is often called the Lower Salt sand, on account of the frequency with which it produces flows of brines. The Maxton is the lower oil bearing sand, in the Willowwood field, in Lawrence County, but from records collected elsewhere in Lawrence County and in Gallia, it is productive only of flows of salt water.

Middle Salt or Nagle Sand. - In the Willowwood field, in Lawrence County, there is a sand averaging about 22 feet in thickness, and lying about 43 feet above the Maxton, that has given a showing of oil. This sand correlates with the sandstone that is generally present above the Sciotoville clay, in Scioto and Jackson counties, and is probably the equivalent of the Lower Connoquenessing sandstone of Pennsylvania. Oil drillers often call it the Middle Salt sand. When characteristically developed, it is a light colored, medium grained sandstone with but little argillaceous bonding matter. However, in some localities it contains interbedded layers of shale or gradates into thin bedded shaly sandstones interstratified with shales.

Upper Salt Sand.- - The Upper Salt sand which appears to be correlative with the Uppei^ Connoquenessing of Pennsylvania, and which lies between the Quakertown and Lower Mercer coals, has produced small flows of gas in a few wells, but it usually yields only salt water for the money and labor expended. The bed in places is many feet in thickness, and, in fact, it often appears to be made up of two or more strata separated by thin layers of shales. It is a sandstone of the usual coal formation type. In this area the Upper Salt sand has produced neither oil ror gas in commercial quantities.

Second Cow Run or 800-foot Sand. - The position of the Second Cow Run or 800-foot sand appears to be between the Upper Mercer coal and the Upper Mercer limestone, although it may be just above the latter member. As the upper part of the Pottsville formation contains many beds of massive sandstone, oil or gas may be found at almost any horizon. The sands on this general horizon have produced only small flows of gas in a few wells in southern Ohio. However, flows of salt brines are commonly found when these beds are penetrated by the drill.

Macksburg or 500-foot Sand. - The position of the Macksburg or 500-foot sand has not been definitely established, but it appears to be on the horizon of the Clarion sandstone; possibly it may be as low as the Tionesta. Moreover, in many localities these two sandstone members are merged into one thick bed, while at other places either one or the other may be replaced by shales. The outcrops of the Clarion and Tionesta sandstones extend northward from the Ohio River near

Dunkard or 300-foot Sand. - The next higher sand which has yielded oil in southeastern Ohio is the Dunkard or 300-foot sand. It has been correlated with the Freeport sandstone, which is generally thin or shaly along its outcrop in eastern Lawrence and western Gallia counties. Owing to the shallow covering on this bed, but little may be expected of this sand in Lawrence and Gallia counties.

Cow Run Sand. - The position of the Cow Run sand, as given by Bownocker, is just above the Cambridge limestone. This sand is above drainage in all the area under discussion in this bulletin, except in small areas in eastern Lawrence and Gallia counties.

Owing to the fact that the ''Clinton" and Hamden sands, both of which have yielded good volumes of gas, extend southward from the southwestern part of Vinton County into Jackson, the wells drilled in most of the AUensville and Hamden fields will be included in this bulletin. The records of the wells in these fields give a starting point for the stratigraphic extension of the producing beds southward; hence they are of value in the interpretation of well logs in the non-productive territory from the northern part of Jackson County to the Ohio River. See Map X, Part 1.

The ''Clinton'* sand has been penetrated by the drill in a number of the wells located in Vinton County, and in a few places it has produced large volumes of gas, but as yet no oil. The sand lacks continuity and is variable in thickness and in character. Although not often productive, it seldom contains salt brines. The position of the bed is about 180 feet below the base of the thick Silurian limestone, and about 1,675 feet below the top of the Berea sandstone. This sand is interbedded in shale, part of which is often highly colored with iron oxide pigments.

In the following record furnished by C. H. Garard, of the Ohio Fuel Supply Company, Wellston, Ohio, the "Clinton'^ Berea, and Hamden sands are shown in about their normal positions. The well was drilled on the land of S. C. Walden and D. Bone, in the central part of Section 28, Richland Township.

Seabch For Oil And Gas

In the same section a large producing ''Clinton'* gas well was drilled on the land of Granville S. Jackman, and another on that of the heirs of William Poland. On the ridge in the eastern part of this section, on the property of A. F. Nichols, the '' Clinton' ' sand was penetrated by the drill, but without results. Another attempt was also made to locate productive territory in the eastern part of Section 29 where a dry ''Clinton'' Tyell was drilled on the land of William Nichols. This well is reported to be about 2,600 feet in depth. On Kelley Branch, in Section 21, on the property of John A. Bethel, an unproductive test was made of the "Clinton'' sand. The drill started just above the top of the Logan formation and descended to a depth of 2,580 feet.

At this place the "Clinton" sand was dry, but the Hamden sand at 560 feet gave a showing of gas. About one mile west of Allensville on the land of Ezekiel Ratcliff, in the southwestern part of Section 5, Richland Township, a test of the "Clinton" sand was made for gas, but it gave no reward for the labor and money invested. Below the base of the Silurian limestones two sands, both ol which were dry, were found, one at a depth of 2,080 feet and another at 2,130 feet. A showing of oil was obtained near the top of the Delaware limestone at a depth of 1,265 feet. A test well was also drilled about one mile east of Allensville on Riley Run, on the land of H. C. Wyatt, in the northeastern part of Section 9, Richland Township. Mr. Wyatt states that the "Clinton" sand was reached at 2,200 feet, and that the drill stopped at 2,250 feet.

"The 'Clinton' was reported about 11 feet thick, with a little gas in the top and near the bottom. "^ At present there is a small seepage of gas and a flow of brine.

In 1915 a ' Clinton" well, which is reported to have produced, when first drilled in, 8,000,000 cubic feet of gas per day, was drilled near Olive Church, about one mile northeast of Aliens ville. No record was obtained. On the property of I. N. Bay, in Section 7, Clinton Toimship, a test of the deep sands was made, but the results were unfavorable as neither oil nor gas was secured. This well is located just north of the road and east of Little Raccoon Creek. The top of the Clinton sand is reported to have been reached at 2,576 feet and the bottom at 2,587 feet. It is also stated that the drill stopped in the Medina red shales at a depth of 2,666 feet.

Berea Sand

The Berea sand has excellent continuity in the southwestern part of Vinton County, but so far it has produced neither oil nor gas in commercial quantities. In a few places it has yielded small flows of gas, while at other places it produces only brines. This sand is quite variable in thickness from place to place and is made up of alternating beds of sandstone and shale. But few wells in which the intention of the operator was to test only the Berea sand have been drilled in this area. These are listed in the next few lines.

In the northwestern part of Section 3, Richland Township, on the property of the William Poland heirs, a Berea well was drilled. The sand was located at 702 feet, but drilling was continued to 716 feet where a flow of brine was encountered. On the Elizabeth Tripp property, in Section 25, the drill struck the Hamden sand at a depth of 614 feet and the Berea at 734 feet. Both sands were dry. At the village of Hamden a Berea well was drilled on the land of Alexander Porter, in Section 30, Clinton Township. The sand was found at a depth of 730 feet but gave no showing of either oil or gas. At Lake Alma, in Section 29, of the same township, C. K. Davis drilled a test well that gave a small flow of gas. The Hamden sand, here productive, was found at a depth of 656 feet, and the Berea with only a showing of gas at 814 feet. The head of this well is about 40 feet below the Lower Mercer limestone.

A Berea well was drilled in the fall of 1909 on the land of the Puritan Brick Company near its plant in Section 21, Clinton Township. The following log of the well was kindly furnished the Survey by the company :

Search For Oil And Gas 673

The test was unproductive as it gave only a showing of gas. The sandstones with water at 270 and 325 feet are in the Big Injun, while that at 190 feet appears to be the Sharon conglomerate or its equivalent.

East of Raccoon Creek, in the southeastern part of Section 27, Wilkesville Township, on the property of the Federal Coal Company, a test was drilled to the Berea sand, which is reported by John McCormick to be about 1,300 feet below the surface. The head of this well is about 15 feet below the top of the Ferriferous limestone. Neither oil nor gas was found in commercial quantities.

Hamden Sand

The stratigraphic position of the Hamden sand is about 100 feet above the Berea sand, and on the average about 470 feet below the base of the Pottsville formation. A description of the wells and of their locations is given in the next few paragraphs. The Survey is indebted to C. H. Garard of the Ohio Fuel Supply Company, Wellston, Ohio, for the main facts concerning this field.

On the land of the William Poland heirs, in Section 5, Richland Township, a well was drilled to the Hamden sand, but it produced only a small flow of gas and was soon abandoned. On the same property, about one-half mile north of Richland Furnace, a test was made of this sand, but gas in paying quantities was not secured.

A producing gas well in the Hamden sand, which was reached at a depth of 750 feet, was drilled on the land of J. W. Betts, in the central part of Section 3, Richland Township. In the southern part of this section, on the property of L. W. Poland, the Hamden sand, which gave a commercial flow of gas, was found at a depth of 611 feet below the surface. Another producing well was drilled to this sand on the L. W. Poland farm, in the southeastern part of Section 3. The depth recorded is 656 feet. North of this, at the head of an eastern tributary of Little Raccoon Creek, in the same section, on the land of J. W. Wortman, a well 742 feet in depth gave a good flow of gas which came from the Hamden sand.

In the southwestern part of Section 2, Richland Township, on the farm of William J. Cox, the drill found the Hamden sand, which gave a good flow of gas at a depth of 796 feet. North of this near the small stream another well was drilled on this property. Here this shallow sand was struck 709 feet below the surface and was productive. Gas was also obtained at a depth of 712 feet on the farm of Irenaus Harper, in the northern part of Section 2. Along the stream in the central part of this section, on the farm of Jane A. Wortman, production was obtained in the Hamden sand at a depth of 689 feet. Another well 698 feet in depth on this property, but in the southeastern part of Section 2, also gave a good flow of gas. In the northeastern part of this section two producing wells were drilled into the Hamden sand. One located on the farm of Stephen A. Tripp is 723 feet deep, and the other on that of Harriet Jane Roach is 796 feet.

In Section 1, Richland TowTiship, eight wells were drilled to the Hamden sand. On the land of W. 0. Tripp, in the northwestern part of the section, the drill found the productive sand at a depth of 764 feet. South of this near the road, but on the same property, a producing well was obtained at a depth of 695 feet. The third producing well on this property, 757 feet in depth, is located south of the small stream. Along the road southeast of the above, on the Stephen A. Tripp property, the Hamden sand here productive was reached at a depth of 687 feet. Another well 678 feet in depth, located on the same property, and just north of the road in the southeastern part of the section, gave a commercial flow of gas. Along this tributary of Little Raccoon Creek, in the central part of this section, a dry test was drilled on the property of E. C. Wortman. On the hill south of the stream, in the northeastern part of the section, on the farm of Euphema Henderson, a flow of gas was secured at a depth of 748 feet. North of this on the land of Etha A. Snook production was obtained at a depth of 736 feet.

On the hill in the southern part of Section 36, Richland Township, the Hamden sand was tested on the land of Dora A. and T. M. Buskirk. The well which was 742 feet in depth gave only a small flow of gas and was soon abandoned. In the central part of Section 35, on the C. W. Traphagen property, gas was obtained in paying quantities at a depth of 647 feet. In the southwestern part of this section, on the farm of F. H. Bay, the productive sand was found 764 feet below the surface. West of this on the same property, but in Section 35, a flow of gas w^as secured in the Hamden sand at a depth of 787 feet. South of the Darby School, on the farm of R. F. Traphagen, the shallow sand, 634 feet below the surface, gave a good flow of gas, as it did also at a depth of 699 feet in the western part of this section on land of Anna E. Johnson.

Seabch Fob Oil And Gas

Timothy Cassill, in the central part of Section 26. Another unproductive test between 650 and 690 feet in depth was drilled on the farm of S. E. Murphy, in the central part of Section 27. In Section 32, Elk Township, on the farm of Paul Trimmer, a test was drilled 726 feet in depth. It is reported to be a Berea well, but when plotted appears to have reached only the Hamden sand. The head of the well is just below the position of the Lower Mercer limestone. Neither oil nor gas was secured in paying quantities.

Only a few producing wells have been secured in the Hamden sand in Clinton Township. On the farm of I. N. Bay, in the southwestern part of Section 7, gas was found in this sand at a depth of 675 feet. Along the road in the western part of Section 18, on the property of E. C. Wortman, the Hamtlen sand was also productive. On this property another producing well was drilled in the southwestern part of the same section. At this place the depth of the gas producing sand is 673 feet below the surface. Near the northern boundary of Section 19, on the farm of H. K. Madison, this shallow sand at a depth of 763 feet gave a good flow of gas. On the Poore Brothers* farm, just northeast of the village of Hamden, in Section 20, a test drilled to this gas-bearing sand was unproductive. A number of years ago a shallow well which may have penetrated the Hamden sand was drilled for water at the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern depot at Hamden. It jdelded a small flow of gas for many years and was instrumental in leading to a more thorough search for gas in this locality.

Many wells have been drilled in Jackson County in an attempt to find oil in the deep-seated rocks, but so far the tests have been unproductive. However, gas has been secured in both deep and shallow sands in the northern part, and the fields may be extended by future work. See Map X, Part 2.

The evidence obtained by the few tests made in Jackson County indicates that the * ^Clinton" sand is confined to isolated patches, and that in these the producing bed is variable in thickness and in character. It is interbedded in shales, and lies about 200 feet below the base of the great beds of Devonian and Silurian limestones, which are about 590 feet in thickness here. Descriptions of the ''Clinton'' wells follow:

The Buckeye Coal Company well No. 2, drilled by the Cheshire Oil & Gas Company in 1906, is located at the mouth of Glen Nell Hollow, Section 20, Washington Township. The record furnished the Survey

Geoloot Of Southern Ohio

The head of this well is close to the base of the Sharon conglomerate. The '^Clinton" sand was productive, and the well came in with a flow of 4,000,000 cubic feet of gas per day. The Volume of the gas gradually diminished, and in a few years became so small that the well was abandoned.

Along Pigeon Creek just south of the mouth of Glen Nell Hollow in Section 20, another test known as the Buckeye No. 1 well was drilled to the ^'Clinton*' sand, but it failed to produce gas in commercial quantities. This well was drilled by the Cheshire Oil & Gas Company ia the year 1906. North of the mouth of Glen Nell, on the land of R. W. Wills, this company drilled another well, the early production of thk being 500,000 cubic feet of gas per day. The well was abandoned a year or two ago. The thick beds of Devonian and. Silurian limestones shown by the record are 589 feet in thickness, and the producing "Clinton" sand, 4 feet in thickness, lies 191 feef beneath the limestones. The ^'Clinton'' sand was struck at a depth of 2,266 feet, and the Berea sand at 665 feet. A flow of water was encountered at a depth of 465 feet, and three flows in the massive limestones at depths of 1,584, 1,880, and 1,925 feet, respectively. The well head is near the top of the Sharon conglomerate, and its altitude is about 680 feet. The total depth reached was 2,290 feet.

On the west bank of Pigeon Creek in the central part of Section 20, the Wills No. 2 well was completed in the year 1907. The drill started near the top of the Logan formation and penetrated the rocks to the Medina red shales, but liberated neither oil nor gas in paying quantities. The total depth of the well was 2,335 feet. The Berea sand, 3 feet in thickness, and with a small flow of gas, was found at 610 feet, and the base of the Devonian and Silurian limestones at 2,000 feet. Below this there were 335 feet of variously colored shales and sandstones with some shelly limestone. A showing of oil was obtained in the body of the great beds of limestone at a depth of 1,490 feet, while water was struck at 330 and 1,880 feet. Evidently the horizon of the "Clinton" sand was passed in this test. A "Clinton" well, the initial production of which is reported to be 1,250,000 cubic feet of gas per day, was recently (1916) drilled by the Ohio Fuel Supply Company on the Frank J. Pittenger property in Section 27, Coal Township. No details concerning this work were obtained.

Along Buckeye Creek three miles west of Jackson, T. N. Barnsdale in 1898, drilled a deep test on the Rachael Long farm in Section 23, Liberty Township. This well started close to the base of the Sharon conglomerate. Isa^c Long reports that the drill stopped in limestone at a depth of 2,155 feet. Further, he states that it was the intention of the operators to drill deeper so that about 600 feet of casing, securely capped, were left in the well. No detailed record was obtained, but it evidently passed the horizon of the ''Clinton'' sand, anc^ is here considered a dry ''Clinton" well.

A deep well reported to be far below the "Clinton*' sand was drilled on the Alice D. Johnson farm, in the northern part of Section 36, Scioto Township. It was drilled by a company from Jackson, Ohio. No information regarding the rock strata passed through was secured. Neither oil nor gas was found in paying quantities. Another w^l, which from the depth reported, 1,834 feet, should have reached the "Clinton" sand, was drilled on the Edwin S. Johnson farm, in the central part of Section 36, Scioto Township. No production was obtained.

On Hewitt Run, on the E. M. Gerken farm, Section 10, Jefferson Township, a deep well was drilled in 1905 by the Cheshire Oil & Gas Company. The tools, here starting approximately 160 feet below the top of the Ferriferous limestone, penetrated the rocks to a depth of 2,750 feet in an attempt to locate the "Clinton" sand. The record given below was furnished by C. H. Garard of the Ohio Fuel Supply Company, Wellston, Ohio:

Water was found in the Carboniferous rocks at depths of 200 and of 350 feet, and in the Niagaran limestones at those of 2,188 and 2,206 feet, respectively.

The Beroa sand in Jackson Countv has excellent continuitv, for it is reported in every carefully made and authentic record obtained by the Survey. The average thickness of the formation is^-about 20 feet, while the variation is from 3 to 45 feet. The Berea sand has given a showing of oil or gas at many places, but, so far, it has yielded neither of these products in commercial quantities. A brief description of the wells with their locations follows:

In the rorthern part of Section 9, Washington TowTiship, on the land of the William Poland heirs, a well was drilled for oil in the \'ear 1862. Gas was found in good volume, and is issuing in small quantities at present (1915).

On the farm of A. G. Ray, located about one mile west of the village of Byer, and in Section 7, Washington Tow^lship, a well, variously reported from 1,600 to 2,000 feet in depth, was drilled in search of oil or gas. This well evidently passed below the Berea sand and may have reached the "Clinton" sand, but as no accurate information was obtained it is here listed as a Berea test. It was drilled in 1898 by a company of Parkersburg men, of w hich Mr. Pike was manager. The Hamden sand is reported to have been found at a dt^pth of 540 feet. The test gave neither oil nor gas in paying quantities.

On Glade Run, on the property of B. (lertrude Dyer, In the central part of Section 19, Washington To^vlJship, an attempt was made to locate productive Berea sand, but it did not meet with success. The test was made in 1909, and the record furnished by C. A. Dyer is given below :

Search For Oil And Gas 679

East of Pigeon Creek, in the northern part of Section 20, Washington Township, the Berea sand was found at a depth of 720 feet on the farm of Wilson Lively. A showing of gas was the only reward. The well head is near the surface of the Logan formation. A Berea well was drilled on the property of the Wellston Furnace Company north of the plant. Concerning this, Bownocker says:

The only test reported here was made at Wellston in the summer of 1902. A depth of 800 feet was reached which was probably sufficient for the horizon of the Berea grit. The only reward was a small show of oil and gas. The well head is reported at about 85 feet above the Wellston or No. 2 coal.*

Near the No. 10 mine, on the land of the Superior Colliery Company in Section 13, Milton Township, a test, which is reported toihave reached the Berea sand, was made, but produced neither oil nor gas in paying quantities. The drill started on the level of the Lower Kittanning coal. South of Glenroy, near the abandoned Tom Corwin mine, C. K. Davis drilled a test to the Berea sand. The well head is about 90 feet above the Quakertown or Wellston coal. The Berea sand, with only a showing of oil and gas, is reported to have been reached at a depth of approximately 800 feet.

Northwest of Jackson near Buzzard Rock, on the land of John L. Long, in Section 19, Lick Township, an unproductive test of the Berea sand was made by Jackson people. The drill, starting near the middle of the Sharon conglomerate, which in this locality is approximately 125 feet in thickness, reached the Berea sand, according to George Pugh, a resident of Jackson, at a depth of 740 feet, and stopped at 750 feet. Onlj'' a showing of oil and gas, which with salt water are still issuing, was secured. On the farm of Louis A. Brown, in the southeastern part of Section 25, Scioto Township, a test of the Berea sand was made, and a showing of oil secured. In fact, a few barrels of a dark oil were pumped, but the flow was too small to justify further operation. This well was drilled by a company from Jackson, Ohio.

Near the Hocking Valley depot, in 1886, the authorities of the town of Jackson drilled a well for oil or gas, but the latter product was the one desired, on account of its ready application for fuel. A small flow of gas was secured in the Berea sandstone, and was utilized for a number of years in heating and lighting a residence near by.

Near Moriah Church in Section 21, Madison To^\^lship, a test of the rocks to the Devonian limestones was made on land of Thomas E. Edwards, but the results were unfavorable. The drill here started on the level of the I'erriferous limestone.

A Berea well was drilled east of Symmes Creek on land of D. W. Williams, in Section 2, Madison Township. A strong floi^ of gas was struck in the upper salt sand at a depth of 445 feet, but tne Berea sand contained neither oil nor gas in paying quantities.

On th^ farm of H. H. Stevenson, in Section 25, Hamilton Township, the Berea sand, 12 feet in thickness, was reached at a depth of 611 feet. The drill started near the top of the Logan formation, and at an elevation of about 640 feet above tide. Flows of salt water were found at depths of approximately 300 and 400 feet, respectively. The Berea sand gave only a small flow of gas, which is escaping at present (1915). The Survey is indebted to S. Stevenson and D. D. Davis for these brief facte.

A shallow well, which is reported in the Berea, was drilled on Cub Run, on the land of the Jefferson Iron Company, in Section 21, Jefferson Township. At first it produced a small flow of gas but no showing of oil.