Vinton Township (part 5 of 8)

Clarion Clay

The Clarion is by far the most valuable clay bed in Vinton County, surpassing any other in quality, quantity, and availability. For a coal formation clay of the plastic type the material present here is scarcely surpassed elsewhere in the whole Appalachian field. The conditions for utilization are further enhanced by the fact that the best deposits are present in areas in which the coal beds are also well developed, clay and coal thus being directly available. Besides these advantages, the railroads are situated conveniently for plant location and afford ship-

The Clarion clay is present in western Brown, Swan, southeastern Jackson, eastern Richland, Elk, western Madison, western Vinton, western Wilkesville, and Clinton townships, but the deposits of most value are confined to Brown, Elk, Vinton, and Clinton townships. The quantity of clay directly available by mining is sufficiently large to supply many plants for generations. The Clarion clay is directly associated with the Clarion coal, lying just below this well-known stratum. The thickness of the member varies from 2 to 15 feet with an average from more than 80 measurements slightly in excess of 6 feet. The horizon bears both plastic and flint clay, the plastic being the chief and usually the only kind present.

Brown Township. - The Clarion clay is a persistent bed throughout Brown Township. It is present above drainage.in the western and the central parts in an area of approximately 25 square miles. Near New Plymouth the member lies well above the valleys at an elevation of 860 to 880 feet. The Clarion clay is exposed at many places along Twomile Run from its mouth to Section 24 where it passes below cover. In the southwestern corner of the township, or in Section 31, the elevation of the stratum is about 835 feet, thence it dips eastward along Raccoon Creek, finally disappearing below the flood plains in the central part of Section 7. On Sandy Run the member lies just below or not far above drainage from the mouth of the stream to the southern part of Section 11. Local exposures are also present along the larger western tributaries and along Little Sandy Run for a distance of more than 2 miles. The deposits most available to the railroads are along Raccoon Creek from Zaleski to Moonville, along Sandy Run from Hope Station to Hope Furnace, and along the ridges southeast of New Plymouth.

In Brown Township the Clarion clay is seldom less than 5 feet thick and in places it expands to more than 12 feet but the average measurement is about 7 feet. In the main, the member is composed entirely of plastic clay with occasional thin lenses of flinty material. In the stratum the distinct types of plastic clay show great uniformity laterally but considerable variation vertically. A layer from 6 to 12 inches thick immediately underlying the Clarion coal is dark in color and somewhat rough in texture but its exclusion 1s not necessary except for possibly a few high-grade products. This dark clay is underlain by 2 to 4 feet of light-colored clay of exceptional purity, which is fine grained, very plastic, and only slightly siliceous. The lower layer of the clay bed proper varies from 2 to 4 feet in thickness and the character of its material is much the same as that above except that it is high in siliceous matter. The Clarion clay is underlain by a lightcolored, clay-bonded sandstone, which may be utilized if more silica 1s desired in the batch.

Pennsylvanian System 199

Along the ridges in sections 36 and 30, the Clarion clay outcrops at an elevation of about 860 feet but it was not found sufficiently well exposed for definite measurements. Just north of this, however, in the central part of Section 25, Starr Township, Hocking County, the following record was secured: Ft. In.

The clay in this deposit is all of excellent quality, except that just below the Clarion coal, which is somewhat impure. Along Raccoon Creek in Section 35 and along Twomile Run in sections 29 and 23, it is not so well developed, averaging only about 5 feet in thickness, but is up to the standard in quality. The stratigraphic relations of the Clarion clay to beds higher in the Allegheny formation are shown in the following composite record taken at the road forks in northeastern Section 23:

Locally in this vicinity the Clarion clay thickens to as much as 7 feet. Along Raccoon Creek in sections 34, 33, and 32, the deposits, although poorly exposed, appear to be equally well developed. In Big Sand Woods near the head of Little Sandy Run, the member out-

Elsewhere along this stream the Clarion clay is very constant in extent, thickness, and character. Exposures are too few and poor to determine the exact nature of the deposits in Bungle Hollow in Section 26; along Raccoon Creek, in Section 25; and in Strong Hollow in Section 31. At the Brewer Cut of the Baltimore and-Ohio Southwestern Railroad in northern Section 19, this clay has excellent development and purity. A record of the rocks seen at this place is given below:

In the deep hollow in the southern part of this section, more than 5 feet of Clarion clay was exposed in the stream bed at an elevation of 740 feet. The member appears also just above drainage level on the Ira Penny farm in east central Section 19 where the deposit shows the

Pennsylvanian System 201

On the farm of Jesse White just south of Hope Station, a sample of Clarion clay was taken for testing by the writer assisted by Mr. Miles Ogan, in November, 1923. It was secured by channeling the bed where vertically faced in a deep ravine. (See tests, page 211.) The measurements of the various strata here laid bare are given below:

At other exposures in this locality on the Betz and Dunn properties, the member shows equal thickness and purity. On the farm of Timothy Clifford, located south of Raccoon Creek and about one-half mile east of Hope Station, this clay thins somewhat but retains its high quality. The section secured on the ridge south of the house follows:

Near the mouth of Big Sandy Run, the Clarion member is conspicuous by the heavy outcrop of plastic clay at an elevation of about 740 feet. The bed has been prospected on the Marvin Kasler property near Hope Station and is uncovered in a ravine west of the farm house. At the latter place the record which is given below was obtained.

The field of Clarion clay along Big Sandy Run and its tributaries in the central part of Brown Township is worthy of careful attention as the conditions are especially favorable for large ceramic operations. The clay has good continuity, thickness, uniformity, and purity. Mining conditions are excellent as the roof is everywhere a hard, fissile shale. Further, coal for manufacturing the clay into ware may be obtained from the Middle Kittanning member lying about 90 feet higher in the geological column. From the mouth of Big Sandy Run to Hope Furnace the bed lies not far above drainage. From Hope Furnace to the southern part of Section 11 it is at or just below the flood plain, and along the northern tributaries it is level-free to near their headwaters.

Along the road about one-half mile south of Hope Furnace, on land of George P. Drayer, the Clarion clay was sampled for testing in May, 1925, by W. Stout assisted by Messrs. Miles Ogan and George P. Drayer. The clay was faced to a depth of 3 feet or more and about 130 pounds of material then taken from top to bottom. (See tests, pages 212-3.) The sample is representative of the clay near the surface and should closely approximate that under deep cover. A section of the cut shows the following strata:

Ft. In Stal eskCar kt ee Fae ee is None ge 3 0 Coals weathered. Clartone.ess mee ne ee 10 Clay, dark, Hinty, sampleds airs. cote 10 Clay, plastic, light, very pure, sampled } Clarion 2 10 Clay, plastic, light, siliceous, sampled. . 4 9 Sandstone; light, clay-bonded:. |. 4.05... aoe SOR ee 6

At Hope Furnace the Clarion clay outcrops just above the flood plain but it is so buried that its character was not determined. A short distance northwest of the old stack it is uncovered in a gully north of the stream. The member at this place has the following thickness and structure:

Ft: In Shale; black... <tcheccaen ate en en eee 2 0 Coal?weathered, Clarionwas. pee Eee 1 Z ClavzrdankHintivi thee ee ee Wag. 1 2 Clay, plastic, light, very pure......... Clarion ff 2 Clay, plastic, very siliceous........... 1 6 along the first large tributary of Sandy Run west of Hope Furnace where it outcrops prominently in the stream bank on land of George P. Drayer. This deposit was sampled in the regular way for testing in May, 1925, by W. Stout assisted by Messrs. Miles Ogan and George P. Drayer. (See tests, page 214.) The clay and related strata are shown in the following section:

Ft. In Peiales bl ae ke ok hee wah cot at peices Se are Rahs Weltale ematdih a seat aerate 6 0 Coal, Clarion, absent Klan. @atk: finty, Sampled < io. o-Suwce oo osc 16 Clay, light, plastic, very pure, sampled......... 4 6 Clay, light, plastic, somewhat siliceous, sampled pee 2 10 Sandstone, areillaceous; light... .4 22. ..5.0.46% 1 Clay, plastic, dark gray, somewhat siliceous. ... 1 7 Clay, plastic, light, very siliceous.............. 1 4 anastone, Mult, AEPMIACEOUS. 6. vee cae sco cee shee mek pes 4

At this place the clay sampled, 8 feet 2 inches thick, is of fine quality and that in the entire bed, measuring 11 feet 2 inches, is very satisfactory for most purposes. The overlying Clarion coal appears to be absent only in a small area. On Big Sandy Run near the southern boundary of Section 11, on land of the Ohio Mineral Company, the Clarion members appear for a short distance just above water level. The clay where laid bare by stream erosion was sampled for testing in November, 1923, by the writer, assisted by Mr. Miles Ogan. Where channeled the - clay was solid and the sample is therefore representative of the material under deep cover. (See tests, page 215.) A section of the rocks here is given below:

Clay, light, plastic, very pure, sampled Clsnion D Clay, light, plastic, siliceous, sampled. . 2 Clay, light, very -siliceons). sc... 5s<e <5 .010 x 1

Along Raccoon Creek in the vicinity of Moonville, the Clarion clay is present above drainage at an elevation of nearly 720 feet. The deposits show both thickness and quality. In the hollow in west central Section 8 on land of the Ohio Oil Company, this clay is exposed in the bank of the stream and has the following measurements:

In the cut of the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern Railroad in southwestern Section 8, this clay, exposed near track level, is more than 6 feet thick and of high purity. Along Raccoon Creek in central Section 7 just below the former site of Coe's Mill on land of A. E. Kennard, the bed outcrops about 10 feet above water level. The deposit was sampled for testing in May, 1925, by the writer assisted by Miles Ogan. (See tests, page 216.) The thicknesses of the various strata here exposed are given below:

The field of Clarion clay in Brown Township is an asset of great value and should be developed. As shown by the various sections given, this clay is persistent 1n extent, steady in thickness,-uniform in quality, and free from damaging impurities. Mining conditions are very good, as the bed is not only level free in most of the area but everywhere it has a tough shale roof and a hard, siliceous floor. Further, the thickness, averaging about 7 feet, is favorable for drift mining. The field also has a large reserve of Middle Kittanning coal directly available for factory needs.

Swan Township. - With the exception of a few isolated patches, the Clarion clay is confined to the eastern half of Swan Township where the bed lies near the summits of the main ridges. In general, the deposits are not especially well developed and the material is not above the average in quality. Locally the overlying coal has sufficient thickness for regular drift mining.

Near New Plymouth in the northeast corner of Section 1, the member outcrops about 900 feet above tide. Where exposed in the road the clay is more than 11 feet thick but most of it is very siliceous in character. Where observed in the vicinity of Mount Pleasant in sections 3 and 4, the member is not conspicuous for either thickness or quality. Along the road in northeastern Section 11, the following rocks were exposed:

South of this in sections 13; 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, the Clarion coal has normal development but the underlying clay is much impoverished. The field as a whole is not 'attractive for ceramic operations.

Jackson Township. - In Jackson Township the Clarion clay is present only on the high knobs of the main ridges in Section 36. Its elevation is about 1,020 feet. The clay is of excellent quality, much resembling that in Brown Township. The thickness of the deposits varies from 6 to 8 feet.

Richland Township. - Only small patches of Clarion clay are present in Richland Township and these are confined to the high ridges in sections 1, 2, 13, and 24. The clay has fair thickness and purity.

Elk Township. - The Clarion clay is widely distributed in Elk Township, lying as it does near the summits of the high ridges in the western part and about midway up the hills in the eastern part. Its elevation is nearly 1,000 feet in Section 7, 960 feet in Section 30, 850 feet in Section 12, and 780 feet in Section 25. The deposits lack uniformity, varying greatly both in thickness and in character. The field of most promise is in the northeastern part of the township.

In sections 7, 8, and 18, the member is persistent and well developed. The deposits, however, are not extensive as they are confined to the knobs on the main ridges. In sections 10, 11, 14, and 15, this clay also shows fair development. In southwestern Section 12; the following measurements were obtained:

In the southeastern part of the township, the Clarion clay is thin and siliceous but the overlying coal attains normal development. The conditions are much the same in the vicinity of McArthur where the thickness of the clay varies from 1 to 6 feet but averages less than 4 feet. Locally it 1s so siliceous in character that it is more a clay-bonded sandstone than a true clay. The deposits improve both in thickness and in quality in sections 19, 20, 29, and 30, where the clay has high purity and is from 5 to 8 feet thick. As the covering is thin, the material may be mined by stripping.

Madison Township. - The Clarion member is present above drainage along Raccoon Creek, Wheelabout Creek, and Elk Fork in western Madison Township but appears only on Flat Run in the eastern part. The deposits, however, are inconstant as they show a wide variation, often in a short distance, in thickness, structure, and character. The clay with most merit occurs in the vicinity of Zaleski.

Along the abandoned road in southwestern Section 30, the Clarion clay is more than 6 feet thick and has high purity. It is overlain by the Clarion coal and this in turn by black, fissile shale. The elevation of the deposit is 780 feet. Along the road in central Section 35, the member has similar development and properties, as shown in the following record:

The clay is of value also in parts of Section 29. At the mine of Ernest Eicher, it measures more than 5 feet in thickness. Along Wheelabout Creek the member is much impoverished as it is largely replaced by argillaceous sandstone. Moreover, the material present, from 1 to 4 feet thick, is very siliceous or even shaly in character. It improves but little in the vicinity of Prattsville and in Section 32. Locally along Elk Fork near Vinton Furnace, the Clarion clay again attains the properties necessary for ceramic work. The following rocks were exposed in north central Section 31:

Pennsylvanian System 207

At this place a part of the clay in the deposit is very pure, much resembling that in Brown Township. The member is present just above drainage along Elk Fork in sections 25 and 19, and on Flat Run in Section 13.

Knox Township. - The only locality in which the Clarion clay appears at the surface in Knox Township is along Raccoon Creek in the northern part of Section 12. Owing to the thick covering of alluvium, the bed was not exposed for investigation.

Vinton Township. - Although the Clarion member at no place lies far above drainage, yet it is rather widely exposed in Vinton Township. It is present along Pierce Run in sections 35, 34, 33, 27, 21, 20, and 19; along Raccoon Creek in sections 10, 9, 15, 14, 13, and 19; along Elk Fork in sections 36, 17, and 16; and along Alman Run in sections 28, 22, and 16. In general, the deposits are thin and impure. The most noteworthy features are local bodies of flint clay on the horizon.

On Elk Fork and along Alman Run in the central part of the township, no good clay, either flint or plastic, was found in association with the Clarion coal. The material present in exposures along Raccoon Creek from Arbaugh to Radcliff is also unpromising for ceramic use. In the vicinity of Oreton on Pierce Run, irregular bodies of siliceous, flint clay make up the basal portions of thick deposits lying below the Clarion coal. Stream or current action appears to have aided in the deposition of this material as it shows cross-bedding and selective separation. In it irregular lenses of flint clay and of argillaceous sandstone are inter-stratified in disorderly arrangement, thus producing great local variation. Either of these materials may predominate in such deposits but in general the clay is more abundant. The clay is a hard flint, gradating from quite pure to very siliceous. It is light gray, breaks with a true conchoidal fracture, and disintegrates into angular fragments on exposure to the weather. The plasticity is low. The following section shows the relations observed at the mines of the New York Coal Co. at Oreton:

'Owing to poor exposures and to irregularity in the deposition of the various Allegheny members in this locality, this flint clay was formerly described as Winters. (See Geological Survey of Ohio, Bull. 26, Coal Formation Clays of Ohio, pages 246-248.) It is now considered only a local variation of the Clarion member.

At this place a sample of the flint clay was taken for testing. (See tests, page 218.) The deposits are not extensive but have good thickness. Between Oreton and Radcliff the Clarion member appears to be represented by only a thin bed of siliceous, plastic clay, but near Campbell Tunnel, south of Radcliff, it again shows expansion and improvement. Near the mouth of the small western tributary of Raccoon Creek in central Section 19, the Clarion clay was well exposed in the stream bank on property of the Thompson Coal Co. The deposit here consists of 6 feet 6 inches of flint clay, overlain by 2 feet 6 inches of plastic material, and this in turn by the Clarion coal. The flint clay contains irregular lenses and masses of argillaceous sandstone, thus making it as a whole quite siliceous. Under deep cover in the mine near by on the same property, a sample was taken for testing. (See tests, page 219.) The section is given below:

.,. On the farm of John Riley in northeastern Section 25, the Clarion member is exposed at several places along the south bank of the stream. It is made up of both flint and plastic clay, the flint variety occurring as irregular masses in the basal portion of the plastic. The flint clay is of the usual siliceous type but the plastic material is exceptionally pure. A section of one exposure follows: characteristics at Lincoln Furnace in Jackson County. The field in southwestern Vinton Township thus appears to contain sufficient clay to support ceramic plants and also the necessary fuel to supply their needs. Other conditions favorable for successful operation, such as shipping facilities, labor, and water, are likewise satisfactory.

Wilkesville Township. - In Wilkesville Township the Clarion clay is above drainage along Raccoon Creek from Hawk to central Section 20 and along the lower courses of the larger western tributaries, Rockcamp, Indiancamp, and Karr runs. Throughout most of this area the bed outcrops so near the level of the flood plain that few exposures were found. These, however, indicate that some clay of value is present in the field. The overlying coal has good continuity and development.

The flint clay is light gray in color and fine in texture. Within the stratum are found irregular lenses of very siliceous clay and argillaceous sandstone which, on the whole, constitute but a small part of the mass and which, if objectionable, may be removed in mining. More than 6 feet of flint clay is present on this horizon in south central Section 30. Near Clarion and Minerton the exposures were too poor to determine definitely the thickness and character of the Clarion clay.

Clinton Township. - Although widely distributed in Clinton Township, the Clarion clay only locally attains sufficient merit to be attractive to the ceramic worker. It is at its best in the southern part of the area where some deposits have excellent thickness and purity. In general, plastic clay alone is present on the horizon. At the Puritan plant of the McArthur Brick Company, this clay was formerly used for refractory products and at present it is employed for the manufacture of high grade face brick. The associated Clarion coal is normal in development throughout most of the field.

Near Dundas the Clarion clay, present at an elevation of approximately 860 feet, is generally thin and impure. In east central Section 14, it measures nearly 6 feet in thickness. The quality is fair. It improves in value in sections 22, 23, 26, and 27, where it lies not far above the valley floors. In the pit of the McArthur Brick Company in northeastern Section 28, the following measurements were secured:

At this place a sample of Clarion clay was taken for testing. (See tests, page 220.) It was cut through the entire 9 feet and is representative of the material in this locality. The bed is free from apparent impurities and is uniform in structure. It is mined both by stripping and by drifting.

The Clarion clay, although it has been little worked in Vinton County, is by far the most important ceramic asset within the area. Such a base supply is adequate for a wide and extensive industry. The fields are not only large and accessible but are especially well located for plant operation as fuel, labor, and water are at hand. Further, nearby and distant markets are easily reached by the various railroads operating within or adjacent to the fields.

In general, the Clarion clay in most of the fields is plastic in kind and high in quality. It is very free from damaging impurities such as ore concretions, pyrite, gypsum, and calcareous nodules. Fine quartz sand and mica scales are present most commonly in the basal portion of the deposits but not in sufficient quantities to impair the value of the material for most purposes. As the bonding strength of the clay is high and as the drying shrinkage is moderate, the ware dries safely in any of the common types of driers. The green strength of the body also permits factory handling with little breakage. The Clarion clay is refractory, ranking in the intermediate heat duty class. It is low in carbonaceous matter and hence oxidizes rapidly at a red heat. It has a long burning range and moderate fire shrinkage which | qualities insure a high yield of first-class ware from the kiln. The body, well knit, has a clear attractive buff color. On the whole, the working qualities of the plastic clay from the Clarion horizon in Vinton County are all that may be desired.

The flint clay in the Clarion deposits in Vinton and Wilkesville townships resembles the Bolivar clay in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. It is hard, brittle, and fine grained, has little or no plasticity, and is everywhere very siliceous. Locally it contains some detrimental impurities, the most conspicuous of which are small ore concretions and pyrite crystals. When properly bonded the working properties are good, as it has low drying and fire shrinkage, a long burning range, and a high overburning temperature. Its heat-resisting qualities are such that it ranks near the boundary between the high heat duty and the intermediate heat duty refractories. This clay is most valuable for general purpose fire brick. The following tests show the general properties of the Clarion clay in Vinton County.

Working properties: The clay is plastic and smooth-textured. It machines well except for a few laminations which may be remedied by the addition of siliceous

Burning Per cent linear Per cent volume Color temperature shrinkage absorption Cone 07 2.8 M5) Light buff Cone 04 4.8 10.50 Light buff Cone 02 be 7.90 Light buff Cone 1 6.2 6.08 Medium buff Cone 3 6.4 6.04 Medium buff Cone 5 7.0 Cy ie Medium buff Cone 7 7.0 2.65 Light gray buff Cone 9 12 2.58 Light gray buff Cone 11 7.4 2.60 Gray buff

Possibilities: Intermediate heat duty refractory ware, face brick, hollow block, fire proofing, sewer pipe, and terra cotta. It has a long burning range and develops a good clear color.

Both the chemical analysis and the physical tests show this to be far above the average for a coal formation clay of the plastic type. Its range of usefulness is wide. Within this field it will give a high yield of first-class ware. The deposit is situated favorably for development.

On the property of George P. Drayer, located about one-half mile south of Hope Furnace, a sample of Clarion clay was taken by channeling the deposit, 8 feet 5 inches in thickness. The data obtained are given below: employed. Devine dinedr Sri kage. noe hse ae Sis 5 <a ceikye erie eons 3.7 per cent. Burning behavior Burning Per cent linear Per cent volume temperature _ shrinkage absorption Color Cone 07 HES) P52 Pink buff Cone 04 4.3 9.2 Light buff Cone 02 4.3 9.8 |: Light buff Cone 1 Sol 8.2 Light buff Cone 3 5.8 eae 6.2 Buff Cone 5 5.8 5.4 Buff Cone 7 6.3 3.0 Gray buff Cone 9 6.8 1.8 Gray buff Cone 11 6.8 he Gray buff

By excluding some of the siliceous clay in the lower part of the deposit, the refractory qualities of the remainder may be increased perceptibly. It may be lowered also by increasing the silica content from material lying below the main stratum. Alterations in the batch are thus easily effected. The deposits are uniform in structure and character in this locality, are easily accessible, and have good mining conditions. In order to show the steadiness in quality of the member to the north, a sample of Clarion clay was also taken about one and one-half miles northwest of Hope Furnace on property of George P. Drayer. The results of the tests made are given below:

Pennsylvanian System 215

Possibilities: Intermediate heat duty refractory ware, face brick, sewer pipe, fire proofing, and terra cotta. The burning range is long and the color is a clear buff free from specks.

On Sandy Run the Clarion clay disappears below drainage near the southern boundary of Section 11, Brown Township. The merit of the material is shown by the following determinations:

Working properties: This clay is plastic and smooth and works well through the dies of the machine without the development of objectionablefcracks or laminations,

In its extension eastward in Brown Township the Clarion clay passes below drainage near Moonville in Section 7. The character of the material in this part of the field is apparent from the following determinations made on a sample collected near the former site of Coe's mill on the A. E. Kennard farm:

Physical tests Working properties: The plastic properties of this clay are such that it works well in the machine. Drying behavior: It dries satisfactorily in any type of drier.

The standard uniform quality of the Clarion clay in the Brown Township field is established by the above tests of the five samples taken at various places throughout the most accessible parts of the area. As thus shown, it has real merit and usefulness. On the average it is superior to other plastic clays in the coal formations of Ohio. The alumina content, from 27 to 30 per cent, indicates its approach towards the kaolinitic type and its refractory character. The basic fluxes are low, totaling less than 5.60 per cent in any sample and averaging only 5.11 per cent for all. The acid fluxes are not excessive or especially detrimental as they consist nearly entirely of silica and titanic oxide. The burning range is long, thus insuring ease in burning with a high yield of first-class ware from the kiln. Both the drying and the fire shrinkages are moderate, indicating, but little trouble from cracking, warping, and kiln marking. For a plastic clay the refractory qualities of the Clarion member in this field are especially good, as all of the samples deformed above cone 28 and the best reached cone 31. The excellence of this clay thus fits it for a wide variety of ceramic products.

Flint clay is becoming an asset of more importance from year to year as such material is not widely distributed throughout the Appalachian field, as many deposits are rapidly being depleted, as the demand for heat-resisting products is steadily increasing, and as no satisfactory substitute has as yet been discovered. On this account the flint clay deposits, although small, in Vinton and Wilkesville townships, are worthy of consideration as the basis for refractory ware. To determine the fitness of this material for useful purposes, both chemical and physical tests were made of representative samples. The data obtained from material collected on the land of the New York Coal Co. at Oreton are given below:

Per cent volume Color absorption 29.83 Light cream 35.28 Light cream 34.24 Light cream 30.41 Light buff speckled 30.20 Light buff speckled 32.59 Light buff speckled 30.79 Light buff speckled 33.62 Light buff speckled 32518 Light buff speckled

Pennsylvanian System 219

On the property of the Thompson Coal Co. near Campbell Tunnel, Section 19, Vinton Township, a sample of flint clay was taken under deep cover in a drift mine working the Clarion coal. The results of the tests are given below:

Working properties: The material works short owing to the mixture of flint and plastic clay. It has sufficient bonding power, however, to flow through the die without cracks or lamination.

Burning Per cent linear Per cent volume temperature shrinkage absorption Color Cone 07 1.0 Ay, Light buff Cone 04 Le 16.05 Light buff Cone 02 25 13.27 Light buff Cone 1 OES 13:27 Light buff Cone 3 3.0 1327 Light buff Cone 5 ae 13.05 Light buff Cone 7 Hee 12.30 Medium buff Cone 9 355 12.50 Medium buff Cone 11 3.5 12.00 Medium buff

Possibilities: High heat duty refractory ware. It lies just within the limits of this grade of refractory products but will make brick suitable for general purposes.

The analyses show that this flint clay belongs in the siliceous class as it contains about 25 per cent of free silica which component tends to keep the structure open and to counteract the high shrinkage of the clay substance. It is beneficial also in that it aids in resisting the action of acid slags. In this clay the basic fluxes are moderate in amount and common in kind. Locally the stratum contains some diffused pyrite which is objectionable as it localizes the iron and specks the ware. The heat-resisting qualities of the flint clay on the Clarion horizon, cone 31, place it just within the limit of the high heat duty class but careful selection will raise this slightly. The clay is best fitted for the manufacture of general purpose frre brick.

In a small field near Hamden Furnace in Clinton Township the Clarion clay is plastic and of excellent quality. From a representative sample taken at the Puritan plant of the McArthur Brick Co., the following data were obtained:

This clay was formerly employed at the Puritan plant for the manufacture of general -purpose fire brick by the stiff-mud process. It is used at present for making face brick which have good body structure, few defects, and an attractive buff color. In this locality the supply of high grade clay is large.

The Clarion clay in all of Vinton County shows good mining con- _ ditions. It is directly overlain by the Clarion coal which is about normal in development in Swan, Elk, Madison, Vinton, Wilkesville, and Clinton townships; but which is thin in Brown. In the former area the average measurement of clean coal from many determinations is 3 feet 7 inches and in the latter 1 foot 2 inches. The coal in turn is overlain by the Vanport limestone in the southern part of the county, by hard, gray shale in the central part, and by tough, fissile shale in the northeastern part, all sufficiently strong and resistant to afford safety to miners and to allow a good recovery of the materials below. Both clay and coal may be mined conveniently, at a low cost, from the same entry. The floor of the clay stratum is either a hard, siliceous clay or an argillaceous sandstone, which provide substantial footings for the supports necessary in mining. In the main fields the thickness of the Clarion clay varies from 5 to 10 feet but averages at least 7.

Under such favorable conditions at least 60 per cent of both coal and clay should be obtained by systematic mining. The approximate recovery per acre may be easily computed. The specific gravity of the Clarion clay is 2.64 and that of the associated coal 1.33. The weight per cubic foot, considering that of water to be 62.4 pounds, is therefore 165 pounds for the clay and 83 pounds for the coal. The yield of clay per acre, where the bed is 7 feet thick and 60 per cent may be recovered in mining, is 15,094 tons, which will produce 4,313,000 building brick. Similarly computed the yield of coal should be 3,887 tons in the main field where the bed is 3 feet 7 inches thick and 1,265 tons in Brown Township where it measures on the average only 1 foot 2 inches. The fuel required to manufacture a thousand building brick is nearly .75 ton with the best practice of continuous kilns and other heat-saving devices, but it 1s about 1.25 tons with the more wasteful methods now commonly employed. Under such conditions the coal necessary for making 4,313,000 brick, the quantity produced from one acre of Clarion clay 7 feet thick, is 3,235 tons by the first method and 5,391 tons by the second. These amounts are above by 652 tons and below by 1,504 tons the quantity of fuel, 3,887 tons, yielded by one acre of Clarion coal. In this region, however, additional fuel may be easily supplied by the Brookville, Winters, and Middle Kittanning members.

Clarion Coal

The Clarion coal was named in 1858 by H. D. Rogers for deposits outcropping along the Clarion River in Pennsylvania,! where the thickness of the stratum is from | to 6 feet and its position below the Vanport or Ferriferous limestone is between 10 and 30 feet. In Ohio this member, although widely distributed, is best represented in the southern part, where in northern Lawrence, eastern Scioto, eastern Jackson, northwestern Gallia, and southern Vinton counties, it is very persistent and normally developed. In this field the average thickness of clean coal is nearly 3 feet 5 inches and that of coal and partings 4 feet 1 inch. The bed lies directly below the Vanport limestone from Mount Vernon Furnace in Decatur Township, Lawrence County, northward to Latrobe Furnace in Milton Township, Jackson County, but is separated from the limestone by 1 to 30 feet of shale from Latrobe Furnace northward to New Plymouth in Brown Township, Vinton County. Normally the member is made up of three benches of coal separated by two partings of impure clay; but locally, especially near the borders of the basin, the structure may change erratically. Further, the bed varies in thickness through the expansion or the diminution of coal benches and argillaceous partings and also through the addition or the disappearance of such strata. Throughout central and eastern Ohio the Clarion coal is only locally present and there poorly developed. The same is true in its extension southward from Lawrence County, Ohio, into eastern Kentucky. The field of most value is in northern Lawrence, eastern Jackson, and southern Vinton counties.

The Clarion is Vinton County's largest coal reserve. It extends over an area of approximately 170 square miles of which not more than 90 square miles should be considered productive territory, as the bed 's thin or even wanting at many places. It is best represented in western Wilkesville, western Vinton, eastern Clinton, eastern Elk, western Madison, and southeastern Swan townships, where from more than 80 measurements, the thickness of clean coal is 3 feet 7 inches and that of coal and parting 4 feet 3 inches. Throughout the entire field in Vinton County the mean height of the bed from more than 140 determinations is 3 feet 2 inches of which 7 inches is parting. Normally the member is made up of three coal benches, lower, middle, and upper, with two partings, lower and upper. The average structure of the bed is shown below:

In a few places in Vinton County an additional coal bench appears below the main bed. This is correlative with local lenses similarly placed in parts of Jackson and Lawrence counties. It varies in thickness from 2 inches to.1 foot 9 inches, in character from a rather pure coal to coaly shale, and in position from 3 inches to | foot 4 inches below the regular lower stratum.

The lower and middle coal benches are moderately free from irregular lenses of bone shale and shaly coal but the upper bench is in many places broken by such deleterious material. The entire bed contains more or less pyrite in the form of small nodules, thin plates, and disseminated crystals. The lower parting is clay, very siliceous in character, and usually highly impregnated with pyrite. On account of the presence of pyrite, it is called by the miners the "sulphur band." The upper parting is also a siliceous, pyritiferous clay but in addition it contains considerable organic matter in the form of thin layers of sooty carbon, carbonaceous shale, and impure coal.

Vanport limestone. The coal is separated from the limestone by shale the thickness of which is about 2 inches at Minerton in southern Wilkesville Township, 3 feet at Campbell Tunnel in southern Vinton, 2 feet at Puritan in southern Clinton, 22 feet at Vinton Furnace in southwestern Madison, 3 feet at McArthur in central Elk, 8 feet at the "divide" on the Chillicothe Road in northeastern Richland, and 18 feet in Section 10, Swan Township. The interval between the two beds is thus somewhat erratic but on the average it is nearly 8 feet. Where this interposed shale is thick, the Scrubgrass coal' makes its appearance 3 to 12 feet above the Clarion member. In some localities the Vanport limestone is absent, thus necessitating the use of other beds for stratigraphic benches. With reference to some of these in Vinton County, the general position of the Clarion coal is 27 feet above the Zaleski flint, 53 feet above the Brookville or Newland coal, 46 feet below the Lower Kittanning coal, and 84 feet below the Middle Kittanning member.

As a whole the field has been but little depleted by mining. The deposits have been worked for shipment most extensively near Zaleski, Oreton, Radcliff, Hawk, Clarion, and Minerton. The member supplies also some domestic fuel over a wide area.

Brown Township. - In Brown Township the Clarion coal is above drainage along Raccoon Creek in the western and southern parts and along Sandy Run and its tributaries in the central part. In general the bed is thin, averaging only about 1 foot 2 inches, but with a variation from 1 inch to 4 feet. It is best developed in the southwestern corner of the township where formerly it was mined for shipment. Elsewhere in the township only small supplies of household fuel have been drawn from this source.

In the vicinity of New Plymouth, the Clarion coal is nearly 1 foot 6 inches thick and lies about 900 feet above tide. At an old mine in the southern part of Section 36, the following rocks were exposed:

Along Twomile Run in sections 29 and 23, the member is persistent but thin. It is overlain by black shale and underlain by light, plastic clay. The exposures observed indicate the general thickness of the bed to be between 8 inches and 1 foot 6 inches. Along Raccoon

Pennsylvanian System 225

Creek in sections 34, 33, and 32, the deposits are similar in development and structure. Near the head of Strong Hollow in Section 31, the relation of the Clarion to overlying beds is well established, as shown in the following record:

In this locality the Clarion coal was formerly mined in a large way by drifting. The usual thickness of the bed is reported by the miners to be 3 feet 4 inches and the maximum 4 feet 6 inches, but in central Section 25 it has dwindled to 1 foot 11 inches, which measurement is representative also along the tributary of Raccoon Creek in Section 26. At the Brewer Cut on the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern Railroad in north central Section 19, the member is well exposed in the excavation. The lower bench of coal measures 7 inches, the shale parting | inch, and the upper bench of coal 1 foot 8 inches. The fuel is of good quality. The member is overlain by 6 feet of black, fissile shale and this in turn by 1 foot 3 inches of Scrubgrass coal. In the deep hollow in southern Section 19, the Clarion coal was well exposed along the stream bed where it had been stripped for local needs. The measurements secured are recorded below:

At this place the Clarion member lies 97 feet below the Middle Kittanning coal and about 275 feet below the Brush Creek flint. The stratum is persistent but thin along Little Sandy Run where its ele- vation is 750 feet at the mouth of the stream and 830 feet near the headwaters. In general it consists of a single layer of coal about 1 foot 4 inches thick. Along Sandy Run in central Brown Township, the Clarion horizon is well marked by a thin bed of coal associated with thick deposits of plastic clay and hard, carbonaceous shale. The coal varies in thickness from 1 inch to 1 foot 5 inches but averages only about 8 inches. Its position in the Allegheny formation is shown in the following section taken at Hope Furnace:

Along Raccoon Creek from Hope to beyond Moonville, the member lying not far above drainage is also lacking in development as the thickest deposits measure not more than 1 foot 3 inches. The intervals to overlying beds of prominence are usually 7 feet to the Scrubgrass coal, 50 feet to the Lower Kittanning coal, and 84 feet to the Middle Kittanning bed. As thus shown by the various sections, the outstanding features of the Clarion coal in Brown Township are the fairly uniform thinness of the bed, its direct association with black, carbonaceous shale and with good, plastic clay, and the absence of its usual companion, the Vanport limestone. Its value is small unless mined as an adjunct with the clay. .

Swan Township. - Although widely distributed in Swan Township, the Clarion coal becomes important in only a few localities in the eastern half, where it has been mined both by stripping and by drifting for small supplies of domestic fuel. The roof is usually a black, carbonaceous shale; but in places this is replaced by gray shale or by sandstone. The member varies not only in thickness but in structure as well, for it may be represented by one, two, or three benches of coal. The Vanport limestone, the common datum to which the Clarion coal is usually referred, is present in but few places.

Near New Plymouth in Section 1, the Clarion coal outcrops about 900 feet above tide. Where exposed along the road near the village, it has the following measurement:

In the vicinity of Mt. Pleasant in sections 3 and 4, this coal has been mined in a small way for many years for a part of the local fuel supply. The member has fair thickness but is somewhat impure in the basal portion. The following section, taken in a mine on the property of Amos Garrison, is representative of the deposits in this locality:

The Clarion member is overlain by black shale in which the Scrubgrass coal is interbedded. In northwestern Swan Township the bed is generally thin and the deposits are confined to high knobs on the main ridges. In central Section 10 a number of small mines have been operated from time to time. In this locality the bed, lying 930 feet above tide, is reported to be about 3 feet thick and to be divided near the middle by a thin layer of clay. Its position is nearly 22 feet below the Vanport limestone, which is thin, nodular, and uncertain. The Clarion member shows equal development along the ridges in sections 11 and 12 with an improvement through the addition of a third bench of coal in sections 23 and 24. At a drift mine on the property of Harriet M. Schlotterback in north central Section 23, the following record was secured:

Coon Kr Bsb Aiw Coo

The bed here has the thickness and structure normal to it in the main field in southern Vinton, eastern Jackson, and northern Lawrence counties. It lies about 76 feet below the Middle Kittanning coal. Near the road in northeastern Section 27, the Clarion member is mined by George Wyckoff to supply the local trade. The following measurements were taken well under deep cover:

Although not large, the field of Clarion coal in Swan Township is ample to supply the local needs for many years. Mining conditions are good as the roof is generally a tough, black shale. The area of most importance lies between the Hocking Valley Railway on the west and Raccoon Creek on the east.

Jackson Township. - In Jackson Township, the Clarion coal is confined to a few high knobs and ridges in the southeastern corner. The bed outcrops at an elevation of about 1,030 feet. It is usually accompanied by the Vanport member, represented here by buhrstone. The Clarion deposits show normal development and are drawn upon for small supplies of household fuel. The following record, taken on the farm of George W. Hartley in southwestern Section 36, is representative:

Pennsylvanian System 229

In this locality the Clarion coal lies 8 to 15 feet below the buhrstone of the Vanport member, and 30 to 40 feet above the fossiliferous shale and: shaly limestone of the Putnam Hill. The bed is directly overlain by shale bearing a large marine fauna and correlative with such material observed at many places in Elk, Clinton, and Vinton townships.

Richland Township. - Although confined to small areas along the ridges in northeastern Richland Township, the Clarion coal is noteworthy in that it has good thickness, regular structure, and normal relationships. The deposits are confined most largely to sections 1, 2, 12, and 13, where small drift mines have been operated for many years. The areas, however, are not yet exhausted. Near the "divide" on the McArthur-Chillicothe road in sections 1 'and 2, small quantities of fuel are regularly drawn from the Clarion member to supply the immediate vicinity and the area to the west. In a mine on the Joshua Sands farm, the following section was secured:

In this locality the coal and limestone are separated by shale varying from 6 to 10 feet in thickness. The Vanport member here assumes the definite features that it has in the main field in southern Vinton, eastern Jackson, and northern Lawrence counties. The largest area of Clarion coal in the township is present on the main ridge in central Section 13 where it is worked by drifting. At a mine on the property of John Reynolds, Jr., the following strata were exposed:

At this place the Clarion member is thus seen to be made up of four coal benches, which structure is not uncommon in small areas elsewhere in Vinton County and also in Jackson, Scioto, and Lawrence counties. The overlying limestone is unsteady, being replaced by sandstone or by impure flint.

Elk Township. - The Clarion member in Elk Township has regularly furnished a part of the local fuel supply since pioneer days and bids fair to contribute its portion for many years. It is widely distributed; but owing to the dip of the rocks, the bed is found only on high knobs in the western part of the township and about midway down the slopes of the hills in the eastern part. The field of most value and least depleted is east of the Hocking Valley Railway. The Clarion bed lies close. to the Vanport limestone where this member is present. The average thickness of clean coal is nearly 3 feet 11 inches and that of coal and patting 4 feet 6 inches. In general mining conditions are fair. .

On the Elijah Harrold farm in southeastern Section 1, the Clarion coal is mined by drifting for household purposes. The bed shows the following divisions:

The position of this coal is 71 feet below the Middle Kittanning coal. The member is regularly present at an elevation of 870 feet along the high ridge in Section 2. Formerly it was mined at a few places. The areas are small and unimportant in sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. On the property of Stephen Cramm in central Section 11, the Clarion coal was well exposed. The record follows: fined to small areas on high knobs in sections 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. On the Margaret Morley farm in the southwestern corner of Section 20, the coal is mined by stripping. Its position with reference to the Brookville coal is shown in the record given below:

For many years McArthur has drawn a part of its fuel supply from the Clarion deposits in Section 22. On the Jacob Morgan farm, the lower bench of coal measures 1 foot 1 inch, the pyritic parting 1 inch, the middle bench of coal 1 foot 7 inches, the clay parting 6 inches, and the upper bench of coal 1 foot. This member lies only a few feet below the Vanport limestone, 41 feet below the Lower Kittanning coal, and 89 feet below the Middle Kittanning bed. The overlying limestone is locally replaced by sandstone which there forms the roof of the coal. The Clarion member is regularly present but somewhat erratic in, thickness in sections 23 and 24. Surface exposures indicate more normal development in Section 25 where it outcrops at an elevation of 780 feet. It is mined in a small way by Elmer Sims in central Section 26. The following record, taken under deep cover, is representative:

Near by the Vanport limestone makes its appearance only a few feet above the coal. In Section 27 the Clarion member is worked extensively by the McArthur Brick Co. for factory purposes. From _ anumber of measurements in their mines the average thickness of clean coal is 4 feet and that of coal and partings 4 feet 9 inches. Domestic fuel is also produced by Truman Dixon at whose mine a sample was

Locally the Vanport limestone in nodular form appears along with the fossiliferous shale. The Clarion member lies 56 feet above the Brookville and Newland coal which has been mined also in a small way. In sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33, the bed retains good thickness but the areas are small and now largely exhausted. It supplies household fuel on the farm of Ellsworth Waxler in northwestern Section 35. The beds exposed are shown below:

In this locality the Clarion coal is separated from the overlying Vanport limestone by 10 to 20 feet of shale, a part of which is in many places very rich in marine fauna. The limestone, however, is unsteady through lack of deposition and through replacement by sandstone. Further, the Clarion member lies about 20 feet above the Winters coal and 45 feet below the Lower Kittanning bed. Outcrop exposures indicate deposits of value in Section 36. In a ravine on the property of the Vinton Coal and Iron Co. in the northeastern part of Section 36, the following record was secured:

Pennsylvanian System 233

The small areas of thick Clarion coal in Elk and southeastern Swan townships may be considered as the northern extension of the main productive field in southern Ohio. It here exhibits the marked features such as steadiness in thickness, orderliness in structure, regularity in quantity, and conformity in association that it has elsewhere in the basin to the south. It likewise gradates northward into an erratic and impoverished form, more characteristic of that found in central and eastern Ohio.

Madison Township. - In Madison Township the Clarion coal appears above drainage along Raccoon Creek in the northwestern part, along Wheelabout Creek from Zaleski to Prattsville in the central part, along Elk Fork in the southwestern part, and along Flat Run in Section 13. The bed is persistent but fitful. It varies in thickness from a few inches to more than 6 feet. Likewise its unsteadiness is shown in that it may be represented by one, two, three, or even four coal benches which also lack symmetrical development. The companion bed, the Vanport limestone, is present only in the southern part of the area.

Along Raccoon Creek in Section 30, the Clarion member is made up of two coal benches averaging less than 2 feet 6 inches in thickness. It is overlain by black, fissile shale and underlain by light, plastic clay. The bed outcrops along the hillsides at an elevation of about 785 feet. In a local mine in Strong Hollow in north central Section 36, the following record was secured:

In this locality the Clarion coal was formerly mined for shipment as it was also in the central part of the same section. Its position is about 85 feet below the Middle Kittanning member. In its extension southward into Section 35, the bed thins locally through diminution of some of the coal benches or through loss of the lower stratum. A decrease is shown in the measurements given below which were taken in a small mine on the property of Catherine Driscoll in the north central part of the section:

; Ft. In. Clay Srmipures doer Sane iT Coal; big ibe ade on 7 ae Clarion, altitude 830 feet 10 Coals bonve canon een Ce ; Coal eoodt...entansoe rf

Where mined along the road southwest of Zaleski in Section 35, the member consists of a lower coal bench, 7 inches thick, a shale parting 22 inches, and an upper coal bench, 1 foot 5 inches. The deposit is overlain by a black, fissile shale above which the Scrubgrass coal is found. For many years a part of the fuel supply for Zaleski has been drawn from the Clarion deposits in Section 29. At the mine of Trace, Rider, and Plummer, a sample was cut for testing (see analysis, page 247). The section is given below:

Other measurements taken in this locality show similar development and structure. The average thickness of clean coal is 2 feet 4 inches, Little change is evident in Section 35 where it was formerly mined at.a few places. This member shows a decided but erratic increase in thickness along Wheelabout Creek from Zaleski to Prattsville, where its position is not far above drainage throughout the entire course. The bed has been mined rather extensively for neighborhood fuel. At the George Weaver mine one and one-half miles southeast of Zaleski, a sample was taken' for testing. (See analysis, page 247.) Where channeled the bed has the thickness given below:

East of thison Wheelabout Creek near the mouth of a northern tributary, the Clarion coal was well exposed on the farm of Grover Dixon. The thickness of the lower bench is. 1 foot 2 inches, that of the clay parting 2 inches, and that of the upper bench 1 foot 5 inches. It is overlain by a hard, fissile shale and underlain by a siliceous clay highly impregnated with carbonaceous matter. The outcrop is just above the stream bed at an elevation of 720 feet. At Prattsville the Clarion coal lies near the level of the flood plain. The following section, which is representative, was taken on the property of Orval Lewis:

At Prattsville an attempt was made to strip the Clarion coal with a steam shovel. On account of water and the thinness of the bed, the results were not successful. The lack of orderliness in the Clarion member is shown in the following record taken on the property of Kate Kelly in central Section 32:

In this mine the thickness of the coal benches and that of the clay parting vary considerably along different parts of the entry. Near by on the property of the Mohio Coal Co., the lower bench of coal has contracted to 1 foot 6 inches, the clay parting to 7 inches, and the upper bench of coal to 1 foot 2 inches. The Clarion member is above drainage along Elk Fork in the southwestern part of the township. Its elevation is 760 feet in western Section 31 and 700 feet in southwestern Section 19. Here as elsewhere in Madison Township, the deposits show erratic development, expanding from 1 foot or less to 6 feet or more. In an old mine in north central Section 31 on land of the Vinton Coal and Iron Co., the following record was secured:

In the vicinity of Vinton Furnace, the position of the Clarion coal is about 25 feet below the Vanport limestone and its thickness 4 feet 9 inches. From surface exposures the bed is of less value in sections 25 and 19. On Flat Run in the southern part of Section 13, it measures not more than 1 foot 2 inches. In this locality the Clarion coal is closely overlain by flint, representing the Vanport member.

Knox Township. - In Knox Township the Clarion coal appears _ above drainage in only a small area along Raccoon Creek in the northern part of Section 12. The deposits are similar to what they are in adjacent parts of Brown Township. The general features are shown in the following record taken along a small western tributary of Raccoon Creek lying in north central Section 12:

The position of the Clarion coal here is about 45 feet below the Lower Kittanning coal and 85 feet below the Middle Kittanning. In this locality the clay associated with the Clarion coal is of high quality.

Vinton Township. - The Clarion is by far the most important coal bed appearing at the surface in Vinton Township. For many years it has supplied fuel for local domestic needs and some for shipment. The reserve yet easily available is large. The member is above drainage along Pierce Run in sections 35, 34, 33, 27, 21, 36, 20, and 19; along Raccoon Creek in sections 10, 9, 15, 14, 13, and 19; along Elk Fork in sections 24, 23, 17, and 16; and along Alman Run in sections 28 and 22. The bed has normal development in the southern part of the township but is erratic and uncertain in the northern part. From many determinations in the main field the respective measurements are lower bench of coal, 1 foot 1 inch; lower parting, 1 inch; middle bench of coal, 1 foot 3. inches; upper parting, 7 inches; and upper bench of coal, 1 foot 4 inches. Mining conditions are generally good as the roof is a tough shale and the floor a siliceous clay.

Along the stream in north central Section 36, the Clarion coal outcrops at an elevation of 725 feet. The bed, however, appears to be thin, through replacement of the upper benches by a massive sand- stone. . It is poorly represented also along Elk Fork and Flat Run in Section 24. The disturbance in the deposition of the Clarion member by current action is well shown along the cut of the Hocking Valley Railway in the west central part of Section 34, where locally only thin, irregular lenses of coal appear at the base of the sandstone. Near Oreton in the southwestern part of this area, the bed, however, has normal development and has been.mined at a number of places. In the old Hanging Rock mine a sample was cut by Orton in 1900 for testing. (See analysis, page 248.) Near by in the opening of the. Kinwood Coal Co., the member has the thickness and structure given below: ;

This mine is connected by a switch to the Hocking Valley Railway but its capacity is small. Along Alman Run in central Section 28, the Chicago-Oreton Company stripped a small area of Clarion coal with a steam shovel. The record secured follows:

Locally in this vicinity the overlying sandstone replaces the shale and a part of the Clarion coal. This member was also mined by this company in the southern part of the same section, where the bed measures 4 feet 11 inches in thickness and the clean coal 4 feet 3 inches. It is overlain by the Vanport limestone in patchy development. The interval of separation is from 12 to 16 feet. Along Elk Fork in Section 16, the Clarion member appears near the level of the flood plains, or about 670 feet above tide. Several small mines are operated to supply fuel for neighborhood use. In that of John Burns in the central part of the section, the following measurements were secitired: ~~

In this locality the bed varies from 3 feet.6 inches to 5 feet in thickness. In its extension eastward into Section 10 the Clarion coal disappears below the waters of Raccoon Creek near Eakin's Mill where it is reported to be about 4 feet thick. It is accompanied also by the Vanport limestone with characteristic features. Somewhat similar conditions are found along Raccoon Creek in Section 15 where the following record, taken at the mine of John Canode, is approximately representative:

These members appear in the stream bed, at an elevation of 710 feet, in central Section 21 where some fuel has been obtained by stripping. In the vicinity of Oreton in the northern part of Section 33, the Clarion coal has been mined in a large way for many years, and formerly it was further prepared for the market by washing. One of the largest consumers was the Alma Cement Company at Wellston. In the mine of the Vinton Coal Company a sample was cut for testing by Edward Orton, Jr. in 1900. (See analysis, page 248). The

Ft, In. Coal, bony, with pyrite lenses, rejected. ... 2 Coal, upper bench, sampled....:.......... 1 4 Shales 'atid coal, rejected ss occu wwe san Clarion 4 Coal, middle bench, sampled.............. 1] TALES PETROL 5 cc oes GARE ale cam cuemntnae wee ia 3 Coal, lower bench; sampled............... J 11

These mines are now owned and operated by the New York Coal Company. The average of several measurements in this locality shows the following thickness and structure: coal, lower bench, 1 foot

Pennsylvanian System 239

4 inches; clay parting, 1 inch; coal, middle bench, 1 foot 2 inches; clay and bony coal, 7 inches; and coal, upper bench, 1 foot 4 inches. At a few places an additional lens of coal appears below the main deposit. This is shown in a section which is given below and which was taken at the Eagle Tunnel on the Hocking Valley Railway:

Near Oreton the Vanport limestone is locally present 4 to 18 feet above the Clarion coal. The intervening material is a gray, siliceous shale. In some areas both the limestone and the shale: are replaced by a massive sandstone which there forms the roof of the Clarion member. Further, where the erosion action was severe a part of the coal bed is also wanting. This effect is shown in the following record taken on the D. L. White property west of Radcliff in east central Section 26:

Such impoverishment is also shown locally near Radcliff in Section 20. The Clarion member, however, again appears with more normal characteristics along Raccoon Creek in Section 14, where it outcrops near the level of the flood plain at an elevation of about 650 feet and where it has been mined at a number of places for local fuel. The following record taken in the opening of J. E. Bacus is representative:

The Clarion member retains good thickness along Raccoon Creek in Section 13 and has been mined for shipment along the Hocking Valley Railway in Section 19. Where worked by the Reinhart Coal Company at Campbell Tunnel its stratigraphic relations and _ thickness are as given below:

The measurements are much the same in the mine of the Thompson Coal Company near by and in that of the Syndicate Coal Company in the north central part of the section. With few exceptions in this locality the roof of the coal is a hard, black shale overlain by the Vanport limestone, and thus is not only safe for the workmen but allows a high yield of coal. In places in the mines a fourth bench of coal, 4 to 10 inches thick, is present from 6 inches to 3 feet below the main deposit. This extra stratum is correlative with that similarly placed at Eagle and Vinton furnaces in Vinton County, at Buckeye Furnace and Roads in Jackson County, and at Washington, Pioneer, and Olive furnaces in Lawrence County. Owing to its poor quality and to the thick parting intervening, this lower bench of coal is at few places mined except incidentally in removing floor material to gain height in the main entrance. The Clarion member is above drainage along the tributary of Raccoon Creek in the northern part of Section 25. Not far from the Haggerty School the following record was secured in a small drift mine on the Lincoln Furnace property:

As shown by the various sections given, the field of workable Clarion coal in Vinton Township is large as the bed shows normal thickness and good continuity throughout most of the central and southern portion. Only small areas near Oreton and Radcliff have been depleted

Pennsylvanian System 241

Wilkesville Township. - In Wilkesville Township the Clarion coal appears at the surface along Raccoon Creek in sections 24, 23, 22, 28, 21, 27, 26, and 20; along Rockcamp Run in Section 30; along Indiancamp Run in Section 28; and along Karr Run in Section 27. The coal enters the township above Hawk at an elevation of 640 feet and passes below cover in the central part of Section 20 at 610 feet. The bed is persistent and regular throughout the field. The average of many measurements taken at various places along the outcrop shows coal, lower bench, 1 foot 2 inches; clay, lower parting, 12 inches; coal, middle bench, 1 foot 2 inches; clay, upper parting, 62 inches; and coal, upper bench, 1 foot 6 inches. The roof material changes in different parts of the field. The coal may be directly overlain by the Vanport limestone, by black, carbonaceous shale, or by a massive sandstone, the strength of which is sufficient to provide safety for the workmen and a good yield of fuel. In this field the Clarion coal has been mined for shipment for many years at Hawk, Clarion, and Minerton, but the area exhausted is not large and is confined to the front along Raccoon Creek. From drill records the member appears to have good continuity and thickness under deep cover in the eastern part of the township. Its position is about 37 feet below the Lower Kittanning coal and 76 feet below the Middle Kittanning bed.

On Rockcamp Run in the western part of Section 30, the Clarion member passes below drainage at an elevation of 685 feet. At a small local mine in the central part of this section the following record was secured:

In the vicinity of Hawk in Section 24, this member has been mined for shipment for many years. North of the village it is worked by the Black Hawk Coal Company and the Beech Grove Coal Company, the latter mining about 175 tons per day. The bed, normal in structure, is made up of about 3 feet 9 inches of clean coal and 9 inches of clay partings. It is overlain by black, fissile shale above which is present a massive, coarse-grained sandstone. In 1900 a sample of Clarion coal was cut by Edward Orton, Jr., in the mine of Elmer Keck and Company. The bed where channeled has the thickness shown below:

Most of the coal produced in this locality has been used for steam generation in stationary and locomotive boilers for which purpose, if properly cleaned, it is very satisfactory. The quantity produced is neither large nor steady. South of Hawk near the mouth of Rockcamp Run, the Clarion member is mined for household fuel and by the Shafer Coal Company for the general market. In the mine of the latter company the following representative measurements were secured:

Along Raccoon Creek in Section 23, the Clarion, about 630 feet above tide, is persistent and regular. It has been mined in either a small or a large way at many places. The following record, taken along the stream west of the Hocking Valley Railway in the southern part of the section, shows the general structure of the coal and the character of the overlying rocks:

Pennsylvanian System 243

On the north tributary of Indiancamp Run in south central Section 29, the Clarion coal at drainage level is reported to be 4 feet 2 inches thick. The roof is black, fissile shale above which the Vanport limestone is regularly present. In this locality the Clarion coal lies about 29 feet below the Lower Kittanning coal, 76 feet below the Middle Kittanning coal, 166 feet below the Upper Freeport coal, and 251 feet below the Brush Creek limestone. The member appears just above drainage at an elevation of 670 feet, along Indiancamp Run in eastern Section 34. It is also level-free along this stream and along Raccoon Creek in Section 28. At the mine of Frank Stanton in the southeastern part of the section the following measurements were obtained:

Large mines were formerly operated in the Clarion member at the village of Clarion in Section 22. The coal has been worked in a small way also south of Mt. Olive Church on an eastern tributary of Raccoon Creek. In the vicinity of Minerton the bed has been mined extensively by the Lawler Coal Company for many years. In one of their openings a sample for testing was cut in 1900 by Edward Orton, Jr. (See analysis, page 248.) The section follows:

Ft. In. Limestone. tral, MAMI EU ge) yee id ce Ate feces 1 63 DN DIE POTEECON Soci mirc AA ap Sie eek as 62 COA SREMIER «as eos ss ee eels Clarion: 1 2 MUO LEISELEM Uke kee Seen Seek 13 Rralenintledis his cc sere. eee... 1 1 Clay, impure.

In this locality the Clarion coal is directly overlain by the Vanport limestone, the thickness of which is 6 to 8 feet. From several determinations the average measurement of clean coal in the Clarion member is 3 feet 9 inches and that of the partings 8 inches. The coal disappears below the bed of Raccoon Creek in central Section 20.

Clinton Township. - In Clinton Township the Clarion coal is confined to the area east of the old valley extending from Dundas to Hamden. Owing to the dip of the rocks to the east, the position of the bed above tide is approximately 860 feet in Section 3; 890 feet in

Section 29; 770 feet in Section 1; and 760 feet in Section 25. The member is usually normal in thickness, structure, and association. In small areas, however, it is partially or even completely replaced by sandstone. Most of the mines are small, supplying fuel for local needs only. In sections 1 and 2 the Clarion member is unsteady, giving way locally to sandstone. Near Dundas in Section 3, it is more regular and has been mined at a few places where it is reported to be about 4 feet thick. On the property of Eva Rush in the northeast corner of Section 9, the following measurements were obtained in a small drift mine:

In this locality the Vanport member represented by buhrstone is present 5 to 10 feet above the-Clarion coal. In Section 10 the bed is persistent in extent but somewhat variable in thickness, owing to replacement of the upper bench or to the lack of development of the lower one. This condition is also evident in Section 11 where at the shipping mine of A. K. Walker in the northeastern part the following measurements were secured:

At this place the Clarion lies about 40 feet below the Lower Kittanning coal and 30 feet above the Winters coal. It is unsteady also in sections 12, 13, and 14 but more normal in sections 15 and 16, where it has been mined at a few places. In an old mine on the ridge in northern Section 21, the following relations were observed:

Pennsylvanian System 245

Surface exposures indicate that the Clarion coal is of value in sections 22, 23, and 24. Along the stream in the southwestern part of Section 25, this coal was formerly mined for shipment. The combined thickness of the three coal benches is 3 feet 9 inches and that of the two clay partings 8 inches. The coal is separated from the Vanport limestone by gray and black shale varying from 1 to 10 feet in thickness. The deposits show similar thickness and arrangement in sections 26 and 27. The following record, taken at the mine of the Mc- Arthur Brick Company, is representative of the Clarion member in Section 28:

In this locality the Clarion coal lies 45 feet below the Lower Kittanning coal and 74 feet below the Middle Kittanning. It is drawn upon for most of the fuel used in the manufacture and in the burning of clay products at the Puritan works of the McArthur Brick Company. The roof is a hard, black shale overlain by the Vanport limestone or by a massive sandstone, thus allowing a high yield of fuel. The supply of Clarion coal yet available in Clinton Township is ample to meet the local needs for many years.

The Clarion is the largest fuel reserve in Vinton County, being followed by the Middle Kittanning, Brookville, Winters, Quakertown, Lower Kittanning, and Upper Freeport coals. In kind it is an ordinary bituminous coal. Owing to its coking properties, it burns freely only while the volatile matter is being expelled. The coke residue is consumed slowly unless forced draft is used. The Clarion coal ranks low in quality as it is high in sulphur and ash and slightly below the average in heating value. On ignition it produces much soot which tends to choke the flue system. The ash is easily fusible and quite corrosive as it is high in bases and in sulphur. Further, the partings are so placed in the bed and so tender in character that some deleterious material is usually added to the fuel in mining. If properly cleaned the Clarion coal may be used satisfactorily for steam generation; brick burning, and general heating. The value of the member is enhanced by the fact that in large areas it is underlain by clay of high purity and in some localities it is directly overlain by the Vanport limestone, useful for many purposes. Either of these materials may be mined easily and cheaply in conjunction with the coal. The quality of the Clarion coal is shown by the analysis given below:

The Clarion coal was sampled in July, 1902, by B. A. Eisenlohr at the mine of George Cherry in Section 3, Swan Township. The coal in the upper bench is much harder than that in the lower one. The sample, cut about 60 feet from the outcrop, is representative of the fuel in this locality.!

At the mine of J. T. Dickson in Section 27, Elk Township, a sample for testing was cut from a fresh surface by E. E. Somermeier in September, 1901. At this place the coal had 50 feet of covering.?

Pennsylvanian System 247

The Clarion coal where mined by Trace, Rider, and Plummer in Section 29, Madison Township, was sampled well under the hill by E. E. Somermeier in September, 1901. The data follow:!

At the Hanging Rock mine in Section 34, Vinton Township, a combined sample was cut from two rooms, the face of the coal being fresh in each. The work was done by Edward Orton, Jr., in August, 1900.2

A sample of Clarion coal was taken by Edward Orton, Jr., in August, 1900, at the mine of the Vinton Coal Company located in Section 33, Vinton Township. The results of the test are given below:!

At the Lawler mine near Minerton in Section 27, Wilkesville Township, the Clarion member was sampled by Edward Orton, Jr., in August, 1900. The analytical data follow:?

Pennsylvanian System 249

The above samples are representative of the Clarion coal in the Vinton County field. Although having objectionable qualities, this fuel may be used conveniently for the development of power and heat and should aid in the promotion of industries in the region. The quantity available is large. The bed is favorably situated for attack over a wide area and has good mining conditions. The Clarion coal in Vinton County is a reserve of importance for future needs.

Scrubgrass Coal

The name Scrubgrass was applied in 1858 by H. D. Rogers of the Pennsylvania Survey to a coal bed outcropping along Scrubgrass Creek in the southwestern part of Venango County, Pa. He states: "We here for the first time meet with an interposed seam of coal between the limestone (Vanport) and the Clarion bed. It is never more than 20 inches thick, is slaty, and frequently immediately underlies the limestone. It may perhaps be considered as an upper member of the Clarion coal, subdivided by the intercalation of shale." In later reports of the Pennsylvania Survey the Scrubgrass or Upper Clarion coal is frequently mentioned in the geology of Mercer, Venango, Lawrence, Butler, Clarion, Beaver, and Allegheny counties.

In Ohio the Rogers classification was first used by Edward Orton in 1884 when in his general section he placed both the Clarion and Scrubgrass members in the interval below the Ferriferous (Vanport) limestone. He described them as follows: '"Two coal seams occur below the Ferriferous (Vanport) limestone and help to mark the general horizon. The place of one of these seams, which is known as the Scrubgrass coal, is directly beneath the limestone. The second or Clarion coal is found from 15 to 30 feet below the limestone. Both seams fail for the most part in all of the northern border of the Ohio field.'"

In this State the Scrubgrass coal is best developed and most clearly defined in Vinton County where in some areas it appears with considerable regularity in shales interposed between the Clarion coal and the Vanport limestone where the latter stratum is present. The position of the member is somewhat variable, lying in some places near the Clarion coal and elsewhere near the Vanport limestone. On the average, however, its place is about 8 feet above the base of the coal bed and 3 feet below the limestone.

At no place does it combine directly with the Clarion member nor in any way is it responsible for the thickening or the thinning of the underlying stratum. It is, with few exceptions, present only where the roof of the Clarion coal is a dark, carbonaceous shale. The usual order of deposition is Clarion coal, carbonaceous shale, Scrubgrass coal, gray shale, and Vanport limestone or sandstone. The Scrubgrass member is absent where gray, siliceous shale, above the average in thickness, directly overlies the Clarion bed. The Scrubgrass has little or no clay associated with it whereas the Clarion member.is always underlain by thick deposits of pure clay. Thus during Scrubgrass time the swamp conditions were favorable for the presence of carbonaceous matter as coal but not for the alteration of the argillaceous sediments into clay. Although the Scrubgrass coal is thin, impure, and uncertain, it deserves recognition as a separate member. It is locally present in Brown, Swan, Madison, Knox, Vinton, and Wilkesville townships, Vinton County, and in Starr and Washington townships, Hocking County.

Although far from persistent, the Scrubgrass coal is found with considerable regularity along Twomile Run, Sandy Run, Raccoon Creek, and their larger tributaries throughout central Brown Township. It is generally absent in the western tier of sections and is below drainage in the eastern part. The stratigraphic relations of the Scrubgrass coal to other members is well shown in the following record taken along the road in the northwestern part of Section 23:

As thus shown in this locality the Scrubgrass member lies about 8 feet above the base of the Clarion coal, 55 feet below the Lower Kittanning coal, and 78 feet below the well developed Middle Kittanning member. The bed was observed at other places in this area. The thickness of the stratum varies from 6 inches to 1 foot 3 inches and the quality from a rather pure to a bony fuel. On Sandy Run in the south-

Pennsylvanian System 251

Near the head of Little Sandy Run, the Scrubgrass coal is exposed along the banks of the stream at an elevation of about 830 feet. Where measured, it is 7 inches thick and is separated from the Clarion coal by 4 feet 5 inches of hard, carbonaceous shale. Near Hope Furnace small irregular lenses of Scrubgrass coal are present at the base of a massive sandstone which generally replaces the member. Conditions are similar near the mouth of Sandy Run and along Raccoon Creek in Section 14. The bed, however, is more persistent and better developed in Section 19. The following record, taken along Raccoon Creek in the northeastern part of the section, is representative:

Near Hope Station the Scrubgrass member with fair development and regularity appears 6 to 10 feet above the Clarion member. On the property of Timothy Clifford, a lens of blackband ore appears in the shale underlying the coal. A section taken at this place is given below: in the shale at a few places along Raccoon Creek between Hope and Moonville. It is low in iron and high in siliceous material © In the cut of the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern Railroad in the west central part of Section 8, the following strata were well exposed:

At this place the thickness of the Scrubgrass coal varies from 5 inches to 1 foot 4 inches and its position from 5 to 10 feet above the Clarion member. In the next cut east of the above, the upper coal and associated shale are replaced by the massive overlying sandstone. Along Raccoon Creek south of Moonville in Section 7, both coals are regularly present, the Clarion being about 1 foot 1 inch thick and the Scrubgrass 10 inches.

In Knox Township the Scrubgrass member is above drainage only along Raccoon Creek in the northern part of Section 12. Near the mouth of a tributary to the west, the following record was secured:

The position of the Scrubgrass coal here is approximately 41 feet below the Lower Kittanning coal, 89 feet below the Middle Kittanning coal, and 185 feet below the Upper Freeport. The Vanport limestone is absent, more from lack of deposition than from replacement.

The Scrubgrass member is present with fair continuity along Raccoon Creek, Wheelabout Creek, and Elk Fork in Madison Township. The underlying Clarion coal is about normal in development and the overlying Vanport limestone appears in isolated patches. Along the road southwest of Zaleski, the following beds were exposed:

Pennsylvanian System 258

Local deposits are also present east of Zaleski in Section 29 and south of Raccoon Creek in Section 34. In the hollow east of "The Pinnacle"' both the Scrubgrass and Clarion members have been stripped in a small way for local fuel. The Scrubgrass is 1 foot 7 inches thick but shaly in character. Its position is about 6 feet above the Clarion member, the intervening material being black, carbonaceous shale. At the mine of Grover Dixon on Wheelabout Creek, the general relations of the beds are as shown below:

Except where replaced by sandstone, the Scrubgrass member is present along the tributary of Wheelabout Creek that extends southward to Prattsville, where the Clarion coal is at drainage level. On the property of Orval Lewis at this place, the following beds were exposed:

On Elk Fork in sections 31, 25, and 19, the Scrubgrass coal and the associated carbonaceous shale appear to be absent. The interval from the Clarion coal to the Vanport limestone, or to the sandstone that locally replaces it, is made up of gray, siliceous shale. This condition also prevails to the west in Elk Township and to the south in most of Vinton Township. Near the bridge over Elk Fork in northern Section 16, Vinton Township, the Scrubgrass coal appears at the base

Along Raccoon Creek from Arbaugh to Hawk and along Pierce Run from Oreton to Radcliff, the Scrubgrass member was not observed, although locally some black shale is present above the Clarion coal. It appears to be wanting more through lack of deposition than through replacement by sandstone. In Wilkesville Township the Scrubgrass member was found at only one place, which is at the mine of the Beech Grove Coal Company just east of Hawk. The section taken is given below:

South of this near Clarion, the Clarion coal and Vanport limestone are separated by only a thin layer of carbonaceous shale and at Minerton they lie in contact. In Clinton Township the Scrubgrass member was not observed.

The Scrubgrass member in Vinton County is of more interest for its stratigraphic than for its economic features as the area is small, the stratum thin, and the quality poor. Aside from the local field in Brown and Madison townships, the deposits are patchy and uncertain. The average thickness of the bed from thirty measurements is 11 inches and the minimum and maximum | inch and 1 foot 7 inches respectively. The coal is everywhere shaly in character. The partings vary from thin, papery laminae to | inch or more. Such material is present throughout the entire bed. 'This coal also contains much sulphur in the form of pyrite and some in the form of organic sulphides. "'Mother coal" is regularly present in most of the deposits. The Scrubgrass member has been mined only along stream beds where the overburden has been largely removed by erosion. The quantity thus obtained 1s trifling. The member has little or no clay associated with it. The Scrubgrass member along with the associated black shale forms a good roof for the underlying beds, the Clarion coal and Clarion clay, which are economically important.

Vanport Or Ferriferous Limestone

This stratum was first named the Ferriferous limestone in 1858 by Henry D. Rogers of the first Geological Survey of Pennsylvania, where in the western part such deposits were conspicuous at many places. Regarding the member he states:! '"The Ferriferous limestone is so called because, in many localities, a very valuable deposit of iron ore rests directly upon it, while in other localities the bed of limestone itself seems to be divided between carbonate of lime and carbonate of iron. This ore is accompanied by a species of chert called "The Buhr-Stone' which is compact in its texture, externally gray, but light blue when newly fractured, and usually interposed between the limestone and the ore. The limestone is usually a blue carbonate of lime of compact structure; but it is often of gray-blue color, hard and solid, with a few fossils." In Ohio for like reasons the bed was named the Ferriferous limestone in 1870 by E. B. Andrews, as it carries upon its upper surface, sometimes adhering and sometimes separated by a little shale, an iron ore, which in Vinton, Jackson, Scioto, and Lawrence counties, is everywhere known as the limestone ore.2. As the ore was largely used for iron smelting in the charcoal furnaces of the region, the underlying limestone was known as the Ferriferous. He also refers to it as the Grey limestone and as the Hanging Rock limestone. The former designation is made on account of its prevailing gray color and the latter on account of its being extensively worked near Hanging Rock in Lawrence County. The term Vanport, which is now in more common use, is from Vanport, Pennsylvania, where the bed is well exposed along a cut of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

In Ohio the most extensive and persistent field of Vanport limestone extends northward from the Ohio River through western Lawrence, eastern Scioto, eastern Jackson, and western Gallia counties to central Vinton. It is here a rather pure limestone with local lenses of flint or chert in the upper portion. The bed varies from 4 to 10 feet in thickness. Throughout the central part of the State in Hocking,

Perry, Muskingum, Coshocton, Holmes, Tuscarawas, and Stark counties, the deposits are generally small and either decidedly shaly or flinty in character. In general shale alone marks the horizon. In Mahoning County the member again shows more characteristic properties in that it is a rather pure limestone but it is patchy. The deposits, however, are much above the average in thickness. In Columbiana County the horizon is marked only by fossiliferous shale although near by at Vanport, Pennsylvania, it is again exceptionally well developed. In Ohio the southern field is by far the most important. In Vinton County the Vanport member is unsteady and in much of the area its place in the geological column is not marked even by fossiliferous shale. It is wanting both through lack of development and through replacement by massive sandstone. As a true limestone the deposits of most value are present along Raccoon Creek and its western tributaries in central Wilkesville Township, on the ridges in southeastern Clinton, along Pierce Run and Raccoon Creek in Vinton, along Flat Run in southeastern Madison, along the ridges in southeastern Elk, and on the main divide in northeastern Richland. Thin, isolated deposits are also found in Brown, Swan, and Jackson townships.

At Minerton in Wilkesville Township, the Vanport limestone lies directly upon Clarion coal, which is the condition in most of Jackson, Lawrence, and Scioto counties. In the remainder of the county, the two beds are separated by shale varying from a few inches to as much as 22 feet in thickness. The average position of the limestone is nearly 8 feet above the top of the coal or 11 feet above the base. The first prominent member above the Vanport limestone is the Lower Kittanning coal. The interval of separation of these beds varies from 19 to 73 feet but averages from more than fifty measurements about 45 feet 6 inches. Further, its position is about 84 feet below the Middle Kittanning coal, 38 feet above the Zaleski flint, and 64 feet above the Brookville coal.

The Vanport member in Vinton County may be represented by rather pure limestone, by cherty limestone, by chert or buhrstone, and by calcareous shale. Normally the entire bed is a sparingly fossiliferous limestone which is light gray, massive, and rather close and fine in texture. Locally, in the upper portion, irregular lenses of chert appear, sometimes so abundantly as to be the dominant material. This part is also in many places stained pink or red with iron oxides which are derived, through solution, from the ores and shales above and are precipitated by the limestone from the circulating waters. In a few localities, especially near McArthur, this member is represented by irregular, bowldery masses of light-colored, cellular chert which formerly was quarried at several places and dressed into buhrstone. The position of shaly phase of the Vanport is directly below the main limestone stratum although this may be absent from the section. 'These shales are light gray to dark in color, are usually rather rich in fossils, and vary from decidedly calcareous to siliceous in composition. They are correlative with those found below the flint on Flint Ridge in Licking County, with those below the limestone near Frazeysburg in Muskingum County, and with those present alone along Little Beaver Creek in Columbiana County. Thus during Vanport time, the marine invasion first laid down argillaceous sediments in restricted areas over a wide basin. This was followed by conditions favoring the deposition of calcium carbonate over much of the floor and of siliceous matter in small, isolated patches.

The thickness of the Vanport member in Vinton County varies from less than 1 foot to more than 10 feet. Normally in the main field the deposits measure 4 to 8 feet and average nearly 6 feet. The stratum is usually thin where represented only by buhrstone and where present in isolated patches bordering the larger fields.

Brown Township. - As a true limestone the Vanport member is completely wanting in Brown Township. In the central and northeastern parts of Section 25, scattered bowlders of buhrstone were observed along the outcrop. The deposits are very patchy and the flint from 3 inches to 1 foot or more thick. Its position is 10 to 15 feet above the Clarion coal. Irregular lenses of iron ore also mark the horizon in parts of sections 19 and 13.

Swan Township. - Likewise the Vanport is poorly represented in Swan Township where it is due above drainage over a wide area. The horizon is only locally marked by either limestone, flint, or iron ore. On the ridges in the central part of Section 10, the following record was obtained:

Near the summit of the knob - east of Creola in the central part of Section 34, the ore associated with this member was formerly mined by stripping. It is underlain by scattered bowlders of gray limestone few of which are more than 1 foot thick. The elevation of the deposit is 940 feet above tide, and its position is about 15 feet above the Clarion coal and 104 feet above the Upper Mercer ore and flint. Local deposits of ore and flint are also present along the ridges in the southwestern part of the township.