Mifflin Town (part 2 of 3)

Silverthorn Mine - Northwest quarter Section 32, northeast quarter Section 31, Township 2, Range 2 east. The greatest thickness of Galena limestone found on the ridge was about one hundred feet. The ground is drained by a level run in the carbonaceous shale, on the top of the blue limestone, which has here a very great thickness, being nowhere less than two feet, and, in some places, seven and a half feet thick. It seems in this mine to replace the pipeclay opening. It is very easy to work, and consequently this level has been comparatively inexpensive. This shale, when dried, burns with a bright yellow flame and much smoke until the carbon is exhausted, but owing to the amount of calcareous matter it contains, it is not much reduced in bulk. These diggings produced, in 1871, 200,000 pounds, and in 1872, about 100,000 pounds. Their product in previous years could not be ascertained. Work was suspended in them in 1875. An analysis of lead ore from the Silverthorn mine gave the following results : Lead sulphide, 97.06; metallic lead, 84.07 ; insoluble silicious residuum, 1.76.

Ilii-kert, Stevens <f- Co. - These diggings are situated on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 14, about five hundred feet east of the McNulty mine, and connected with it. Their geological positions, in respect to strata and openings, are almost the same. The ore is found in the usual Shulisburg opening; but, in a few instances, it runs above it for a short distance, and then drops down again, presenting a saddle-shaped appearance. At the south shaft the rock is very much disturbed and broken, apparently in an area about two hundred feet in diameter. It is in loose masses, of all sizes and shapes, containing more or less ore scattered through it, and the fine, earthy material known among the miners as sand. The strata pitch in every conceivable direction and degree from horizontal to vertical. Crevices and veins cannot be followed through it with any degree of certainty; but at the borders of this disturbed area, as well as above and below it, the strata have their normal position, which is nearly horizontal. This is merely a local disturbance, and is probably due to the unequal hardness and solubility of the formation. Considerable of the limestone seems to have been removcfl by currents of water running through the opening, thus permitting large and small irregular

In connection with this irregularity was noticed a remarkable "chimney," about thirty-six feet long by twenty feet b.'-iad, and extending upward further than has yet been followed. It was originally filled with loose masses of galenite, rock and sand. In the ground on this ridge the strata dip on both sides toward the north-and-south line between Sections 14 and 1.5, on the west Hide, about four feet in a quarter of a mile, and on tlie east side, one foot in thirty rods. The ground is drained by a horse-pump, into a level a short distance below the surface. The mine produces very handsome cabinet specimens of galenite and calcite, in the form of dogtooth spar.

Reckoning upward from the top of the blue limestone to the top of the green bed or cap of the Shullsburg opening, the distance is found to be about eighty feet, and in the New Diggings section, from the top of the blue limestone section to the top of the flinty rock, which is the cap of the third or main opening, the distance is eighty-two feet.

This establishes an identity of geological position of these two points. Measuring downward from the cap in the Shullsburg opening, its average distance is found to be sixteen feet to the bottom of the opening. In the New Diggings section the same distance includes all that lies between the top of the third and bottom of tlie fourth opening, and finally, each is underlaid by about the same thickness of unproductive rock. The correspondence between these openings is thus very distinctly marked. The unproductive beds in the New Diggings openings seem to disappear in going eastward, and finally the openings unite on reaching Shullsburg. In regard to the production of these diggings, it is estimated that the south half of Section 10 and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 14, being an area of one mile long on a course south seventy degrees east, and three- quarters of a mile wide, including the McNulty and Hicw.erts Diggings, have produced since the commencement of mining operations not less than one hundred million pounds.

The bearing of the crevice on which Rickert, Stephens & Co. are now working, is due east and west. The mineral is found about twelve feet below the green bed or cap, and is mixed with sulphur (pyrites). The rock is different from any before taken out of the mines in this section, it is a dark blue, and mixed with sulphur and flint, and is very hard. In the opening, there is copper rust or verdigris mixed with large balls of sulphur. Dog-tooth spar, or tifl', is also found in large quantities, most of which is attached to the mineral. The company commenced work in 1840, and on the present range in May, 1874. They are now operating a steam pump in what is supposed to be a continuation of the South Diggings range. The product from June 1, 1873, to March 1, 1876, is as follows: 1873, 377,120 pounds; 1874, 201,'JGti pounds; 1876, 318,690 pounds; 1876, 153,720 pounds.

Dri/bone Dt(/ijin;/s. - Situated on the southwest quarter of the east quarter and the southcast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 4, Township 1, Range 2 east. The ranges here run in nearly an east-and-west direction. The diggings are situated in the lower strata of the Galena limestone; the top of the blue limestone is found a short distance down the stream. Although shallow, these diggings have been very productive of zinc ore, and are still successfully worked.

Irish Dujijingg. - Section 2, Township 1, Range 2 east. These diggings have not been worked for many years, on account of the water, but were formerly very productive, and were abandoned with ore going down in the crevices. The greatest thickness of Galena limestone in this ground is about one hundred and fifty feet. They could be readily unwatered by means of a level from some point on the Shuilsburg branch.

Meloy if Fox. - In the early part of the year 187;J, that part of the Irish Diggings known as the Findley Cave range, was leased by Messrs. E. Meloy and M. A. Fox, of ShuUsburg. It is situated in the northeast quarter of Section 2, Township 1, Range 2 east, and comprises ninety-nine acres of land lying about a mile northeast of the village. The range was worked during the months of April, ^Iay and June, 1875, and in November of that year a steam engine and pump were erected, and it has been worked continuously to the present time (November, 1876). The pump shaft is now about eighty feet deep; water is discharged into an adit connecting with the shaft at twenty feet below the surftxce, at the rate of 150 gallons per minute. The course of the vein is north seven degrees cast, having a dip to the eastward of four feet in one hundred. The distance between the walls of the vein or crevice varies from two and a half to seven feet, the space between them being filled with the vein matri.x coniiiion to the neighborhood. The bottom of the pump shaft is six feet below the top of the flint beds. The vein appears to continue downward, the filling of the crevice being loose and allowing the water to pass readily through it. After sinking the pump shaft, the vein was drifted in a distance of sixty feet to the northward ; in the course of running this drift, 100,000 pounds of ore were extracted.

The foregoing remarks show the condition of the mine in 1876. The production since then we have not learned. The range was worked more than thirty years since, with a twohorse pump, as deep as water would permit, and large quantities of lead ore were obtained. These iliiigings could be unwatered to a much greater depth by means of a level from some point on the ShuUsburg branch.

Bull Pump Ramie. - Work is still carried on on this range, which is situated on the Hera]>- stead estate. It is operated by Messrs. Beebe, of Galena, and Wetherbee, of ShuUsburg. The amounts produced could not be ascertained.

Oakland Mining Conijiany. - The lands of this company are situated in the southeast (piarter of Section 6, the northeast quarter of Section 5, the northwest quarter of Section 4, and the southeast quarter of Section 4, all in Township 1, Range 2 east, comprising in all about 565 acres.

This ground includes the old French range, which was discovered as early as 1839, and produced not less than 1,000,000 pounds. It is connected northward by some quartering crevices and is known as the Ernest and Townsend range. The thickness of Galena limestone here is about one hundred and seventy feet. There are six shafts in the range, averaging about fifty feet each. The lead ore is abundant, but dips rapidly to the northwest beneath the water. The range has produced about four hundred thousand pounds. The ground is susceptible of drainage from the ShuUsburg branch. It is not worked at jiresent. The company a4so has a level nearlv coinpleted in the southwest quarter of Section 4, which is run on the stratum of carbonaceous shale, or the top of the blue limestone. At the working shaft, there is a thickness of ninety feet of Galena limestone, of which the following section is given :

Considerable mining has been done in former years in the blue sandy limestone member of tlie section, but the main opening appears to be in the redochery clay which uinK-rlics it, which, so far as explored, has been found to have a thickness of about twelve feet, and to con- tain a flat sheet of galenito nearly continuous, and of variable thickness, sometimes furnishing pieces of five hundred pounds' weight. The bearing of the sheet, so far as has been determined, is west of north and east of south, with a slight dip to the southwest. Its area has not been determined, but, so far as has been worked, there are no indications of the opening, contracting or closing up.

Bknton District

In the immediate vicinity of the viHagc of Benton, there are several parties permanently en-jaired in mining, besides others who mine only in the winter. The diggings are in the lower beds of the Galena limestone, yet not so low as the brown rock.

Bainbn'dge and Vipord - Southeast quarter of Secton 8, Township 1, Range 1 east. This is an eastand-west range somewhat near a mile long, which was worked about twenty-two years since and abandoned. Prior to 1854, it produced about one and a half million pounds. About seven years since, some work was done on it, and one million pounds were produced. Work was recommenced on the eastern end by the present parties in February, 1874, and has continued to the present time (November, 187()). The annual product is about twenty thousand pounds. During the last year and a half, they have been worked with a horse-pump.

Bainbridge, Mundy and Maighi. - This is a quartering southwest-and-northeast range, about one hundred yards north of the preceding. This range was never worked previous to March, 1874. It is now worked only in the winter seasons. It has produced in all about fifty thousand pounds. The ore in tlicse diggings and the preceding is found in openings detached from the main crevice.

Metcalfe Marker and Alexander - Northwest quarter of Section 9, Township 1, Range 1 east. This ground is situated on what is known as the Swindler ridge. It derived its name from the custom which formerly existed among the miners of cutting through and breaking into each other's ground to steal the ore, which the complicated nature of the openings enabled them to do. This range was struck in 1871, and has been worked continuously ever since. The depth lo the top of the first opening is fifty feet at the shaft, and on the ridge generally, although the opening is said to dip slightly to the west. Some water is encountered on the ridge, and the ])resent parties have found it necessary to work a two-horse pump. The production to November 1, 1876, has been 600,000 pounds.

Bainbridge Diggings - Situated on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 4, Township 1, Range 1 east. Work was commenced here by Mr. Thomas Bainbridge, of Benton, in the winter of 1874. In May. 1875, an irregular deposit of lead and zinc ore was discovered about fifty feet below the surface, having a course a little west of south. Its production has been twenty-five tons of Smithsonite and twenty-five thousand pounds of lead ore.

Harvey's Diggings - Situated on the same ground and about 250 yards northwest of the ]ircceding work, was begun here in the winter of 1875-76, and a large fiat sheet of Smithsonite was discovered, which has been worked over -00 feet in diameter without reaching unproductive around. It is found about fifty foet below the surface, in the random or horizon of the Hat flint openings. The ore is found in flat sheets, interstratified with the formation. One hundred tons have been produced.

McElroy Bros. - Situated half a mile south of the village of Benton. This is a new discovery, made in the winter of 1875-76; an irregular flat sheet of Smithsonite was found at a depth of fifty feet below the surface, from whicii in two months fifteen tons of ore were produced.

M. J. Williams ;f Co. - Situated on the southwest quarter of the soutiiwest quarter of Section 3, Township 1, Range 1, east. A large flat sheet of lead ore and blende, about one foot thick, was discovered in July, 1870, in the bed of Fever River, soon after a heavy flood which took place at that time. It lies in the upper surface of the blue limestone, and, on account of its situation in the river, but little has been done with it. It is an excellent prospect, and will doubtless be remunerative as soon as the water can be removed.

Level Company. - On the northwest quarter of Section 29, Township 1, Range 1 east, a level is now being run by Messrs. Stevens, Mason, Miller, Robbins, Broderick, Hoover, Thompson, Coltman and Farley, who own and have leased 1-35 acres in Sections 20, 21, 28 and 2".'. The level was commenced in the spring of 1870, and has now reached a length of 1,000 feet; it is being driven on a flint opening near the top of the brown rock, wliich is here about fourteen feet above the blue limestone. The object of driving the level is to unwater the Drummond range, which runs cast and west, and is supposed to be a continuation of the Crow range of Hazel Green, and the Nagle range of New Diggings. It is believed that when the level is completed it will unwater the Drummond range to a depth of forty feet below the present water level. The level now gives access to two openings in working it, and had, when visited, an inch sheet of lead ore in the working forehead. It may be remarked that these openings are lower than any of the Benton openings, and seem to be identical with those of the Buncome district. The product has been, up to the present time, 60,000 pounds.

Mifflin District

Mining operations here are now chiefly confined to several parallel ranges, having a general nortlieasterly course, and situated about half a mile south of the village, including the Penitentiary, Dunbar and Owen ranges. The ore is found in flat sheets on the surface of the blue limestone, in the pipe-clay opening.

Penitcntiarii Mine. - Southwest quarter of northeast quarter of Section 34, Township 5, Range 1 east. This property is owned by Messrs. James. John and Calvert Spensley, William Bainbridge, J. J. Ross, Mrs. Mitchell and N. W. Dean. The mine was opened in 1842, and since then it has been very productive, and has been worked continuously to the present time. The mine is drained by a level containing a tramway, on which the rock and ore are carried out of the mine. Sufficient water is removed to operate a large wash place. The distance from the entrance of the mine to the forehead is about seventeen hundred feet. The average width of the range is about three humlred feet, and the thickness of the deposit from six inches to two feet. Previous to 1864, the mine was worked chiefly for lead ore. producing in some years as much as 170,000 pounds. It is estimated by Mr. Ross that it produced, from 1862 to 1875, 3,000,000 pounds of lead ore and 11,000 tons of blende. The production for 1875 was, blende, 375 tons : lead ore, 35,000 pounds. The production for 1876 was, blende. 600 tons ; lead ore, 40.000 pounds.

Jenkins. .ViUer .f- Co. - These parties have been working during the last two and a half years in the Dunbar range, which is parallel to the Penitentiary, and a short distance north of it. The land is owned by Messrs. Ros"? & Dean. This range has been worked during the last thirty years, and is drained by the Penitentiary level ; the present workings are about fifty feet below the surface. The company produced during the year 1876, to October 1, blende, 80 tons ; lead ore, 8,000 pounds. Their annual average is, blende, 80 tons ; lead ore, 12,000 pounds.

Rain, Young .(- Jenkins. - These parties are now working on the Blackjack range, which is adjacent to the Dunbar, and sometimes connects with it. The present works are fifty feet below the surface. The ore is found in flat sheets, sometimes seventy feet in width, in the pipeclay opening, the height of the ojiening averaging five feet. The annual production is from one hundred and fifty to two hundred tons of blende, and from ten thousand to fifteen thousand pounds of lead ore. A short distance northeast of tlie Blackjack is the Owens range. It has not been worked during the last two years, but is considered good mining ground.

Centerville District

These diggings are like those in the vilhige of Highland, in that they are all situated quite close together, on Section 7, Township G, Range 1 east, on the hill about a (juarter of a mile east of the village. The land is all owned by Messrs. Top, Nordorf and Kroll. The miners are nearly all Germans. The dissin^s were first worked in ISotJ, and have been worked continuously ever since, chiefly for lead ore, until within the last ten years, since which time they have been worked for zinc ores. The workings arc in the brown rock opening, and lie from five to fifty feet below the surface, depending on the amount of denudation. Very little trouble is experienced from water, and during the past two years the ground has been especially dry. The principal parties working here are as follows :

Heller ,('- Parish. - These parties are working a southeast-and-northwest range, twelve hundred feet long and six hundred feet wide. Their annual product is lead ore, 100,000 pounds ; blende, .300 tons; Smithsonite, 400 tons.

Joltn Carter and Richard Samuels. - On the same range as the preceding. They have worked here two years, and are producing two hundred tons of Smithsonite and five thousand pounds of lead ore per annum. Other parties and their annual products are as follows :

Blue River Paint Work«, situated on the southwest ([uarter of Section 7, Township 6, Range 1 east. At the time this establishment was visited, work had been suspended, and consequently it did not appear in as flattering a light as its merits would probably justify. The building and machinery were still standing, in a condition to resume work without delay. According to the best information obtained, the paint was made from the ocher which is quite abundant in the Centerville Diggings, and which furnishes quite a number of shades of yellow in its raw state, and an additional number on being burned. The red paint, however, was derived from the upper bed of the St. Peter's sandstone, which was crushed and washed ; the red coloring matter being readily dissolved out by the water, from which it afterward settled on being allowed to stand. The colors, after being burned and ground, were ready for the market. As many as fifteen different shades of red and yellow ocher were manufactured. Several tons of paint were placed in market, anil it was claimed to be a good and durable article. It is unfortunate that the manufacture could not have continued longer, and its qualities have been more definitely ascertained and generally known.

Highland District

The diggings of the Highland District are all situated within a_ short distance of each other, and about a quarter of a mile north of the village. They are all in the brown rock, the lower openings never have been proved. Most of the diggings are in what is known as the Drybone lloUdw range. The names of the parties mining, and the present condition of their diggings are as follows :

Samuel Hinderleiter ,J- Son - On the southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 7, Range 1 east, in the Drybone Hollow range. This is an east-and-west range, from one-quarter to onehalf mile long, and from two to three hundred feet wide. It was discovered in 184l3, and worked entirely for lead ore. It is now divided into small lots, of which Mr. Ilinderleiter's is one. The work is chiefly confined to going through the old diggings and taking out the Smithsonite left i>v former miners, no blende being found. The shafts are about twenty-five feet deep, which brings them to the top opening, three feet in height. The ore is found in a flat sheet, about a foot thick, with ocher and clay above and below it. But little water is found here. The annual product of this lot is about thirty tons of Smithsonite.

Mulliijan .("- Francis. - Tiiese parties have diggings in all respects similar to those already described, in a lot about one hundred and fifty feet northwest of the preceding.

Maguire, Kennedy <f- Co. - Southeast quarter of Sections 28, Township 7, Range 1 east. This is also in the Drybone Hollow range. The shafts here are from sixty to seventy feet deep, according to the surface of the ground. The workings are in the brown-rock opening, which is here about eight feet high. The lead ore is found in a flat sheet in the bottcm of the opening, underlaid by pipe clay. The blende was discovered in the spring of 1874, and is much mixed with rock. The ore has to be crushed, washed and separated. Water is removed from the diggings by means of a windmill and small pump, and is afterward utilized to wash ore. The annual product is as follows : Lead ore, 200 pounds ; blende, 100 tons ; drybone, 50 tons

Blackney, Donahue .(- Co. - This ground is owned by Dr. Stanley, of Highland, and is a part of the same range as the preceding, and situated but a short distance northeast of them. The range here makes two well-defined openings, separated by a cap rock. It is irregular in shape, and about sixty or seventy feet wide, with little water. The following is a section of their principal shaft :

The ore is found in flat sheets, and is Sraithsonite, blende and lead, the former being rather impure. The present parties have been working here for the last seven years. The annual product has been as follows: Lead ore, 11,000 pounds; Sraithsonite, 35 tons; blende. 35 tons. The ground here seem* to be pretty much worked out, the product being chiefly derived from the old workings.

Spensley .j- Co. - This is also on the land of Dr. Stanley, and is a short distance east of the preceding. It is an east and- we -it range, situitel a httle r.orth of the Drybone Hollow range. The range is one hundred and tliirty feet wide so far as h;is been worked, and may prove to be two hundred feet in width each way from the center. The ore makes in pitches, and the sheet varies in size according to the number of feeders coming in from above. The lead ore occurs much mixed witli rock, which necessitates crushing and jigging the entire product. The lot worked by these parties consists of about six acres, of which only about one-sixth has been explored. The ore is blende and lead ore. Ssrae Sraithsonite is said to be found in the southern part. The amount of water here is small, and is all removed by bailing and hoisting in a barrel containing about fifty gallons. There shafts have been sunk, one of which is down to the blue limestone, and is one hundreil foot deep. The company have operated here for six years, with the following product :

Siddel ^ Co. - They are situated on the same range, worked in the same opening as Spensley and Co., and are located about one hundred and fif:y feet east of them. They are the most easterly of all the diggings in this vicinity. One shaft has been sunk, and the ore has been found to make in the same manner as the preceding, except that this ground already furnishes some Sraithsonite from the north side. These parties have been working here for the last five years, during which time the average annual product has been as follows: Lead ore, 70,000 pounds; Sraithsonite, 85 tons; blende, 70 tons.

Flynn, Lynch .j* Co. - On Dr. St.anley's ground, and about three hundred feet southeast of Spensley & Co. Their ground is a lot 250x350 feet. One shaft has been sunk here eighty feet to the top of the opening, which is here six foot high and one hundred feet wide. The ground produces lead ore and blende, occurring in a flat sheet, mixed with the top layer of the blue limestMi'c ;iiiil -^nine pipe-clay. The company has been working about five years, since which

Jlohi7isoii's Diggings. - Situated about three hundred feet southeast of the preceding, on the ground of Mr. Barnard. These diggings are not being worked at present. They were commenced in the winter of 1871-72, and produced 4,500 pounds of lead ore and about nine tons of blende in the first two years.

Williams if Edwards. - Situated on the land of Mr. Lampe, and about 500 feet west of the diggings of Blackney & Co., previously described. They are part of the Spensley and Lynch range. The works are in the brown rock, which here appears to divide into three subordinate openings. A section of their working shaft is as follows, all in the Galena limestone:

These diggings consist partly of old and partly of new openings. Cross-cut drifts are run through the old works in search of new ground, lead ore being usually found in the lowest opening. These parties have been working since 1870, and their product is as follows :

Harris .J- Stanlcg. - Situated on the ground of Dr. Stanley, about 300 feet north of the windmill on Kennedy & Co.'s ground, previously described. These diirgings are quite dry, beinw drained by the windmill pum]). The range appears to be a branch of the Drybone Hollow range, about 500 feet long, runniaq; in a north-and-south direction. There are two principal openino's exhibited in the following section of their working shaft :

The ore occurs, as usual in this district, in flat sheets. These parties have been working here since September, 1871, since which time to October, 1874, the total product was as follows :

Rowe ^- Co. - Situated on the northeast quarter Section 28, Township 7, Range 1 east, comprising l60 acres. This is an east-and-west range, known as the Dunstan, discovered in 1846, and worked continuously since. It is about half a mile long, and 200 feet wide. The range is worked in the brown rock opening, chiefly for Smithsonite and lead ore. There are three working shafts from 50 to 75 feet deep. The opening is from 5 to 2<l feet high. The annual product is stated at, lead ore, 50,0i)0 pounds, and Smithsonite, 50 tons.

The foregoing comprises all the diggings in the immediate vicinity of Highland, and, witli the exception of the last (Rowe & Co,), they are all embraced in a tract of land not exceeding forty acres in extent. The .same general geological characteristics prevail in all, and they are ue:irly all connected togetiier in the workings. The ore in most of them has to be crushed and jigged, and all except Kennedy and Maguire, have to haul their wash dirt about a mile and a ipiarter to water.

In these diggings the openings below the top of the blue limestone have never been worked nr even prospected. If the several land-owners would take some concerted action, a level might be run up the Drybone Hollow, which would drain them to any ilopth ^er[uired. Such a work.

however, should be preceded by boring, to ascertain the presence of flat sheets in the lower openings, the existence of which is not improbable. Mr. Solomon Spensley, who is well informed on the subject, says that the annual average product of the mines is appro.xiraately as follows :

Lead ore, 1,000,000 pounds; drybone, 1,350 tons; blende, 1,200 tons. In addition to the preceding, there are some diggings situated south of the village of Highland.

Davis <f' Co. - Situated near the southeast corner of Section 5, Township 6, Range 1 east. This is a northwest-and-sauthcast range, discovered by a Mr. Styles in 1862. It has bec-n proved to a distance of 450 feet, with an average width of forty feet. The opening is the brown rock, and from four to six feet high. There are two shafts, each about forty feet deep. The ore occurs in flat sheets, and is mostly Smithsonite and blende in about equal quantities, containing little lead ore. The ground was formerly worked chiefly for blende. The ground is estimated to have produced 2,400 tons of blende, and 1,100 tons of Smithsonite since 18G2. Their present annual product is, blende, 200 tons, and Smithsonite, 150 tons.

Manninfi .f- Ddaney. - Situated about 000 feet west of the preceding. It is an east-andwest range, which was discovered twenty years since, and has been worked by several different parties, who have proved the ground in the brown rock opening for a distance of 600 feet. The present parties have worked it for the past four years, principally for Smithsonite, no blende being found until the spring of 1874. The deepest shaft is only 40 feet; sunk to the top of the blue limestone, which is here estimated at twenty-five feet. The St. Peter's san<lstone is plainly seen in the valley a short distance below. The ground produced 600 tons of Smithsonite during the years 1873 and 1874. The diggings are quite dry.

Hornmoggle Ridge. - Situated in the northeast quarter of Section 5, Township 6, Range 1 east. This is an east-and-west range, about half a mile in length, which was discovered about twenty-five years since, and worked for lead ore in the brown rock opening ; but is now pretty much worked out. The only ore found on the ridge is drybone. The present annual production is about 1,500 tons.

Linden District

The principal diggings in this district are those of the Linden Mining Co., owned by Messrs. J. J. Ross and ^Yilliam Henry, of Mineral Point. The property consists of the east half of the east half of Section 6, the west half of Section 5, the northeast quarter of the southwest ((uarter of Section 7, the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 7, the south half of the southwest quarter of Section 8, southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 8, the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 17, the south half of the northeast quarter of Section 17, all in Township 5, Range 2 east, and is situated a short distance west of the village of Linden. They were first opened in 1833, and worked by various parties up to 1853, altogetbcr for load ore, and in the middle beds of the Galena limestone. Prior to 1853, they are said to have jtroduced 40,000,000 pounds of lead ore.

In 1853, they were bought by a Pittsburgh company, and operated with a water-wheel in the upper and lower pipe-clay openings, also for lead ore. The amount of lead ore produced by them was about 500,000 pounds per annum. The works finally became unprofitable, and were suspende<l by thera in 18615. In this condition they remained until the spring of 1874, when they were bought by Messrs. Ross & Ht-iny, by whom work was resumed in April. They are now operated for blende or blackjack, Smithsonite and such lead ore as incidentally occurs with it.

On resuming work, the principal operations of the first six months were cleaning out the old shafts and drifts, erecting a new engine of thirty-horse power, with a lift-pump, together with the necessary buildings and other machinery. The sheets worked here have a singular

Although the blende usually occurs in a large sheet, yet it is frequently connected with two or three parallel smaller ones by veins or "pitches." The sheet often contains detached pieces of the wall or cap-rock, of various sizes, completely surrounded by ore. Large pockets occur in the bed, lined with very handsome crystals of calcite, one of which, recently removed from the mine, measures five feet by two.

Another peculiarity noticed was the finding of several pieces weighing from one to five pounds, composed of wall-rock and ore, which were rounded and worn smooth, resembling small drift bowlders. They were found in the lower pipe-clay opening, and had probably been detached from the wall at its junction with the ore. They must have undergone considerable erosion and transportation, or movement, by subterranean currents of water.

The workings in the vicinity of the engine-shaft were first examined. They extend in a westerly direction a distance of 1,300 feet, and have been worked to a width of 45 feet, leaving a sheet of blende on the northern side from one to three feet thick. It has been proved by a cross-cut to connect through to the north pitch, a distance of 180 feet. The same sheet has been worked in a southerly direction nearly to the well-shaft, a distance of 600 feet, leaving a large sheet of blende on its eastern side. These workings are on the glass-rock opening, and about twenty feet above the St. Peters sandstone. The following section of the engine-shaft will explain their situation :

The workings at the well-shaft were next examined. They are in the brown rock division of the Galena limestone, and about twenty-six feet above the lower workings. The ground is worked in an irregular shape, about three hundred feet long by one hundred and fifty feet wide. It is estimated that $200,000 worth of ore has been taken, in the course of all operations, from this small, irregular piece of ground. It was full of large, flat sheets and pitches, and was worked in some places to a height of twenty feet. It now produces thirty tons of zinc ore per week, and considerable lead ore. This is exclusive of the ore raised by numerous miners working here on tribute.

It is estimated by the owners that, during the first six months of their operation, the mines produced ten tons of zinc ore per day ; and from that time to the present, it has produced twenty-two tons of zinc per day, and more than 300,000 of lead ore per annum. The value of all ores for the last two years is estimated at $.500 per day.

The owners have lately introduced the IngersoU Pneumatic Drill, with air compressor, and use rend rock exclusively, the explosions being effected by an electric battery.

Poad, Barrett .j"- Tredinniek Bros. - Southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 8, Township 5, Range 2 east. This is a very old mine, the property of Mr. John Heathcock, known as the Robarts mine, on which work had been discontinued for several years, until 18G9, when it was again resumed. The present party have been working about four years, and have sunk ten shafts, from forty to seventy feet deep. The water is removed by two horsepumps.

To the west of the above parties, and on the same range, are Kisselbury Brothers, Hammerson & Trewatha. Also on the east end of the same range are the Poad Brothers, Tredinniek, Vial and Geach.

The Robarts range has been traced for a distance of a quarter of a mile, the ore being found in flat sheets twenty-five feet above the glass-rock. Tiie manner in which the ore is deposited is very remarkable, the order of deposition being as follows : Pyrites, blende, galenite. This is one of the few localities in the lead region from which cerussite is obtained. The three mines in the Robarts range are estimated to produce annually 200,000 pounds of lead ore and 100 tons of blende.

Treijloion j|' Sons and Oapt. Wicks. - Southwest quarter of northwest quarter of Section 8, in tlie west side of the Heathcock branch. Waring and Goldsworthy, owners. This range was discovered about forty years ago, and has been worked continuously ever since. The present company have been working it during the last two years in the glass-rock opening. The ore is found about fifteen feet below the surface ; the width of the range is forty-five feet, drained by a level forty rods long. In former years it was worked for Sraithsonite at higher levels, and was quite productive. Its present annual production is, lead ore, 5,000 pounds ; blende, 100 tons.

Adams .(- Son ^ Bowden. - These parties are situated about a quarter of a mile southwest of Treglown & Wicks. They have been working during the last seven years on the Morrison range, producing annually about fifty tons of Smithsonice and seven thousand pounds of lead ore. Water was removed from these diggings by drilling a hole down to the glass-rock opening.

David Morrison Diggings. - West half of southwest quarter of Section 8. The range is about seven hundred yards long, forty feet wide, and has a general north and south course. The range was discovered in 1846. and worked at various times for lead ore to 1874. Mr. Morrison then opened the main sheet of the blende, since which time the production has been as follows: In 1874, ItO tons; in 1875, lOG tons. During the present year the mine has not been worked, although it is still good. The range is drained by a level three hundred and fifty feet long. The ore is found in fiat sheets, from seven to ten inches thick, on top of the glassrock.

Richards .f- Faul Bros. - These diggings are situated in the village of Linden, near the southeast corner of Section 8, on land owned by AViJliam George. The ore is found under the glass-rock in a flat sheet, from ten to twelve inches thick, from fifteen to twenty-five feet in width, and from thirteen to thirty feet below the surface. The water is removed by a drain about one hundred and fifty feet long. This mine was discovered in May, 1875. From that time to May, 1876, they produced 80.000 pounds of lead ore, and 150 tons of blende. During July, August and September, 1876, they have produced 85,000 pounds of lead ore and 40 tons of blende.

Thomas Tamblin. - Zinc ores were discovered on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 10, Township 5, Range 2 east, on the 20th of December, 1875, on the land of Mrs. Thomas Shore. The general course of the range is nearly east and west, and is now worked at an average depth of ten feet below the surface, and has been proved to a distance of forty feet. The ore was found as a Hat sheet of drybone, cropping out at the foot of a hill. On working into the hill, the amount of Sniithsonite was found to diminish, and the blende to increase, which seems to be an indication that the Sraithsonite is a secondary product, derived from tilende. It is estimated tiiat two mines can produce here one Imndred tons of zinc ore per annum.

R. S. (f* W. J. Jacobs. - Southeast quarter of southwest quarter, and southwest quarter of southeast quarter of Section 7, Township 5, Range 2 east. This mine was discovered in March, 1875. There are here four east-and-west sheets from four to six feet wide, and from four to six inches thick in the upper pipe-clay opening, separated from each other by six or eight feet of unproductive rock. Tiiey are worked about twenty feet below the surface. There is but a small amount of water, which is bailed out. Some very large isolated masses of lead ore have been found here, one of which, weighing 1,527 pounds, was sent to the Centennial Exhibition. Small quantities of zinc ores are also found. The mine produced, during the year 1875, of lead ore, 70,ll00 pounds, and in 1876, 40,000 pounds. The mine h;vs not been worked much during this summer, as the owners are engaged in farming.

Dodgeville District

The mines of this district comprise those in the immediate vicinity of the village. The zinc ore diggings situated about two miles east of the village, and those in Van Meter's Survey about four miles west of the town. The most productive and profitable are those situated east of the village, worked for drybone blende and lead ore.

Uvan Williainii' Mines. - Southwest quarter of southwest quarter of Section 25, Township 6. Range 3 east. These mines were discovered in 1844, and were worked at intervals until 1853. Since then Mr. Williams has worked them continuously to date. The ore is found in flat sheets, about one hundred feet wide, in the lower beds of the Galena limestone, and the ground is drained by a level a quarter of a mile long.

Mr. Williams estimates that this range has averaged fifty thousand pounds of lead ore per annum during the last twenty years. Previous to 1863, they were worked exclusively for lead ore. Since then they have averaged one hundred tons per annum of blende, the production rising in some years to two hundred tons. During the present year (1876) thirty thousand pounds of lead ore have been produced here, and one hundred and twenty-five tons of blende. In November, 1875, Mr. AVilliams commenced working about seven hundred feet south of the preceding location. A flat sheet was found here at a depth of ninety feet, and has been proved horizontally a distance of si.xty feet. This mine in the past year has produced, lead ore, 15,000 pounds ; blende, 50 tons. In July, 1876, Mr, Williams sunk a shaft twentyfive feet deep, about quarter of a mile west of the center of Section 25, and discovered a flat sheet of blende about five inches thick, from which he has obtained about three tons of blende.

Owe7is ^- Powell. - On the southwest quarter of southeast quarter of Section 25 are some small drybone digging, on Mr. Williams' land. Five tons of ore are produced here each year. This is known as Rounds' range.

Jones, Farraf/er ;|- Owens. - Southwest quarter of southwest quarter of Section 25, near the west line of the Section on Evan Williams' land. This is an old range, which has been worked since its discovery in 1849. The range is drained by a level three hundred yards long. The ore is found in flat sheets, from forty-five to eighty feet below the surface. Five shafts are now open. These diggings produce only lead ore. The annual product is valued at from §3,000 to §5,000.

Mnldth F.vans. - Northeast quarter of northwest quarter of Section 25, in John Williams' land. These diggings are on Morgan Jones' old range, and have been worked during the last four years for Smithsonite, During the present year (1876), lead ore and blende have been dislovered. and ()5,000 pounds of lead ore have been produced, and considerable blende.

Hugh Jones. - Northeast quarter of northwest quarter of Section 25. These diggings are on the eastern portion of the Watkins range. They were discovered in 1848. The present party commenced work in 1864, The ore is found in an irregular, flat sheet, from one hundred to two hundred feet wide, in the lower part of the Galena limestone. The annual product of this mine is : Lead ore, 25,000 pounds ; blende, 150 tons.

Hendy, Davey, Lovey .j- Co. - Northwest quarter of northwest quarter of Section 36, Township 6, Range 3 east. These diggings comprise the southern and western portions of the Watkins range. The ore is blende and lead ore, found in a flat sheet, in the same opening and position as in the Hugh Jones diggings. The works e.Ktend eastward, and will ultimately connect with them, the intervening space being about one hundred feet. The mine has been and is now quite productive - the exact amount cannot be ascertained.

Samuel Clegy. - Northeast quarter of southeast quarter of Section 26, Township 6, Range 3 east. The land is owned by Mr. A. P. Thompson, of Buffiilo. The ore is found in a flat sheet, in the glass-rock opening, and is obtained from three shafts, each 100 feet deep. Lead ore only is produced. It was discovered in 1870, and produced in that year 20,000 pounds. Since that time to October 1, 187(5, the total product has been 600.000 pounds.

Joseph Pearce Digijinys. - This mine is situated in the village of Dodgeville, a short distance northwest of the court house. It is known as the Lowry range, and was discovered in

1836. It was not worked from 1850 to 1870, when Mr. Pearce commenced work on it, and has worked it continuously ever since. It is worked exclusively for lead ore, which is found in tumbling;; openings and in flat sheets, from fifty to seventy feet wide. The range is drained by a level 800 feet long to a depth of 30 feet below the surface. The deepest shaft is eighty feet. There is considerable water in the mines, but much less than there was twenty-five years since. The water is removed by a horse-pump, worked during the daytime. The length of the range, 80 far as it has been worked, is 1,000 feet. During the last two years, this mine has produced l!00,000 pounds of lead ore ; previous to this it only paid expenses.

Williiiiii Carter ^- Owenn. - AVest half of the southeast ([uarter of Section 26. Owner of land, A. P. Thompson, of Buffalo. This is known as Edward Edwards' range, and was discovered in 18o3. The range has a general north-and-south course, but with some irregularities. It was worked north 500 feet, then west 600 feet, then north - the north-and-south portions being the most productive of lead ore. The mine is quite wet, but is drained by a level about two thousand feet long. The number of shafts is nine, the greatest depth below the surface being seventy feet. The length of the drift is l,:2.jO feet. Mr. Carter has been working this mine for six years. During that time, the product of the east-and-west portion has been 65,000 pounds of lead ore annually, and in the north-and-south portions, 150,000 pounds per annum, with the same expense. Other parties working in this vicinity are Nicholas Bailey & Co. and John Bosanco & Co.

Lambly Range. - Northeast quarter of Section 28, Township 6, Range 3 east. This range has been worked continuously for a great many years. It produces lead ore to the amount of about thirty thousand pounds per annum. Four years ago, its annual product was 200,000 pounds.

Union Mine, William Henclg <i'- Co. - Situated on the nortlicast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 28. Tiie ore produced is lead, and in tumbling openings, at a depth of seventy feet, and in the upper surface of the rock. The mine is drained by a level one-quarter of a mile long.

Ridgewajf Mine, William Bendy ^ Co. - Situated on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 21. This mine is owned and operated by the same parties as the preceding, and is in the same range, which is known as the North-and-South Branch Lot. It is drained by a level a quarter of a mile long. The present owners commenced operating them ih 1872. Sinc;e then the prodnct of lead ore has been as follows :

Frank Farwell ^ Co. - Southeast quarter of northeast quarter of Section 28. These parties commenced working on the WakefiehT range in October, 1875. Previous to that time it had not been worked for twenty years. Most of the workings are at a depth of thirty-five feet below the surface, although some are as deep as sixty feet. The work is chiefly removing pillars of lead ore. which have been left from former operations. The product from October, 1875, to October, 1876, has been 14,000 lbs. Other parties mining in this vicinity are John and Thomas Paull, of Ridgeway, producing lead ore.

On the north half of the northeast quarter of Section 18, Township 5, Range 3 east, are three very large ranges which have not, to our knowledge, been reported. Their general course is northwest and southeast, and they are crossed by numerous north-and-south crevices. It is at these crossings that the largest bodies of ore are found. The ore is galenite, and is entirely free from any mixture of zinc ores. It is found in the green rock opening. The northernmost of the three ranges known as the Duke Smith, contained an opening in places fifty feet wide, somewhat intersected with hars. It was worked over a quarter of a mile in length, and produced about half a million pounds of load ore. It has not been worked since 185-3. A short distance south of this is a parallel range, which produced over 20,000 pounds in a distance of about 100 feet. The opening was about thirty feet wide.

The third parallel range, 300 feet south (rf the Duke Smith range, has been worked since the winter of 1873-74, by Mr. John Hutchinson, of Mineral Point. The lead ore occurs in large pockets, containing crystalline pieces of from one to 500 pounds' weight. The opening is in the green rock, and is from ten to twelve feet high. This range has been the least worked of all, but formerly produced about 100,000 pounds. It now yields ore of the value of $5 per day when worked. None of the ranges have been worked to any great depth, and all were abandoned with ore going down in the crevices. The gradual diminution of water in the country has now made it possible to resume work.

Powell lJ' Co. - This party is working on what is known as the Nic Schillen range. Work was commenced in the spring of 1876, and continued for three months. The work was in the glass-rock opening, and about twenty feet below the surface. The amount produced was 3,000 pounds.

Richards ^ Burns. - This party is situated south of the preceding, and in land of the Sterling estate. They have been working there during the present year, in the green-rock opening, producing about 2,000 pounds per month.

Powell Dif/f/ings. - They are situated about a quarter of a mile north of Mr. Hutchinson's diggings. This is a new discovery, and has been in operation about a year. The product has been 35,000 pounds.

Mineral Point District

These mines comprise those in the immediate vicinity of the city and those of Iiost Grove and Diamond Grove. Considerable mining is being carried on at these localities, which are among the oldest and most productive of the lead region. They are all comprised in Towns 4 and 5, Ranges 2 and 3 east. In addition to the lead ore, a great deal of zinc ore has been produced within the past ten years, and they now supply a large portion of the zinc ore of the lead region.

Terrill Range and Badger Range. - These ranges are situated on Lots 128, 129, 130, 131, 132 and 134, of Harrison's survey of the city of Mineral Point. They are old and well-known ranges, which have been worked continuously for many years, and are now productive of Smithsonite and galenite. The mines are situited in a lii^h ridrje, from which the water drains naturally into the adjacent ravines, leaving the diggings constantly dry. The ore is found in flat sheets and "pitches" (inclineil sheets). The ranges are from one hundred and fifty to two iiundred feet wide, more than a quarter of a mile long, and contain ore at depths varying from ten to sixty feet below the surface. There are three principal openings in the lower beds of the Galena limestone. The parties now working on the Terrill range are as follows :

Malt Shields and John Linden. - They have been working for three years, at an average depth of forty feet, producing chiefly Smithsonite from the second opening. The sheet averages about ten inches in thickness.

Pascoe .f- Collins. - They have been working their present mine during the last eight years, producing Smithsonite, blende ami galenite from the green rock and green-rock opening. The Smithsonite is the most abundant, and the lead ore the least so. The workings are from twenty to sixty feet deep, and the ore is found in sheets from one to four inches thick. The blende is found at the greatest depth, and averages about four inches in thickness.

Jacka ^ Waggoner. - These parties have been working here eight years, at a depth of about fifty feet below the surface, but never having reaclieil the lower opening. They estimate their annual production at 15,000 pounds of galenite and 25 tons of Smithsonite. The range at this point is two hundred feet wide.

Hitchins (f Terrill. - They have been workins at various times during the last ten years in the northwest end of the Terrill range, known as the Brush Lot, producing lead ore and zinc ore. This was formerly very rich ground. The work at present is confined to prospecting.

Huxtahle jf* Son. - These parties are working near the center of the range, and from twenty to fifty feet deep, producing large amounts of lead and zinc ore. This is believed to be one of the best mines in the range.

Thomas Oox ^ Sons. - These parties are working near the center of the range, and have been mining here during the last ten years. The ore is found in three flat openings. The first is from ten to twenty feet below the surface, and contains chiedy Smithsonite, in sheets of three inches in thickness. The second opening is ten feet deeper, containing the same ore, rai.xed with galenite, in sheets of three inches. The third opening i« ten feet below the second, and contains chiefly blende, in sheets averaging four inches. The description in these openings applies to all other mines in the range. Other parties working in this range are :

Cox (f Co., James Hitchins if Holman and Harris and Partner. - The mining ground on this ridge is owned in small lots by several parties, among whom are Messrs. Ross, Priestly, Tyck and Prideaux. It was found impossible to obtain any information of the amounts of ore produced on this ridge, but it is safe to estimate ore to the amount of $600 per annum for each man, and this is probably much beneath the actual amount.

William Prideaux Mines. - Southeast quarter of northwest quarter of Section 30, Township 5, Range 3 east. This is a part of the Ashbank range, so called from the decomposed appearance of much of the surface lead ore. It was discovered more than thirty years since, and worked extensively for lead ore. The course of the range is nearly northwest, and its average width about twenty-five feet. The principal product of the mine is Smithsonite. with some lead ore. The workings are chiefly in the green-rock opening, where the ores are found in flat and pitching sheets, from two to eighteen inches thrck. The ground is dry, and the workings rather shallow, seldom being more than fifty feet below the surface. In one place, where the water was troublesome, it was removed by drilling a hole fifty-four feet deep, draining it oft" through a lower opening. During the present year (1876), about 51,000 pounds of lead ore and some blende were obtained in the brown-rock opening. Mr. Prideaux commenced work in April, 1873. He estimates that from January 1 to October 1, 1876, the value of ores produced is $6,500, and about the same amount from April, 1873, to January 1, 1876. A short distance southwest of the preceding is a parallel range not workedat present, but regarded as valuable mining ground.

J. Jackson ^ Co. - These diggings are also on the Ashbank range, and a short distance east ol William Prideaux. The ores produced are Smithsonite and galenite, in nearly equal amounts, found in flat sheets in the green rock and its openings, from fifteen to forty feet below the surface. The range is about forty rods long and 350 feet wide ; ten shafts have been sunk upon it. Work was commenced here in 1868, since which time it has been continuous, the mines proving very productive. No exact amounts could be ascertained, but the owners estimate the value of ores produced since 1868 at §18,000, the present year being the most remunerative.

Mitchell .|* Pollard. - Northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section -SO, Township 5, Range 3 east. Tiiis range is situated about sixty rods southwesterly from the Prideaux mines. These parties have been working about four years, producing Smithsonite and lead ore. The workings are shallow and dry, similar to the Ashbank range, but not so productive.

Sinapee Diggimis. - These mines are situated on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 30. They were discovered in 1854 ; have been worked continuously since then, and now furnish employment to several parties, among whom are

Samuel Prisk and William Paynter. - These parties commenced work in the fall of 1875, and have produced during the last year about fifty tons of Smithsonite and some lead ore. The diggings are quite dry, and average about fifteen feet in depth. The ore is found in flat sheets, the principal workings being in the glass-rock openings. The mine furnishes fine cabinet speci- mens of galenite. The range is about five hundred feet long, and from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet wide, and has a general east-and-west course. The ore sheet is from two to four inches thick.

Prisk <f' Coad. - This is a parallel range, situated about three hundred feet south of the preceding, and having about the same length, width and thickness. The above parties commenced work in the fall of 1875, and are now working in the upper pipe-clay opening. This mine is from fifty to sixty feet deep, and formerly produced over a million pounds. The production during the past year was 7,000 pounds of load ore.

Samuel and William Richards. - These parties are working a short distance east of Prisk & Paynter. They have been engaged here about a year and a half, producing chiefly blende and load ore.

Bennett ^ Brady. - Situated near the center of Section 29. A large amount of work has been done here, including a level to unwater the ground. They are quite productive of the ores of zinc and lead.

Short ;j- Co. - Situated on the northwest quarter of Section 29. Considerable mining has been done by these parties in this vicinity during the last few years. There are several very profitable mines in the northwestern part of Strong's Addition to the city of Mineral Point, all on land owned by Mr. J. J. Ross. They are as follows :

Bohan ,f- Co. - Smithsonite and lead ore are produced here. The range is from seventy to eighty feet wide, has a general east-and-west course, and is worked to a depth of seventy feet below the surface. There are two openings, separated by about twenty feet of unproductve rock, the lower ore being the glass-rock opening.

Connaugliton ^ Casserly. - These parties are working on an east-and-west range, about three hundred feet north of the preceding. They have been working here during the last two years, having sunk two principal shafts to a depth of sixty feet to the glass-rock opening. This is an east-and-west range, about sixty feet wide, and has been drifted on to a distance of 100 feet. It produces chiefly blende, estimated by the owners at $800 per year.

John Wayler ^' Co. - Situated about three hundred feet northwest of the preceding. These parties are working in the same openings, and producing chiefly zinc ores. Until very recently, two other parties were employed in this vicinity, this ridge having for many years been very good mining ground.

Bennett ^- Co. - This party is engaged in mining and prospecting about a quarter of a mile east of the preceding diggings. Near the corner of Towns 4 and 5, Eangos 2 and 3 east, are a number of ranges which have been worked for many years. Those situated on Section 1 are the property of the Mineral Point Mining Company ; those on the adjacent sections are the property of Mr. John J. Ross. There are six principal crevices, running nearly parallel, on Sections 33 and 1. Their general course is south 70° east, and on entering Section 6, they run nearly east and west. The crevices lead down to the opening between the buft' and blue limestones, known as the glass-rock opening. The ore here is found in a flat sheet, about a foot thick and from seventy to one hundred and forty feet wide, which has been worked for a distance of half a mile. The ores are galenite and blende, and occur associated with baryte, and have to be separated before reduction. The mode of drainage in Mr. Ross' mine is somewhat peculiar ; shafts were sunk at intervals to a distance of eight feet below the opening, into the buft' limestone, where a bed is reached through which the water readily passes away. This mode of drainage was accidentally discovered in prospecting for the sheet. No ore of any consequence is found in the upper pipe-clay opening ; occasional bunches have been found, probably not over 20,000 pounds in all. These ranges have been worked at intervals for the last forty years by various parties. Active operations were commenced by Mr. Ross about ten years ago, since which time his ground has produced about 2,500,000 pounds of lead ore, and about 3,500 tons of zinc ores. During the whole time in which these mines have been worked, it is safe to say they have produced not less than 8,000,000 pounds of lead ore, and twice as much zinc ores. During the winter of 187-4-75, ore to the value of $1,000 was produced.

During the winter of 1875-76, ^1,000 worth of ore was produced. On the lands of the Mineral Point Mining Company, several parties are working on tribute. The amount this ground is producing could not be ascertained.

GoUhworthy .(- Brother. - These diggings are situated on Lots 279 and 280 of Harrison's survey, about a quarter of a mile east of the preceding, and on the northwest quarter of Section 6, Town 4, R;inge 3 east. This is known as the Barber range, and has been worked in the winter seasons during the last six years. The ore is Smithsonite, much mixed with pyrites ; it is found in the upper pipe-clay opening, in a flat sheet from eight to thirty feet wide, and from eighteen to twenty-four inches thick, being most productive in crossing crevices. About twenty tons per year is produced liere.

T. Lutey .f Co. - Tiiis party is working a short distance east of the preceding, on land owned by M. M. Cothren. Tliey have been working in a continuation of the Barber range for about two months (October and November, 1876), and have now a very good prospect. Most of the lead ore from the Barber Range is obtained from the glass-rock opening, but it never has been worked for zinc ore.

Sutlers .f- Co. - Situated on the southeast part of Harrison's survey. This is a nearly eastand-west range, known as the " Walla Walla." and lias been worked by the present party since 186.'j. The range is about 120 feet wide, and has been worked in the glass-rock opening to a length of about 1,000 feet, and at a depth of seventy-three below the surface. The mine produces lead ore and both kinds of zinc ore. The average annual product of lead ore is about 44,000 pounds. The products from January to April, 1870, of all kinds of ore were valued at

J. Arthur <|' Co. - Situated on the southwest quarter Section 6, Township 4, Range 3 east. This is an east-and-west range, discovered about two years since, and worked continuously to the present. The ores are Smithsonite and lead ore found in a flat sheets, from six inches to one foot thick, in the glass-rock opening, at a depth of sixty feet from the surface. The range is about one hundred feet wide. It is situated on land owned by Mr. J. J Ross. The ground is comparatively dry.

Hoare Bros. - Situated about fifty yards east of the preceding, and on the same range, in land owned by -Mr. J. Hoare. This party has been working here about two years, producing lead ore and Smithsonite from the glass-rock opening. Tiie diggings are now very good.

Nichols .f- Holmes. - Situated on northeast quarter Section 7, Township 4, Range 8 east, a short distance east of the old zinc works. There are some irregular flat sheets of zinc ore in the glass-rock opening, about twenty feet deep. They have been worked during the last two years, and have produced considerable zinc ore.

Harris .(- Lang. - These diggings are situated about half a mile south of the preceding. This is an east-and-west r.ange, situated in the glas.'^-roek opening, about twenty-five feet deep. It has been worked about a year, producing considerable zinc ore. In the vicinity of the Mineral Point Town Hall, on the northwest quarter of Section 5, Township 4, Range 3 east, are the following diggings:

Prideaur .(- Henry. - This is a north-and-south range, about 200 yards south of the Town Hall, which has been worked by the present party since 1866. The ores are lead and zinc, found in flat and pitching sheets, from eight to ten inches thick, in the upper pipe-clay opening, at a depth of from one to sivty feet below the surface. The range is from sixty to seventy feet wide, and has been worked to a distance of 350 feet.

Jeffrey jf- Bro. - Situated .ibout one hundred yards south of the 'preceding, and probably on the same range. The range is here one hundred feet wide, and produces lead ore and both kinds of zinc ore in about equal quantities, and considerable iron pyrites. The work has been chiefly done in the winter season during the last two years.

Mankey jf- Son. - Situated about 150 yards southeast of .Jeffrey & Bro. They have been working during the last twelve years in a north-and-south range. The product is lead ore, found in vertical crevice), andinfl.it sheets in the green-rock opening, at a depth of forty feet from the surface. All the dicrgings in this hill are dry, and most of them are remunerative, but the amounts of ore produced" could not be ascertained. The mining land is owned by Messrs. Henry Coad, Prideaux & Woodman. About a quarter of a mile north of this ridge is the Mineral Point Hill, lying directly east of the city. The following parties are mining there :

Short if Foster. - Situated about 200 yards west of Jeffrey & Bro., on an old north-andsouth range, sixty feet in width. They have been working during the last two years in the winter season, producing lead and zinc ores from the pipe-clay opening. The diggings are about forty feet deep.

Vivian .f Sleep. - This party is working a nearly east-and-west range, the most southerly of several parallel ranges which cross the hill. The range is about fifty feet wide, and produces zinc ores, chiefly Smithsonite, from the upper pipe-clay opening, which is here about twenty-five feet below the surface. They have been working here during the last thirteen years, operating during the entire year.

Brotvn <f' ChUhers. - They have been mining about a year on a parallel range 150 feet north of the one last mentioned. The range is about fifty feet wide, and produces zinc ores, chiefly blende. The ore is found in flat and pitching sheets in the pipe-clay opening.

James Dunn ^' Son. - This party has been working about three years on a range 150 feet north of the preceding. Both kinds of zinc ores are produced from the upper pipe-clay opening, which lies here about forty feet deep.

Tretoilla ^ Strong. - This party has worked about eight years in this vicinity and one and a half on their present range, producing zinc ores.

G-oldsworthy (f- Hocks. - Situated about one-fourth of a mile east of Vivian & Sleep. They have been mining about a year, producing blende. The mining land in this hill is owned by Messrs. Hutchinson, Henry, Curry, Gundry and Washburn. The ranges all bear a little north of west and south of east, and "have never been worked below the upper pipe-clay opening. The earliest mining in this vicinity was done in the Mineral Point Hill. The ranges were formerly very productive, and have been worked continuously for many years to the present time. There are a few other parties mining with in a few miles of Mineral Point. They are as follows :

Rogers .f Mankey. - Situated on the northeast quarter of Section 8, Township 4, Range o east, on land owned by Mr. Suthers, near Rock Branch. This is a new discovery, made in October, 1876, being a flat sheet of Smithsonite in the brown-rock opening.

Jeffrey ,f- May. - Situated a short distance north of the preceding. This is also a new discovery, made about the same time as the preceding, being a flat sheet of zinc ores in the glassrock opening. The prospect is very good.

Badcroft Bif/i/iiigs. - Section 15, Township 4, Range 3 east. Work was begun here in 1872, and lias been continued at intervals since. A small amount of lead ore has been produced. The ore is found in flat and pitching sheets in the pipe-clay opening, about twenty feet below the surface.

Shepard Oo. - Situated on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 22, Township 4, Range 2 east. Work was commenced here in August, 1876, on the old Maloney range. This range has a general east-and-west course, and yields lead ore and blende from the pipe-clay opening, which is here about twenty-five feet deep. The ore occurs in flat sheets from four to five inches thick, the blende forming the top and bottom of the sheet, and lead ore the central part. The product has been, to December, 1876, lead ore, 1,500 pounds ; blende, three tons. The ground is dry, and the prospect considered good.

Clebenstein Diggings. - They are situated on the same ridge, and a short distance east of the preceding. They are now operated by August Cain, who has been mining about a year. They were operated from 1865 to 1875 by Mrs. Clebenstein, and produced large amounts of lead and zinc ores. The ore was found in flat sheets, in the pipe-clay and glass-rock openings.

H. Joseph's Diggings. - Situated on the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 5. Township 4, Range 3 east. Mining was commenced here in 1871, and continued until the fall of 1874, when it was discontinued on account of water. The ore found here was exclusively blende, which occurred in a flat slicet in the green-rock opening. The width of the sheet was about eighty feet, its greatest thickness three feet, and it'was worked for a distance of 800 feet. The greatest depth below the surface is seventy feet. During the years 1873-74, this ground produced about one thousand tons of blende.

Diamond Grove Digginffs. - These diggings are situated on Sections 25 and 26, Township 5, Range 2 east. They produce chiefly zinc ores, found in flat sheets in the pipe clay and glassrock openings. The following parties are now mining hei"e.

Cain if Read. - Situated on the northwest quarter of Section 25. This party has been working on the Rodersdorf range during the winters of 1873-74, 1874-75. The ore, which is Smithsonite, is found in the glass-rock opening, in a range from sixteen to twenty feet wide, and two hundred feet long. The production during the flrst season was seventeen and one-half tons ; in the second season, twenty tons.

Robert Qonley ^ Sons. - Situated on the southwest quarter of Section 25. Mining has been carried on here by the above party during the last ten years, on an east-and-west range. Both kinds of zinc ore and lead ore are found here, in the pipe-clay and glass-rock openings, but chiefly in the latter. The range is from forty to sixty feet wide, and has been worked a distance of one hundred and fifty yards. During the last year and a half, the product of lead ore has been 60,000 pounds, and 60 tons of zinc ore during the last two years.

Biddick Diggings. - A valuable deposit of lead ore has lately been discovered on the southwest quarter of Section 24, Township 5, Range 2 east. Four flat sheets, from one to four inches thick, are found here, situated above one another in the upper pipe-cla}' opening. It has not yet been sufliciently worked to determine its actual extent.

Mitrti)i BroK. .('- Cramer. - Situated on the southwest quarter of Section 25. This and the preceding one are on land owned by Mr. James Spensley. They have been mining here on an east-and-west range, which was discovered two years since. The ore is Smithsonite, and is found in the glass-rock opening, which is here from ten to thirty feet deep.

Spensley Broivn. - situated on the northeast (juarter of Section 26, Township 5, Range 2 east. Men have been employed since July, 1876, driving an adit in the glass-rock opening. The adit is 200 feet long, and drains an east-and-west range. The product has been : Lead ore, 36,000 pounds ; blende, 6 tons.

Opir ^ Lancaster. - Situated on the northwest quarter of Section 26. This party is working the same range, 450 yards west of the preceding. It is here known as the Lancaster range, and has been worked by the present party about a year. The product has been 150 tons of blende. It is worked by an adit.

McDermott <f- Co. - Jliiiiiig has been carried on here by Mr. McDermott for about twentysix years, in the McShane & Gray range. The ore is found in flat and pitching sheets, in crevices and crevice-openings in the Galena limestone, above the flat openings. The diggings now produce lead and zinc ore. The average annual product is about thirty thousand pounds.

Si'hlosser <f Go. - This party has been working four or five years on the east end of the same range as the preceding. The ground is dry, and the Icail ore is found about forty feet below the surface. The average annual product is about ten thousand pounds.

William .f- Thomas Thrasher. - This party has been working in this vicinity about fifteen years, on a parallel range, situated about a quarter of a mile southeast of Schlosser & Co. The jiroduct is chiefly lead ore.

Lost Grove Diggings. - These diggings are situatcil on land owned by Mr. J. J. Ross, on Section 33, Township 5, Range 2 east. Mining is confined here to the winter season. The ground is dry, and the ore is found in flat sheets in the glass-rock opening. The following parties are mining here:

Rigger Arthur. - This party has been working two years In an east-and-west range, producing lead ore and Smithsonite. The range varies from twenty-five to fifty feet in width.

Histoky Of The Lead Region

Clayton <f' Co. - Situated about a quarter of a mile northwest of the preceding. Have been working during the last twelve years on the Jim Brown range. This is an east-and-west range, from fifty to sixty feet wide, and lying about seventy feet below the surface, producing exclusively lead ore. The product has been about twenty thousand pounds per annum.

G-arden cf Son. - Situated about one-fourth of a mile south of the preceding. They have been working about two years, and have produced about $100 worth of ore.

Robert Broivn J|'- Co. - Situated about half a mile east of Clayton & Co., and on the same range. The diggings here are from twenty-five to fifty feet deep. They have been working about three years, and have produced about thirty thousand pounds per annum.

Calamink District

There are several tracts of land situated in Sections 18 and 19, Township 3, Range 3 east, which were formerly quite productive, but little work is now done on them. They are situated on the left side of the Pecatonica River, on the ridge which separates the Wood and Bonner Branches. The ridge slopes abruptly on all sides, but one toward the various streams which nearly inclose it. On the summit of the ridge there is a thickness of about one hundred feet of Galena limestone, underlaid by al):)ut fifty feet of the blue and buff limestones, below which is the sandstone. All these formations may be distinctly seen in passing from the summit of the ridge to the valley of the Pecatonica. During the winter of 1876-77, some mining was done here by Mr. Charles Mappcs, of Belmont, on an east-and-west range, lying from thirty to forty feet below the surface. Four men were employed, working on a flat sheet of blende and galenite. The amount produced could not be ascertained. Some Smithsonite is also produced in this vicinity.

Yellowstone Diggings, Pierce cf- Son. - -Some work has been done here during the winter seasons of the last three years, in a range a quarter of a mile north of the New Kirk range, situated on the southwest quarter of Section 14, Township 4, Range 4 east. The lead ore is found in a vertical sheet in a crevice opening about fourteen feet below the surface.

In the winter of 1874-75 the product was 18,000 pounds, and in the following winter about one thousand eight hundred pounds. No mining is done here in the summer.

This is a small group of east-and-west ranges, crossed by north-and-south crevices, situated on the northwest quarter of Section 19, Township 2, Range 5 east. But very little mining is done here ; the annual production of the whole district does not exceed 4(1,000 pounds. The ore is lead, occurring in the middle portion of the Galena limestone, and there does not seem to be any regular opening. There are several parties here, among whom the principal ones are as follows :

Purcell ^ Harden. - They are at work in the old Hamilton Diggings, removing the pillars from the old workings, which were abandoned many years since. They are unable to go any deeper, or make any new discoveries, on account of the water, which is here quite plentiful. The ground is owned by the Ridgeway Mining Company, of Madison. Messrs. Purcell & Harder have worked here two years, and during that time have produced 20,000 pounds of lead ore.

Smith J- Anderson. - Situated a short distance north of the preceding, and from the northern part of the Hamilton Diggings. This does not appear to form any regular range. The ore occurs in east-and-west sheets, in very hard rock, and seldom in openings. The diggings have now been worked since January, 1873, and have produced 80,000 pounds.

Copper In The Lead Regiok

The last mining for copper in this region was done at Mineral Point from 1873 to 1876. Mr. James Toay is authority for the following sketch of the work in past years: " Sometime in 1837-38, copper was discovered on the southeast quarter of Section 32, Township 5 north, Range 3 east, one mile northeast of the Mineral Point Court House. The crevice had a course south 85° east, and was traced for over one-third of a mile. The locality has not been worked since 1842. A great amount of copper was obtained. Some of the ore was smelted by William Kendal! & Co. Sometime in 1844, S. P. Preston came to the region and went into partnership with Kendall & Co. Two other furnaces have been worked ; one by Charles Bracken and one by Curtiss Beach."

For a detailed statement of the statistics of the amount and kinds of ore raised prior to 1877, reference is made to the State Geological Report of 1877.

Settlement Of The Lead Region

A brief narrative of the settlement of the lead region is necessary to a complete understanding of the growth which eventuated in the formation of Iowa, La Fayette and Grant Counties.

In the general history of the State, which prece<les these pages, can be found a sketch of the several explorations of the Wisconsin River, or rather the fact that they were used as avenues for the still further exploration of the Mississippi Valley during the seventeenth century. Those rapid journeys cannot be considered as bearing upon the subsetjuent selection of this region by white men, save in so far as they made known the existence of a habitable section, and one which contained valuable mineral deposits as well as fertile agricultural lands.

The First Explorer

Nicholas Perrot is said to have discovered lead in this region during his visit here in 1692, but this assertion is not proved by his written statements concerning his trip.

Probably the first explorer of what is called the lead district, including Dubuque County, Iowa, and Jo Daviess County, 111., was Le Sueur, a French trader, who, on the 25th of August, 1700, while on an expedition to the Sioux on St. Peter's River, now in Minnesota, discovered a small river entering the Mississippi on the east side, which he named " The River of the Mines." He describes it as a small river running from the north, but turning to the east, and he further says that " a few miles up this river is a lead mine." Le Sueur was unquestionably the first white man who trod the banks of Fever (Galena) River. He visited lead mines which were then known to and probably operated in a crude manner by the Indians.

Whatever may have been done in the way of mining by the natives during the unrecorded years of their occupancy, it is clear that the primitive methods of work have left no traces visible to-day.

A natural sequence of the ownership of the territory now known as the Mississippi Valley was the exploration of the river by French adventurers. Le Sueur pointed the way for other brave men. who were inspired both by a love of wild life and that universal hope of pecuniary gain. When reports of discoveries of rich mineral deposits in the hills of the section defined by the Ouisconsin and Mississippi Rivers reached the lower settlements, numerous parties undoubtedly attempted to speedily profit by the knowledge thus gained.

The Missouri Diggings

Some twenty years after the voyage of Le Sueur (who unquestionably did find lead at several different points on the Upper Mississippi, besides obtaining specimens in the Fever River pountryj, mining was actually begun in wiiat are known as the Missouri Diggings, although it was not until IT'JS that it became a regular business or was systematically carried on.

The sparse settlement of the Lower Mississippi Valley at the beginning of the century did not conduce to a rapid invasion of the Indian country, as in the present days the discovery of valuable minerals in forbidden regions would do.

The Margry Letters

A most valuable contribution to historic information was recently made through the mediumship of Hon. E. B. Washburne, late United States Minister to France, and formerly a resident of Galena. Mr. Washburne dates his interest in the lead region from 1840, and because of those years of prosperity there he gladly improved opportunities presented while he was in France to gain further knowledge of its early history. The subjoined extract explains itself, and is most timely in its appearance.

Ueak Sir : From the great interest you have taken in the early discoveries and explorations in Canada (or New Prance) and Louisiana, you are aware that Pierre Margry is one of the most thoroughly studied men of the present da}' in all those mailers, as lie is also one of the best-known men in ilistorical circles, both in Europe and in this country. The Chicago Historical Society honored itself, some time since, by making him an honorary member. In view of his extended and accurate researches, he has been decor.ited by the French Government as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. It may be said tliat lie has spent most of his life in the archives of the Ministry of the Marine of France. It is a mine of historic wealth of unsurpassed richness. Under the patronage of our Congress he has brought out a vast mass of material, hitherto unpublished, in relation to the discovery and explorations of the French on the North American Continent. This material is in the course of publication at Washington, and will be looked for with great interest by all students of history.

I had the pleasure, during my residence in Paris, of knowing Mr. Margry quite well, and talked with him often in regard to the early history of New France and Louisiana. In the course of our conversation, I took the opportunity to talk with him touching the early discoveries of lead mines in what is now Illinois and Missouri, and received a letter in reply, which I inclose herewith. He was kind enough to send me a transcript of certain documents which are to be published by Congress, and which I have not yet seen. By these documents I am more convinced than ever that the Galena and Dubuque lead mines were the earliest ever discovered by the French explorers, either in Illinois, Iowa or Missouri. The accounts of the discovery, about the year 1719, of the mine of M. de la Motte and the Maramek mines of Missouri, are very interesting, but I cannot here refer to them particularly. What interested me very much is an extract from a letter, written from Fort de I'hartres, on the 2 1st day of .luly, 1722, by one LeGardeur de Lisle, which I copy herewith, and which is in relation to the discovery of minerals on the Illinois K'lver:

*' I have thehonor to inform you, gentlemen, that I have been sent in command of a detachmentof twelve soldiers, to accompany Mons. Renaud to the Illinois River, where the Indians have found some lumps of copper, which they brought to Mons. de Boisbriant, and more particularly to a coal mine, said to be very rich.

** When we reached the place of our dcstinaiion. M. Renaud commenced the search tor the copper mine, but without success, no sign of that metal being visible anywhere. However, in looking for the coil mine, which we had been told was near the spot we had examined before, we discovered a silver and copper mine, of which Mons.^Renaud made an assay, and which upon the surface of the eround is much richer than M. de la Motte's.

" I have kept a little diary of that journey ; I take the liberty of sending it to you. It will enable you to locate the spot where this mine is situated. It is a most beautiful site ; the mine is e:»sy to work, and close to a magnificent country for settlers. I am delighted with my trip and with the success which has attended it, for the assay made by Mons. Renaud was upon ore found on the surface, and it has proved to be much better than that of M. de la Motte's mine," etc.

The allegeil discovery of silver and copper mines on the Illinois River has never been verified to any extent. As 10 the coal mine said to be " very rich." a question which now arises is. Where was it located? All ofthe expeditions for the discovery of mines were fitted out at Fort Chartres, which was then evidently the commercial as well as the military headquarters of all the country.

The letters, reports, etc.. male in regard to these early mines, are very interesting. In one of the reports made by one Le Guis, in 1743, lie speaks of the miners of that day. and his description of them would apply, in many respects, to the miners in the Fever River, or Galena, lead mines half a century ago. Ho says:

'* Most of these miners, numbering eighteen or twenty when I left Illinois, have been driven there by fast living, unable to satisfy their passimis any longer. Then, everybody here works for himself, ami only gives his attention to a few veins or branches, nui being able to dig far enough to reach the heart of the mine. In tlieir search they use an auger four or five feet Ion", which they sink into the ground in ditferent places until they find one of these veins. When lliey do strike one. they make a big hole and dig all the niiner.il they can out of it. If they meet with any obstacle, in the way of stones or water, they give up that vein and try elsewhere. As soon as one man has gathered enough mineral to live the rtst ofilie year, lie quil.i work and begins to smell it."

Further along in this rcpori, .M. Le Guis gives an account ofthe manner in which these miners smelted their ore in 174 !, and it is almost precisely the same method which was followed in the Galena up to within three or four years before I located there in 1840. There were then the remains of many oM log furnaces throughout the mines. It was about in 183G. I think, that the log furnaces were supplanted by the Drummond blast furnace. The amount of waste nr scoria by the old log meihod of smelting was very groat. This waste was in a great measure avoided by the blast furnace, of which the inventor was Uobert A. Drumm.md, of Jo Daviess County, the uncle of the Hon. Willis Drummond, of Iowa, late Commissioner of the General Land Office at Washington.

The following is tbe description of the log furnace one hundred and thirty-seven years ago: " They cut down two or three big trees and divide them in logs five feet long ; then they dig a small basin in the ground anil pile three or four of these logs on top of each other over this basin ; then they cover it with the same wood, and put three more logs, shorter than the firtt, on top, and one at each end, crosswise. This makes a kind of box, in which they put the mineral ; then they pile as much wood as they can on top and around it. When this is done they set fire to it from under, the logs burn up. and partly melt the mineral. They are sometimes obliged to repeat the same operation three times in order to extract all the mailer. This matter, falling into the basin, forms a lump, which they afterward melt over again into bars, weighing Horn silly to eighty pounds, in order to facilitate the transportation to Kaskaskia. This is done with horses, who are quite vigorous in this country. One horse carries eenerally four or fire of these bars. It is worthy of remark, gentlemen, that in spite of the bad system these men have to work, there have been taken out of the La Molle mine 2,500 of these bars in 1741 ; 2,228 in 1742 ; and these men work only four or five months in the year at most."

Mr. Margry also observes that he is unable to throw direct light upon the occupation of the Fever River section by the French, in the eighteenth century. A history of Louisiana, written by Lepage Dupratz in 1758, forty-five years before the ownership of the colony was transferred, contains'the statement that '" the region is not frequented." This is but natural, since the French Governors held quasi court in Canada and the Lower Mississippi region, leaving the western tract of the present Illinois out of the range of more frequent mention.

In 1788, Julien Dubuque, a French trader with the Indians, who had heard of the region in the course of his business, located on the site of the city bearing his name. He was accompanied by a parly of miners. Dubuque obtained a grant of a Itirge tract of land from the chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes, and was, fortunately, able to secure the confirmation of his claim from Carondelet, then Governor of Louisiana. Tiie grant was confined to the western bank of the Mississippi. Dubuque remained in occupation of these lands, engaged in mining, until the timeof his death, which occurred in 1810.

Julien Dubuque's grave is on the summit of a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, about two miles below the city of Dubui|ue, and above the mouth of Catfish Creek.