Mifflin Town (part 1 of 3)

Mifflin Town

their formation are the ' upper pipe-clay openings,' situated on the top of the hlue or Trenton limestone, and separating it from the Galena limestone; the ' glass-rock opening,' separating the blue and underlying buff limestone, and the 'lower pipe-clay opening,' situated in the lower part of the buff limestone; the latter, however, does not seem to be so persistent a bed as the other two. Springs are by no means confined to these three openings, but occur in many of the beds of the Galena limestone, as well as in the lower formations ; usually, however, flowing over an impervious bed of clay, or some layer of rock, too compact to admit of the passage of water through it."

The springs which flow from the Blue Mounds are clearly not of igneous origin, as they are not hot, but are logically accounted for by the excess of rainfall over the amount of water carried off by the streams or by evaporation.

" Nearly all the water in the region holds in solution a small portion of lime and magnesia, and a still smaller quantity of sodium, iron, alumina and silica. The presence of these salts usually gives the water what is called a hard taste, which is more noticeable in the limestone than in the sandstone springs, and not infrequently induces persons to believe them possessed of medical properties.

" Prairie and Forest. - The prairie area of the lead region is comparatively small, and seems to be chiefly a continuation of the great prairies of Illinois. The most extensive prairie is that found in the southern part of Grant and La Fayette Counties, comprising the townships of Jamestown, Hazel Green, Benton, New Diggings, Shullsburg, Seymour, Monticello and Gratiot. From this there is a branch extending in a northwestern direction (corresponding to the eastern subdivision of the water-shed previously alluded to), until it unites with the main water-shed ; here it branches to the east and west. The western extension forms a prairie in the towns of Glen Haven, Patch Grove, Little Grant, and some parts of Fennimore and Wingville. The eastern prairie follows the main divide already described, the prairie being from six to ten miles in width. Between the east and west branches of the Pecatonica there is a prairie, including most of the towns of Fayette, Waldwick and Wiota. Small patches of prairie are to be found in other localities. The original timber of the woodland has been mostly cut ofl", and is replaced by second-growth black, white and burr oak, maple, hickory, poplar and elm, the trees being generally of small size, not exceeding one foot in diameter.

" Mounds. - The elevations in the lead region most worthy of note are : The Platte Mounds, in La Fayette County ; the Blue Mounds, in Dane and Iowa Counties, and the Sinsinawa Mound, in Grant County. The former are three in number, about a mile apart, the middle one being very small in comparison to the other two. The east and west mounds are about the same elevation, and are capped with a very hard Niagara limestone, to which they doubtless owe their preservation, in the general denudation of the country. The ground slopes away from them so gently, and blends so gradually with the surrounding high land, that it is impossible to define exactly where the mound proper begins. The Blue Mounds are two in number, one being in Iowa County and the other in Dane. The top of the west mound (which is the higher of the two) consist of over a hundred feet of very hard flinty rock, somewhat resembling ((uartzite, or granular quartz ; below this is the Niagara limestone. This cap of quartz rock seems to have been removed from the east mound, the top of which is a flat table-land under cultivation. These mounds are very conspicuous, and can be seen from any moderately high land in the region. The Sinsinawa Mound is also a very conspicuous object, in the southern part of Grant County, near the village of Fairplay. It is composed, for the most part, of the Cincinnati group, capped with a small amount of Niagara limestone.

" (SVwArs. - Very remarkable features in the vicinity of Blue Mounds are the numerous sinkholes found near their base, and frequently quite high up on their sides. The sinks are usually in groups of three or four, and invariably in nearly an east and west line, in both Dane and Iowa Counties. On the center line of Section 1, Township 6, Range 5 east, is a well-defined line of them, extending for about a quarter of a mile on each side of the center of the section. There is another range of them near the center of the southwest quarter of Section 1, and a third line near the quarter-posts of Sections 1 and 12. The largest of these sinks is an isolated one near the center of the southeast quarter of Section 1, which is as much as fifty feet in diameter and twenty feet deep. In this one the wall rock of the fissure could be very planly seen on the south side. The difference is that these sinks mark the line of large open crevices in the rock beneath them. No prospecting for ore has been done in them, although the suggestion has been reasonably made that the indications are favorable. The sinks are not confined to the Galena limestone, and an exceptional one in the St. Peters sandstone is noted on the southeast quarter of Section 14, Township .'>, Range 2 west, although less notable ones occur in the Niagara limestone.

"aSojY and Subsoil. - The quality of the soil of the lead region is chieHy dependent on the character of the subjacent formation. The subsoil appears to be derived directly from the decay and disintegration of the strata, of which it is the residuum. South of the principal water-shed, the subsoil is clay, almost without exception, having a thickness of from three to six feet, depending on the configuration of the underlying rock formation. This is the average thickness, on comparatively level land ; on side hills it is usually much thinner, the greater part having been washed down in the valley below. The clay soils and subsoils appear to consist chiefly of those portions of the overlying Galena limestone, and earthy Cincinnati shales, which being insoluble in water were not removed by the gradual process of denudation.

'- The amount of lime, magnesia and alkaline earths in the subsoil and soil, together with the vegetable mold in the latter, constitute a soil, which, in its virgin state, is unsurpassed for rich - ness and fertility. The numl)er of successive wheat crops which have been raised, without regard to rotation, on some of our prairie farms, attest its native strength : as, also, the marked decline in fertility of the soil when this has been done, shows the inevitable retribution which follows the practice. Exceptions to the clay soil, usually found in the country covered by the Galena limestone, are found in the eastern part of La Fayette and frecjuently in Green County, where the soil is quite sandy, owing to the <lisintcgration of calcareous sand layers frequently found there in that formation. A few localities are cited below, where the sand was so abundant thai the formation might have been considered a sandstone, were it not for the occasional outcrops of Galena limestone in place.

'- The agencies of the glacial period do not appear to have had anything to do with transporting the component meterials of the soil, and although a slight trnnsjiortation has taken place, it is always merely local. For instance, in the valleys of the crcclcs which lie in the St. Peters sandstone, the soil is usually a rich clay loam, richer in fact tiian that of the adjacent ridges, because the best parts of the upland soils have been washed down and distributed over the surface of the valley.

" A similar transportation may be observed in passing up any long and moderately steep hill, which includes several formations, such hills being very common north of the principal watershed. Let us suppose one. whose summit is composed of Galena limestone, and whose base lies ill the Lower Magnesian. Scattered about the base will be seen many loose pieces of Lower Magnosian limestone, mixed with less numerous bowlders of St. Peters sandstone; still less numerous and smaller pieces of the buff and blue (Trenton) limestone, while fragments of the Galena limestone will be comparatively rare. On ascending the hill and arriving at the St. Peters, fragments of Lower ^Iagnesian will no longer be seen, while those of the upper formation will become larger and more numerous. On arriving at the buff limestone, the fragments of St. Peters sandstone will also have disappeared ; fragments of blue limestone will be very numerous and easily recognized by their white color and their general rounded and worn appearance. On reaching the summit of the hill, no fragments of stone will be found, except such as are derived from the subjacent Galena limestone. One prominent feature of the soil will be the prevalence of flints, which are nearly indestructible, and often form a large component part. From the arrangement of the surface soil and fragmentary rock, it is evident that the rock of my formation is never found above the level from which it was detached.

Histoky Of Tiik Lead Hegiox

" Brick Clay. - Clay suitable for making brick is found in many parts of the lead region, Mineral Point being one of the important localities. The clay sought is usually of a o^rayish yellow color which becomes red on burning. It appears to have been formed in the same manner as other portions of the soil, as already described. The origin of the clay of which the brick are made is a matter of some doubt. It has not exactly the appearance of a drift clay, and if not, its situation indicates that it must have undergone some subsequent re-arrangement."

The Lead Region Described Fr05I 5I0Ses Strong'S Report

Boundaries and Area. - In Wisconsin, the lead region may be said to be bounded on the north by the northern outcrop of the Galena limestone, running parallel to the main Avater-shed from the Mississippi to the Blue Mounds, as already described ; on the west by the Mississippi River ; on the south by the State line ; on the east by Sugar River. These limits include all of the lead region which has ever been productive, as well as much that has never as yet proved so. The area thus included, which has been, or may hereafter become, productive, is necessarily that of the Galena limestone, which is about 1,776 square miles.

E.rplanation of Mining Terms. - For the enlightenment of the readers who are unfamiliar with mining terms, the following short explanation of expressions, most frequently used in the lead region, is offered.

Range. - This is probably the most indefinite term in use, and, at the same time, one which is universally applied. First. A range denotes a single, or several, parallel crevices, containing useful ores or minerals; vertical, or approximately so; seldom more than a few yards apart; sometimes, but not necessarily, connected by quartering crevices. Its length may vary from a few hundred feet to a quarter of a mile or more ; in short, so far as the crevice or crevices have been connectedly traced, or there is a reasonable probability of such connection. Thus, different parts of the same range often have different names given them before the connection between them is proved. This is a fruitful source of confusion. Second. The term range is also applied to horizontal bodies of ore, of which there may be one, or several, superimposed upon one another ; sometimes, but not necessarily, separated by unproductive layers of rock, limited in length in the same way as a vertical range.

Crevice. - This term denotes a fissure in the rock, vertical or nearly so, but a few inches in width, of indefinite length, which may or may not be filled with ores or minerals. When a crevice becomes very small, less than an inch in width, it is called a seam.

Lode or Lead are words usually substituted for vein ; they are. however, generally applied to ore deposits found either in crevices or openings.

Openings. - They are of two kinds, vertical and horizontal. First. Vertical openings are known as crevice openings, which are mere enlargements of the crevice in certain parts, these being sometimes co-extensive with the vein in length, and sometimes mere local enhirgements. There are in the same crevice frequently several openings, situated one above the other, separated by beds of unproductive rock. Crevices vary in width from one to several feet. When very wide and high, they are sometimes called tumbling openings. Second. Horizontal openings are large, irregular spaces between the strata which contain the lode. Such openings are usually from one to four feet high, and are frequently superimposed upon one another, separated by an unproductive rock, called a "cap." ITie "cap " of one opening being frequently the " floor " of the one above it.

History Of The Lead Region

Chimneys are irregularly shaped vertical holes found in crevices ; sometimes connecting openings, and at others extending from the surface of the ground to some particular stratum of rock.

Sheet. - This is a term usually employed to designate a solid body of ore, exclusive of other minerals, which may fill a crevice or opening. A sheet is said to "pitch " when it inclines considerably from the perpendicular.

Bar. - The term denotes a band or belt, of very hard and unproductive rock, crossing the crevices and sheets. In crossing a bar, all sheets become less productive, and are sometimes entirely lost, the crevices usually dwindling to mere seams. Their width varies from a few feet to many yards.

Mineralogy

There does not appear to have been any absolute and unvarying order in which the minerals of the lead region were deposited in the mines. The following conclusions are derived from the inspection of the ore as it occurs in place in the numerous mines visited, and from the examination of a great number of specimens ; and it is assumed that when crystals of one mineral are coated or covered with another, the overlying one is the more recent. The minerals appear to have been deposited in the following general order:

Malachite

The order above given, however, is subject to very numerous and important exceptions, and is more particularly applicable to crystallized specimens than to heavy ore deposits. Large bodies of ore frequently consist of galentine, sphalerite and pyrite, so mingled together that no order of deposition can be ascertained.

In general, it appears that the sulphurets of the metals were deposited first, and that the carbonates have been generally, if not invariably derived from them. Carbonate of lead (cerussite), when found crystallized, always occurs"in connection with galenite ; and carbonate of zinc (Sraithsonite) is so frequently found graduating into the sulphuret (sphalerite) as to leave but little doubt of its origin from that mineral.

Histokt Of The Lead Eegion

It seems not improbable that the formation of the carbonate of zinc may even now be taking place in the ground to quite a large extent, especially in such deposits as are not below the water-level, or are only periodically submerged.

It is a well-known fact that the drybone diggings are usually comparatively free from water, and that the zinc ore below the water-level is usually blende (sphalerite) with but little admixture of the carbonate. As the level of the water in the ground becomes gradually lower, and it is a well known fact that it does, the atmosphere, together with surface water charged with carbonic acid, is permitted to act upon the blende, and a transformation from the sulphuret to the carbonate is the result.

The association of calcite with other minerals is such as to indicate that it must have been formed in crystals during at least two different periods. Stalactites of recent origin are found in the mines, which on being fractured show a distinct crystalline structure, and large planes of cleavage.

The following is a list of the minerals known to occur in the lead region, arranged according to the system adopted by Prof. Dana, in his " Mineralogy : "

Sulphur. - Native sulphur is found, but seldom in the lead region ; its presence is usually due to the decomposition of iron pyrites. It is usually found in a pulverulent form. Some pieces weighing as much as an ounce were seen in a cabinet at Hazel Green, which are said to have been obtained from a small sheet in some of the Buncome mines. It is said to be not uncommon in this vicinity. Other localities where it is found are Mineral Point and the Crow Branch diggings.

Bornite. - Variegated or purple copper ore. Composition - Copper, 62.5; iron, 13.8; sulphur, 2.3.7. This is quite a rare mineral. A few pieces have been found in the copper diggings near Mineral Point ; it has never been found here crystallized, but always massive and in small pieces.

Galenite. - Composition - Lead, 86.6 ; sulphur, 13.4. This is the only ore of lead found in sufficient quantities to be of economic value. It is universally known in the lead region as " mineral." It frequently occurs in distinct crystals, either as a cube or some modification of it: Octahedral crystals are quite rare, but are occasionally found, especially in the carbonaceous shale of the southern part of the region. Usually, however, galenite occurs massive, with a very distinct cleavage. Freshly broken surfaces have always a bright steel color, which speedily tarnishes on exposure to the air.

Sphalerite. - Blende or black-jack. Composition - Zinc, 67 ; sulphur, 33. This is one of the most abundant minerals in the lead region, besides being of great economic value as an ore of zinc. It is almost invariably found as an associate vein-mineral in the horizontal deposits of lead ore. It is usually found massive and compact, of a dark-brown or black color, due to a small portion of iron contained in it, and more or less mixed with gelanite. The lead region has never afforded a perfect crystal of blende, although many specimens are found with small and imperfect crystalline faces. The fractured surfaces of such specimens usually have a resinous luster.

Pyrite. - Composition - Iron, 46.7 ; sulphur, 53.3. This is the most common vein-mineral found in the mines. It is universally met with in veins, lodes or other deposits of ore, and in many cases impregnates the rock when all other minerals are absent. In crevices it frequently appears to have been the first mineral deposited. It is usually found massive, although handsome crystallized specimens are frequently obtained from the mines. In crystals it usually assumes some modification of the cube, the octahedron being quite frequent. It also occurs in radiated and reniform masses. It has never yet been considered of any economic value in the lead region, and as it is so mucli mixed with rock it is doubtful if it could be profitably separated, except by the natural process of disintegration, to which some varieties are liable when exposed to the air. The Crow Branch diggings and the Linden mines afford large quantities and good specimens of this mineral.

Marcasite. - Composition - Iron, 46.7 ; sulphur 53.3, or same as pvrite. The difference between this and the preceding is but slight, and chiefly due to crystalline structure; the former belonging to the raono-metric and the latter to the trimetric system. It is somewhat lighter cjlored than pyrite, and decomposes more readily in the air. It is i[uite a common vein mineral, and occurs in globular and cockcomb shapes. It is abundant in the New Diggings district. It is difficult to preserve specimens of this mineral, longer than a few months.

Chalcopyrite. - Composition - Copper. 34.6 ; iron, 30.5 ; sulphur, 34. fl. This is the principal ore of copper in the lead regions, and is most abundantly found in the vicinity of ^Iineral Point. It usually occurs massive, frequently mixed with pyrite ; small and indistinct crystals are occasionally found.

Hematite. - Composition - Iron, 70; oxygen 30. Impure arenaceous varieties of this mineral frequently occur, nowhere, however, sufficiently rich or abundant to be of any economic value. It seems to be chiefly due to the decomposition of pyrite, and is most common as the ferruginous sandstone concretions in the upper beds of the St. Peters. It is also frequently found as ocher, with other vein-minerals, especially in the flat openings.

Oxide of Manganese. - A substance consisting of manganese with a little oxide of iron, zinc, and traces of magnesia, according to an analysis of Dj-. Bode, of Milwaukee, is found in crevices in the Trenton limestone, in some diggings situated on Section 11, Town 4, Range 1 east. The mineral is as light as cork; color brownish-black, sub-metallic luster and streaks; soils readily, and is infusable. It is very soft, and does not occur crystallized. It has a structure in thin parallel layers, resembling wood.

Calamine. - Composition - Silica, 25.0; oxide of zinc, 67.5; water, 7.5. This mineral is of very rare occurrence in the lead region. It is found in small, drusy crystals ; coating, Smithsonite. The crystals are very brittle, colorless, and have a vitrious luster. It is found near Mineral Point.

Barite. - Composition - Sulphuric acid, 34.33 ; baryta, 65.67. It occurs usually white and massive, but sometimes in lamellar and crested forms. The only place where it was found in distinct crystals, was in the railroad cut at Scales Mound, where it occurs in small cavities, as small but very perfect transparent crystals, associated with dolomite and pyrite. It is not a very abundant mineral, but is found in several of the mining districts, especially Dodgeville and Mineral Point. ,,

The following is an analysis by Mr. E. T. Sweet, of a specimen from the southwest quarter of Section 6, Township 5, Range 3 ea,-*t, in Van Matre's survey :

Anghsite. - Composition - Sulphuric acid, 26.4; oxide of lead, 73.6. Traces of this mineral are reported as occurring in some of the mining districts, but no specimens have as yet been obtained. It probably originates from the decomposition of galenite.

Calcite. - Composition - Carbonic acid, 44 ; lime, 56. This is a vein-mineral, common to al' the deposits of ore, whether in crevices or openings. It occurs crystallized in modified rhombohedrons and scalinohedrons. The variety known as Dog-tooth-spar is a very freipient form, especially in the Shullsburgand Linden districts, wiiich affords very hantlsomc cabinet specimens. The Mineral Point district affords handsome rhombohedrons, and the Linden mine affords handsome twin crystals of calcite set in sphalerite t blende). It also occurs there, rarely, as a pseudomorph, after marcitaite, and has then a radiate or divergent form.

Histohy Of The Lead Region

Dolomite. - Bitter spar or brown spar. Coraposition - Carbonate of lime and carbonate of magnesia, in slightly varying, but nearly equal, proportions. It occurs occasionally in small rliombohedral crystals in cavities of the Galena limestone. The best locality for obtaining cabinet specimens is in the railroad cut at Scales Mound.

Smithaonite. - Often improperly called calimine. Composition - Carbonic acid, 35.18 ; oxide of zinc, 64.81. This mineral, commonly known as drybone, is one of the two ores of zinc found in the lead region. It is found most extensively in the central and northern parts, and usually in connection with blende. It crystallizes in rhombohedral forms ; such specimens are, however, rare. It usually occurs massive, having a structure similar to partially decayed bone, from which it derives its common name.

Pseudomorphs, of Smithsonite, after calcite, are sometimes formed. They occur as rhombohedrons, and in tlie various irregular shapes in which calcite occurs in the lead region. Perfect crystals, in which the transformation from calcite to Smithsonite is complete, are very rare. It IS much more common to find skeleton crystals, or those which have been formed by t^e deposition of a smooth, light-colored shell of Smithsonite, about a sixteenth of an inch thick, over all the exposed surface of the calcite, followed by a gradual removal of the crystal contained within the shell. The space within the shell is sometimes partially filled with Smithsonite, and fre- ((uently planes of the orijjinal crystal. Pseudomorpiis are also found in which the imperfect crystallization of sphalerite is very evident. Smithsonite is also found covering crystals of galenite, which are undecomposed.

Cerussite. - Composition - Carbonic acid, 16.5 ; oxide of lead, 83.5. Cerussite is occasionally found in small pieces, but never in sufficient quantities to form an object of mining. It occurs in irregular rounded pieces of a yellowish color, exhibiting no crystalline structure. It has been found near Mineral Point, and in former years quite frequently at the diggings near Blue Mounds. Cerussite is found in small irregular translucent crystals of a white or light yellow color, in the mine of Messrs. Poad, Barrack & Tredinnick, near Linden. The specimens were large, cubic crystals of galenite, coated with pyrite, the crystals of cerussite being formed in both of these minerals. The specimens indicate that the crystals of pyrite had been formed, and many of them broken before the formation of the cerussite.

Hydrozincite. - Composition - Carbonic acid, 13.6; oxide of zinc, 75.3 ; water, 11.1. This is a mineral of rare occurrence in the lead region. It is found at Linden and Mineral Point sis a white, finely crystalline, fibrous incrustation on Smithsonite.

Malachite. - Composition - Carbonic acid, 19.9 ; protoxide of copper, 71.9 ; water, 8.2. It is occasionally found in small seams, mixed with other ores of copper in the Mineral Point copper mines. Crystals or good cabinet specimens do not occur.

Azurite. - Composition - Carbonic acid, 25.6; protoxide of copper, 69.2; water, 5.2. It occurs similar to malachite, massive and in scams, associated with chalcopvrito. The Mineral Point mines afford very beautiful cabinet specimens of small rhombohedral crystals of dark-blue color.

Visitors in the lead region will constantly hear the terms "brown rock," "glass rock," "pipe-clay opening," etc., used by the miners to designate the different strata in which they work. This would be an advantageous system were it not that the several names are applied to widely diflerent strata by persons in the several districts. Tlie term "glass rock," for instance, is indiscriminately applied to all the strata in the buff, blue and Galena limestones. The following section is given as a general guide in umlerstanding the relative position and thickness of the strata and openings, to wliich reference will occasionally be made in the subsequent pages. The section, however, will not bo found of universal application, but merely shows the strata a-s their position is now understood by the most intelligent and systematic miners.

In practice, the most reliable plan for determining the geological position of an ore bed or mine, is to find the out-crop of some well-dcfineii horizon in the vicinity, and ascertain the distance of the bed or mine above or below it, after making due allowance for the dip.

There are numerous openings occurring in all upper and middle beds of the Galena limestone, none of wliich appear to be found regularly in all the districts. The section is, therefore, confined to the more persistent openings of the lower beds :

History And Character Of The Mines

The history of the mining interest of this region is essentially a history of the region itself. The following reliable and detailed report of mines was made by Mr. Strong in 1877. Such new mines as have since then been opened are named further on in this work :

Beetown District

This is the most westerly district in which any productive mines have been worked. In former years they were very productive, but have gradually become less so. There are several sub-districts, of which the principal ones are Bectown, Nip-and-Tuck, Muscalunge and Hackett's. The diggings in the immediate vicinity of Beetown are situated north and east of the village, chiefly in Sections 20 and 29, of Township 4, Range 4 west. There are here, on the ridge, about a dozen principal old ranges, all nearly parallel, and bearing a few degrees north of west. They vary from half a mile to a mile and a half in length, some of them extending easterly to the Grant Diggings. There are no large organized companies at work in them, the principal product being by individual parties in small lots.

Lead ore is usually found in this district in two principal openings, known as the " Twelvefoot Opening" and the " Sixty-five-foot Opening." The first is named from the height of the opening, which usually averages about twelve feet. The second derives its name from sixtyfive feet of unproductive rock which separates it from the first. The following parties are now, or have recently been, mining near Beetown :

Brown Bros. Birch. - These diggings are situated in the Hull Hollow, about threequarters of a mile south of the village. They were discovered in If^iiO, by Walters and Rolierts, and were first worked in the twelve-foot opening. Tliere are three parallel east-andwest ranges, situated about nine feet apart. They produced lead ore, which is found in tiat openings, four and one-half feet high and four and one-half feet wide, lying about seventy feet above the sixty-five-foot opening. The ore has been traced by a level three hundred feet west from the discovery shaft. The depth at the working-shaft is sixty feet ; the greatest depth in the ridge will be one hundred and sixty feet. Work was commenced in the winter of 1875-76, since which time the product has been 35,000 pounds. The prospects are considered good.

Wilcox Diggingg. - North half of the southeast quarter of Section 32, Township 4, Range 4 west. This ground has been recently bought by Messrs. Henrj^ Ross, Gundry and Toay, of Mineral Point, by whom it is now operated, under the name of the Beetown Mine. Work was commenced here by Mr. Wilcox in 1868. A level has been run in the ground 500 feet, underlying a flat sheet of blende or Smithsonite, which is, in places, 36 inches thick. The sheet has been found to extend eighty feet north and south, and one hundred and thirty feet east and west; its extreme limits are not yet known. On its south side, some copper ore has been found. The sheet lies in the upper pipe-clay opening. About twenty-two feet above the sheet of zinc ores, is one of Smithsonite and lead ore, one hundred and fifty feet wide, whose length is unknown. It lies in flat and pitching sheets, in the green-rock opening. The ground has produced lead ore to the value of $3,500 ; also, forty-five tons of Smithsonite and one hundred and seventy-five tons of blende.

Crossly ^ Bass. - Situated south of the preceding. Work was carried on for six months, and stopped by the owner of the land. Twenty thousand pounds of lead ore were produced.

Pigeon Diggings. - They are situated in the north half of Section 20, Township 4, Range 3 west, and consist of several east-and-west ranges, in which the ore is found in flat openings in the "Brown Rock" division of the Galena limestone. The ground is owned by Messrs. Barber, Dewey & Cox. There are about fifty men employed here, mining chiefly in the old workings at a depth of from thirty to fifty feet below the surface. The annual product of the Pigeon Diggings is about two hundred and fifty thousand pounds of lead oi'e. Mining is chiefly confined to the winter season. During the last year a sheet of Smithsonite was discovered on the southeast quarter of Section 19, which has produced sixty tons.

Hackett's Diggings. - These mines are situated on Section 17, Township 4, Range 4 west. They have been idle for several years. Work has recently been resumed on them by the following parties: Hutchcroft & Pigg, and Whitehead & Co. They have now good paying mines in the sixty-five-foot opening. The annual product is about thirty thousand pounds.

Nip-and-Tuck Diggings. - Situated on the south half of Section 25, Township 4, Range 5 west. They consist of several east-and-west ranges crossed by north-and-south ranges. Very little mining is now done here. The parties are Sillick & Co. and Roberts & Co. The annual product is about twenty thousand pounds.

Muscalunge Diggings. - Situated on Section 26, Township 4, Range 5 west. There are here numerous east-and-west ranges, from a quarter to a half a mile in length, lying near Rattlesnake Creek. More activity is displayed here in mining operations than anywhere else in the district, about half of the ore smelted in the Beetown furnace being obtained here. In addition to the east-and-west ranges already mentioned, there are a great number of small parallel crevices running nearly east and west, and crossed by various quartering ores, forming a pei'fect network of veins and crevices. The following parties are operating in this vicinity :

Graham Mining Company. - This is a Milwaukee mining company who own and work a large tract of ground comprising the west half of Section 26. The workings are all in the sixty-five-foot opening. The following section of the Dewey & Maiden shaft is given, which shows the position of strata from the top of the ridge downward :

The two openings are seen here to be separated by sixty-five feet of intervening barren rock. The ground is drained by a level about three-quarters of a mile long, run on the random of the lower opening at an expense of $20,000. It empties into one of the adjacent branches of Rattlesnake Creek. It could easily be drained to the top of the blue limestone by a level in the horizon of the pipe-clay opening. A convenience in hoisting was noticed here which might profitably be adopted in other portions of the lead region. A six-inch hole had been drilled From the surface to one of the drifts for purposes of ventilation. An artesian well-bucket was then put on, and all small stuff and wash dirt was removed tlirough the hole, thus saving a long and unnecessary transportation underground to the main shaft. The company has worked continuously here for many years. The ground has been very productive ; it produced in one year 1,800,000 pounds. Its average annua! production for the last nine years is estimated at 300,000 pounds of lead ore.

James Thomas if Co. - This company has been working here for the last fifteen years. The ore is found on the east-and-west range in tiie si.xty-five-foot opening. The diggings are dry, and from l.")0 to 100 feet deep. The average production is 150,000 pounds of lead ore per annum. The ground is owned by Mr. Dewey.

Hutchcroft <f Thomas. - Situated four hundred and fifty feet south of the preceding, and connected with them underground. They are in the same opening as the preceding, and have been worked continuously for many years. During tiie last year, they have been idle, having been sold by the parties who operated tliem. When worked, their annual product was 150,000 pounds.

Hutchinson, Dewey <f- Co. - Situated on the southeast quarter of Section 26, east of James Thomas & Co., and in the same range and opening. This party has been working heie since 18G!), and has now a very good prospect. The average depth below the surface is one hundred and sixty feet. In some cases, it is one hundred and eighty feet. They are connected with the Adkinson Diggings by a quartering range. They have produced about 30,000 pounds in the last three years.

Ailkinson Di(/i]in(/s. - Situated a short distance east of the preceding, and connected with it. Access is gained to these diggings through a level about a quarter of a mile long, emptying into the valley of Rattlesnake Creek. The level was run on a northeast crevice, which contained a large amount of ore, and was frequently intercepted with east-and-west crevices. These diggings have been worked continuously during the la-^t twenty years. During the last fifteen years, the annual product has been 150.000 pounds of lead ore.

ShotvaUer tj* Fayten. - Situated a (|uarter of a mile southeast of the preceding, and near the south line of the Dewey land. These parties commenced two years since, and are now working an east-and-west range in the sixty-five-foot opening. During the last two years, tlie product has been 70,000 pounds.

Arthur .('- Co. - Situated two hundred feet south of tlie preceding, on Mr. Arthur's land. This is a new east-and-west range discovered in the spring of 1876. A .shaft has been sunk ninety feet to tlie sixty-five-foot opening, and a small amount of ore produced. The appearances in this new range are ([uite encouraging.

Hitter <f Bock. - Northeast quarter of Section 35. Township 4, Range 5 west ; situated on land owned by Mr. Ritter. This is a new east-and-west range, discovered in the summer o) 1875. It is worked in the sixty-five-foot level. It is regarded as a good prospect, and has already produced 20,lt00 pounds.

Looiiiis .('- Co. - Situated on the land of the Graliain Mining Company, in the southern part. This is also a new east-and-west range, discovered in August, 1876. It has produced about 12.0(10 pounds. The mine is now in a condition to yield 1,000 pounds per day. The lead ore in the Muscalunge mines occurs in direct contact with the wall rock, usually in vertical sheets, and without any of the associate vein minerals which are usually found in the other mining districts.

Mining operations here are chiefly confine-d to the winter season. The old ranges of the Potosi Diggings are included in Sections 33 and 34, Township 3. Range 3 west. Their general course is about north, 70^^ west, although some bear a few degrees more to the west, anti some a few more to the north. They numbered about thirty in all. which were considered as separate and distinct ranges ; and, in addition, there were many smaller crevices, not sufficiently important to constitute ranges by themselves. Among the more important were the Long, Wooley, Gillet, Gilmore, Smith, Polkinghorn and Barbara, some of which were over a mile in length. The productive portion of these ranges is confined to the mi Jille and lower portions of the Galena limestone, none of the crevices having as yet proved as low as the brown rock ; the ore is usually found in sheets of varying thickness.

Considerable irregularity exists in the formation of many of the crevices in the Potosi district, by which they seem *^o split up in the lower beds of the limestone, forming key rocks and divergent crevices. An instance in point was seen in the diggings of Mr. INIeredith, in the northeast quarter of Section 33, about three hundred feet south of the old Wooley range, on the summit of the ridge. A shaft was sunk in the main ci'evice, which Continued without change for sixty feet from the surface. At this point a hard key rock, as it is called, was encountered, on which the crevice and ore sheets diviiled, one part continuing vertical and the other slanting downward at an angle of about forty-five degrees, for a distance of thirty feet. Here a very hard and smooth floor was found, on which the sheet was followed out by drifting for a distance of 130 feet, without reaching the end. No appearance of openings was observed. These diggings were struck about six years ago (1870), and have produced since then about four hundred and twenty thousand pounds.

Rockville Diggings. - There are hero a number of east-and-west ranges with flat openings, which have been worked with but little interruption since 1840, and now furnish employment to about twenty miners. Mining is chieHy confined to the winter season. The following parties are now operating here :

Phillips (f Walker. - Southwest quarter of southwest quarter of Section 13, Township 3, Range 3 west. These parties are working a new east-and-west range, discovered by thera in the summer of 1874. The ore is found at a depth of about one hundred feet below the surface, in flat openings from fifty to sixty feet wide, whose length has not yet been ascertained. They have, iiowever, been worked to a distance of 300 feet. The lead ore is found in what is known here as the second opening, which lies about thirty feet above the upper .surface of the blue limestone. Their annual product is 30,000 pounds.

Dilger Mines. - Northwest quarter of northwest quarter of Section 24. This is a new range, discovered in January, 1876. The works are as yet confined to the first opening, which is here thirty feet above the second. It has produced, during the past year, 40,000 pounds.

Haijtvard Range. - Southwest quarter of Section 13. This range has been worked continuously every winter since its discovery in 1841, and has yielded in all between four and five million pounds. It is now worked by Messrs. Jackson A Calloway, in the second opening, which is liere from thirty to forty feet wide. It produces about one hundred thousind pounds per annum.

Warfield Range. - Southwest quarter of Section 13. This range has been worked every winter during the last thirty years, and has produced about two million pounds. It is now worked by Messrs. White & Dunn, in the second opening, which is here from thirty to forty feet wide. Its annual product is.about one hundred thousand pounds.

Curnoiv and Pillow Range. - Southwest quarter of Section 13. Tiiis range has not been idle during the last thirty years, and is still productive. During the last fifteen years the rau'Te has produced over 100,000 pounds per annum. Messrs. Nichols & Stevens are now mining in it, and producing 20,000 pounds per annum.

Emerg .f- Daris Level. - Northwest quarter of northwest quarter of Section 24. The level was commenced in 18r)2, and is now 600 feet long, and drains the ground in its vicinity nearly as low as the second opening. Its cost was about §20,000. Tiie excavations here were of the nature of a quarry, several flat sheets of lead ore being found inter-stratified with the Galena limestone. While the level was in operation, the annual product was about 100,000 pounds. Tlie level drains the Langstaff and Willey ranges, which were discovered about thirty years ago, and have been worked continuously ever since. Most of tiie lead ore is obtained from the first opening. The annual product is 50,000 pounds. These ranges have been worked to the present water level, leaving sheets of ore from twelve to eighteen inches thick, going down. The level should be run a few rods further to connect with a north-and-south crevice ; it would then probably drain all the ranges much deeper.

Stone <f- BryJton. - Situated near the northwest corner of Section 1, Town 3, Range 3 west, on land owned by Mr. Stone, about three miles north of the village of Rockville. The works are in the first opening, which is from eight to ten feet wide. They have been worked in the winter season during the last four years, producing annually between 30,000 and 40,000 pounds. They were formerly worked by Mr. Grusham. and were more productive. The mines are dry.

Grimvold Digijings. - Situated about a ijuarter of a mile south of the preceding. These are dry diggings, worked in the first opening, which is here about six feet high and from ten to thirty feet wide. They have been worked continuously during the last seven years, producing about 65,000 pounds per annum.

Henry Gillilin's Diggings. - These diggings are situated about tiiree miles southeast of Rockville, on the Platte River. They are dry diggings, and have been worked during the last four years in the first opening, which is here thirty feet wide and about six feet high. The annual product is 25,000 pounds.

J. Alderson's Diggings. - Northwest quarter of Section 26, Town 3, Range 3 west. They are situated on the Craig range, in the village of British Holland. This range was worked by a Cincinnati company for three years ; they abandoned it two years ago. This company produced about 8.000,000 pounds during the time of their operation. Mr. Alderson commenced mining here again in July, 1876, with a steam pump, and has sunk four shafts. The workings are about 120 feet deep in the second opening, and in the third, which is about twenty-five feet below the second. The mine has not produced much yet, as the time has been mostly consumed in preliminary operations.

Peak if- Blair. - Northwest quarter of Section 26. These parties have also been working in the Craig range during the past summer (1876). They have a flat sheet of lead ore about five inches thick in the first opening, which here averages twenty feet in width. This range has been worked during the last forty years. The product of the present parties has been about 20,000 pounds.

Dutch Hollow Diggings. - They are situated on the north half of Section 36, Township 3, Range 3 west, about two and a half miles east of Potosi. The following parties are now operating here:

Dutch Hollow Level Company. - Mining operations have been carried on here continuously for the last six years, excavating a level on or near the upper surface of the blue limestone. The level is now about a half a mile long, and it is expected to reach the main shaft in about a month. When completed, the level will unwater all the Galena limestone above it, which is here about one hundred feet thick. It is expected to unwater the Kendall, and many other old ranges in the vicinity, as deep as the third opening. The level is not producing much now. During the year 1872, it produced 60,000 pounds.

Rup <f Son. - Northeast quarter of Section 35. This party has been working during the last six months in a part of the Zug range. The ore is found in the first opening, which is here about fifteen feet wide. The production has been 150,000 pounds.

Langstaff' S; Gillan. - Situated thrce-(|uarters of a mile northeast of the preceding, in the creek in Section 25. The lead ore is found here in a flat sheet in the first opening, near the water level and about thirty feet below the surface. Three men have been working here twelve months, and have produced 60,000 pounds. The production of the Potosi district, including Rockville, British Hollow and Dutch Hollow, could not be definitely ascertained, ae very little record has been kept of it. It is estimated at 80,000 pounds per annum. Mining in this district is generally abandoned in summer for farming, and resumed again in the winter, in the lack of other employment. In this way a large number of men are at work in the winter, each rasing a small amount by prospecting, which forms in the aggregate the total product of the district.

Fairplay District

The only mines in this vicinity, which have recently produced anything, are those of Black & Co., on the northeast quarter of Section 24, Township 1, Range 2 west, and those of Williams & Co., near the center of Section 19, Township 1, Range 1 west.

Black cf Co. - This property, which comprises in all about two hundred and forty acres, is owned by Messrs. Joseph and Thomas Sparks. It has been known to be rich ground for manv years, and to contain, besides the ore, an immense amount of water, which was the chief obstacle to be overcome. Previous to the operations of Mr. Black, it had been attempted by three .separate parties, at as many different times, but always with more or less loss. Mr. Black commenced work on it, in 1871, by means of pumping, and continued to add pumps, engines and pumping machinery at intervals. At the time the mine was visited (June, 1874), there were in operation two steam pumps, and two large lift pumps, together with three boilers and two engines, one of them about thirty-hcrse power. The company then contemplated adding a large engine and machinery. It was estimated that about a thousand gallons of water per minute were being pumped from the mine, and, when the lower opening is reached, which is thought to be about fifteen feet deeper, it will become necessary to pump about fifteen hundred gallons per minute.

The mine is in the upper beds of the Galena limestone, which is here present in its full thickness, and, indeed, the first few feet of the shafts are sunk through the lowest bed of the Cincinnati group, as may be seen from the yellow clay with the characteristic shells, in any of the shallow prospecting holes in the vicinity.

Gaxena Limestone

The course of the vein is nearly east and west, and five shafts have been sunk upon it, the deepest of which has reached a point one hundred and five feet below the surface. The opening now presents the appearance of a series of large rooms or caves, from fifteen to twenty feet wide, and about fifteen feet high, for a distance of si.v hundred feet. The vein was crossed in several places by bars of hard rock, one of which wa< sixty-five feet in thickness. The bars alwiys caused a decrease in the size of the opening, and sometimes nearly cut oft" the vein. In other places, the opening contracted in width, in which case the ore usually occurred in a solid sheet, sometimes as much as seven feet thick by seven and a half feet high. In the caves or larger parts of the opening, the ore was found in large masses, \>eighing sometimes several thousand pounds. Two large masses were found which weighed respectively fifty thousand and twentyseven thousand pounds. With the ore large masses of rock were found mixed with loose dirt and a fine, dark clay.

The sides of the opening were much washed and worn by water, sluwiig a very regular stratification, witli no appearance whatever of faults or dislocations. Each of the caves in the opening iiad a chimney going down, apparently to a second opening, which has never yet been proved or worked.

The upper part of the opening was sometimes filled with a large key-roek, having a crevice in each side of it. Sometimes, however, the key-rock was replaced by a flat cap-rock containing crevices.

The appearance of these caverns, as we passed through them, was a sight not soon to be forgotten. Oji the floo - lav great misses of rock which h.ii fallen from above, wi",ii clay, continually moistened from the dripping walls and arching roo ". and, here and there, the fieblc light revealed ricli massjs of jrlittLrinc; ore.

Williirms .J- Oo. - This mining property is situated about three-ijuarters of a mile noriheast of Black's Mine, and was operated by the proprietors, Messrs. Thomas and Jeremiah Williams and Mr. O'Connor. The water in this ground is not nearly so abundant as in other mines. It is easily removed with a common lift-pump, worked with a ten-horse-power engine; tiie amount seldom exceeds 2.50 gallons per minute. Mining has been confined to the upper half of the Galena limestone. The lower clay beds of the Cincinnati group are also found here, but there is not so great a thickness of them as at Black's Mine. The pumpsliaft commences at the top of the Galena limestone, and is sunk to a depth of 106 feet, at which point the top of the second opening is found, after passing through the first opening, which is .situated at a depth of forty-seven feet from the surface, and is probably identical witli the first opening at Black's Mine, which it much resembles in its general appearance. Tlie first opening here consists of a series of large caves or enlargements of the crevice, with chimneys going down to the second opening.

The ore was found in masses, mixed with clay and large pieces of stone, which had apparently fallen from the roof or cap. The lead ore, from its greater specific gravity, usually occupies the lower part or floor of the opening. The course of the range is very nearly east and west, but bears a little north on its western end.

The length of drifts in the top opening amounts to about nine hundred feet. It is about worked out at the western end, but still continues good at the east. Several masses of lead ore were found in this opening weigliing from fourteen to fifteen thousand pounds. A singular formation of ore was found in the top opening. The mine was discovered and 0]>ened in February, 1872, and since then has probably been the most productive and remunerative mine in the district, on account of the comparatively small amount of water to contend witii and the large amount of lead ores obtained, which has been estimated at two and a half million pounds. Work was suspended on this mine in the fiill of 187.'), and has not since been resumed.

FairpJaji Lerel Co. - A company consisting of Messrs. Merry, Olinger, Rewell, Pier and Natte, having formed a stock company, with a capital of §.50,000. have been engaged during the last eight years in running a level on land owned by George Siddell & Co. This level is commenced on the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 26, Township 1, Range 2 west, about three-quarters of a mile below the village of Fairplay. It has been run eastward a distance of 2.200 feet, and thence south 70 feet, and has cost about §30,000.

One ''shift'" of three men is the usual number employed, and it is not expected that th( level will be completed for many years. Its greatest depth below the surface is 140 feet, ami forty-eight feet below the natural water level ; one mile farther east it will drain about sixty feet below the present water level.

This level will unwater the whole of Section 2;">. and will cut the following ranges in tlic third opening : The Crabtree, Thompson, Engine, Cams, Bruce, Lost range, Franklin, Seward and Cave range. The openings in these ranges are vertical ; they were formerly worked and abandoned with lead ore in them going below the water. When these ranges are unwatered they will undoubtedly be very productive.

In the vicinity of Fairpliiy, about fifty men find employment in mining ilurinii; the winter ; in summer the mines are idle. The greater part of the lead ore raised in this district comes from the mines south of the village, and, exclusive of the two large mines previously described, has not exceeded r)0,000 pounds per annum for the last six years.

Hazel Green District

The Hazel Green District exhibits considerable activity at present in mining operations, and the reports of smelters in this vicinity show that a large amount of ore is raised here. During the years 1872 and 1873, miners were attracted to other localities by the prospect of higher wages, which caused a temporary decrease in the production of lead ore; the mines, however, remained unimpaired. The miners have now returned, and the mines have regiiined their normal productive condition.

The most remunerative and continuously productive portion of the district is the property of the Hazel Green Mining Company, otherwise known as Crawford, Mills & Co. It is situated on the northwest quarter of Section 30, part of the southwest quarter of Section 30, part of the northeast quarter of Section 30, part of the southeast quarter of Section 19, the southwest quarter of Section 19, the northwest quarter of Section 19, the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 18, all in Township 1, Range 1 east; also, the northeast quarter of Section -4, and the east half of the east half of Section 2.5, Township 1, Range 1 west, comprising in all l,10t> acres, on which over four hundred and fifty distinct mineral veins have been discovered and worked.

During the early days of mining these grounds were worked from the surface as deep as was then possible, which was only about thirty-five feet, when they had to be abandoned. Pumping was tried on some of the larger bodies of ore, but as a general thing was found to be too expensive to be very remunerative, on account of the vast amount of water which the ground contained. In the year 1862, Crawford, Mills & Co. commenced their level from a point on the Hard-Scrabble Branch, and have been working it continuously ever since. Its total completed length is now about four thousand feet.

It is a feature of this ground that it is traversed by several bars or belts of ground which are very hard and impervious to water. As soon as the level is driven through one of them, it unwaters the ground in all directions to the next bar.

Some time in the year 1871, one of those bars was reached which was so hard that blasting with powder made but little impression on it. As an experiment, nitro glycerine was tried and ;:ave the greatest satisraetion, so much, indeed, that a factory has been established here, and it is ^raduallv being introduced into the mines. It is at present used in Dubui]ue, Galena, New Diggings and several otiier places. It was at first regarded with some dislike and distrust by the miners, but this prejudice is fast being overcome, and nitro-glyccrine, or some of its compounds, will probably supplant gunpowder in the mines at no distant day. The factory at Hazel Green produced, during the first three years, about 3,000 pounds of nitroglycerine, and the demand is steadily increasing.

On account of the position of the bars, it was found necessary to make three branches to the li'vel, one of which is now completed and is gradually draining the western part of the ground. The northern branch, when completed, will undoubtcilly unwater the rest of the ground.

This level is an evidence of what can be done by scientific mining, when carried on persistently and systematically, with sufficient capital, applied with foresight and sagacity. It has cost the company twelve years of time, and about .^lUO.OdO. Its results are, that it has alrc:iily repaid the outlay of capital by the ore raised from tlie ground unwatered by it, which would otherwise have been inaccessible. When completed, it will unwater the ground 13') feet beljw ilie natural water level on the ridge. It furnishes employment to about eighty miners during the mining season.

tjuite a large and clear stream of water is discharged from the mouth of the level, and is at [iresent used to operate a furnace and three wash-places. The ore in the Hazel Green mines is usually found in sheets ; this is its characteristic mode of occurrence. The ranges are approximately east and west, or north and south, the former being the most productive. Ore is also sometimes found in large bunches or pockets, containing sometimes several thousand pounds, and occasionally in openings. The pockets are often lined with large and very regular cubes, affording handsome cabinet specimens. The total production since the discovery of these mines, has been carefully computed from the smelter's accounts at about 126,000,000 pounds. Their present product is about 800,000 pounds per annum.

Mining in this vicinity is confined to the upper half of the Galena limestone, which is here present in its entire thicTcne-ss, the clay of the lower beds of the Cincinnati group being found near the village, on the road to Galena. A section of the strata from the top of the ridge to the level would present approximately the following features :

Richard JSustice tf' Co. - These parties were working in a new locality, and had, at the time they were visited, one of the handsomest displays of ore ever seen in the grounds. The bottom of the shaft had penetrated an opening filled with soft earth. The sides of the opening were lined witli a body of ore which presented an unbroken mass of cubic crystals of various sizes, some of them being as much as si.x inches on a side, and of very perfect shape, affording very handsome cabinet specimens. There were not less than 10,000 pounds of lead ore in sight, in a place about ten feet long. This body of ore is known to continue several feet deeper to the drift below. These diggings were worked until the fall of 1875, and produced 120,000 pounds.

Howe ^ Rowe. - This is a new range, and was discovered in March, 187-4. It is [an eastand-west sheet, in which the ore occurs in a crevice three or four inches wide, at a depth of about sixty feet below the surface, and about thirty-five feet above the flint opening. Work was suspended here in September, 1876. The total amount produced to that time was 50,000 pounds.

Richard Eustices Bujgings - Are situated on the Phelps range ; shafts are ninety feet deep, down to the clay openings. Length of drifts about 150 feet. The ore here occurs in a sheet about an inch thick. The diggings were worked from June, 1872, to June, 1875, and produced about 40,000 pounds. Near these diggings, and about ten feet deeper, is an east-and-west sheet dipping tothe north, carrying bunches of blende, which affords quite handsome crystals.

Man waring and Madison Rnnge. - This is an east-and-west range, and is sometimes known as the Hinch Range, from the name of a party who formerly worked it, and by whom it was abandoned in 1858. Since the level has been run, the water has fallen about fifty feet in this ground, and in December, 1873, work was resumed on it by Crawford. Mills & Co., since which time it has produced 40,000 poumls of lead ore. The shaft is down about fifty-five feet, or within six feet of the flint opening. Work was suspended on it in June, 1875.

John Edwards' Diggings. - Situated a short distance further west on the same range, a flat sheet of blende is found here in the second opening, at a depth of eighty feet below the surface. The order of deposition here is : 1st, pyrite; 2d, galenite; 3d, blende. During the winter of 1875-76, the product was blende, ten tons; lead ore, 1.400 pounds.

Bull Pump Range. - Tliis range w;is worked by Jackson & Co. during the years 1873- 74-75, producing 90,000 pounds. Work was su.spended here in the fall of 1875.

Bininger Range. - Tiiis range has been worked at intervals since May, 1874. It is now worked by Stephens, Mankivel & Rowe; four men arc employed, working with a horse pump in the second opening. During the present year the product has been 30,000 pounds.

Bii] Pump lianye. - This range h:is been worked since October 1, 187G, by Richard Eustice & Co. A small amount of ore has been produced from the first opening.

Oates d|' Enstice. - This party has been working during the last year and a half on a range two hundred feet north of the west branch of the level. The lead ore is found in a flat sheet in the second opening. The opening is seven feet high, and averages seven feet in width. The sheet is about one foot thick. The product to the present time has been 150,000 pounds.

Clark's Diggings. - Two men have been working during the last year in the range next north of the McCoy Water-wheel Range. The ore is found as "chunk mineral" in the second opening, which is here six feet wide. The product has been 30,000 pounds.

Tregenza ^' Son. - Work was commenced by this party, in the fall of 1874, on the Drybone range, south of the Badger lot. The works are in the second opening, which is here from ten to twelve feet wide, and contains a flat sheet about five inches thick, of which the upper part consists of lead ore, and the lower of zinc ores. The product has been - zinc ores, twenty tons ; lead ore, 20,000 pounds. Very handsome specimens of galenite, coated with ccrusite, are obtained here.

W. 11. Eustiee jf- Bra. - This party commenced work in the fall of 1875 at Crawford's little pump shaft. They worked in the second opening during the winter of 1875-76, and suspended in the summer on account of water. The prospect is good, and they expect to resume work this winter (1876). Product, 10,000 pounds.

Edwards Entate.-rOn this land, there are several old ranges, now drained by the level of Crawford, Mills & Co., in which the following mining has been done :

In addition to the parties already mentioned, there are, in the winter season, usually about sixty miners at work on the lands of the Hazel Green Mining Company.

The following diggings are in the village of Hazel Green, but not on the lands of the Hazel Green Mining Company : MeBreen ^ Co. This is an east-and-west sheet, connected with a quartering one averaging about an inch thick, situated on the land of Dr. McBreen, on the northwest quarter of Section 25, Township 1, Ran2;e 1 west. The range was worked in 1844, and tlie ore taken out to the water level. The water having become much reduced by the Hazel Green Company's level, work was recommenced in 1871, since which time about fifty-five thousand pounds of lead ore have been taken out. The diggings are in the upper beds of the Galena limestone, and not down to any opening.

Torneal's Diggings. - A short distance southwest of the preceding is a range consisting of twenty parallel crevices about twenty-five feet apart, and bearing north 15° east. Work was abandoned on them in 1850, and was recommenced by Mr. Tornoal about eight years ago, since which time they have produced 42,000 pounds. Considerable time and labor have been expended in running a cross drift to prove the ground and ascertain the number and position of the crevices. The distance here to water is eighty feet, and the diggings are in the upper beds of the Galena limestone.

Rojve tf- Vivian. - This was formerly known as the Chizzem range, and is situated on Edward Williams' land, in the southwest quarter of Section 25, Township 1, Range 1 west, in the southern part of the village of Hazel Green. It is a north-andsouth range, and was worked and abandoned in 1854. Work on it was recommenced by the present parties in November, 1873. Since then it has produced 24,000 pounds. The full thickness of Galena limestone is here present, overlaid by a few feet of clay of the Cincinnati group. The deepest shaft is 106 feet, and the total length of drifts is about 190 feet. Work was suspended here in the spring of IbTO.

Williams ^ Brother. - On Edward Williams' land. This party commenced in the fall of 1875, and are now mining in a range a short distance west of the diggings of Eustice & Co., in the village of Hazel Green. They are working on a vertical sheet, and have produced to the present time 20,000 pounds.

Okanller's Diggings. - These diggings are situated on Mr. We'herbee's land, and on the Sulphur Lit Range. Work was cjramenced two years ago, and continued to the present time. The works are in the second opening, which is from six to eight feet wide, and contain a sheet of lead ore from one to two inches thick, and also large, irregular masses which afford handsome specimens. The mine has produced 500,000 pounds, and is now very good.

Platteville District

This district embraces the diggings in the immediate vicinity of the village and the Whig and Big Patch Diggings. The geological position is about the middle of the Galena limestone. The mining has been carried on principally by small parties. The annual production aggregates 395,000.

Gillis Range. - This is the longest and largest range in the Whig Diggings, being half a mile in length. A crevice opening was found from thirty to fifty feet below the surface, and is from three to five feet higli. Some seven parallel crevices were discovered in 1839. About 5,000,000 pounds have been secured since that time.

The Robbins Range is a short distance north of the Gillis. It was struck in 1840, and produced 500,000 pounds. In 1866, Cronin & Stevens resumed work which had long been suspended, and raised about 300,000 pounds.

Hawkins, Thomas ;f Co. own the discovery on the southwest quarter of Section 31, Town 3, Range 1 west, made in 1872. The ore is blende, somewhat mixed with rock, and occurs in a flat sheet on the upper surface of the blue limestone. The sheet has in some places a thickness of five feet. It lies partially in the bed of a small stream.

Buncome Diggings

The Buncome Diggings form a subdistrict belonging to Hazel Green. They are situated on the Galena River, near ihe mouth of Bull Branch. They were formerly very productive diggings, and a few parties are still working in them.' They are situated in the brown rock, which is the lowest bed of the Galena limestone, and is here from twenty to thirty feet thick, and extends down to the creekbed at the State line, where the top of the blue limestone may be seen. At the mouth of the Bull Branch the top of the blue limestone is found to be twenty feet above the bed of the stream. Mining is generally carried on here by drifting into the side of the hill. An example of this is seen on the land of Mr. Gabriel Mills, on the northwest quarter of Section 32, Township 1, R;inge 1 cast, where a flat sheet of ore was found on the top of the brown rock, on whicii a number of short levels were run. Mr. Mills is now engaged in running a level on the top of the blue limestone from Section 32, westward, to prove the ground for blende, of whicli ore in small (|uantities has been occasionally found. Tiie Buncome ground is also remarkable as being the only locality in which native sulphur appears in sheet form.

Carpenter .f Bennett. - These parties are mining on Mr. Mills' land, on the northeast quarter of Section 32, Township 1, Uange 1 east, on the east side of the Galena River. The workings are as usual in the brown rock, and produce some lead ore and large amounts of carbonate of zinc and blende. Exactly how much could not be ascertained. Thej have worked continuously since 1872.

Hicks, Fiddick ||' Co. - Situated on the land of the Edwards estate, on the southwest quarter of Section 29, Township 1, Range 1 east. The diggings are about half a mile above the mouth of the Bull Branch, and are also carried on in the brown rock. They are drained by a level a quarter of a mile long, discharging one hundred gallons per minute, which was commenced in 1SG8. The ore is found in flat and pitching sheets, and sometimes contains a little blende mixed with it. Twelve men are now employed here, and are producing a large amount of Sniithsonite. Since the commencement of operations, about four hundred thousand pounds of lead ore have been produced.

Gabriel Mills Diggings. - This ground is on the northwest quarter of Section 29, Township 1, Range 1 east, on the ridge dividing Bull and Hardscrabble Branches, and contained the large lode mentioned in Prof. Whitney's report of 1862, on pages 285 and 286. The ore was discovered here in 1854, and has been worked uninterruptedly ever since, which is somewhat remarkable, as a single range seldom continues uniformly productive thi-ough so many years. The property is owned by Mr. Mills' and R. Pierce. The deepest shaft is 130 feet down to the brown rock, in which the ore is found in flat and pitching sheets. The ore from these diggings is always coated with pyrites, and some Smithsonite is found associated with it.

The ground has produced about eight million pounds of lead ore ; their present annual average production is about fifty thousand pounds, with no sign of diminution.

tiimons ^ Sons. - Northeast quarter of northwest quarter of Section 32, Township 1, Range 1 east. A very fine prospect has recently been discovered by this party on Mr. G. Mill's land. They commenced work about the 1st of September, 1876, with a horse-pump. After sinking a shaft fourteen feet deep, a flat sheet six inches thick was discovered in the upper pipe clay opening. The sheet consists of lead ore, blende and pyrites, about half of the thickness being lead ore.

There are also several isolated ranges lying between Hazel Green and Benton, and not properly belonging to either district. They are as follows :

Johns <|- Harvey. - On the northeast quarter of Section 6, Township 1, Range 1 east. The range was struck in 1858, and was worked for some time with an engine and pump, and then abandoned. Work was recommenced by Messrs. Johns & Harvey, in 1869, and they are now working on the water-level at a depth of one hundred and ten feet below the surface, in the middle portion of the Galena limestone. The range bears slightly north of west, and makes ore in tumbling openings, mi.\ed with clay and detached masses of stone. The opening is in some places twenty feet wide, but does not correspond in geological positien with any of the Hazel Green openings, as it is rather above them. Work was suspended here in the fall of 1874. Their production to that time was 900,000 pounds of lead ore.

Dawson's Diggings are situated on the southeast (quarter of Section 32, Township 2, Range 1 east. The general course of the range is east and west, but it is found to pitch in various direction!!. They are worked about thirty feet below the surface, in the upper measures of the Galena limestone. They were discovered in 1872. Since then, they have been worked continuouslv. and have produced 80,000 pounds.

Dryhone Diggings. - Southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 2, Range 1 east. Mining for drybone has now been carried on here by George Hoppenjohn for the last ten years. The di^'gin^s are known as the " B jno Patch," and are very shallow, not exceeding twelve or fifteen feet in depth. The Smithsonite occurs in bunches as float, and does not make any regular sheet or opening. The amount produced is about fifty tons per annum.

Barney Kesson's Diggings are situated about a quarter of a mile southwest of the preceding, on the same quarter-section. Work is suspended in them during the summer seasons. They are ([uite productive diggings, and have yielded 50,000 pounds of lead pre per annum for several years.

Anthony ^ Dixon s Diggings - Southeast quarter of Section 21, Township 2, Range 1 east. These diggings are about a quarter of a mile south of the village of Jenkinsville, and are worked altogether for blende, although the ore contains a little drjbone and lead ore. They are on the top of the blue limestone, in which a level is now being run, and is completed a distance of two hundred feet. The ore is verv close grained, shows no regular cleavage, and somewhat resembles an ore of iron. It is remarkable by being intersected with thin parallel plates or lamina; of galenite lying very close together, presenting reflecting edges and being a constituent part of the ore. The deposit was discovered in 1872, and has been worked continuously since. The production has been 180 tons of blende and 10,000 pounds of lead ore per annum.

Kesting, Hines and others. - A short distance southeast of the preceding, on the same quarter-section, are three parties at work on some drybone diggings. There are here several quartering ranges having a southwest course. The Smithsonitc lies from fifteen to si.xty-five fett below the surface, and in the lower measures of the Galena limestone. It " makes " in flats, sheets, and pitches without much regularity. The ground has been worked about ten years for drvbone. The average annual production has been about 225 tons.

Spenslei/, Winn ,J- Co. - Situated about a quarter of a mile southwest of Meeker Grove post office. The above parties have been working here about five years. The ore is found in an irregular flat sheet in the upper j)ipe clay opening. This ground has been worked at intervals during the last twenty yeans. The water is removed by a horse-pump. The production of the last two years is as follows : 187 '), blende, 300 tons, lead ore, 20,000 pounds ; 1876 to October 1, blende, 400 tons, lead ore, 20,000 pounds.

Greenwood <|' Miller. - Southeast <|uarter of Section 7, Town 1, Range 1 east. This is an east-and-west range, discovered by Cook twenty-five years since. The present parties became interested in it in 1871. Five sliafts, from seventy to ninety feet deep, have now been sunk, and two drifts, of 300 feet each, have been run. The ore is found here in a crevice opening, sometimes twelve feet high. The width of the opening is (|uite variable, as it is crossed by numerous northand-soutb crevices, which usually cause it to expand in width. Bunches of ore are f)und at the crossings, but no regular sheets. The water is removed from the ground by two horse-pumps of twelve-inch bore, si.x-feet stroke, which pump about ninety gallons per minute. It is estimated that the ground has produced 1,000,000 pounds of ore, and its present annual product is about 300,000 pounds.

New Diggings District

Considerable lead ore is now being raised in the vicinity of new Diggings, being mostly in the ridge immediately south of the village. The following section taken iVom the mines south of the village will give a correct idea of the relative position of the several beds and openings:

Cliampion Diggings. - Northeast quarter of Section 26, Town 1, Range 1 east, on the New Diggings ridge. There are several ranges here having a general east-and-west course, one of which, known as Champion's old lode, has probably yielded more than any single range in tlu' lead region. This and the other ranges owned by Mr. Champion are drained by a level a half a mile long. This was completed in the year 1865, at an expense of about $70,000. It then drained the ground, and in four years, with the labor of eight men, 5,000,000 pounds of ore were taken out, which sold for about .$500,000. This ore was contained in an immense opening; in some places forty feet wide by twenty-five feet high. This principal opening is now worked out, but the range still continues productive, and has been worked uninterruptedly for the last ten years. Average product per year, 85,000 pounds. Work is now being carried on south of the old ranges. At the western end, in the Meyers lot, a shaft has been sunk seventythree feet to the first opening, which is here about ten feet high and from twenty to thirty feet wide. There are here three parallel crevices, one of which is about eight feet wide. Seventeen men are now employed in the Champion Diggings. Mining is carried on continuously, and the annual product is about 200,000 pounds.

Crai;! Diggings are situated in the New Diggings ridge, on the northeast quarter of Section 2G and northwest quarter of Section 25, Township 1, Range 1 east. There are here three principal east-and-west ranges, a few feet apart. The ore which is now worked is known as the Simpson pump range. These ranges were discovered in 1834. In the spring of 1874, a shaft was sunk on one of them, and they are now worked in the second opening. The}' pi-oduce only lead ore, found in a flat opening which is one hundred feet wide, and has been worked to a length of one hundred and fifty feet. They are worked only in the winter, and produce 40,000 pounds per annum.

Craig, Sanders S^ Campbell. - Work was commenced by this party in the fall of 1874, on the east end of the Simpson pump range. The mining is carried on in the first opening. The product has been 258,000 pounds, the greater part of which was produced in the year 1876. The extreme west end of this range has been worked by Craig, Stephens k White during the past year, but has not yet produced anything.

Craig Level Company. - A company consisting of several persons residing in New Diggings and the adjacent towns, and representing an extensive capital, have been engaged for several years in running a level on the south side of the New Diggings ridge, for the purpose of unwatering the extensive east-and-west ranges on and near the summit of the ridge. It is already so far advanced that it has lowered the water in the mine several feet, sufficient to admit of the production of enough lead ore to more than defray its expenses. Mining is now carried on in pump range, the Mitchell range and several others; the company are making several "crosscut drifts" for the purpose of prospecting their ground. The mining operations of the Craig Level Company have been very productive of lead ore. The amounts produced previous to 1874, could not be ascertained. During the y?ar 1873, it was 70,000 pounds, and from March, 1874, to October 1, 1876, the product was 2,075,470 pounds.

Brown. Dodge tf- Go. - This party, consisting of four men, have been working in the west end of the Mitchell Range, on land owned by Col. S. Scales. The product has been 10,400 pounds, all raised within the last year.

Harper, Hird .(- Co. - Situated in the New Diggings ridge, a short distance west of the Craig Diggings, on two east-and-west ranges, known respectively as the Wiley and Engine, on which the water has been reduced about four feet by the Craig level. They were quite large ranges, and were extensively worked many years since. Work was resumed on them by the above parties in February, 1873. Since then the product has been 303,000 pounds. The crevice of the Engine Range is here about three feet wide, and the ore makes in the first opening ; while on the Wiley Range the crevice is fen feet wide, ami the ore makes in the crevice and not ill the opening. The ground is owned by Col. Sam .^eales.

The existence of lead and zinc ore in the upper pipe clay opening (upper surface of the blue limestone) is also known at New Diggings. A mining company, known as the Occidental, was in operation in 1873. by whom a level had been run on this opening, which resulted in the discovery of a flat sheet of blende or lead ore.

Catchall Diggingi. - Northwest quarter of Section 30, Township 1, Range 2 east. These diggings have in former years produced large quantities of ore; exactly how much, could not be ascertained. After lying idle for some years, work was resumed on them in 1870 by S. and C. Vickers, J. and T. Peacock and John Henry. They were worked for a year with a horse pump, and after that with a steam pump, the former having been insufficient to remove the water. There are here two north-and-south ranges crossed by several east-and-west ranges, which produced blende and lead ore. The pump shaft is located in one of these crossings, and is forty-eight feet deep. A series of levels was run from here to the New Diggings Ridge, by which it was ascertained that the top of the ridge was on a level with the bottom of the shaft, which shows that the openings existing at this place are above those at New Diggings, and probably near the middle of the Galena limestone. The Catchall Diggings ceased being worked in January, 1873. The pump and engine still remain on the ground. The product during the three years of working is said to have been 2,000,000 pounds.

Howe (j- Alderson. - Southeast quarter of Section 15, Township 1, R:inge 1 east. This ground is situated a short distance north of the Democrat furnace, and belongs to the Leakley estate. The range was discovered and worked about 1847, and work was resumed on it by the present parties about fourteen years since (18G2). The general course of the range is east and west ; the extent of the drifts is from three hundred to four hundred feet, in the course of which five flat openings and one crevice opening have been found. The flat openings are not far above the blue limestone. There are eight shafts going down to the openings from thirty to eighty feet deep. The ore is generally small, with wash dirt ; but little large or "chunk mineral '' is found. The diggings are entirely free from water. During the past fourteen years they have produced about one million pounds. Work was suspended here about January 1, 1876.

John Main <|' Co. - Southeast quarter of Section 31, Township 1, Range 1 east. The land is owned by Messrs. Hodge & Scales and the Field estate. The course of the range is north 5" east. It is known as the Raspberry range from the name of the man who discovered it in 1840, and sometimes as the Dinsell range. The workings are all in the first of the New Diggings opening, although the second has also been reached. There are five shafts down to the opening, and about five hundred feet of drift. The opening is quite variable in size, and is sometimes as much as thirty feet wide. The ore occurs as wash dirt, although large pieces are occasionally found. The diggings have been worked for lead ore during the last seven years, since which time Messrs. Rain & Co. have taken out as follows: 1871, 50,000 pounds; 1872, 100,000; 1873, 75,000; 1874, 75,000. The product for 1875-76 was not learned, but the mine is now productive.

Diggings On The Leakley Estate

Mohbi7is ^ Bros. - Four men have been employed here during the last year, working an east-and-west range with a horse pump. The amount raised is not known, but it is understood that the ground yields enough ore to pay good wages.

HaU ^ Jtain. - Southeast quarter of Section 23, Township 1, Range 1 east. This is a new east-and-west range on the Leakley estate, discovered in 1873. The ore occurs in a crevice opening from forty to forty-five feet below the surface. Four shafts have been sunk in it, and one drift ran a distance of 400 feet. About one hundred and nineteen thousand pounds have been produced since they were discovered. Work was suspended in 1876.

II. Ashworth Diggings - Southeast quarter of Section 24, Township 1, Range 1 east. This is an east-and-west range in the Leakley estate, discovered in the fall of 1873. The workings at this place are confined by water to the first opening, which is here crossed by numerous quartering swithers from four to six feet apart. The crossings are the most productive parts of the opening, and the ore frequently comes up to the surface clay. At the time they were visited (June, 1874), five shafts had been sunk about thirty-five feet deep. One of the drifts was about one hundred feet long, and there were several of fifty feet each. The product to that time was 4,000 pounds of lead ore and fifteen tons of drybone. They have been working continuously since, producing small amounts.

History Of The Lead Kegion

Phcenix Lead Mining and Smelting Company. - Section 13, Township 1, Range 1 cast. A great deal of mining has been carried on here since a very early day, and the ground lias been very productive of ore. The principal vein, which is known as the Ellis sheet, was discovered by a miner of that name about thirty-five years since. Its course is north twenty degrees east, and it has been worked for a distance of about half a mile. The workings so far have been confined to the Galena limestone, of which there is a thickness of one hundred and fifty feet at the pump-shaft at the summit ridge. This shaft has been sunk to a depth of one hundred and fifteen feet, leaving thirty-five feet of the formation unexplored, exclusive of the underlying Trenton limestones, which have here a thickness of about fifty feet. The sheet of ore is nearly perpendicular, and varies from two to eighteen inches in thickness as deep as the shafts were sunk. The same system of surface mining obtained here as at other places, by means of which the ore was extracted down to the natural water level but a short distance below the surface, leaving the main body of the ore untouched. In this manner, more than 2,500,000 pounds of lead ore were obtained. In the year 1865, a level was commenced with a view to drain the ground, and was prosecuted with slight intermission until 1872. Its present length is one thousand seven hundred feet, and when completed it will drain the ground to a depth of one hundred and thirty-five feet. Several other large east-and-west ranges traverse this ground, among which are the Bobineau and the Dowd and McGinnis, on the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 14, Township 1, Range 1 east, which have yielded heretofore not less than 3,000,000 pounds.

Shullsburg District

Stopline Diggings. - The property is situated on the northwest quarter of Section 28, northeast quarter of Section 29 and southeast quarter of Section 20, all in Township 1, Range 3 east. Although the mine is not in operation, it is in a condition to be worked on very short notice. The following information ia regard to it was obtained from the owner, Mr. Edward Meloy, and personal inspection of the ground: Nearly, if not quite, the entire thickness of Galena limestone is present at this locality. The rforthern outcrop of the Cincinnati group is about a mile to the southwest. The pump-shaft has been sunk in a natural chimney to a depth of one hundred and twelve feet below the surface, and has now reached what is known as the green bed or cap of the Shullsburg opening. The water was removed by an engine and lifting-pump discharging five hundred gallons per minute. All the water came up in the shaft through the chimney. While the pump was in operation, two springs, situated respectively one-half mile east and northwest of the shaft, ceased to flow. Tiiere are two principal ranges here - one bearing north thirty degrees east from the pump-shaft, and worked for a distance of eight hundred feet northeast of the shaft, and the other bearing north ten degrees east, about one hundred and forty feet west of the shaft, worked about five hundred feet, connected by a quartering range running north of east.

These ranges were struck in 1863 and worked until 1869, and are thought to be a continuation of the Shullsburg elevator ranges. Two shafts sunk on the range, bearing north thirty degrees east, have turned out one thousand pounds to the foot without any drifting, and the whole tract, within an area which would be embraced within three acres of ground, has produced about 600,000 pounds. In every shaft from which ore has been raised, the indications of large bodies below are very strong.

A very peculiar formation was found in sinking on the north thirty degrees east range. Commencing at a depth of thirty-five feet from the surface, a hard, brecciated limestone sets in, filled with pyrites, and, in some cases, with galenite. Tliis formation continues as deep as the shafts were sunk. This was not found on other ranges in this locality, and is a mode of occurrence peculiar to one range.

The breccia consists of small, angular limestone, similar to the adjacent rock of the formation. It appears to have been caused by the undermining and fallin^-in of a portion of the formation, by a previous subterranean drainage. The rubbing and grinding of the sides of the fissure against each other in the course of the movement broke off pieces of various sizes, and the interstices and cavities were subsequently filled with pyrites.

MrXulti/ Mine. - In June, 1873, work was recommenced in these old ranges, and considerable capital expended in erecting new machinery and buildings, the old ones having been burned. It is now owned and operated by Messrs. J. M. Ryan, of Galena, and M. A. Fox, of ShulLsburg. The mine is situated on the northeast quarter of the nortliea-;t quarter of Section 15, Township 1, Range 2 east, a short distance south of the village of Shulisburg. There is here a thickness of about two hundred feet of Galena limestone, or four-fifths of the entire formation. The ore is obtained in the usual opening common to all the mines of the Shulisburg district, between what are known as the green and clay beds, of which the green bed is regarded as the top and the clay bed as the bottom of the opening. In this mine the following strattigraphical information was obtained: Five feet below the clay bed and one hundred and fifty feet bolow the surface is an opening and a bed of white rock two feet thick, then a layer of hard, gray rock, three feet thick. Below this was found a flat sheet of galenite, mixed with pyrites, and indications of openings below. It is a peculiarity of the mining ground in this ridge that all crevices south of the Shulisburg branch pitch or dip to the south, about six inches in ten feet, until the summit of the ridge is reached. Here, as in the south shaft of the McNulty, the crevices are vertical. In this shaft the crevice penetrates through the clay floor and continues on going down, being the only crevice which has done so. Proceeding further south, over the crest of the ridge, the crevices all pitch or dip to the north. Taken together, this S3\stem of crevices seems to present a fan-like shape, approaching one another as they descend.

In the spring of 1876, a new east-and-west range was discovered in this mine, south of and parallel to the one already worked. It promises to be very productive of lead ore.