The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-02-04
Mineral Resources of Wiscon-
sin,

This state is extremely rich in mineral re-
sources DR.. Owen declares that that vicini-
ty contains the richest mines of ore, and par
ticularly of lead, which are inexhaustible.-
He supposes the state capable Of yielding
150,000,000 pounds of lead annually, which
is more than is now furnished by the entire
mines Of Europe. That State may we'll be
called the lead region OF the aoorld The Bull
letin says:
Mr. Overs observations in 1889, on the
copper Of Wisconsin, fully accord, SO far as
they 90, with the wonderful disclosures that
have been recently made. He then predict
ed from his geological knowledge, that richer
mines of copper would be found in the north
ern parts of Wisconsin, where the igneous,
metamorphic chrystahne rocks come TO the
surface, these being the rocks which in Corn.
wall, England, produce copper. The north
parts of Wisconsin, Oh Lake Superior, have
since been explored, and the most incredible
quantities Ok copper, mingled with silver have
been found, The dip OF the rocks in Wiscon-
sin being south, the lowest strata would. be
found to the north. The copper ore Of Wis
consn is about one third richer than that of
England indeed, European mines, which al
ford only three per cent Of copper, pay for
the working, after raising the ore from
depth of more than 2000 tpet-a fact showing
the immense value of the Wisconsin mines.
Zine is also found in vast quantities among
the lead and copper, in the form generally of
an anhydrous carbonate. The miners call it
dry bones from its resembling the cellular
substance of bone. Sometimes vein oflead
becomes entirely vein of zinc and then the
unscientifc workmen declare that "the dry
bones have eaten out all the mineral" 1t is
regarded as quite worthless by the miners.
and considered II nuisance. Thousands of
tons of it are thrown away by them as worth
less drug. 1t is true carbonate of zinc, and
contains about fortv-fvc per cent of pure
metal When it is considered that vast guam
titles Of zinc are imported from England into
this country, it is a matter of surprise that so
much of it should annually be thrown away in
Wisconsin. How important an article of
commerce zinc is, may be inferred from the
fact, that tn ire are about six millions ofpounds
Annually imported into England. Its use in
the arts is very extensive, From 10 to 90
per cent of all brass is zinc The mines of
Wisconsin would probably supply the world
with zinc,
In iron, also, Wisconsin is equally rich, but
the iron, like zinc, is a drug. Indeed, for
sumo fedSOu, III Is lHOUHHI DcllCT VI III pOTJ III
to this country from Europe millions of dol
lars worth of iron, when we have mountains
of it here. in every direction, with the most
unparalleled facilities for its manufacture
In the production Of iron, lead, copper, zinc,
all the more useful metals, we might rival the
world
Wisconsin, in respect to natural advan-
tages, is scarcely rivaled by any State in the
Union. 1t is not only immensely rich in min
cral wealth, but is mostly region Of fertile
SOIL capable of yielding an unlimited supply
of agcrcult lral products, common TO that lat
itudc, and of engaging in manufactures to
any extent. Its numerous streams afford an
immense water power; and with the largest
lake in America on the north, lake Michigan
on the east, AMI the Mississippi on the south
west, its facilities for commerce are not sur
passed. Like an island in the ocean, it is
bounded on every side by navigabc waters,
and its products, of whatever kind, can float
with equal case to the Gulf of Mexico, or the
waters of the Atlantic"
MACKEREL FISHERY. Very few people
are aware of the magnitude of this fishery in
Massachusetts. BY the returns of the inspec
tors, it appears that the number of barrels in
spccted by them in the year 1896 was up
wards of 10000! This is more than bar
rel for every family in the State. Gloucester
has the largest inspection 43, 900 bar
rels. Boston has $4,000, and Newburyport
and Wellfect u little larger number This