Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-07-30
For The Ifonongalid Mirrer.
GEOLOGY Of WESTERN VIRGINIA.
NO &.
NO.. 8.

MIR. EDITOR
We will commence our Geo.
logical excursion this week at Morgan
town, and not confne ourselves 10 Geo.
logy alone at this point. Before we start
up Decker's Creek we will take view
OF the town and vicinity, connected with
its geological developments.
Morgan,own is located on the Top oil the
heavy bed Of sand rock that divides the
upper and lower coal and ore groups no.
ticed in our first number. Close under
this rock lays the main coal bed OF the
lower group, which places it some lorty
OF fifty feet under The bed Of the river at
this point. This rock is altogether about
one hundred and fifty feet thick, in three
distinct layers, being separated by two
layers Of shale, q few feet thick; both
layers being in,erspersed with iron ore,
that has been worked at Decker's Creek
works; and on the top Of the rock, at
these Works, are detached beds Of ore
from which a large amount has been
worked, yielding the greatest per enl Of
any ore in this region. One bed of this
ore was full three feet thick, solid ore
This ore, at the opening, has the appear,
ance of coarse dark yellow sandstone
We have recently discovered that this ore
ia The same as tina, known by the name oil
the "Scott ore,7 on Booths creek, neal
Clinton Furnace. t. Isl.
Since the present proprietors Of Clinton
Funace-Mr. Weston and otheis-have
been operating, I have, by request, been
occasionally visiting the place, in order
to give them some instructions in their
search for ore. visited the place this
week, and was much pleased TO find them
opening and working at the proper trace
for the "Sco,t ORE" substantially the same
as the "Scolt ore" on Decker's creek
They were working about sixty feet OF q
breast, solid bed measuring from four
to FIVE feet deep, continuing both ways,
and have opened the same on different
sides Of the hills. Ii has every appear
.unce of q continuous bed. procured
some specimens from this mammoth bed
O. ore, and on my return 10 town ! disco
vercd, on the proper trace in the road,
within few miles of Mr.. Selbys house,
substantially the same ore, from which
broke another specimen.
We will now leave Booths Creek, un-
til its proper turn for notice, and return
10 Morgsntown. We will step TO the
more elevated part Of the town, about
Mr.. E. C. Wilson's, and looking down the
river, fancy we see the beautiful steamer
Monongahela Belle, with its freight and
passengers, ploushing up the slackwater,
and then turn to see crowds Of people and
carriages crossing the Wire Suspension
Bridge, and ascending the beautiful SER
pen,ino road out to the Mineral Spring on
the farm Of MIR. Tower, nearly mile
from town. From the hill on the west
side OF The river we have beautiful view
of the whole town, with its mixture Of
red and white buildings, anda great va
riety of ftui, tees and shrubbery inter-
epersed, giving it quite forest like ap'
pearance.
We will now ascend the beautiful wind
ing grade on the Uniontown road, about
four hundred feet, 10 the farms Of Messrs.
Vance and Robinson, containing large
amount of the main coal bed Of the up
per group. From this elevation we have
a full view Of the Laurel Hill, and of the
Decker's creek Valley and surrounding
country for a great distance. Descending
this hill we have commencing view Of
the town and river. Advancing south,
the eye rests upon the beautiful sloping
farms Of Mr.. John Rogers and others
with focks Of sheep, and fields Of ripened
grain, giving on earnest of th'if' as well
as beautiful scenery.
We will now take walk TO the mouth
Of Decker's Creek, where VIC find Boat
Yard, and little further up are the Saw.
mill, with two run Of saws, besides cir
cular saw, wool cardins machinery: turn
ing lathes, &c. Ascending the creek hall
a mile i, nearly half surrounds the town,
and then makes short curve to the east
ward. Here stands Mr.. Rogerss large
Touring mill, with a fine water-power.-
Immediately above this is " Live Oak Pa.
per Mill" a substantial stone building a
stories high, supplied with water by a
tunnel cut through the ridge which sep.
ara,es it from the creek. Isl
pecker's Creek affords water sufficient
for heavy works, except short time in
Summer, abou, the length of time taken
for recess TO make repairs, &c.
We will stop a, this heal'hful and 70.
mantle spot, and recruit our strength TO
ascend Laurel Hill next week.
NJ. D. WELLS.
ITO be Continued. @