The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-07-22
CITY OF EVANSVILLI

CITY OF EVANSVILLE L.
FRIDAY MORNING,::::::: ::::::JULY %.
strait Line Kailroad-MineraI wealth.
We. nave several times alluded to the
mineral wealth ofa portion Of the country on
the route of the Evansville and Indianapolis
Strait Line Railroad, now under survey. we
have stated in substance, that it is unsur-
passed by probably any other district in the
West. Happily, we have succeeded in pro-
curing from indianapolis the original Report
of the Committee appointed by the late Legs
lature, to examine the mineral region OF
Greene county, one of the counties traversed
by this proposed railroad. We publish it be-
low, and invite the attention ofreaders.
This Strait Line Railroad will traverse
one of the richest mi neral and agricultural
portions of Indiana. There is probably more
grain raised in proportion to the population,
in, and along the route! of this road,than in any
other in the State. What the mineral wealth
of this region is, some idea may be FORM
ed by the following Report. Greene county
is not alone or singular in its mineral char
acteristics from the counties by which it is
surrounded. Martin county has long been
prominent for its mineral wealth, while Nor
gan, Owen and Monroe, have been proven
rich in minerals, so far as brief investigations
have determined. But we submit the Report.
Greene is the fourth county above Wander
burgh:
The undersigned, having been appointed a
Committee TO examine the mineral regions
of Greene county would respectfully report
the following, as the result of such examina-
ton.
AS first in Importance, the attention of the
Committee was directed to the Iron district
of the county. Our Investigations extended
only to that portion of it bordering on "Rich-
land" Creek, and its tributaries. This dis
trict is of great extent, the main body of
which appears to pursue a course nearly
North and South. Its length may be said to
be less than eighteen miles, extending South
eastward into Martin county, how far we can
not say. And its average width four and a
half miles. East of this, there is another
vast deposit of iron, the extent of which we
are unable to determine, though we believe
it to be equally as extensive as the one we
have examined. We may therefore assert
with safety, that the ore is inexhaustibe, and
as to its quality we may with equal safety
declare as our opinion that there is none bet
ter, or none that yields better per cent.
of pure iron, with the same amount of labor
and expense attending its extraction.
The ore is generally readily obtained.
That, which is being now worked, lies princi
pally, near the surface, and all the labor re-
quired, is to strip off few feet of surface
dirt. We do not wish TO be understood as
saying that all the ore is superficial, on the
contrary, we have every reason to believe
that ore of a superior quality can be obtained
at a much greater depth. But it will be time
enough thousand years hence, or when the
superficial ore shall have been wrought into
iron, to examine for deeper deposits. Many
of the superficial strata which we saw, are
more than six feet in thickness and in several
instances they extend 10 fest.
AS general thing the land throughout the
entire extent Of the iron region is heavily
timbered and of fine quality. Indeed much
of it is first rate.
Discoveries of Stone Coal in abundance,
and Of an excellent quality, have been made
in, and convenient to the iron district.
Limestone of good quality is also album
daut and convenient. There is also, an abun-
dance of a peculiar Sandstone which is said
to be well adapted for Furnace hearths and
building purposes.
twill therefore. be seen that all the essen
tials for the manufacture ofiron is to be found
here in close proximity. This Committee
are informed, and believe, that such another
natural state of things is not to be found on
this continent.
1t is perhaps, proper to state, that two
members of this Committee, (Messrs Down
ing and Grant, are old and experienced iron
manufacturers. Mr.. Downing has been prof.
itably engaged in the business in this country
for number of years past.
Accompanying this Report are samples Of
the various kinds of ore obtained at different
points of the iron district.
1880 A. s. DOZIER,
A, L. RHODES,