Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-01-01
From the United States Mining Journal, Dec. T.
LINDEN LEAD MINES.

} From the United States Mining Journal, Dec H.
LINDEN LEAD MINES.
These valuable mines have recently been WIS.,
tied by Prof G. J. Phillips, of Philadelphia, who
has made the following report thereon:
These mines are situated close by the thriving
town of Linden, and about six miles N W from
Mineral Point, Iowa county, Wisconsin. From
the increasing availabiities by the aid of Rail
roads to Mineral Point, which will be completed
In a few months giving connection with the
Illinois Central and Galena and Chicago Rail-
roads, the value of all property in this district
will certainly be greatly augmented.
The Linden Set is large and of great import
ance, not only from its Geological position but
from It's mlneralogical resources ustifying per-
manent mining operations, being associated with
and mined in rock of Limestone which chiefly
furnishes the Lead in England Although the
Lead bearing rocks of England are not strictly
equivalent, yet they are analogous in those
points on which their productions chiefly de-
| pend. As Biologists agree that identity of
/ fossils Is guide far more trustworthy than anv
| resemblance in meteorological character or simi-
larity in chemical compositions we must neces-
sarIly arrive at the conclusion that tie Lime
| stone at the Linden mines are contemporaneous
IN their formation with those of England and
/ their equivalents. 1t should be remembered
/ that the metallierous capacity of rocks depends
rather upon their Theological character. than
upon their precise age-the nearer the rock ap-
proaches the inferior igneous rocks, the greater
the probability of its being rich in metals. 1t
! iS Of IL
that Limestone yields most Lead ore, but be-
cause it is a rock that has retained openness of
/ fssures, few other rocks being equally
productive. This must be applied TO the Lin
den mines to sustain the argument, being in the
same position those Lead mines of Scotland
and Spain whose riches are inexhaustible
The comparison drawn between the Geological
character of the regions of England and these
mines, results more favorably for the latter
/ This L soon ascer,ained by gaining perfect
] knowledge Of their Geological situation and
meteorological value, by some three or four DAYS
study at the mine. In closing my preparatory
remarks would state, in reference to the quality
of the land, that it is good for agricultural pur-
poses. and supplied with abundance of pure
water.
/
mineral range is nearly East and West, but in
consequence of the rayine a small curve or ell
bow is formed, though ii will soon make its par
allel and leave no extensive irregularities in its
fissures or dip. This sudden contortion is not
expected by any means TO lessen the value of
the Lode as the meteorological structure, exter-
nal appearance, and Lead bearing Limestone
rocks are sufficient indications to establish the
continuance of the Lode.
In visiting the main or principal vein, find
the Lode averages about eight inches of almost
pure metal whilst the openings or chambers
vary in size from five to fifteen feet, producing
ore equaling in quality that of the Lode. accom-
panied throughout by rich vein Of cubical Ga
lena lead ore of extraordinary yield. The prin-
cipal Lode has in some instances detached YER
teal creyices, and openings found in the
/ lower beds bearing resemblance to those above
Masses of loose feruginous material are often
/ found which interrupt the mineral in the course
/ Of openings or seams, particularly in the lower
bed Of the upper magnetism Limestone, but the
mineral is disseminated throughout in particles
or seams, often ve~y productive and without signs
of interruption. This Lode together with the
side range does not appear to be interrupted to
/ any such an extent in depth.
! The Main Range gives an angle, with well
defined walls, and has been wrought on for con-
siderable length, (see Typographical Map,) Civ
ing increase of rich mineral producing from
2l5 10 per cent. of Silver by assay, with select
pieces yielding per cent. The accompanying
Vein, which is forty-fve feet from the main
| Lode together with the principal vein increases
! -, I i.
/ below the lower magnetism Limestone The
cubical drop Ore is exceedingly easy of work
ing, the strata or incoherent Linestones crum-
/ bling under the pressure Of igneous action in
( the ferruginous clay Land or Detritus The
4 cubical Ore Is often found in the state of hard
masses or as the miners term them, Coggs,"
i weighing from one TO hundred pounds, in
1 the hollow next the roof which is very firm and
perfect The principal Lode, although at pres
ent split. VIII in depth be united and form
powerful mineral bearing Lode. This would be
confirmed by every scientific miner, and will
certainly be accompanied by a corresponding
change in the produetiveness of the Ore All
/ tie lead Ores discovered either in fssures or
rents in the rocks or imbedded in the Soils or
earths, oxidize the rocks. The thickness of the
Lode or Crevice varies considerably from that
of knife blade to forty feet and upwards,
whilst its depth has never been penetrated
Lead Ores are generally irregular, but this
mine appears to be more regular In lis char
acter.
The Eastern Lump Shaft is sunk TO the depth
of seventy-fve feet, whilst the Western is sew
enty-three feet in depth. The Pit work looks
well being finished with able workmanship. /
should judge from the appearance of the Lode
that the Western Shaft ought to drain the whole