Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-05-01
- From the Daily State journal.
DEPTHS OF THE LEAD VEINS OF WISCONSIN
NO. vi.
BIT EDWARD DANIELS.

By EDWARD DANIELS.
The lower Magnetism limestone has not
been reached 10 any shaft yet sunk in pro-
ductiye portions of the lead region, over
most Of which it is covered BY the upper
sandstone, and the blue and Galena firffe-
stone.
1t crops out within the limits of this dis
trict at only few points, but these out
crops are exceedingly limited and gener-
ally not within the range of any produc-
tive vein Of ore. The causes which intro
duced the lead ore into the veins seem
to have acted in their greatest intensity
over an area whose longest axis is nearly
coincident with line drawn from blue
beds to Galena. On either side Of this
line there seems to be gradual declina-
ton as we remove from it, in the intensi-
ty of the lead producing agency. This ev-
dence by the decreasing richness of the de-
posts, as We leave the great central bodies
of ore. Now it is only on the northern
border of this district that we find any ex
tensive exposure Of the lower Magnetism
limestone.
The upper Magnetism is here sparingly
charged with lead ores, and at numerous
points on both sides of the Wisconsin river
veins of lead ore have been found in the
lower limestone. These veins have gener-
ally been poor, like those in the rock
above, apparently forming the skirt a
round the great central bodies Of ore fur
Their south.
Several of these have fallen under my
own observation, and others are reported
upon competent authority. The most i'm
por,ant of these discoveries is located or
sec. 80, town 7, range l, near the valley
of Blue River. The lower limestone j:
there exposed in deep ravine and pre-
sents about 60 feet of its thickness above
the stream. Some 40 shafts have beer
sunk into it at various elevations on the
hill side and about 100000 pounds O
ore have been raised from these diggings.
The ore occurs in vertical and flat open
ings, and is free from veinstone of any
kind like the ore in the upper part O.
the Galena limestone. Some Of the mas
ses taken out weighed from 400 to SOC
pounds. 49,
II is worthy Of notice that this location
is near the Franklin and Centreville dig
gings,. from which large quantities 0
ore have been raised out of the Galena
limestone.
The ground has not been deeply PROVED
as yet at this point, but the evidences are
favorable to continuation Of the ore into
the rock below.
These facts seem to place the lead bear
ing character of the lower magnetism lime
stone on ground of high probability j
not absolute certainty.
REMARKs.-Prof.. DANIELS, the write
of the foregoing, being favorable to thu
project of experimenting in the lower Inns
rock by means Of aid from the State, ha
doubtless presented his subject at issue il
as favorable light as possible-truth con
silered, with due concealments. But
even adopting his report, we conclude thu
lower magnetism lime rock has already
been sufficiently proven and found highl,
charged with ore. Then why further ex
pertinent at finding out what is air cad,
known to exist! If sinking some A
shafts into the lower rock where accessible
and finding 100000 lbs. Of mineral there
in furnish not sufficient demonstration
to the great theory, then no theory j
worth anything and demonstration fail
at the start. Should the same result fol
low from sinking 400 feet at a cost O
100000, it would be hailed as a gloriou:
victory!i Such victory however could com
pensate nobody but those placed at the
head Of the work, drawing pay for service
from the state, because nobody would ev
er undertake the like for the profits arising
from the shaft. We therefore class this
proposed enterprise Of investigating the
lower lime rock at the State expense as a
humbug; because, even allowing it to be
perfectly successful, nobody would be prof
tied. A. knowledge Of the existence Of
the richest treasure on earth, where mac
cessible by reason Of almost insurmounta.
bic obstacles, truly insurmountable in this
case because of the expense, can profit no
man. What should it profit Imsn of
earth, were mountains Of gold discovered it
the moon?
Atlantic Monthly.