Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-09-19
The Salt Springs of Arkansas.

/ The SalL OpIlHSS OI AIhdho1"' / Salt springs are to be found in the counties of Van Buren, Pope, Franklin, Crawford, Hot Spring, Dallas and Sevier. We are led to call attention to hem now, because there s every probability that this necessary article will become scarce and high priced unless the people of the South take lmmedi- ate steps to furnish themselves. Five thousand sacks of salt were received, within the past week or two, at Memphis, and there is quite supply on hand at other points, but it should be borne ln mlno that great deal more salt will be required next fall and winter, than in any corresponding season heretofore. The corn crop has been an abundant one, and our farmers will pen and fatten large num- bers of hogs In addition to the unusual quantity of pork which will be salted this fall, our farmers Will put up great deal of beef Our soldiers Will need corred beef as well as bacon, and supplies of both will be needed. The trade with Cincinnati IS closed, and we must put up enough to supply the place ot the hams and mess beef heretofore brought from the Ohio river.
 The making of salt in Arkansas may become a necessity, and we think we can demonstrate that 1t can be made matter of proht For thls pur- pose we shall quote, somewhat at length, from Dr. D. D. Owens report of the geological reconnol- sance of Arkansas. Though, in some respects, the information thus furnished, is meagre, 1t must be remembered that it was not a detailed survey made by Dr. Owen, and that a closer examination might have developed other important facts connected with the subject The springs in Van Buren, Pope, and Crawford counties passed over with but slight mention in the reports. Perhaps, further en- ouiries will show that they are of value. Of the springs in Franklin county on the Mulberry river, Dr. Owen says:
 This is brine, which might become much stronger by deep borng it occupies the same geoogical position in which the strongest primes are found Ill the western States
 There is another saline spring, reported to be on Mu berry river, which did not have sn opportunity to Yi7t
 These springs are owned by Messrs. W ard and Basham-one the State Senator from Johnson and Pope counties, and the other tue State Treasurer. Being enterprisng men, we hope they will test the water of these springs further, and if salt can be made to advantage, that they will give the country the benefit of salt works there.
 On pages 60 and 6l of the second report of Dr. Owen will be found description of the method of sinking salt wells.
 We make the following abbreviated extracts from the report concerning the salt springs in Hot Springs, Dallas and Seyer counties:
 southwest of this county We visited Bar mans salt wells Good substantial works have been built at this place for making salt bat pains taken to stop the fresh water from the wells nor was proFer for deep-rseated and stronger brnes conseqent- y the works left idle. and rapidly going to decay The shallow wells which the brine was used are about yards the works situated on flat that was covered with standing the time of our visit Water taken from one wells though mixed with much fresh water the heavy rains gave large percentage oI co ride of sodium Common sat large quantity of mages and Ie. small quantity of carbonic acid trace of lron and a feeble alkaline reaction.
 Not from these wells, there is bayou called Salt Lake," which with the Wachta river forms small island called Salt Island The water in this lake is made back sh by the springs which break along it's shore The springs covered by the water o the lake when we were therc there possible chance of obtaining fair sample of the salt water at these works. MT Barkman tine proprietor, not at home but drec tons were have brine sent to the laboratory for ayss when could be properly collected His atte ntion was also called to the fact that would be able strike brine in well sunk ateIy the works and thus expense of long string of pipes and useless waste o ear! that the fresh v,tr should be stopped out by tubing and that probable existence of stronger brine, at greater depth. should by all means be tested
 mile from Arkadephia on the Princeton ro in Dal- las county visited salt wells owned by C. Harley Co., Princeton. Tes wells like those owned by sr arknan only miles distant in Hot Spring county. hd with fresh water the over1owng of the creek the bed of which they sunk: consequently analysis o brine could be made the spot MT Harley promised have the water collected at suitable tIne and sent to the laboratory.
 About years ago these wells extensively worked We called at the residence Of tllS gentleman who lives in Hot Spring county for the purpose o as- certanng quantity brine 1t required to make bu-el # salt and found that he was absent from home consequent N unable to learn any particulars connected "ith the old works
 From the geological features of the country and large saline springs in the vicinity. there is every Tea to believe that here well as at Ba knan an abun- dan supply of brine may be found on going deeper The eX- pertinent will cost but small sum- and Is well worth the trial
 Salt could be conveniently shipped in boats from Arkadal pha the southern market, thereby nsurns hourishing trade"
 Of Sevier county he thus writes
 The country around Ultima Thule both in Arkansas and the line in the Choctaw country is all based on lime ary meatones of the cretaceos period and Hat IS well extensive cks indicative of salt, frequently encountered tested the Graham salt water and found be strong brine Salt formerly made here but the works been abandoned probably because pains were taken to tube out the fresh and weak water or because the Dorings carried to sufficiently great depth
 On liyeoak flat section 22 township 10 south range % old salt well which gives strong reaction ri chlordes with nitrate of silver The principal constituents of tlis Chloride Of sodium bcarbonac of lime bcarbonae of magnea bicarbonate of aha chloride of magnesa trace of ,ulphates.
 said time, with thrtywo kettles, of 5 alIons each 20 bushels of salt were made daily three months and that afforded dry white salt. There is very
 little doubt but that with proper management and perhaps erer boring and tubing salt could be made with profit Salt also section IS, township 10 south, range 23 west, in the flat near S T. Britts house'
 From these reports, as well from information derived from persons residing in the vcinities of
 
 of salt works at some of the points ndcated would be profitable to those who might undertake it.
 One great difficulty perhaps, would be to get the tubing or pipe required, but partnership night be formed with parties in the large cities of the South who would furnish that. The capital required is but small to erect works that would turn out fifty or hundred bushels of salt day. Will not the owners of these springs take the matter in hand? It may be the that the proprletors of these saline5 have :" gone to the wars," and cannot give their personal attention to the subject. In that event they might make arrangements to have the works erected and carried on by others, by giving favorable leases, or stpulating for per centage o the profits made.
 ESg3@ Lieut.. D. c. Fulton, of the Capita Guards, requests us to urge all persons desiring to send clothing to our volunteers by him to bring them in as fast as possible, as he will leave R II T