The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-03-17

were shipped over the Illinois Central,
making the total value of zinc product In
| Wisconsin in 1869, $1SS, 459, go, which,
added to that of lead, make total of
81 ,099, &c., ,65 as the product of the lead
district for that year. The ores of zinc,
a few years since regarded by the miners
as q nuisance and of so little value that
they were used to pave the streets and
walks in some of the villages, require in
| their reduction, eminent skill in etalurgy
and practical ch emistry, not readily OBJ
| tained In this state. Its manipulation,
somewhat tedious and expensive, is ex-
ceedingly interesting to the student in
metalurgy, especially the production of
spelter,, or slab zinc, but much too com
plicated in its details to be described
within the limits of this report.
The composition, quality and cflarac-
teristics Of fire clays are intimately con-
nected with the manufacture Of spelter.
This clay is now brought from the coal
mines near St Louis, Mo. 1t is highly
probable that an abundant supply exists
in oar own state, too remote, however,
from railroad facilities. to be made avail
able at present.
The greatest production of lead from
the Galena district occurred between the
years 1889 and 1S45, the average during
that period being over 40,O00,00 per
annum employing about three thousand
men. In the latter years occurred the
great emigration to the gold mines of
the Pacific coast, depriving the lead dis
trict of not less than two thousand Of It's
miners, who have never returned.
The great want of the district under
consideration is not so much a knowledge
of its peculiar geological features and
phenomena as carefully prepared and
accurate Typographical map OF the sur
face, with an accompanying descriptive
report. showing the exact position and
course of each mineral deposit, by refer
ence to base, meridian and section lines,
and where practicable, transverse and
vertial sections. dip of strata, facilities
Tor drainage, nature and peculiarlties Of
minerals, depth and continuation Of
veins, nature, frequency and extent OF
cross veins, and generally all of the min
ute details possible, connected with the
workings, wherever distinct characters
tics exist. which are always interesting
and valuable to the miner, If not to the
general reader. The surveyor, or the
commissioner. should be practical
miner, and it should be made a part Of
his duty to collect statistics of products
of mines and specimens OF minerals, fOS-
sis and rocks of scientific interest and
value.
1t is fact well known the miners in
almost every mining locality that the
productive deposits Of lead aud zinc ex-
tend downwards into the water, beyond
their reach without the aid of capital
Upon this subject Prof Hall states that,
eve fully believe that the time will come
when those interested in the mining
region. will see the propriety OF making
a thorough typographical survey of the
district, and having series of levels run
SO that the amount Of denudation, and
the exact position Of the mining ground
in each locality will be accurately known
as the formation of the surface will adj
nit Vol. /, page 240. On page 40,
vol |, he says ''the lead mines OF Wis
consin must be economically organized
and managed, and must be directed by
some person having local experience and
a thorough knowledge Of the ground, .
La view of the facts and conclusions
above set forth, and the further fact
that the demand for the product OF the
mines in Europe is declining, your cLm
mittee believe that the best interest of
the state require such legislation as may
be necessary to foster and develop the
mining district of Wisconsin, and to pro-
mote these objects, herewith respectfully
submit the accompanying bill.
The bill submitted provides for sur
vey of the lead districts, making maps,
and collecting statistics and specimens
from the same