Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1870-07-23
Minerals ON the wichita.

Tho following Interesting description Of
minerals found in the counties of Young
and Archer, were written from Waxahachic
by Prof Rocssler ON the 18th of June, and
just received by us:
EpIrbs STATE JoURNAn:-In accordance
with my promise, take the liberty to give
YOU few items of my late trip TO the
northwestern portion of the State. After
making some examinations, of a mineral
and fossil character, OH tho route Travelled
since lefr Austin, by taking sections of
the strata at all points of outcrops, ar
rived ut Jacksboro, Jack county, Oh the
18th of May, 1870. Gen. j. Oaks, conf
manding Fort Richardson, after showing
me much kindness, ordered scout Of
twenty men TO accompany me, as an es'
cort, to where wanted to go, in accordance
with instructions from Cen. Ecynolds,
commanding District of Texas.
Starting in a northwestern direction l
Observed at q number of points, near an
abandoned rancho, known as "Cameron's
rancho" and at the old buffalo Crossing"
in Jack county, outcrops Of trtie and bltu-
minous coal. Several distinct seams, vary
ing front scFch inches to five feet in tiick-
ness, have been observed. The coal is of
good quality, and will compare favorably
with most biiuminous Goals from other
portion, of the United States. / collected
here many interesting fossils of tho coal
measures, such as Sigillaria, Calamites,
Lepidodendron and others, Hhith abound
hero. Next to this my attention wns
priIsipally. occupied with the investiga-
ton Of the extensive copper region in the
Permain formation of Archer and Wichita
counties. To give O complete description
would require more time than I have TO
spare, but it will suffice TO state that all
statements furnished you heretofore on
the stibje5t, are not only true, but found
the deposits more extensive that al pre-
yious information on the subject warranted
me to believe in fact there is n sufficient
amount Of copper ia that section to meet
all demands.
Fear the xclets sf big Wichita river,
deposited in stratum Of red clay, found
the fossil remains Of an undescribed specie
of the genus aElephns,. greatly superior
in size to that Of Elephas imperatG e.
primegenius, masiodon, or any other
known specie. The skeleton is complete,
si.h he exception Of few teeth, which
were wasted away. The size ~. lis mon
ster Of the past caDbe imagined when the
iawbonc alone measures over eleven feet.
/ have noted, on the Departmental map, ore
deposits, localities of workable mines,
marble and stone qihrries, Goals, lignites,
springs, typographical features, With tie
Kind and quantity Of the timber in The dis
trict explored, and will extend my trip in
TO San Saba and Llaho counties, If not
oihsrwiee directed from Washington, after
reaching Waco, to which place my mail
was forwarded. Having recently received
fine crystals Of red sapphire (ruby), opal,
zincqlende and silver ore from DIR. Wat
son, Of San Saba city, in addition 10 other
donations mentioned TO you while in Aus
tin. From Burnett San Saba drd LlanO
counties hope to find The trip interesting.
The doctor informs me in his letter Of May
rs, 1870, that he found large deposits Of
the above mentioned minerals in said
counties, and assures me that be can show
me localities Of silver, gold lead. zinc and
precious stones in abundance Native bis
nnth, argentiferous, galena, zincqlende,
carboDsfe ef Iine, and other interesting
minerals are among my collection from
the southwestern corner Of the State, and
specimens Of organic remains, oharncisris-
tis % the different geological formations Of
The route, are especially well represented,
and on their way TO Washington City %
be deposited 10 ne departmental mussuu
for future study and analysis.