Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-08-24
CENTERvlLLE.

readers Being released from the duties
of the school room, in the village OF
Montfort, we embraced the favorable
opportunity OF visiting this famous DIS
trict 1t is situated about 81 miles north
of the village of Mont(ort on both sides
of the fourth principal meridian, IN the
counties of Grant and Iowa, tho most
productive mines being at present IN the
latter county.
As you approach the country rom the
south, the rocky cliffs of the Blue river,
towering above the surrounding country,
call to the mind of the traveller the ro-
mantle districts Of the continent, and
remind the student of geology of those
primitive times when the prlmeyal
ocean swayed this territory and waged
an incessant war with these rocky barr
riers Indeed the evidences OF this con
hct are still visible Time has not eff
faced the sears nor entirely healed the
wounds which Old Ocean has inflicted
on the Everlasting hills
The projecting rocks are similar to
those found in the vicinity Of Mineral
Point. We once thought those identic-
al with the Old Red Sandstone of Hugh
Miller. But, we believe it is the opin-
ION of American biologists they arc Of
latter formation, known as the ST Pet
ersburg sandstone, and belonging to the
lower siluriaE group,
The mines are situated almost on the
summit Of rising ground which slopes
in all directions.
But little galena, or lead ore, is at
present TO be seen on the surface
though eveidnces Of vast excayIcatlons
and rich deposits are every where pres
ont We observe large slabs Of the best
quality Of the carbonate OF zine, or dry
bone piled along the burrows like cord
wood in wood yard; and the sul phor-
ct of zinc, or "bluek jack, is nearly as
abundant, though less carefully stored
From noticing the general coniorma-
ton Of the country and considering the
rich deposits that have already been DIS
covered and the Indications of still rlch-'
er deposits to BIO discovered, the mind
Of the careful observer must be impress
ed with the idea that nature in her
Laudiwork. has lavished untold mineral
wealth ON tbi, potion of eur state. Per
haps no country short of the gold regions
OF the far West or the copper district of
the upper peninsula Of Michigan will vie
with Centeryille in mineral wealth
Rich ochres, siena earths, oxides an
tho materials Of rock alum and sulphu
ric neil are everywhere as abundant us
the locusts of Egypt, or the insects, bugs,
and pests which annually disturb the
peace and destroy The repcse of our
western tnrmer,
In our wandering. VIC crossed the
pathway of our old friend and nei ,hsor,
George J. Goldthorp, who, with Messrs
Top, Nonaorr & Kroll, is about to erect
zinc furnace and paint factory in this
place. With the most praseworthy
g,nl and unexampled perseverance Mr.
G. has prosecuted his study of paints
ma oehres, for nearly two years. Dur
ing these years Of toll, his only visible
reward WAS the ccnsure and rtlicale of
hi. neichbors, who received his theories
of nain,s and ochres with that spirit OF
i,credulity with which the kings of crea
tion once listened to the opinions OF
Oallileo and Columbus respecting the
m ,,ions ami retundity OF tire earth
Rot the inward satisfaction Of increasing
his fund Of knowledge md the hope Of
future success supported our friend in
the ordeal; md We have ne doubt his
knowl d % will yet be rendered useful
(, his fellow men
Early in the srrmg Gonc before the
process was noticed in the Madison JoRy
nan we observed Mr. Goldrhorp separate
tl,c ochres FROM their native sand At
that time We entertained no doubts that
many of our best paints could he prod
ucrd at home with profit to the manuClc-
Jurors and saving 70 the people The
81 th ,u1tv in pp- nninino WIS q, no