, 1873-02-07

Menomonee flows through tlat and unintercs5
ing region, thickly. grown with pine and hard
wood timber At this distance, the geologic
character of the country changes the limeston'
and later formations disappear, and the primi
I'VE rocks OF the iron-bearins period begin. Tht
scenery ls described as being varied and roman
tic. Rapids and falls in the river are numerous
lakes, with beautifully clear water, nre common
aud the conformation Of the country is highly
Picturesque, The hills n1ong the banks are ab-
from the river they arc, for the most part, grace
fully rounded, like those OF the iron localities il
the Upper Peninsula.
THE cArAnAcrs.
Some Of the cataracts arc described as among
the most attractive in the counIy,-the water
failing, in several instances, q distance Of from
50 to IS feet, breating into q cloud Of foam,
and resounding through the Still woods with q
noise like that OF q small Niagara. Two Of the
most imposing OF these catnracts tho Indiape
call Big Smoky and Little Smoky,-the names
being given on account OF the mist which rises
from them. The river iB Of respectable diuen-
sions, and would be navigablo except for these
interruptions. As it is, there are long, quiet
stretches OF the stream, which could be nayi-
gated without danger by the largest steam-craft
that ply Oh the Illinois River.
OTHER MINERAL WEALTH.
Iron ia not only the only valuable material
found near the Mcnomonee. Marble Of fine
quality las been discovered in large quantities.
1t is described BY all persons Who have mndo
extensive explorations in the region, and there
is little difference Of opinion in regard to its
value As will be soen from various authorities
quoted below. it is Of the most primitive fornla-
ton, Of various exquisite tints, and can be used
for many ornamental purposes, II not az guild
ing material. It is SO abundant as to be really
inexhaustible. II it is desired to smelt the ores
in the vicinity Of the mines,
CHARCOAL
fbess forest. ss of Z,ra suppsda asd fzS% 5
abound in tho noighborhooa, especially
along the northern belt Of the iron deposits,~ =
Which is supposed to contain the richest ores.
FOSTER AND WHITNEY.
Having described the Menomonee iron region
in these general tor1ns, it ia deemed best by tho
writer to descend to moro minute particulars,
and to give the authority OF which this k,owl
edge is founded. It has been known for many
years that iron existed here, but the knowledge
was uselo5s, us tho locality was practically mac
ccssible. Its full development is now merely q
question OF q few miles Of railroad aud few
months of time therefore it may be considered,
in effect, thing accomplished. Various authori-
ties will be quoted, and il there is repetition, it
will be understood as being merely fo1 the pur,,
Whitney arc accomplished geologistB, and for
me1ly in tho service OF the United States, who
explored thoroughly the Lake Superior region
oyer twenty, years ago, making their
report to the General Lnnd Office in
kA0 Aa4 VI 4CoA II uAk tucGo HEuLlEuGu
must have undergone while prosecuting their
labors among the woods and mountains and
along the streams Of this Icso1ata country, can
be family imagined by one who is familiar with
the difficulties OF locomotion eyen after this
lapse OF time.
SLATE, MARBLE AND OTHER MATERIALS.
The report of Foster md Whitney mentions
inexlaustih1c beds Of slate near the Twin Falls,
on the Mcnomonce liver. OF various other use
full materials they spcnk in general terms as lo1-
lows: OF tho limeatones ead marbles they ely:
' The marbles occurring in the vicinity Of the
Carp and Menomouce Rivers may bo calcined
into lime" ''11le 1meatoncs occurring near Carp
River, and on the Mcrch!-ssanig. (i1ichiganinlD
and Menomonee, afford beautiful marbles. Tie
prevailing color is light rink, trayersed by veins
colorcd, beautifully reined. They arc suscepti-
bic Of g fine polish. and blocks Of any szo may
be procured. For tables, jambs, and vasos they
would rival in beauty the most celcbrated foreign
the carved lines would withstand tho vicissi- |
[udcs of variable climate, and remain sharp
for centuries. These rocks, in place, exhibit I
angular surfaces, which, after ell, is the best |
est Of their durability. Fragments of |
'tatuary, have been found upon the surface, but
he beds from which they wero derived haye not |
oeen discovered 'tSome OF the jaspers might |
oe employed by the lapidary for small orua- |
nents, but thoy have not yet been found as
y
Jral Mountains. Stcatite md serpentinc abound !
aear Sturgeon Falls, on tho Menomonee River. /
Drab slateB are found on the Menomonee, which, !
+ ground and kncaaed, would make IN excellent |
oasalts, and the porphyries with dark green |
oase OF horablende, aud bright red crystals Of |
.iyal those Of Egypt" The report expresses
he opinion that many Of thess materials will /
ssoon be employed for the purposes Of constr1c-
Inn Hn1 nY14Ar u This was EaiI tva fv
'ears ago, and the time prophesied seems to la
.loso at hand. To the reader unfamiliar with
ha uses of the minerals just mentioned, it may
% necessary to explain that jasper is
# iron; and is sometimes used for
eniino is mott1ed stone, the prevaillng
olor being generally groen, and is nsed for
olumnB, chlmney-pieces, and other ornamental
urposes- steatite is what the boys call '.soap-
tone " Slabs Of stcat,te are used for lining
arneces and stoves. When ground, it is en-
loTed for diminishing tho friction Of machinery. |
is also made. in Germany, into gas-burncrB,
hich possess the navantago g, Of not corroding
r those which becomo SO by calcination are en-
loyed in the manufacture OF porcelains; others
re used for fulling. The Arabs, according to
!law, IN English traveller, use steatito in their
:ths, instead OF soap. to soften the skin; and
humboldt states that the Otomaqucs, an Indinn
:ibe living on the banks OF the oranoco, ara
most entirely supported, during three months
tho year, BY eating species OF stoatite,
l.ich they first slightly bake, and then mc;stcn
ith water: Although these elegant materials
zist go couyeuiont to Chicago, it is hardly to
g expected that our citizens Will be in any haste
adopt their more eccentric 1ses 30 long as
!ncy soaps can be ohtainel at reasonable prices:
II cereals grow in tole-ab!a abundance on our |
rairies.
IRON ORES.
MesErs. Foster and Whiting wore United States
'rvcyors as well as geo1ogists, and their min ,
III observations were incidental to their sur i
,vs. They were no,er of the scction-Ines, It
I'd, Us the bfenomonee regions seemed ct that !
ae century Of least from development, they
i'd less attention to lis ores than to those
'arer the shore Of Lake Superior. They speak
the most soutEerly deposits 81 in Township |
Range 80, which is about forty miles due west |
Escanaba. Iron has siueo Leon found in the
nge OF townships next south of this On a
cir southermost line they describe tho ores as I
no means rare, but US becoming more fre- g
ent aud getting richer farther north. They d
re assisted a portion OF tic time, by 1Ir. I
hn Dart, Of Detroit (Uhose son is now resi-
ut Of Marquetto), who described to them beds {