The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-10-29

and adlacent counties extend southwark and
westward through Stephens, Callahan,
E,astisno, Coleman, Brown, Lampasas, Con-
enc, McCulloch. into San Saba, Llano and
b1rnet counties. This Is an immense coal
region, three times larger than we supposed
was IN Texas when We began our lsbors
last spring. Throughout this region We
Know that there are large beds 81 coal.
some OF which are now being worked and
used oy blacksmishs ard found 10 Be az Al
excellent quality. Many specimens of tbs-s
Goals We have obtained Tor the state collec.
ton. 's-'s--
At the east at the west, and At II.
north, Texas has plenty Of the best Of iron
ores. No well informed citizen doubts
this. She also has an abundance Of salt and
gypsum.
We have found the copper region to have
wider and longer range than IS generally
imagined, extending from the south through
Young and Throckmorton counties north
ward beyond the Red River, and from the
western part Of Montague westward into
Haskell county, and still onward and west
ward farther than we went. Copper ore is
not being sent North from this region TO be
smelted, as was published this summer. A
few tons were thus sent last winter, which
were said to barely pay expenses.
We are sorry to be compelled 10 say that
the silver mines Of Elano county are not as
rich as has been represented. No paying
mines are being worked there, nor could
we learn that even one ton of silver ore Oh,
tanned in Llano county has been smelted
during the last twenty years On the other
hand, much useless labor has been done in
places where it is folly to dig for silver.
We have seen lead and silver ores obtained
in other counties, and have no doubt but
that Texas viii prove to bevery rich in those
two metals, but we expect they win be
mostly found in the region westward from
Llano county. In Llano county We found
plenty Of good roofing slate; also marble,
steatite, or soapstone; little gold, consid-
cradle copper, some coal, many clear springs
and streams Of excellent water, and much
glorious scenery Of mountains, rocks. val
ieys and rivers.
Our collections Of specimens from various
parts of the State are very large, both OF
minerals and fossils. Among these are
specimens of the Jurassic Period, not be-
fore represented in the State collection.
This Is an important addition to the State
cabinet, for the Jurasslc Is not in the States
! east Of the Mississippi, and was not found
in Texas by our former State geologists.
Particular attention has been given to the
agricultural department of the survey, in
noting the soils and productions, price of
lands, domestic animals-especially Inn
proved stock, fruits, timber, etc, Of the
State. We trust that this portion Of our
report viii contain much valuable informa-
ton, both for our own citizens and those
living in other lands, who desire to emf
CRATE.
Mr.. Charles E. Hall, of Albany, New
York, was one of our assistants until the
first Of June, when he left for home, think
ing he could not endure the heat OF SUM
mer in Texas. In letter lately received
from HIM he states that he wishes to rejoin
the survey.
Prof. Richard Burleson of Waco, First
Assistant State Geolngist, was only in
the field from the first of June until the
first of September, at which time he re-
sumsd the duties of his professorship ia the
Waco University.
The members Of our party have generally
enjoyed good health. The writer has not
been sick an hour. We have met with no
losses of horses or mules, nor been molested
by the Indians, although we have been
much in that portion Of the State most
frequented by the red skins.
We have been economical in our expendi-
lures, not having used one-haf Of the def
ciencies appropriated by the Legislature for
our travelling expenses, and that given for
the same purpose for the current year is
unbroken. s. B. BUCKLEY,
State Geologist.
October %, 1874.