The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-11-11


Tfmes---GeoJOgfeal Features OF the
COuntrs ---Gold, silver. Pfasfn um, Cop
per, Lead, AntimOny, Moly bdenum,
/ Manganese, Iron, Steafite, Graphite
and Coal IN LIano---GeneFal CharAc-
teristfes OF Country and People.
BY w.. Q. oHEnssr, ESQ. PRACTICAL xHkPALoersr
F fa. AND AssKYEK fr
1 Editors Democratic Statesman = Having
| devoted considerable attention to the inves-
| tigation Of the mineral resources of West
ern Texas, especially of that portion com-
prised of Llano and Mason counties, with
parts of San Saba, Menard and Kimble, an
account of my observations and conclusions
may be of some interest to your readers
generally, and especilly do hope to con-
vince the business men aud capitals OF
Austin shat they have a deep interest in
the speedy development of the immense
stores Of mineral wealth almost at their
doors. In my candid opinion there is no
other iDterest---no other enterprise-the de-
velopment of which will so surely give
prosperity and wealth to Austin. as well
AS to those who may have the courage and
enterprise to embark little of their money
III the undertaking. s1a
Since Texas achieved her indepen len 20
of Mexico, and since she became one of
the States of the great American Repub G
very little has vet been done to develop
the mineral resources in any section of her
wide domain, and yet the impression has
all the time prevailed that boundless
treasures of gold and silver. to say
nothing of the inexhaustibe quantities OF
less valuable minerals, existed within the
limits of our State; and in support of this
| impression there were known To be in tx
flI L..
sides numerous traditions that had been
handed down from earlier days. Besides
these evidences of old mining operations,
there are many places yet 10 be seen where
considerable mining must have been car
rIed on in former times, consisting of old
mining shafts and rude furnaces where
smelling has been done. OF the old mining
shafts or pits, there have been some fifty re-
ported, principally IN theScounties of Bell,
Sar Sa0a, Menard, Mason, Klmble aud
LIanO, l also think that fair silver-lead
must have been obtained in Burnet, Will
lamson aud Milan counties, for the remains
OF old furnaces still exist there, and in two
instances considerable silver has been found
ia the slags left about them. Tie most of
this mining must have been done while
Mexico was yet province of Spain,
and probably conducted by experienced
Spanish and Mexican miners So far as j
have examined any Enthusiastically old works,
they invariably give evidence of thorough
practical knowledge. They may have
known very little of mineralpgy or geology
as learned from the books, but what was vi
more value to them, they seem to have well
understood those outward, external or sur
face Indications which SD surely indicate to
the practiced eye of the miner the site of
mineral deposits. Prof. Andrew Ure, in
his comprehensive Dictionary of Arts, Mau-
ufactures and Mines, says: 1.-THE study of
the mineral substances called gdmgues or
oein-stones, which usually accompany the
different ores, is indispensable in the investi-
cation and working of mines. These gdngues,
| although of little or no value of them
selves, become of great consequence to the
MINER. either by pointing out by their pres
ence that of certain useful minerals, or by
characterizing in their several associations
different deposits of ores of which it may
be possible to follow the traces and to dis
criminate the relations, often of a compli-
Gated kind, provided we observe assiduous-
ly the accompanying gangues." This kind
Of knowledge | think the old Spanish
miner had in great perfection, especially as
regards all those evIdent es of silver and sill
ver-lead. II was not ut cessary for HIM al
ways to see valuable mineral at the surface
of the ground, or exposed in the rock, 10
know that it existed in certain local ties.
/ The want of practical knowledge of these
outward indications is oftt n the reason why
the simply scientific geologist or mlneralo
| gst is unsuccessful in his efforts at mineral
exploration. And So. also, with the only
partially experienced miner. He may un-
| jerstand perfectly the evidences and theory
of mineral development III country where
he has worked, perhaps, the most of his
/ life; but when he goes to another locality.
where the geology and mineFalogy are en-
| tirely different, his previous knowledge may
become almost valueless, or often lead him
TO wrong conclusions. Therefore, combi-
nation OF practical experience with scien-
slic knowledge of geology and mineralogy
is almost indispensable to successful minei-
al prospecting or exploration. ,seefi,-
The old Spanish miner was also a good
metallurgist, for in such instances as have
observed. he used the most appropriate fiuxes
for, has ores, and was ableito construct fur
naces. generally near his mine, from me-
terial imprnvised on the spot, which were
sufficient for smelling his ores in a very per-
feet manner. Without machinery of any
kind, communicating with nj, xico and the
Gulf only by means of pack-mules, and
much OF { e time surrounded by hostile
Indians, their operations, OF course, cnuld
not compare in extent of development with
those now carried on in Western Territories
| and in European countries. They bad not
the means to overcome strong water in deep
excavations, and therefore seem to have
oraspected for such places as promised good
returns from not very deep workings. And
yet the sum of all the evidence Is that they
obtained large amounts of silver and CON
siderable gold.
Aud is IL not strange, with such evi-
dences before US, that entecprisIng A'neri-
cans have so long allowed these mines to e
undegeloped2 1t is true therc has recently
/ been some speculation about these things
land lsttle work has been done here and
there. but much of il has been to very little
purpose, amounting to little else than sur
lace prospecting, excepting, perhaps, one
attempt now being prosecuted III Mason
county, wiIichI have not visited. know,
however, there nre reasons why capitalists
without practical aiming knowledge, have
lacked COZ fidence, and are slow To invesi
| in what Stems TO them an uncertain enter
prise. Some interested and inscription,
parties have put in circulation ard pub
lishcd exaggerated statements. and reports
which afterwards were proven to be false
AS was the report IN regard TO the Hone,
cree K iron ores containing gold. which wa
procured nom Prot. Balbaeh, very abl,
and scientific mineualoRiSt aud reliable
gentleman. by false specimens obtained
! sram some other LEGALITY by A. X
RlessIeT, .sPh. d. Who also repcrtes
lin where My iron existed. Sucl
false sIatem ,nts OF course have had
damaging Influence, but worse than thes'
i the impression created by eur S ale Geol
l,o,st in his so-cailed Geological Survey .
FeAas.r / am no. personally acquainted
with pn.f. Buckley. aud presume hla 10 >
4 very worthy gentl, men, but his report
made to the State, has become public prop
srty. and shall therefore feel at hheIty L
crificise il 50 far IS the subject under con
siderafion demands.