The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1876-06-02
The Geological Survey of Ashland,
Bayfield, and Douglas Counties,

From the Ashland Press.
Onr people are interested in a
thorough and complete survey of
the mineral district of Lake Supe-
rior lying in Wisconsin. The work
heretofore done has not been salts
factory. neither has it been of such
character as 10 ensure confidence.
For this reaso We with others, have
insisted that before the result was
officially published, as provided by
the law of last winter, Prot. Cham
berlain, the new State Geologist,
should have the work reviewed, and
also that it should be extended fur
ther, and the examination made
more searching. To this PROPOSE
tion Prot. G. agreed, and by letter
received from him this week,
which we publish in full below, it
will be seen that the work is to be
performed in accordance with our
understanding. From the fact that
Prof G. has secured the services of
Prot. Charles F. Wright, of Mar
quette, associate of Major Brooks, J
who is acknowledged to be one of
the best iron experts in the United
States, it would seem that he is de-
termined that the work shall be
Well done. Prof Irving, too, whom
severe illness forced To leave the
former survey betoreit was complet-
ed, will give the work his personal
a attention.
We are glad to know, that at
last, We have a man at the head OF
our State survey who will see that
Northern Wisconsin receives her
just proportion of his services. He
will find that our people will extend
to him every courtesy and all the
they have of the coun-
try, and assist him in every posi-
ble manner. As Prot Cham ber-
lain's letter marks out his contem-
plated work quite fully, We VIII not
summarize We have no doubt
but that the survey will demon
strate, what has always been claim
ed, that these northern counties OF
the New Wisconsin" contain i'm
mense mineral wealth:
DEAR SIR:-You have taken - much in
tergst in the geological survey and used your
influence 80 efficiently in its favor that /
deem myself under obligations TO commu1i-
cate to you our plans for the summer wo <
a far tba,- RI
your region.
The Investigations upon the Penoha Range
will be made 10y Prot. K. D. Irving assisted
BY Mr. Chas. +. Wright, Of Marquette, who,
| believe, i known 20 you and your people,
by reputation ii not personally, as an iron
expert. His familiarity with the iron bearing
series of Michigan will be of incaculable
-erylcu in examining the rocks OF " isconsin.
Prot ltving's work IN 1873 was cut short by
severe and contracted iluess at time when
lie had scarcely nnisued his examination OF
the h .rier outcroping rocks, and before he
had time TO fully investigate the DRIFT covered
belt which Is composed unquestIonablv of
softer rock 10 a greater or less extent, among
which may occur, he has suggested. the
soft, and richer iron ores. That work he
now resumes
They wlll work portion of the time con
Jointly, but for the most part separately.
During the coming winter each will prepare
j r, port upon the region examined by him
which will comprehend all previous investi-
cations and reports. The main Penoka
lldge Is considered by all who have examined
II under the present survey, | believe, to con
: itute the lower member OF the HuromaG
series, while the upper portion which il 20
prp8nptEy.A II A4p r.
deeply eroued and covered with drift Both
the gentlemen who are 10 examine the region
have claimed tuat the ricner ores beng
softer than the adjacent rocks would natu-
rally be eroded more deeply and concealed
by detrituS. One OF the chief aims Of the
work this year aill be to make out by a
careful correlation of all the outcrops to be
found and of n. guetic and other obserya-
tions, compete section of the Huronlan
series and 50 TO determ ne, if possible, the
equivalency OF the strata to the Michigan
rocks and the horizon at which the rich iron
ore beds of that State occur. This work is
attended with very great difficulties, and too
much must not be expected. Among other
things the westward extension of the range
toward the II. Croix will receive attention.
The copper bearing series of Ashland county
viii also receive attention
The copper-bearlng series of Bayfield, ana
Douglas counties aud OF the region living
soutn OF tho counties viii be examined pg
ar. Moses Strong, NJ. A, II. T., VINO has
0een couuected with tue survey from the be-
ginning anu has been engaged IN the inve stI-
CATION ot the metaliferoLs district in the
southwestern part of the State His work.
as we'll as that of the her parties, will be
done in The latter and more favorable part OF
the season. hope TO be aOe a SO to spend
some time III ytsr region IN connection with
these parties. We hope that whatever our
results, We shall convince your people of out
disposition TO do all that the large extent OF
the State and our financial hmLation. viii
rmIt.
Ny communications TO Maj. Brooks, o.
winch ! have sent three IN succession, seen
not TO have reached him, nor that of tpt
Governors. Wnen LAST heard from he wa:
travelling in Egypt. But | learn from hi:
agent tuat his health is such that he will moi
PROBABLY be able 10 come TO TINS country {,
make the examinations for the survey shicf
offered 10 do early IN the winter. | mop,
this vii! not prove true.
Yours truly,
/. 9. CHAMBERLAIN.
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