The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-06-02

| cOUlu DC doubled ana treDieu and
then not allow the supply to equal
the demand.
| stone.
Bnt few places in America have
been more literally endowed by
nature with every natural resource
than has Mankato, especially in the
matter of building material. At the
foot of Front street there is ledge
Of the finest limestone nearly nine
miles in length, while below this to
IN unexplored depth, in thick veins.
lies the Potsdam sandstone, which
has gained so wide Il reputation for
its combined characteristics of dura
bility and ease of cutting. There is
one feature in the MankatO stone
which is found in but few. if any
qnarries in the country, and that is
its proof both against fire and frost.
The blue limestone of st. Paul will
crumhle before either frost or fire,
AMI even the granite of Sank Rapids
will crumble before fire, hut the
Mankato stone will resist both to Il
degree which is perfect. Our quar-.
ries are inexhaustibe as to quantity
and contain nearly every grade of
| gtnnn thtt tISnI rrhncn 4 Lao
limestone to which we have referred,
and which can he quarried to the
depth of seven feet. hut the surface
or upper crust makes the strongest
lime. Immediately beneath this
comes the rubble or cord stone which
has been shipped to all parts of the
northwest for common building pur-
poses. This is easily quarried in al.
most any size blocks one desires.
Beneath this layer is found
Il ledge, which is cut stone of
exceedingly fine texture, sus-
certible of the highest polish. This
stone lies in layers as perfect as if
laid by the hand of man instead of
being of geological formation. The
perfect ease with which this cut
stone can be quarried to any size or
shape makes it very desirable for or.
namenting buildings. Still beneath
this, is another layer of cut stone
which is OF cOarser texture, suitable
for walks, floors. etc. Then there is
a red ledge, as handsome stone us
can be found anywhere, and which
makes beautiful grave stones. Fol-
lowing the cut stone is variety of
blue stone, possessing lasting quail
ties. Beneath the ledge of coarse
stone and Immediately Oh top of the
cut stone, lies layer of slate, which
produces the famous hydraulic CO.
ment, this being the only place where
this cement can be made west of
Milwaukee.
Our stone quarries have been de.
veloped for twenty.seven years, yet
there is scarcely Il perceptible begin
ming made. The quantities of stone |
from the Mankato quarries which
have been shipped East, North.
South and West is incOmprehensible,
while the extraordinary demand has
far exceeded the supply. 1t is safe
to say that | 900 men could be profit
ably employed in our quarries. and
that instead of hundreds of cords be.
ing shipped annually the amount
would figure up in the thousands.
Several parties own the stone
ledge and are developing it as fast us
their means allow. Capt. J. II.
Beatty, who has long been identified
with our stone interests fully appre.
ciates what an unfaiiing proper.
ty he possesses, but is unable tinan-
cially to make the developments lie
desires, but claims that if properly
developed the stone quarries found
inside the corporate limits Of MankatO
will prove to be the most valuable i'm
the State. for the reason that they
afford an unlimited supply of all kinds
of stone, viz: cord stone, cut
stone. heavy bridge stone, coping and
flag stones. Craig & Mccormack, last
spring purchased the interest formerly
owned by Mr.. Geo. Maxfield, and
have since done much toward uncov-
ering their hidden mine of wealth.
Lower down the ledge, the Chicago &
Northwestern Railroad company own
an interest which they have devel-
oped, only sufficient. however, to sup.
ply their own wants. Then farther
on are other openings of smaller
calibre, that are being worked by
various parties.
One great and desirable advantage
these quarries possess is the easy
access for all our railroads to lay |
their track and load their cars direct. |
No one can form any conception of
what wealth lies hidden in these
stone quarries without inspecting |
them in person, and we look forward
to the day when we shall see small
army of sturdy laborers employed in
developing this industry, and long
railroad trains transporting the pro.
duct in every direction. That day is
coming, and not in the tar distant.
This is another indispensable pro-
duct which can be manufactured here
in unlimited quantities. Although
great deal has been made, yet the
quantity is infnitismal compared to
what could and should be made. The
lime made here is what is called the
brown lime, and possesses great
strength. Capt. Beatty who owns the
only kiln, is burning some eighty bar
rels per day, and finds ready market
for it.
Cement.
AS previously stated, the quality
of cement which can made from the
limestone which lies in such vast
quantities upon the surface of the
ground is SUPERIOR to any that is
made west of Lake Michigan. 1t has
been thoroughly tested, ana has been
found enllal To the InuiSYilln water