The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1885-10-23

er submerged or thrown up into cont.
mental masses presenting bold topograph.
ieal reliefs, as seen in ridges and noun
tains.
Your property in Winn parish, which
have just examined, furnished astriL-
ing example of what has just bee said
The marble outcrops stand up at sew
eral points, in a similar position to the
bold bluffs and escarpments so common
in limestone ridges in a limestone eoun-
try. 1t has been turned on its edge at a
tolerably high angle; and at one point
it reaches an elevation of about one hun
dred feet. At the base of this precipice
there is 4 corresponding depression, hav-
ing apparently equal abruptness in the
descent to that of the ascent on the bluff.
| This sink, which covers an area of per-
llaps four acres, is now miniature lake.
But | am infhrmed, that during the dry
summer season, il becomes dry with the
exception of a central pool, which was
sounded with a line of e d, to the depth
of seventy feet. without touching bottom.
1t is safe, l think, therefore, to assume
that from the summit of the ledge to the
bottom of the sink vertical of two hun
dred fee:, at least, exists. I know Of no
better evidence of the depth of bed than
this fact furnishes, except an actual boz
ring.
The foregoing facts are all in evidence
to prove that this bed is not tertiary bnt
an npturned or arched rib Of the older
formations upon which all the tertiuy
re: {. In other words, it no doubt consti-
tuted a high limestone ridge in the Gulf
bed. In proof of this observed tertiary
mari beds lying upon and against the
fiaaks of the marble outcrop-marble ev-
idently constituting the floor or wall upon
and against which these recent accumu-
lati0ns rested.
The general Typographical features of
the country in which your property is
situated warrant the conclusion that the
alluvial surface was in early times much
higher than it is at present. The -rece-a
ding waters of the Gulf, however, and
the lowering of the floor of the Gulf bed
left the material constituting the higher
parts Of the delta exposed. This sub
jected it to the erosive forces of the vt
mosphcre and rain waters The result
has been that the whole of the elevated
ridge turned into diversified forms of to-
biographical relief by the erosive forces,
exposing here and there mari beds, and
stones, etc., The same forces have swept
away, the incumbent alluvial mass from
the summit Of that which was once sub
marine limestone ridge and which now
constitutes your marble property.
In regard TO the character Of the mar
BILE and as additional proof that it belongs
to geological age, perhaps not later
than the Huronian, it is a noteworthy
fact that there is no visible eyidence of |
organic remains in it. Moreover, all the !
stone examined Is free from silicious or |
charry grains for marble of its class In |
color il presents great variety. Clouded,
striped and banded patterns may be OBJ
tained, and by skillful saving these col
ers may be made to assume almost any
figure which fancy might dictate.
1t is not to be expected that you Will |
find marble upon the surface sufficiently |
pure to work into furniture slabs or other
Ornamental purposes. Such material can
only be obtained beyond the reach Of at
and other surface agencies
which effect alike both the color and tex
turc of the stone. You have, however,
the most ample encouragement for scar
ching after stone of superior quality. Ia
king Into consideration what has already
been said in regard to the depth of the
bed in connection with the surface area
of the out crops, have no hesitancy In
saying that you have an extraordinary
ieId for exploration and development.
The disposition of these out-crops over
surface area Of about one hlllnlredEacres,
ogether with large number Of what are
Known in limestone countries IDS lime
inks, distributed without order over the
,lme area. indicated bed of marble un-
Terrifying the whole.
feel confident that there lisa good deal
# material in the upper part Of the bed, |
hough not suitable for strictly ornanien-
al work, which viii nevertheless furnish
stone for building purposes aud
or pavsments aud flooring for public
,ulldings. There is, perhaps. nnch stone
I1so in the middle horizon Of the bed that
nay be reached without very great cost.
which may prove to be sufficiently pure
o be successfully worked into monu-
nents and into vestibules and affairs Of
'onsee of worship.
There Is yet another use to which the
Marble upon your property may be ap-
lied. that opens up broad fold for dis
nssiop. Icannot, however, in a report