The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-05-03

WdJ0I. 1ulb NOluIuo VI Md0OA 10
not at all affected by the rains
which may fall within many hun
dreds of miles of the outflow.
These great springs are utilized
for purposes of irrigation, and
, they afford also motive power for
machinery. They occur around
the border of the outcroppings of
the Paleozoic formation, which
occurs within the southern borders
of the county.
Sandstone suitable for building
purposes, occurs in very great
abundance in many parts of the
County. This valuable sandstone
is exceptional In several respesfss
1t is admirably adapted for the
construction of that class Of build
ings where beauty in color and
ornamentation must be combined
with economy in cost In color,
nature has made it as near perfect
as the experienced artist could
desire. Uniformity of color in this
rich and abundant material is truly
astonishing, as blocks taken from
beds miles apart, have been found
to match in color perfectly. The
color is rich warm yellow, that
tint most desirable for large as
well as more humble structures.
Under the chisel it works easily,
especially when fresh from the
quarry. Time and exposure to
the air hardens it to considerable
extent, and weather stains are not
found TO mar its brightness of
color. The Colorado river cuts its
way through an extensive deposit
of this valuable sandstone, expos
ing many strata, some of which
are fully twelve feet in thickness.
Blocks of any desired size can be
quarried at little cost for shipping,
etc
Grindstone grit of good quail
ty has been found on the San Saba
river near its mouth, and in sew
eral other localities on the Colora-
do river. That near the mouth Of
the San Saba was worked many
years ago, and grindstones from it
are now in use by many families
in the county.
Near the town of San Saba there
occurs a deposit of blue lime
stone of superior quality; it is
compact, works admirably under
the chisel, takes a fine polish, and
when well polished it is very
handsome. The process of polish
ing darkens the color TO blush |
black. 1t is admirably suited for
trimmings, forming fine contrast |
with the bright colors of the sand
stone and marbles found in the
vicinity.
Fire-proof rock is found in great
abundance, underlying the above
mentioned blue limestone. This
material, though rough and hard
to work, is valuable for lining to
furnaces, fre-places, etc.
White, compact limestone or
Texas marble occurs in great
abundance from the San Saba
river to within few miles of the
outcropping of the Paleozoic rocks
in the southern part of the county.
This mineral is too well known to
require description. 1t is imprsc-
ticable for any use except for max
ing lime, perhaps.
The Paleozoic rocks, granite,
granite sandstones, quartz, schists,
etc, occur in the southern part of
the county. Granite equal to that
composing the walls of our new
Capitol, is found in several local.
ties.
In the western portion of the
county there is an extensive depos-
it of very pure quartz sand, re-
markably white and clean, fully
equal to any found in the United
States for the manufacture Of glass,
etc.
Iron ores of the various kinds
are found in great abundance in
the southern and western parts of
the county. No particular value
has been attached to their possess
sion by owners Of the lands in the
absence of means of transportation
and of the proper fuel for smelt-
ing.
In the northwestern portion of
the county, there is a district of
underlined extent which is included ,
in the coal field which stretches
across from the Indian territory.
Coal found at Milburn and its
vicinity is said to be of superior
quality to that found at Waldrip. !
No mining for coal has been done
within the county.
The so-called mineral belt ex- '
tends through tho southern third
Of the county, and in it have been
found gold, silver, copper, lead and
manganese, but none of these
have as yet been mined i
with success. Recently some ores
have been produced from Wallace !
creek, tested, and the lands upon
which the ores were found bought
at very high price by some CAPT
talists from Washington City. {
Other lands adjoining those bought
were sought by the same parties,
but owners refused to sell. The
ore will be worked for silver.
A. GREGG, NJ. d.
To E. Dumble, State Geologist.
What home can afford to be