Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-29
CORRESPONDENTS.
STARKE. Fla, :
Ian Dist. 1901 |

STARKE. Fla,
Jan. Dist. 1891.
EDITOR REPORTER, Dear Sir.-It NAV
be interesting to YOU to see some of
Florida phosphate rock, and to hear of
the manner of mining, and learning
where it is located in the earth | en-
close you sample, and will say this
country where phosphates are found is
a sandy surface soil, from 10 to 100 feet,
and as high as $50 feet above the sea
level. The country is generally under
laid with lime rock and flint rock
The lime rock is very easy to cut and
saw when first taken from the ground.
and easily worked into blocks for max
ing chimneys or foundations for houses
The country abounds in natural wells,
where watercourses under the ground
seem to perforate, and frequently the
ground sinks, where all was a smooth
surface short time before. The growth
of timber is generally pine.
The surface indications are found in
ridges or mounds of greater or less,
dimensions, some covering large acre
surface. But very little vegetation grows
on these mounds, and saamanders and
gophers, that throw out dirt, throw up
what they term pimples or small phos-
phate rock or clay, which is easily told
by the eve, as, when exposed to the
weather, the rock turns yellow
The experts who prospect the ground
use steel rod, they call it a sounding
rod, which they force into the earth,
and when they strike the phosphate
rock they can generally tell by the
sound and feeling, as the phosphate
rock gives a sharp tihty resistance,
while the lime rock is a dull inexpress-
i've feeling, easily penetrated. To tell
whether flint or phosphate has been
found, it takes but moment to test, bv
applying nitric acid to the little particles
that adhere to the point ofthe sounding
rod, which is made with q little pocket
in the two sides of the drill for the pur-
pose Of bringing up the sample of rock.
To the casual observer one would as
soon think of mining in the sands of
Juneau or Adams counties as in this flat
woods.
The manner of mining is simple, the
pick, shovel dump cart. men and teams
is all that is required, as the phOsphates
are found from the surface to 80 feet
deep.
The prices delivered on the cars run
from S6 to $8 per ton, and is as cheap to
mine as Wood county cI9t.
Yours Respectfully,
THos. w. PITTS.
w J.. Wood, the druggist, desires to
inform the public, that he is agent for
the most successful preparation that has
yet been produced for coughs, colds and
croup 1t will loosen and relieve a
severe cold in less time than any other
treatment. The article referred to is
Chamberlain Cough Remedy. It is Il
medicine that has won fame and
popularity on it's merits and one that
can always be depended upon. 1t is
the only known remedy that will
prevent Group. 1t must be tried to be
appreciated. 1t is put up in 80 cent and
81 bottles. For sale by w. J.. Wood.
For the Madi Gras to be held at New
Orleans, La Feb. 10th 1891. Special
round trip tickets to New Orleans and
return will be sold from Centralia at
$3.50. Tickets on sale February Sd to
8th inclusive return coupon good to
return until and including February
28th, 1891. Transit limit is two days in
each direction
J. NJ. PATTIsON,
Agent G. NJ. & St. Paul r. r.