The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-07
TO STUDY THE ROCKS.
Bailey Willis. Of the Geological
Survey, in Seattle.
WHAT HIS WORK WILL Be.
To Go Over the sound Country Covered
by the Typographical Party Last
season.

Bailey Willis, OF the United States geo
logical survey service, in charge OF that
departments work throughout the Cas-
cade range region and the Puget sound
basin, arrived In the city last evening
from San Francisco. and with an organ
ICED party will start work from Renton in
a few DAYS. Mr.. Wills was seen at the
Raiaier-Grand hotel last evening and ex-
planned the plans OF the survey.
Last year there was an accurate topo-
grahical survey made OF the region ex-
tending from Everett south as far as Te-
nino. This was done by a party OF topo-
graphical surveyors under r. W. Goode.
and was a strip about thirty-five miles
wide. taking in the eastern portion or
the Sound and the coal fields between
Newcastle and Wilkeson, covering alto
gether an area OF about /. no square miles.
That detailed typographical map was the
beginning of the work of the survey. and
IL will be engraved and printed during the
present year. Mr.. Willis said IL could be
obtained by an application 10 the survey
Office at Washington City.
This year In the regular course OF pro-
cedure the geological party win go over
the same ground with a view or making
a detailed study OF the distribution OF all
the different kinds OF rocks, in order 10
ascertain the mineral resources or the re-
gion, such as clays. sands. gravels, build
Ing stones and coal and to study the geo
logical history which has resulted in the
present features of the Sound region. II
is probable the investigation viii occupy
the party until next November.
Prof. /. C.. Russell, of Ann Aroor, Mich.
has been at work for the past TWO weeks
examining the coast between Everett and
Seattle, and he will join the main party,
which has a camp prepared At Renton,
within few days George .. smith.
graduate of the Johns Hopkins university.
is the third member Of the party. He has
recently been appointed an assistant
geologist In the regular service The other
uen TO accompany the biologists are
head packer. Fred Koch: an assistant
packer. W. B. Williams, of Franklin. and
as cook. NJ. Autier. of Seattle. The party
s equipped with Instruments for meas
iring distances and elevations and for
making all the observations necessary in
detailed geological work. They will live
Wholly in camp, having tents and living
atensils and mules and horses.
Mr.. Willis thought that in the latter
part of July or the first of August couple
weeks win be spent In observations on
he northern and eastern slopes or Mount
Rainier. These were also visited last
year. The purpose of this trip is to ex-
anime the glaciers, which were found last
year to have receded considerably from
the positions they held in 1888 II Is
thought probable the condition of the
glaciers last year was at the minimum.
and for term OF years they may be ex-
pected to increase In size and volume.
The results of the geological work Will
eventually be printed on maps of the re-
yion and published in the atlas OF the
United States. In this form the informa-
ton will be easily accessible to all who are
interested.
The region about Seattle Mr.. Willis con-
sidered one which win become very pro-
ductive with the growth of population. He
thoueht the location favorable TO the de-
velopment of commercial interests. and
the natural resources OF the country such
as would yield the essential materials on
which those interests largely depend. but
believed the resources TO be OF such ma
ture that development Will require the
most intelligent workers in all fields.
In San Francisco Mr.. Willis consulted
in his plans for the work of the survey
professors from the University of Califor-
MIA and from Stanford. He will leave for
Renton tomorrow and will there determine
on his immediate plans. Mr.. Smith has
been In the city for several days and Will
accompany the leader 10 Renton.
In speaking of the life of a geologist
connected with the United States service
Mr.. Willis said:
Having had some early experience with
Henry Willard. between l2sd and 1884, In
exploring for coal, and having last year
renewed acquaintance with the mountains,
/ think geologist needs TO be made as
tough as one Of my mules named Jerry.
who fell last year Us feet with his pack
and is still, In active service. We were
crossing Wilman's pass. from Silver Creek
TO Monte Cristo. one of the most difficult
and dangerous in the mountains. Jerry
was on trail above US and suddenly
some one hallowcd, Look out, here comes
Jerry" The mule fell square on his back
with his pack underneath. and landed
right In the midst of cur party. scattering