The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-10
WOOL SOAP. the large size that sells
The VIM. II. Block Co.
GEOLOGY In INDIANA.
Prof. Cox Defends the Work of Men
Who Formerly Worked for the state.

To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:
/ have received the Indianapolis Journals
containing Mr.. Blatchley's reply 10 Gov
ernor Matthews i'm relation TO the geo
illogical work of the State. 1 regret that
Mr.. Blatchley should undertake his defense
by belittling the labor OF his predecessor
in office The first thing 1 did on coming
into office. in 1869 was 10 define the boun-
darieS of the coal measures and correct the
sections of the coal that had already been
made and TO show the order of sequence
and number of coal seams to be found IN
the measure; also to give their chemical
and commercial values. My first report at
tracted the attention of leading biologists
all over this country and Europe. IL
brought letters OF commentator from
leading European biologists. Prof. Peter
Lall. State geologist of Pennsylvania, re-
published all that part OF the report that
refers TO Indiana coal and coalheld. This
report was also printed in extenso i'm
Mines and Metals. in St. Louis. The fact
is that it contained the first accurate geo.
logical account ever given OF the Western
coal fields. 1t must be remembered too.
that this work had 10 be done from surface
observations. and In advance of the suisse
quent extensive developments and exploit
alton work that has laid bare so much that
was then hidden under supplementary
strata
In my reports and those Of Prof John
Collett full accounts are TO be found OF the
coal and all other useful minerals found
In the State up 10 that time Ii is refresh
ing TO note what Mr.. Blatchley says about
clays and building stone, when II is well
known that both Professor Collett and my
self did an immense amount of geological
and chemical work 10 place the building
stones of Indiana before the public: but
do not wish To dwell upon a fact SO palpa-
Bile to every citizen Of Indiana IL Is also
| N - 10 flVGf Cd tnr@ 40
the kaolin twhite clay) deposits found under
the milestone grits IN Lawrence county:
that through my influence certain acreaEes
were sold 10 Philadelphia parties for 500. 1000
Its value for porcelain and the manufacture
Of alum was well brought out by myself
and assistants.
The milestone and grit beds were fully
made known by the able survey OF Dr. FL
rod and McEntire: The attention of the
world was called TO all the economic min
erals OF Indiana by the extensive exhibit
l made at the Centennial exhibition. All
| visitors 10 this exhibition must remember
| the large blocks of coal from the working
mines of Indiana. showing the full thick
| ness of each seam; the cyclopean blocks OF
| white building stone and the immense nags
| of varying lengths. and thickness from the
| Niagara quarries. and the DevoniaE blue
stone from North Vernon, etc.
IL is a wel-knoWn fact that myself and
assistants called attention to every impor-
tant clay I'm the districts surveyed; that
! chemically tested all these clays, and in
| duced the establishment of the Encaustic
tile works. also the roofing tile works at
Indianapolis. IL was my boast. as
/ geologist, 10 tell the people where to look
| for minerals and what TO do with them
! when found. My successor. Prof. Collett.
Is is well known. followed this line of work.
| and pointed out the useful purposes TO
which the minerals could be applied.
| Through my assistant. Prof. Borden. and
| personal examinations in Floyd county. the
geological position and general extent and
character OF the sand used i'm the New AL
| bany glass works was given TO the public.
/ My investigations and publications led to
the building OF glass works at indianapolis.
! The first year the company cleared $50 e0.
Then they tore down the old furnace and
| built one of more than double It's capacity.
| The bad construction or this furnace and
/ hard times caused failure.
Great stress appears to be laid on sand
stone by Mr.. Blatchley. Now i wish 10
say that there is not sandstone Of proper
| dimensions in the State that II suitable for
! building fine house or for smooth face
| work. Both my assistants and self ex-
amined the sandstones for this purpose
! with great care and found that they could
not be recommended for building purposes.
Now. do not pretend that or my sue
| cessors knew all that is to be learned OF
| the geology Of the State. but that we did
a great deal To make known its minerals
| and to build up its industries. Because the
| published results of our labOrs are not now
| generally accessible 10 the public their very
| age gives to them a high appreciation by
| the student OF science, in 80 FAR as they
make known new truths that aid to extend
| our knowledge of science. That errors
| may be found i'm my geological work II but
| natural. for the progress OF science depends
upon development and investigation. 1T is
| a philosophy which never rests-its law Is
| progress. "A point that was yesterday In
visible is its goal to-day. and will be its
starting point TOMORROW" ! oanot help ex-
| claiming with Rip Van Wrinkle when he re-
| turned after his long sleep TO the village OF
! Failing Water and foua1 that no one re-
membered him; Mine God! and are we so
| soon forgotten? +. T. cox.
Former State Geologist Indiana
Albion, Fla. Feb. L.