Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-08-11
GEOLOGICAL REPORT.
The Output of Mines and Quarries In
Town During the Past Year
Amounts to S7,5OO,OOO.

From the Forthcoming annual re-
port on geological products in Iowa
the following facts and figures are OBJ
tanned:
The output Of mines and quarries during
the last year amounted to $7,50000O. Far
the largest part of this was realized from
the coal fields. which produced a little over
S., 000, 900.
The second most important output was
that of clay, which amounted to something
over 81 500, 900. representative largely OF the
manufacture of paving brick and It's mar
velous growth In the state. Figures also
show an important increase In the output
Of the Fort Dodge gypsum field.
The work or the Iowa survey, which has
been in operation since 1892 under the d.
rectorship of Prof. Samuel Calvin, state
geologist, brings out many important scien-
tific facts not heretofore known, besides an
nouncing the discovery of new materials
in the rock beds of the state.
The tonnage OF coal put out of Iowa
mines last year amounted to 100000, at
Si.125 per ton from the mine. Coal is mined
In rs counties In the state, and the total
coal area includes 1000 square miles The
mines are not deep and the expenses OF
mining are rather light
The output from Iowa mines increased
within the last IL months about 100000
tons. Within the last year the average
number OF days work was $780, varying by
counties from IS to 254 Only the large mines
closely connected with the railroad COM
panies worked full time. or the coal sold
10 per cent. went directly to the railways
and eight per cent. was sold TO local dealers.
Most remarkable OF all the Industries
which have grown out OF Iowa soil prod
ucts in recent years is that OF the paving
brick, which Is manufactured from the
clay output of the state. The center OF
this industry Is at Des Moines. though there
are important plants In other parts of the
state. Last year nearly 100000 worth OF
paving brick was made. In 1896 the Des
Moines plants sold 100000 PAYERS, a large
| proportion being old stock, and little man
ufacturing being done. In 1897 the same
plants sold 36,SO0,000 and ran full time. This
| is fair sample of the work done by the
plants throughout the state. which are said
| to be amassng great fortunes.
In discussion of Delaware county Prof
Calvin brings out an interesting scientific
| fact regarding the history OF the rivers.
/ The North Maquoketa and some other
rivers of that region have a curious habit,
| after running some distance over low
even plain where the river has cut only a
few feet below the general level of turn
/ ing abruptly aside and cutting great chan
nels or gorges through outlying clusters
! Of hills Then, as II satisfied with the DEM
! onstration OF ability, they go back to the
plain again.
! Prof. Magee, of Washington, who first
described this peculiar feature OF the
! rivers of northwest Iowa, explained II as
the results of former occupation of the
region by great systems Of glaciers, which
In prehistoric times covered so large a por-
| ton Of North America.
In the report on Plymouth county II. Fos-
ter Balm, assistant state geologist, an
nounces the discovery OF certain beds of
chalk suitable for manufacture into Port
land cement. Chalk for this purpose should
have at least II per cent. of calcium car
Donate. Samples from these localities show
from SO to S4 per cent, and have very little
impuritv