The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-29

of the ore on hand, but will procure
and send it as soon as practicable.
The ore in question has been brought
to this place by the Kansas Indians,
formerly residing here, and is repre-
scented by them to exist in great ouan-
titles where obtained by them. From
all can learn from them, they OBJ
tain it on the Smoky Hill fork of this
river, about 100 miles west of this
place, but they are so superstitious in
regard to such things that little re-
lance can be placed on what they
state. They have, however, promised
to conduct me to the place whenever
| may be able to go. My engagements
have been such that 1 have not vet
found time to do so, and may not this
season. AS to the existence in this re-
gion of an extensive and very valuable
deposit of tin ore of a rich quality I
have no doubt. The Kansas black
smith at this place smelted from the
ore, in his forge fire, a quantity sufi-
cfent to make a large pipe tornahawk
had also in my possession ten years
since a block of tin weighing l -
pounds, smelted in common log fire.
so soon as practica bic l will send YOU
the ore in question, with some other
ores now on hand, found Immediately
here.
have made but little progress in
making up data from which to con-
struct geological map of the country.
l cannot command the time Could |
obtain leave of absence from my post
for one or two months, in order to ascer-
tain the precise locality of the tinmines.
] would make such a tour with great
pleasure, but otherwise cannot attempt
i'll. L.
Pub. M L. School, Indian Territory.
Oct. 1. 1849.-Sir: Some time since /
transmitted to your office a specimen
of American tin found in the Kansas
valley. and subsequently through the
Indian agent made a special request of
your predecessor in office for a permit
to explore and work for a set time this
tin mine to which he made no reply
now beg to call your attention to
the subject. For many years I have
been gathering up information respect
ing this locality of tin metal, and have
at length Satisfactorily ascertained its
place. Twelve or fifteen years since a
large block of this metal, smelted from
its ore, was submitted to me for exam
ination. More recently the Kansas In
dams have brought in the ore, through
whom and by paying for it, they have
revealed the secret. The rough sketch
herewith submitted will give you some
knowledge of its location. The deposit
of metal in the form of an oxyde of tin
appears to be immense. perhaps sur
passing the old Cornwall mines of Eng
land.
Our common country, as you are
aware, is almost wholly dependent on
foreign countries for its supply of this
valuable metal, and its discovery with
ia our reach and on our own soil must
be regarded as a matter of great in
terest by all who seek the we'll being of
their country. 1 feel unwilling, after
having labOred some and expended
something, that this subject should be
lost sight of, and 1 most respectfully
beg the favor of you to lay the request,
which / now repeat. for a permit to
work and explore these mines before
the president and proper authorities at
Washington, and communicate to me
the result Should it be deemed (for
want of authority inexpedient to grant
the request, 1 will then seek it else
where.
The mine is too remote from the state
to be visited by single individuals, be-
ing Immediately within the range of the
Pawnee and Comanche war parties. AS
you will notice, the locality is on the
United States lands not yet assigned to
any of the Indian tribes-J. L.
The report was long ago out of print
and copies scarce. OF the new copies
in existence the map referred to. had