The independent., 1907-04-18
= Mining Activities in Nebraska =
BY NJ. A. BENGTSoh.

BY NJ. A. BENGTSok.
10 majority of people even in the
middle west the term Nebraska calls
UP a mental picture OF smooth, tree
less expanse of land devoted to the
raising Of corn, wheat and alfalfa. Me-
braska is great chiefly because of her
agricultural and grazing industries
But IL may not be out of place to state
that she has, mineral resources of con-
siderable economic Importance. The re-
Gently discovered coal mine near Peru
mas Deen given prominence in local
publications, and we hope further dis
coyeries may be made as result of
vigorous and systematic prospecting.
But whatever the future of the coal
and gas may be, Nebraska has now a
region along the lower Platte river
Where there is great activity in utiliz-
ing the minerals in a commercial way.
10 study in the field some of the for
nations Of the lower Platte valley, a
party OF sixteen young men under di-
rection of Dr. G. r.. Condra professor
or economic geology i'm the university
OF Nebraska, spent the greater part Of
their Easter recess on a field trip from
Ashland to Cullom On Wednesday
morning, March n, properly equipped
with Instruments, collecting bags.
camping outfits, and other necessary
apparatus, we started out in two
gfouls one party, under direction Of
Dr. GaisiH.e., vent 10 Ashland 10 study
the exposures of sandstone, limcstones.
ana shaics in that vicinity and to get
data Oh The different beds from there
eastward. The other party, under direc-
tior Of the writer, went from Lincoln
direct 10 South Bend and spent We'd
nesday in studying the strata exposed
along the south side OF the Platte river
from South Bend to Louisville! We also
visited the clay pits about two miles
southwest of Louisville.
These pits are located on the east
side Of small valley tributary to the
Platte, where erosion has removed a
great part of the everything material.
called stripping. There are two pits
about quarter of mile apart The
flrst is about 300 feet long, the opening
faces southwest and has been worked
back about $50 feet, and to depth OF
40 to so feet The strippings vary from
two feet TO fifteen feet in thickness.
becoming heavier as the pit is extended
into the bank The clay is light yellow,
very iirm In position, little sandy in
the upper part OF the bed, and under
lald by white sand. The clay bed is
about thirteen feet thick The clay is
shipped TO Omaha and manufactured
into a very high grade of brick There
is also found a layer of about three
feet Of highly colored red clay which )
mined for use. in the manufacture of
red paint. These pits have been worked
for six years. and through the greater
part OF the year from four to six cars
OF clay day are shipped This proper
ty Is owned and operated by the Avery
Brick company Of Omaha. Neb
After having made a somewhat de-
tailed study of these pits we returned
70 South Bend, studying along the re-
vines on the way. AT South Bend we
joined the Ashland party and, taking
advantage Of the genial hospitality Of
Mr.. Deming pitched cur tents on tn
barks of a small stream near mis- house.
AT this place we spent two nights
Thursday the whole party was di-
vided into groups for different specific
studies and the day was spent in get
ting accurate data on the formations /
exposed along the south bank Of the |
Platte northwest Of South Bend ON
Friday the same plan of study was
carried out along the north side of the I
river from the state fish hatcheries to
Meadow where we crossed over to
Louisville. There We camped for the |
night near the Atwood sand pit The |
manager, Mr. RandS, extended every |
courtesy and during the evening kindly I
explained the processes Of sand dredg- |
ing. The next day, Saturday. we /