The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1910-11-04
W|LLTESTL|CN|TEI
STATE UNIVERSITY WILL MAKE
ANALYSIS OF COAL FROM
THE Ignite BELT
WILL BE PUBLISHED
Much Valuable information Gathered
by the U~niversity's Survey
Party Will be Publish
ed in Bulletin

Vermillion-The party which for the
past summer has been making a.
study of the coal, soil, water and
animals and plants of Harding coun-
ty and adjacent areas under the
state geologist recently closed its
work for the season. Now remains
the making of the chemical analysis
of the coal samples. the eful
study of the extensive collection OF
plans and animals which was made
for the state museum and herbarium
and the general preparat'o on of the
reports.
AS soon as practicable, a state sur
vey bulletin will be issued and dis
tributed from the state university at
Vermillion dealing with the resources
of this part of our state. Dean Peri
sho will write upon the geology, soils
water and agriculture. Professor W.
erson viii discuss at length the exact
occurrence, quality, quantity and val
ne Of the Ignite coal of Perkips and
Harding counties. Professor Visher
will treat fully the natural history OF
bhlc PCihdpo hOW ShC hIOot halutoa
part OF our state. Lists of plants and
animals which occur, and facts of In
terest and of value about them will be
given. A map of Harding county will
be published showing the location OF
the buttes. streams, coal outcrops,
ETC., as accurately as possible. The
revision of the available maps of the
area was made by Messrs. Iverson and
Pipal.
The party entered the state at its
extreme northwestern corner. The
territory west of the Little Missouri
river was worked as far south as
Camp Crook. Then a swing was made
to the north. Professor Perisho 10 n
ed the party for extensive work In
and about Cave Hills. From the Cave
Hills the work was continued east
ward to the Perinks county line to
connect with the work done by the
survey there during the summer OF
1909. Slim Buttes were next examin-
ed. From their southern end, almost
in Butte county, the outfit turned west
to the Short Pine Hills. OF the sew
enty-four townships OF Harding u
ty the party worked in all but five.
The personnel of this party was:
Dean e. G. Perisho, the State Uni
versity, director.
Professor B. A. Iverson. Vermillion
In charge of the work on ignite.
Professor s.. S. visher, state uni
versity. Biologist.
William Pipal, State University,
Geographer and assistant geologist.
F. d. Fromme, State Agricultural
College, Brookings, Collector OF GER
tain plants for the state herberium.
Mr.. Iverson found that good seams
OF Ignite coal under-lie much of the
area and out-crop along the larger
streams and about the buttes, especial
ly the Slim Buttes and Cave Hills.
Seams OF from seven TO ten feet thick
are not %infrequent and some even
thicker occur. However, due to the
geeral absence of a rock roof, tun-
neling can not be cheaply done. The
Ignite propensity to Stake to a
powder further decreases its present
commercial value. Methods will
doubtless be devised to overcome the
first objection, just as briquetting Is
the second. SO that some day this coal
will be very valuable since 1t burns
readily after once started, and gives
much heat. At present there IS only
one mine with a tunnel-Hi tons at
the South Cave Hills. The scores OF
other mines" are merely pts.
Practically everyone of this area
burns the Ignite, since it is more con-
venient and cheaper tran wood. Ia
most places it can be had for the
digging and hauling or at most for
two dollars a ton, loaded in your
wagon.
Much of the r recently with
drawn by the national government,
until inspection for coal. Mr.. Iyerson
believes will be quickly retured for
free entry, since the available coal
Is not enough to justify the land as
being classed as coal land, In spite of
perhaps, there being enough for do
mest'c use exposed.
Mr.. Visher found the biology OF
Harding county TO be more interest
ing than expected. Over 120 kinds OF
birds we're met with, several of which
had not previously been found in the
state. More than 400 sorts of plants
were collected. showing that tsis
county. because of the forested buttes,
Is as well favored in regard to var ETY.
Of plants. as any OF the more eastern
counties.
Antelope and deer were both seen.
The party ascertained chat there are
at least 70 ty deer left in the buttes,
and probably more than twice as many
antelope on the plains.
1t is hoped by the state geologist
that copies of this bulletin will prove
interesting reading to everv citizen of
the state. and of consider bic vaiua to
the inhabitants and prospective set
tiers of the entire western half Of
South Dakota.
Il Dao~.o ANofhn~ hfx f.~F~~A- ---a