The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1920-02-19
IDAHO CLAY DEPOSITS
SUBJECT OF BULLETIN
PUBLICATION THAT PROMISES
TO ADD AN IMPORTANT M
DUsTRY TO STATE.

preliminary Report on the Clays
of Idaho, is the title of a bulletin
that will soon be issued by the state
bureau of mines. The author Of this
publication is Frank H. Skeels, min
ing engineer of this city, who devoted
several months last year to the in
vestigation Of this resource in both the
northern and southern parts of the
slate. While preliminary in its ma
ture the report nevertheless contains
much valuable information showing
ccnciusively that Idano possesses clay
deposits Of commercial value and it is
believed that it viii result in their de-
Velopment and in adding an important
industry to the state In this conneo-
ton it may De stated that with the ex-
seption of two small fire brick plants
at Moscow and Troy nothing has been
done toward the utilization of the
Gays Of Idaho, all manufactured pro-
NAtNAaa
the state and also all cement 1t is
hoped and believed that when public
attention has been officially called to
this situation, and it is known
that the natural elements for
the clay products and for the
manufacture of Portland cement are
here in abundance. the necessary CAPT
al ha hnf frt for b.f q,
elopment. The manuscript for the
bulletin is now ready for the printer |
with the exception of the results OF /
fire tests. which will be completed next /
eek at Moscow under the supervision |
Of Mr. Skeels and Professor Hewitt /
Wilson, ceramist for the United States
bureau of mines, when the results VIII .
be added and the publication issued at
the earliest practical date.
Purpose of Report
The scope and purpose Of the bull
letin are given by MI Skeels in the
preface, an extract from which fol-
lows: This report was prepared for
the purpose of giving to the citizens
of Idaho information concerning the
great undeveloped, or partially devel-
oped, clay resources OF the state
1t is but a preliminary survey of
the state in general. and is written Tor
the purpose of interesting the clay
miner, brickman, potter, cement
maker ceramist and business man in
the future development of this great
natural resource SO long neglected.
Under the direction of the secre-
tary of the state bureau Of mines and
geology field work was begun by the
author on August p, 1919, and carried
Oh until November J. 1919. when out
side work was discontinued on ac-
count of snow.
THE schedule Of the field examin-
atoms was so arranged that the entire
state was covered in general way
and as many deposits in each locality
examined and sampled as was possible
ia the time available. There are
number Of deposits of clay shale and
limestone throughout the state tina, =
could not be visited at this time, and ,
.hese are consequently left for future ,
examination and a later bulletin.
In connection with the field work =
IN the clays, the shales and lime
tones with cement making possibil-
les were examined and sampled. The
.ata. however. is withheld from this o.
bulletin with the expectation of pub O
shing in the near future a separate o.
covering the cement possibi- Il
tiles Of Idaho" Fl
Scope of the Bulletin. ST
The bulletin will contain the fol-
,wing subdivisions: Clay defined, its e
rigin and general classification; ply eli
zeal properties of clays; chemical n
roperties Of days and their influ- 60
nee classification of clays; general 81
eseription of clays; uses Of and hints h
II prospecting and testing clays az
Part of the bulletin will contain W
he location. occurrence. field charac Sc
.ristics analysis and economic value ID
samples. These win embrace sam Oh
es from Benewah Cassia Koot- 20
lai. Latah. Lewis Power Shoshone tr
I'd Washington counties These win as
accompanied by illustrations show On
9 the deposits from which samples br
ere taken, the structure and the be
iaracter Of the surrounding mater in
|. nr
For the Prospector ''
In the closing chapter Of the bulletin
r. Skeels adds section 'fn the hope
interesting people throughout the ID.
ate in the future development of n
is industry" and proceeds to give 49,,
me practical suggestions regarding ~
ospecting for and testing clays H.,
iese tests, Mr. Skeels says. care a.,
npie and easily carried out. and ~,
Tile they are not conclusive. they dc H.,
70 considerable inflammation rarlrd-