Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-29

newly formed mountains, and in shall
low parts of these rank vegetation
( likewise grew and coal was formed
I The clay beds and coal at Drummond
+ Anaconda, Wisdom, A1iSsoula and Ola
I cier park we're formed at that time.
/ 1t was at this period that the eli
mate was tropical, and 1t was also
during these times that many OF Mon
tanas great ore deposits were formed
Granite and other molten rocks forced
their way up into the crust of the
earth and with them metallic min
erals, which were afterward deposited
by heated waters in assures, which
the miner calls. veins.
Glacial Age Follows
In still later times, possibly some
100000 years ago climatic conditions
changed amazingly. 1t began TO get
colder-so cold, in fact, that the suns
of summer could not melt the winter
SHOWS. and vast masses of snow in the
mountains consolidated into ice, which
moved by its own weight down the
mountain valleys as glaciers. Also from
the north came a great solid ice sheet
covering the whole land surface to
depth of thousands Of feet in places,
and pushing before it and beneath 1t
great quantities of rock debris, accu-
INFLATED from the ground passed over.
This was the ice age, and from its
coming wonderful ch anges were
wrought Rivers were diverted from
their normal channels, lakes were
formed, vegetation was destroyed, the
animals that could travel were driven
south and new types Of arctic animals
musk oxen, reindeer and ptarmigan
dWelt in Montana.
But these times also passed, warmer
prevailed and now we
have glacial lakes and moraineS
throughout the state as monuments
of the frigid invasion.
The geological history Of Montana
Is interesting when consideration Is
given to the character and distribu-
ton, as well as the extent, of her
resources. Montana produces in COM
mercial quantities from her rocks the
following products: Coal, building !
stones, ornamental stones, clay, lime
and cement rock, gypsum, foundry
sand, graphite, sapphires, mineral
waters, copper, lead, zinc, silver, gold,
arsenic and tungsten. Phosphate rock
and oil and gas. A geological product
If great value, that is having Won
ierful effect in the development of
he state and its resources, is its water
power.
Eastern and central Montana contain
,ome of the largest coal fields in the
world. This coal is of different geologic
lge and character from the Goals of
oennsylvs mia and the Mississippi val
ey. 1t Is not so valuable for steaming
purposes, being, for the most part,
ignite or -bituminous. 1t is, never
heleSs, very valuable for fuel purposes
Best grade Goals flank the slope of the
mountain regions where the beds have
,een subjected to most compression,
While the same coal beds lying farther
asst in the plains regions are Of poorer
uahty.
Building stones of endless varieties
nd great beauty are found through
Tut the state. Sandstones, limestoneS,
marbles, states and GRANTEES OF best
Iuality occur In many places accessible
o railroad transporta ton. In like
manner ornamental stones await de-
elopment. Onyx, alabaSter and SER
'entine of desirable quality are found
n central Montana Clays for brick
nd pottery manufacture are plentiful
nd are already utilized In numerous 4
lantS throughout the state. The lime
nd cement rock resources of Montana
re unlimited. In central Montana
nough material to supply all mankind !
Or an indefinite period Is available.
Hot springs and mineral waters Of
therapeutic value are plentiful in the d,
entral and western section of the
5ate
Although the resources mentioned
bove are important, they pale into !
when compared with :
re metallic resources Of the state. The I
old, silver and copper mines of Mon :
ina have not only been prime factors
/ the growth of the state, but they
re intimately interviewer with its his :
Try so that a proper conception of {
Re history of Montana involves an )
Dpreciation Of the development Of its I
Ietallic wealth.
The Montana pioneers who followed
lie fur traders were inspired mainly =
Y desire for gold. Mountain ranges :
ere climbed, streams forded, Indians /
ere fought, death in many forms was
ICED, all in pursuit of gold. And gold /
as found in plenty. Bannack and d
irginia City, Last Chance and Black :
'ot City, Bear Gulch and other camps,
! interviewer with the early history
Montana, were centers of the gold
ggers and yielded them many mil
OnS Of dollars.
In later years, after the cream had
zen SKINNED from the placer work.
gs, the miners began to devote their
,tention to the quartz mines. Ma