A preliminary report on a part of the iron ores of Georgia, Polk, Bartow and Floyd counties

THE IRON ORES OF GEORGIA

FRO.VTISPIE CE PLATE I

WORKED AREA OF THE REED MINE, NEAR CEDARTOWN , POLK COUNTY, GEORGIA.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF GEORGIA
W. S. YEATES, State Geologist
BULLETIN NO. 10-A
A PRELIMINARY REPORT
ON A PART OF THE
IRON ORES
OF
POLK, BARTOW AND FLOYD COUNTIES
BY
S. W. l'vlcOALLIE Assistant Geologist

GEO. W. HARRISON, STATE PRINTER
FRANKLIN PRINTING AND PUBLISHING Co:vrPANY
Atlanta, Georgia

THE ADVISORY BOARD
of the Geological Survey of Georgia

(Ex-Officio) Hrs ExcELLENCY, A. D. CANDLER, Governor of Georgia
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD

HoN. 0. B. STEVENS HoN. G. R. GLENN
HON. w. J. SPEER
HoN. \V. A. WRIGHT HoN. PHILIP COOK
HoK. J. M. TERRELL

Commissioner of Agriculture Commissioner of Public Schools
. State Treasurer
Comptroller-General Secretary of State Attorney-General

ERRATA
I On page 66, 4th line from the bottom, for "Vi. H. Bnnn '', read f/V. C. Bumz.
2 On page 83, 14th line from the bottom, for "900 acres", read 9,ooo acres.
3 On page 87: 14th line from the bottom, for ''unincorporated'', read z"ncorporated.

CONTENTS

I THE. VARIETIES OF THE IRON ORES, AND THEIR Ilvr-

PURITIES

9

II THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE BROWN

IRON ORES 0

I I

III THE GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE BROWN IRON

ORES.

rs

IV THE MODE OF OCCURRENCE OF THE BROWN IRON

ORES.

I7

v THE ORIGIN OF THE BROWN IRON ORES

I9

VI THE METHODS OF MINING THE BROWN IRON ORES

26

VII THE IRON FURNACES OF POLK, BARTOW AND FLOYD

COUNTIES

27

VIII DESCRIPTION OF THE IRON ORE PROPERTIES OF POLK

CouNTY.

29

IX DESCRIPTION OF THE IRON ORE PROPERTIES OF BAR-

TOW COUNTY .

109

X DESCRIPTION OF THE IRON ORE DEPOSITS oF FLOYD

CouNTY .

I77

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF GEORGIA Athnta, Oct. rst, 1900.
To Hzs Excellency, A. D. CANDLER, Governor, and President of
tlze Advz"sOJJ' Board of tlte Geological Sun;ey of Georgz"a,
SIR:- I nave the honor to transmit herewith the report of Mr. S. \V. McCallie, Assistant Geologist, on the. IRON ORES OF POLK, BARTOW AND FLOYD COUNTIES, to be published as Bulletin No. IO-A, A Preliminary Report on a Part of"the IRON ORES OF GEORGIA.
The great commercial interest in this important subject has created a strong demand for the information contained in this Report; and it is, for this reason, published in smaller size, than was at first intended.
Mr. McCallie is now in the field, making a survey of the Iron Ores of other counties, for a second bu11etin of this series, to be published at the earliest time possible.
Very respectfully yours, \V. S. YEATES, State Geologist.

&THE IRON ORES OF GEORGIA
CHAPTER 1
THE VARIETIES, THE GEOGRAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION, THE MODE OF OCCURRENCE, THE ORIGIN, AND THE METHODS OF MINING THE IRON ORES, ETc.
-THE VARIETIES OF THE IRON ORES, AND THEIR IMPURITIES
The only iron ores, of commercial importance, so far discovered ::in Polk, Bartow and Floyd counties, are limonite and hematite. The former, commonly called brown hematite, or simply brown .ore, is far more abundant, than the latter; and its discussion comprises the greater part of this report. Lz'monite is a hydrous sesqui-oxide of iron; and, when pure, it contains 25.7 per cent. of -oxygen, 59.8 per cent. of metallic iron, and 14.5 per cent. of water. -The color is some shade of brown, or, when earthy, of brownish Dr ochre yell ow. Its hardness varies from 5 to 5 5, and its spe-
(9)

IO

VARIETIES OF THE ZR'ON ORES

cific gravity, from 3.6 to 4.0. Brown iron ore includes severaY~ species of minerals, which differ from limonite in chemical composition and physical structure. Thus goethite contai11s ro. r pe:r cent of water; xanth,osiderite, r8.4 per cent. ; and limnite,,. 25.23 per cent. Bog-iron ore and ochre are varieties of limo-nite, which depend upon their physical structure, for distinction.. When limonite loses its wat~r, it passes into hematite, thereby in-
creasing its percentage of iron to 70, a11d, at the same time, assum-
ing a reddish-brown, or steel-gray color. The brown ores, now being worked, in the above named counties, are rarely ever pure limonite. In many cases, they have been partially de-hydrated,. probably by local metamorphism, and approach, in chemical composition, true hematite. This accounts, in a great measure, for the analyses of the brown ores, in some instances, running higher in metallic iron, than theoretical limonite does.
The most common impurities of the brown iron ore are silica,. alumina, phosphorus, sulphur and manganese. The two first of these impurities usually occur, in great measure, in the brown ores of Georgia, in the form of chert or sand with clay, as a. physical mixture. They are readily reduced to a minimum, by washing and hand-picking. The other physical impurities are of such chemical constitution, that they determine the character of the iron produced by the furnace. The phosphorus is present, chiefly in the form of apatite. It renders the iron brittle, when cold. This element is especially objectionable, in ores to be used, for making steel, by what is known as the Bessemer process. The Bessemer limit of phosphorus has been placed at .05 per cent. for 50 per cent. ore, which is much lower, with only one or two exceptions, than the percentage of phosphorus given in any of the analyses of the brown ores, in this report. Sulphur, which occurs chiefly in the form of pyrite, a sulphide of tronl'

VARIETIES OF THE IRON ORES

II

makes the iron brittle when hot. In some of the ore-banks of Polk and Bartow counties, pyrite is more or less plentiful. It occurs, usually, in the form of bowlders, with an outside covering of brown ore, one or more inches in thickness. Good specimens of this class of ore are to be seen on the McMeekin and the Crocker
properties, 3Yz miles northwest of Cedartown. Manganese is one
of the most common of the impurities of brown iron ore. It exists as a physical impurity. In this condition, it is often seen, associated with the brown iron ores of Bartow county, especially in the vicinity of the manganese ore-banks. It is also met with, in the iron ore-banks of Polk and Floyd counties; but it is not so common. Iron ore, containing more than two per cent. of manganese, is undesirable for the manufacture of pig iron. Such ores, however, are well adapted for the making of steel.

THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE BROWN IRON ORES
The brown iron ores, in workable quantities, are limited to certain well defined districts. These differ greatly in size, and are often quite irregular in outline. This distribution seems to be conditioned, in a great measure, by the exposure of certain geological formations, as may be seen by an examination of the accompanym. g map. I
THE POLK COUNTY DEPOSITS are naturally divided into six distinct divisions; namely, the Cedartown district, the Fish Creek district, the Wray district, the Esom Hill district, the Etna Valley district and the Aragon district. Each of these districts has a
I Opposite page 28.

I2

GEOGRAPHZCAL DZSTRZBUTZON

somewhat indistinct boundary. However, they are, as a whole, completely separated, one from the other.
The area embraced in THE CEDARTOWN DISTRICT is from one to two miles wide, and about eight miles long. It extends in a northwest direction, parallel with Cedar creek, from the VanDevander property, some two miles southwest of Cedartown, to the Floyd County line. Along its course, is a chain of well-rounded red hills, on which the ore-banks are located. Some of the most noted mines in this district are the Ledbetter, the Reed and the Wood mines, all of which have been extensively worked, and have furnished large quantities of excellent ore.
THE ETNA VALLEY DISTRICT lies in the extreme western part of the county, along the Selma branch of the Southern Railway.
This iron-bearing belt, which is about 2 _% miles wide and 5 Yz
miles long, enters the county from Alabama, at Etna station, and follows the valley, of the same name, to within a short distance of Cave Spring. The belt has an almost due north-and-south course, corresponding to the trend of a fault line, traversing this section. The State-Line, the Etna, the Oredell and the Hematite ore-banks are the principal ones, that have been worked on a large scale, in the Etna district. Th~ ore occurs principally in the ridges, adjacent to the valley; but, in some places, it is, also, found in workable quantities in the valley itself.
The ore deposits of THE FISH CREEK DISTRICT occur along the head-waters of a stream, of the same name. The most extensive workings of this district are the Grady and the Central Mining Company's banks at Grady station, on the East & West R. R., six miles east of Cedartown. This district, which has a northeast-and-southwest trend, is about four miles long, and from r to I~ miles wide. It lies along the east side of a broad chert ridge, which is crossed, in going from Grady to Cedartown. The most

GEOGRAPHICAL .DZSTRZBUTION
valuable and extensive deposits are confined mainly to the foothills of the chert ridge, along the marg-in of Fish Creek valley.
Some seven miles northeast of Fish Creek district, in the vicinity of the Aragon Mills, is THE ARAGON DISTRICT. It is not so extensive, as the other districts, heretofore described. However, it has furnished a large quantity of ore. The main deposits occur in a narrow belt, on both sides of the Southern Railway, between Aragon and Seney. Isolated deposits, of some economic value, are, also, found along the East & West R. R., southwest of Taylorsville, which, geographically, belong to the Aragon district.
The two remaining districts, namely, THE EsoM Hn~L and THE WRAY DISTRICTS, are both located in the southwestern portion of the county. The former deposits occur along the East & West R. R., near the Georgia-Alabama State-line, and the latter, along the head-waters of Lime creek. Neither of these districts are very extensive; but the ore is usually of high grade.
THE BARTOW COUNTY IRON DEPOSITS arrange themselves geographically, into the following divisions, namely, the Eastern district, the Iron Hill district and the Linwood district. The most important of these divisions is THE EASTERN DISTRICT, which is confined chiefly to the metamorphic region in the eastern part of the county. The iron deposits of this district begin on the Jones property, about two miles south of Emerson, and extend in a northerly direction to Sugar Hill, a distance of about r6 miles. The width of the iron-bearing belt varies from one to four miles. It reaches its greatest width, a short distance north of Emerson, where numerous iron banks have been worked, in the quartzite ridges. Some of the most important brown iron ore deposits of the State, such as the Sugar Hill ore-banks, are located in this district. In addition to the brown iron ores, there is, also, in this

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
district, considerable hematite, of the variety, micaceous hematite, which is, in places, of sufficient abundance, to be of economic value.
The two other iron districts are located in the western part of the county. The deposits of THE IRON HILL DISTRICT occur m the vicinity of Ligon Post-office, some seven miles southwest of Kingston. The district is about two miles long, and half-a-mile wide. Its longer axis runs north and south, corresponding to the course of the ridges, traversing this part of the county.
THE LINWOOD DISTRICT lies along both sides of the Western & Atlantic R. R., between Linwood and Adairsville. The deposits, here, are scattered through the chert ridges, covering a considerable area; but none of them appear to be of any great economic value.
There are only two districts in FLOYD CouNTY, in which iron ore has been worked, to any considerable extent. One of these is located in the southern, and the other, in the eastern part of the county. The former is known as the Cave Spring district, and the latter, as the Silver Creek district.
THE CAVE SPRING DISTRICT is an extension of the Cedartown district. It is only about three miles long, and not over a mile broad. However, it has some of the most extensive and valuable deposits in the county.
.THE SILVER CREEK DISTRICT has, so far, furnished but a small amount of ore. Nevertheless, there is to be found, here, in places, considerable deposits along the hill-slope in the vicinity of the Chattanooga, Rome & Southern R. R.

GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION

rs

THE GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRO\iVN IRON ORES

The brown iron ores of Polk, Bartow and Floyd counties are confined, mainly, to two distinct geol?gical formations, namely, he Knox Dolomite series and the Cambrian quartzites.
The Knox Dolomite series is the oldest and the most extensive -member of the Lower Silurian formation, exposed in Northwest Georgia. It is always ridge-forming, and consists chiefly of heavy-
-bedded, gray magnesian limestones, with a maximum thickness,
varying froin 3,ooo to 3,500 feet. One of the most marked distinguishing characteristics of the formation is the abundance of chert, which it contains. This siliceous material, in some of the beds, forms well defined layers; and, frequently, it continues over ,considerable areas. Generally, however, it is present, as irregular nodules, promiscuously distributed throughout certain horizons. upon the weathering of the dolomitic limestone, the chert is set -free, in the form of nodules and bowlders, which, in places, frequently mantle the surface of the ridges and hills, to a depth of -many feet. An excellent idea can be had of this residual product, by an examination of the several cuts along the East & West R.R., between Grady and Cedartown. The district, here referred to,. is ~the southern extension of a wide belt of dolomite ridges, traversing Bartow, Floyd and Polk counties.
By an examination of the accompanying map,1 it will be ob:served, that the main iron deposits of the Knox Dolomite series :are confined to its upper beds, near the line of contact with the .overlying Chickamauga limestone, where they are to be found in the
.r Opposite page 28.

r6

GEOLOGICAL DZSTRZBUTZON

residual clays. It seems quite likely, that, upon a more thorough' examination, some of the deposits will be found to occur in the~ residual clays of the Chickamauga limestone itself. This is" especially true, of a portion of the deposits in the Cedartown dis~" trict, which has, accordingly, been mapped as belonging to that. formation. In other cases, as in the Etna Valley and Linwood. districts, the ore occurs near the line of contact of the Knox Dolomite with the Connasauga shales. It might be stated, as a general rule, with only a few exceptions, that the brown iron ores of the Knox Dolomite series occur in the greatest abundance, near the contact of this formation with some other; and, furthermore,. that the most extensive deposits are not often far removed from' the exposures of Chickamauga limestone. The exceptions, here referred to, where the ore does not occur near a contact, is well.. illustrated by the deposits of the Cedal:town and the Iron Hill districts. In the former case, the iron-bearing belt extends en-tirely.across the residual clays of the Knox Dolomite series; whilet. in the latter, the deposits occur near the center of a wide belt oL this formation.
The iron-bearing Cambrian quartzites, termed by Hayes the Weisner1 quartzites, are confined to the eastern part of Bart6w,and the western part of Polk, counties. The formation consists of sandstones and slates, more or less metamorphosed. The quartzites, which, in most instances, are heavy-bedded, give rise to the numerous bold ridges and hills, traversing that portion of these counties. The slates, associated with the quartzites, are often. much folded and contorted, and, frequently, are altered into schists~ The entire district, traversed by the iron-bearing belt, shows everyevidence of profound earth movement. This is especially true?:-

I The Chilhowie sandstone of Safford,

GEOLOG.ICAL D.lSTR.lBUT.lON
in the vicinity of the iron deposits in the neighborhood of Emerson, where quartzite, in places, seems to have been crushed into a fine powder, resembling, somewhat, a partially consolidated volcanic ash. Associated with the iron ores of the Weisner quartzites, are extensive and valuable deposits of manganese, ochre and barite.
In addition to the two above named iron-bearing formations1 there is another, of small extent, but of some economic interest 1 lying along the East & West R. R., a short distance north of Rockmart, in Polk county. Dr. Spencer, formerly State Geologist of Georgia, has designated this formation, as the Deaton series. It consists of dark-colored, brecciated, ferruginous limestone, probably belonging to the upper division of the Lower Silurian formation.
THE MODE OF OCCURRENCE OF THE BROWN IRON ORES
The brown iron ores of the area, under consideration in this report, occur chiefly in the form of pockets, or irregular deposits, in the residual clays. The deposits are quite variable in size. They frequently contain only a few car-loads of ore; but, generally~ they are far more extensive, and often cover a considerable area. Some of the deposits in the Cedartown district have been worked~ on a more or less extensive scale, for more than twenty years~ without exhausting the supply of ore. It is not uncommon, to find the deposits extending over five or six acres; but it must be borne in mind, that the ore does not occur in equal abundance over the entire area. On the contrary, it is often traversed and

1110DE OF OCCURRENCE
intersected by clay "horses," or barren areas, so that, when the -ore is removed, the surface frequently presents the appearance of an old land surface, much dissected by erosion. The depth, to which the ore extends, seems to be as variable, as the superficial extension of the deposits, themselves. In some cases, they are -quite superficial, being only a few feet in thickness; while, in other cases, they appear to extend to great depths. In many places,
deposits have been worked to a depth of so feet, or more, without
reaching the limit. A bore-hole, put down for artesian water at Oredell, in Etna valley, is said to have demonstrated the continu.ance of the brown ore, at that place, to the depth of r8o feet. It -is not uncommon to find the ore extending below the water-level. In some instances, the deposits on the hill-slope are found to .extend into the valley below, where the ore occurs, in consider.able abundance, in the stream-beds. The ore, in the individual deposit, is found mostly in the form of bowlders or gravel, in the residual clays. The proportion, which the ore bears to the entire material mined, varies greatly. In some of the most valuable
deposits, the ore will average, probably, so per cent., or more, of
the material mined ; but, generally, it falls far short of this aver.age.
In addition to the above described form of ore deposit, there are iwo others, which deserve to be mentioned, namely, the Vein -deposit and the Bedded, or Blanket, deposit. The best examples Of these two deposits are to be found in Bartow county; the former, in the vicinity of Emerson, and the latter, in the Sugar Hill district. The vein deposits vary in thickness, from a few feet to :several yards, and extend to a greater depth, than has yet been reached by mining.
A good illustration of this class of deposit is to be seen, at what :is known as the Wheeler ore-b0nk, located among the quartzite

MODE OF OCCURRENCE
ridges, about 2 Yz miles northeast of Emerson. The vein, here, is
-quite variable in thickness; and it has been successfully worked .along its outcropping, for more than a quarter of a mile, to the depth, in places, of 40 feet, or more. The walling, on either side -of the vein, consists of highly contorted mica-schists, which, in places, have been altered to brown iron ore. The veins usually conform, in strike and dip, to the country-rock; but there is no evidence, whatever, that the ore is a stratified deposit. On the -contrary, all the facts go to show, that it is a true vein deposit, resulting from the precipitation of iron from chalybeate water, circulating in an open fissure.
The bedded deposits of the Sugar Hill district occur near the base of Pine Log mountain, in the northwest part of Bartow county. The deposits, which overlie a rather coarse-grained, porous quartzite, are often several feet in thickness, and frequently extend -over an area of a number of acres. Overlying the deposits, gen-erally occurs a covering of clay and partially decomposed slate. The ore, which is mostly what is known as soft ore, has originated from massive siderite (iron carbonate), lying between the shales .and the quartzites; and it is not an original stratified deposit, as .some suppose.
THE ORIGIN OF THE BROWN IRON ORES
There has been presented, from time to time, a number of theories, as to the origin of the brown iron ores of Bartow, Po1k and Floyd counties. These theories have apparently been based, in :Some cases at least, upon imperfect and superficial field-study; and,

20

OR.lG.lN OF THE BROWN .lRON ORES

as a consequence, they are not always in accordance with the facts.
Dr. J. W. Spencer, formerly State Geologist of Georgia, in discuss-
ing this question says:- I" The brown ores of the older Paleozoic
belt have been entirely derived from ferruginous limestones. Whether the iron was in the condition of carbonate or of sulphide, is of little consequence; for, where available, it is now always associated with the remains of decayed limestones, some of which were highly calcareous, with but little flinty matter; whilst, again, to a lesser extent, the iron deposits are derived from the siliceous beds, with a marked difference in character. Some of the iron-bearinglimestones may have been ferruginated, after their formation, and that irregularly, by iron-bearing streams, often flowing transversely across the formations, from the older metamorphic rocks to the east; for, frequently, the trend of the ore-bearing ridges is across the general direction of the formations, which normally extend from the eastward of north to the opposite direction. Possibly, the directions of some of these former iron:..bearing streams can be recognized; but, probably, a greater proportion of the ore has been deposited synchronous with the rock formation, adjacent to the mouths of streams, or in lagoons, as pointed out, in connection
with manganese and aluminum ores." * * * * * "Any
one, familiar with the various coast lines, is aware of the common occurrence of low islands, numerous channels and lagoons,. such as are found along our own shores. The manganese, being converted into the soluble carbonate by superficial waters,. at its original highland source, was borne by the streams, which were eventually retarded, upon entering the dismembered waterbasins along the coast. Adjacent to the streams, and in the quiet waters of the lagoons or the estuaries, the conditions are

I The Paleozoic Group, by J. W. Spencer, Geological Survey of Georgia, pages rsr and 207.

ORIGIN OF THE BROWN IRON ORES

2I

favorable, for the conversion of the soluble carbonates of manganese into oxides. Under these conditions, the metals borne down by many streams, in both solution and, to a small extent, in a finely divided mechanical condition, would havej been deposited in separated basins, all of which were, however, in a general
trend, parallel with the direction of the coast line. * "~' * *
The metals are generally disseminated, to a small extent, amongst all the rocks; but they are concentrated only in limited areas.''
Dr. C. W. Hayes, of the U. S. Geological Survey, who has made a very thorough study of the stru,ctural geology of the brown iron ore districts of Northwest Georgia, divides the deposits into four separate divisions, namely, gossan-ores, Tertiary gravelores. concentrate-deposits and fault-deposits; and he has the following to say, as to their origin:- 1 ''The best-known deposits of gossan-ore occur in the Ducktown district. As is well known, copper occur? there, associated with great quantities of pyrrhotite. The latter has been oxidized, at the surface, to limonite; and, during the process of oxidation, the copper ;has been concentrated at the bottom of the weathered zone, forming the rich deposits of ''black copper," overlying the unaltered pyrrhotite.
The gossan-ore has a variable depth, down to so feet or more, and
consists of soft, porous, ochre-yellow limonite. "During Tertiary times, the valley-region was reduced very
nearly to sea-level, and in its lower portion, chiefly those underlain by the Chickamauga limestone (the next formation above the Knox Dolomite), swamps were formed, which received drainage from the adjacent regions, and in which extensive deposits of bog-ore were formed. \Yhen the region was elevated, the lime-

1 Geological Relations of the Iron-ores in the Cartersville District, Georgia. By C Willard Hayes, U. S. Geological Survey; Transactioo.s of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, Wa;;hington meeting, February, 1900 ; pages 9, 10 and II.

22

OR.!GZN OF THE BROvVN .!RON ORES

stone areas were again reduced more rapidly, than the adjacent areas underlain by dolomite, and doubtless much of the accumulated iron-ore was removed by erosion. Around the margins,. however, the ore remained embedded in the residual clay. Deposits of this character are especially abundant in the Rockmart
and Cedartown districts. * * * * * * * * The brown
hematites of the third class, here called concentration-deposits, constitute the most important deposits of the Cartersville district. They may occur wherever a limestone is underlain by an insoluble and impervious stratum, such as sandstone or quartzite. Favorable conditions, for the accumulation, occur in Northwest Georgia and Alabama, at the contact of the Lower Carboniferous limestones with sandstones, which sometimes underlie it, and at the contact of the Beaver limestone with the underlying Weisner quartzite. The Beaver limestone is more readily soluble, than the formations on either side ; and, hence, in: the erosion of the region, it has always formed valleys. At various times, these valleys have received the drainage, not only from the adjacent quartzite and limestone, but, probably also, from other of the valleyformations; and the widely disseminated iron, leached from these formations, during the process of decay, has been transported to the limestone valley, and there concentrated upon the underlying impervious quartzite. As the surface of the limestone was lowered, chiefly by solution, upon successive elevations of the region, remnants of the ore-deposits, thus formed, were left resting upon the underlying quartzite, and marking elevations, at which the surface of the limestone had remained for considerable periods.
* ,: * * * * * * * As already remarked, the quartzite
has been considerably folded, and is doubtless also intersected by numerous faults, of small throw, the evidence of the fanlting being cl1ie:fly the occurrence of breccia. The latter usually con-

ORZGJN OF THE BROWN ZRON ORES
sists of fine angular fragments of quartzite, cemented by limonite; and associated with these breccias, are often found considerable deposits of iron-ore. These are sometimes irregular deposits, imbedded in the residual material, which covers the surface, and are not sharply differentiated from the concentration-deposits above described. In other cases, the ore appears to form well-defined fissure-veins, with distinct walls of the inclosing formation. This is notably the case, at the Wheeler Bank, about 4 miles
southeast of Cartersville. The vein is from rz to 15 feet in
width, with occasional off-shoots. * * * This ore-body has.
evidently been deposited, subsequent to the development of schistosity in the inclosing rocks; sins:e it shows no evidence of movement, in the way of brecciation or slickensides.n
The theory, advanced by Dr. Spencer, would be quite plausibler. if the ores could be found embedded in the limestones, with which they generally occur; but, only in one instance, as far as my own observation extends, do they occur in such position. The case,. here referred to, is the iron ores of the Deaton series, which are exposed at several points along the East and West R.R., between Rockmart and Taylorsville. This formation consists of highly
ferruginous limestones, carrying from ro to zo per cent. of mag-
netite. The limestone, when fresh, has a dark-gray color, or is. almost black; but, upon weathering, it gives rise to a brown, porous iron-ore, retaining, in part, its former magnetic properties. There can be no question, as to the origin of the iron ores, in this individual formation; yet, to say, that the extensive deposits of ore, in the residual clays of the Knox Dolomite and the Chickamauga limestones1 are concentration deposits, in limited areas of these formations, does not seem to be justified by my own field observations. In a few instances, as will be seen in the following . description of individual properties, the ores are found in the red..

ORIGIN OF THE BROWN IRON ORES
clays, 111 contact with, and immediately above, the limestone. However, in no instance, do they occur in the limestones themselves, in sufficient abundance, to warrant the term ferruginous limestone, from which the ores are supposed to be derived.
Dr. Hayes's theory of the brown iron ores appears to be far more in accordance with the facts, than that advanced by Dr. Spencer. His explanation of the origin of the ores, overlying the Knox Dolomite and the Chickamauga limestone, under the head of Tertiary deposits, as far as my own observation extends, seems to be the most plausible theory yet advanced. The theory explains not only the ge?logical distribution of the ores; but it also throws considerable light upon their mo~e of occurrence. According to this theory, the ores were originally laid down in swamps, in more or less extensive beds, near the line of contact of the Knox Dolomite and the Chickamauga limestones. After a re-elevation of the region, probably about the close of the Tertiary period, these swamps were drained; and, being covered by heavy beds of iron ore, they resisted erosion, and thus in process of time, gave rise to low, well-rounded, hills which now contain some of our most valuable iron-ore deposits. The irregular form of the deposits, and their mode of occurrence, in pockets and leads, associated with the vari-colored clays, are due, according to this theory, to irregular weathering of the underlying limestones. As the limestone, below the iron deposits, weathered, chiefly by being carried off in solution, its surface naturally became very irregular. The iron deposits, in adjusting themselves to the newly formed surface of the underlying limestone, would naturally be broken up, and, at the same time, arrange themselves, more or less in pockets and leads, corresponding to the more deeply weathered portion of the limestone. Such an irregular form of ore deposit, as is here outlined, is well

THE IRON ORES OF GEORGIA

PLATE II

THE DEATON MINE, POLK COUNTY, NEAR TAYLORSVILLE, GEORGIA.

ORJG.!i\l OF THE BROWN IRON ORES
illustrated by the Deaton mine. 1 In this case, a ferruginous limestone, which corresponds to the supposed iron-ore beds, deposited in the swamps, here overlies the Chickamat1ga limestone; and, upon weathering, it gives rise to irregular ore deposits, very similar to those, met with, in the vicinity of Cedartown and elsewhere.
The Concentration-deposits, which, Dr. Hayes says, constitute the most important deposits in the Cartersville district, do not occur, according to my own observation, at any point, either in Bartow or Polk counties. These deposits, as he states, are found wherever a limestone is underlain by an insoluble and impervious stratum, such as sandstone or quartzite. In this class of deposits, he evidently includes the Sugar Hill deposit, and all other deposits of the Cartersville district, which are underlain by the Weisner quartzites; but, unfortunately for the theory, the ores, in all cases, are found to be overlain, in some part of the banks, by slates. It is true, that these slates are generally much decomposed, and are often called by the miners clays. Nevertheless, there can be no question about their nature, or their true stratigraphical position. When I first examined these deposits, I was of the opinion, that they had originated from the deposition of chalybeate waters, circulating between the slates and quartzites. The large amount of pyrite, found in the quartzites and slates, was supposed to be the original source, from whence the iron ores originated. This theory is likely true, in part; but the recent developments in the Sugar Hill district shov1, that the ores are derived chiefly from iron carbonate, which here occurs in the form of a stratum, 20 or more feet in thickness, between the slates and the quartzite. It is more than likely, that many of the iron deposits, associated with the \Veisner quartzites, originated from beds of iron carbonate, as in
See Plate II.

26

METHODS OF MINING

the Sugar Hill district. However, the fault-deposits, as pointed out by Hayes, and illustrated by the Wheeler bank, are probably more generally met with, throughout the Cartersville district, than any other class of deposits. To this class, also, probably belongs a majority of the deposits, associated with the Weisner quartzites in the Etna Valley district.

THE METHODS OF MINING THE BROWN ORES
Formerly, the brown ores of Polk, Bartow and Floyd counties were mined by means of pick, shovel and screen. By this method of mining, much of the fine ore was lost in the dump; and the ore frequently ran high in aluminum, on account of the clay adhering to its rough surface. In a few instances, the ore was calcined, in order to drive off the water; but, as a general rule, it was shipped directly to the furnace, just as it came from the bank, without any special preparation, except hand-picking. This method of mining is still followed, where the ore-banks are small, or where they are unhandy to water; but, as a general rule, this method is unsatisfactory, unless the ore occurs in huge masses. In this case, the ore is always comparatively-free from impurities, and requires no special dressing, before shipment to the furnace. After mining, in the above named counties, became a better established industry, and the demand for higher grade ore, for longer shipment, became imperative, the ore-washer was introduced, and, soon thereafter, the steam-shovel. These improvements not only increased the output of the mines; but, at the same time, they raised the grade of the ore, by removing from it, in a great measure, all mechanical

.IRON FURNACES

27

impurities. At some of the larger mines, such as the Reed mine, in the vicinity of Cedartown, where the ores occur in clays, they are mined and dressed, ready for shipment, almost entirely by machinery. A steam-shovel, operated by :five or six men, is said to mine as much ore, in a day, as so m~n, and at a greatly reduced cost. In some of the banks, now being operated by improved machinery, it is claimed, that the ore can be mined, washed and put aboard the cars, for less than so cents per ton.

THE IRON FURNACES OF POLK, BARTOW AND FLOYD COUNTIES
Probably the :first iron furnace, put in blast in Georgia, was that, erected on Stamp creek in Bartow county, about r84o.. It is reported, that, as early as r8s3, :five blast furnaces were in operation, at one tim:e, in this county. All these furnaces, the remains of which are still to be seen on Stamp creek and the Etowah river, were small charcoal furnaces, with a capacity, varying from two to four tons per day. The ore, supplying them, was obtained from ore-banks in their immediate vicinity, or was picked up from the surface of the cultivated :fields. The iron industry, thus begun on a small scale in Bartow county, gradually grew in importance, until the Civil 'War. At this time, the furnaces had been greatly enlarged and otherwise improved, so that their output was increased many fold.
After Sherman's invasion of Georgia, all the furnaces were left in ruins; and no effort was made to rebuild, until about r87o, \vhen a few were again put in blast, and operated for a short time.

IRON FURNACES
The iron industry, however, never regained its former importance. About the time the furnaces in Bartow county were shut downt the Cherokee furnace, at Cedartown, and the Etna furnace, in Etna valley, Polk county, went into blast. These were both modern hot-blast charcoal furnaces, the former having a capacity of 50 tons and the latter, 25 tons per day. Later, two furnaces were put in operation in Floyd county-one at Rome, and the other at Hermitage. Each of the above named furnaces were operated, for a time, with considerable energy; but all are now inactive, except the Cherokee and the Rome furnaces, which consume daily about roo tons of ore.

Scale
o 1 '- 3 + 5 b 7 Mi /e s
250 t Contours above /ide.
LE GEND
,lllllllli "'''""""''" Measures Cfl ooyadl Sha le
l"---ftrtt:ftt1
Knox Dolom1te

GEOLO G-ICAL ST RVEY OF GEORGIA w. S .YEATES . STAT E C EOL.OGIST

MAP
SHOW I NG THE DIS T RIBUTION O F

THE IRON ORES
or
BARTOW.POLK &rl OYD COU NTI ES

BY S. W Me CAL Ll E

A_

ASSISTANT GEOLOGIS1

JIHlO

CHAPTER II
DESCRIPTION OF THE IRON ORE PROPERTIES IN POLK COUNTY
THE BROWN IRON ORES, in workable quantities, are more widely distributed in Polk, than in any other county in the State. There is no point in the county, where valuable deposits can not be found, within a radius of four or five miles. This general distribution is accounted for, in great measure, by certain geological conditions, which are spoken of, in the preceding chapter. The total output of the numerous ore-banks of Polk county, as here described, is rapidly on the increase. Last summer, the aggregate amount ofore, shipped from the several mines, did not exceed 20 car-loads per day. Now, it is fully three times that amount. Should the development, at present being carried on in the county, reach the expectation of the promoters, the output will be increased more than two fold, before the end of the present year.
The following descriptions of individual properties and banks, with a few recently added notes, are the result of several weeks' work in the :field, during the summer of r899.
----)(----
(29)

POLK COUNTY

THE LEDBETTER MINE

THE LEDBETTER MINE is located on lots 66I, 662 and 665, 2nd

district, Polk county,. about r 7{ miles west of Cedartown. The

main workings are situated upon the top, and along the slope, of

a well-rounded hill, which has an elevation of about rso feet above

Cedar creek. The ores occur, here, in the form of nodules, peb-

bles, "potsn 1 and large irregular masses, distributed throughout

the vari-colored clays. Many of the irregular masses are of huge

size, often weighing as much as several tons. They are sometimes

quite compact; but, more frequently, they are more or less porous.

In either case, they are comparatively free from impurities, and

always run high in metallic iron. The "pot" ore, so abundant

in this bank, is a hollow concretion, or geode, filled with water, or

white clay. These ''pots" vary in size, from a few inches, to a

foot or more in diameter. They always have a rounded form, and,

when broken open, they frequently show, within, a beautiful play

of colors. The gravel-ore is found in greatest abundance, in the

surface clay; and it generally runs higher in metallic iron, than

the other varieties of ore. The individual pebbles, constituting

this class of ore, are usually of small size, many of them passing

through the meshes of a 7{-inch screen. These different varieties

of ore often occur in the same beds, where they constitute a hi o-h

'

b

percentage of the material mined.

The clays, in which the ores occur, present a great variety of

colors. The surface clays, in which the gravel-ore is most abun-

dant, has always a dark-red color. It varies from two to five feet

in thickness,' and is separated from the clays below, by a distinct

1 A local term.

POLK COU.lv"TY

line. Beneath the red clays, occur clays of all colors; these are

often irregularly mixed and mingled, showing no distinct indica-

tion of stratification. Here, may be seen a pure white mass of

kaolin, in immediate contact with yellow or purple clays. This

condition is especially marked in the clay horses, which occur,

more or less abundant, in the ore-bodies. Associated with the

clays are to be found, in places, small pieces of partially decom-

posed shale and chert, and, occasionally, a few

FrG. r

fragments of sandstone.
1
The sandstone fragments

are all angular, and show

of the action of running

water. The fragments of

shale, chert and sandstone, together with the clays containing the ores, have all apparently originated

Section along the East Side of the Central Cut, Ledbetter Mine, Showing White Ciayc Overly-ing Gravel- and Bowlder-ore. r. Red Clay and Gravel-ore. 2. White Clay. 3 Graveland Bowlder-ore in Yellow Clays.

z1z situ, from the mag-

nesian limestone. This conclusion seems to be further

strengthened, by the magnesian limestone, in the immediate vicin-

ity, containing thin layers of shale and sandstone, and nodules of

chert, which are similar in character to those found in the clays,

associated with the ores. In some instances in the Ledbetter mine,

the white or vari-colored clays overlie the ores; 1 .but more fre-

quently, they are found beneath them. The white clays of the

clay horses are often . in the form of laminated masses, and,

sometimes, they possess a concentric structure.

See fig. r.

32

POLK COUNTY

The magnes1an limestone, which is known to underlie theresidual clays, containing the iron ores, at the Ledbetter mine, is exposed at only two points in the workings. These exposures are limited to two outcroppings -one, in the southern, and the other,
in the western portion of the mine, where some rs or 20 feet of
earth have been removed. The magnesian limestone, here exposed, is almost completely crystalline, and often brecciated. It is of a dark-gray color, traversed by white veins of calcite; and it gives off a decidedly fetid odor, when struck with the hammer.! ~In places, it also contains thin layers 9f black shale, only a fraction of an inch in thickness. The weathered surface of the rock has a ,~ granular appearance, very closely resembling a fine-grained sandstone. A few hundred yards north of this exposure, near the mud dam; at the foot of the hill, is to be seen a considerable exposure of limestone. The outcropping, here, shows several layers of limestone, which differ in color, and, also, in mineral composition. , Some of the layers consist of blue, compact limestone, the weathered surfaces of which often exhibit fossil remains of cephalopods and other mollusks. Inter'"bedded with these blue limestones, are heavy layers of motley, more or less completely crystalline, finegrained magnesian limestone, which weathers unevenly, and which frequently shows, projecting from its surface, afew minute crystals of quartz. At one place at this point, is to be seen a small workable deposit of nodular, water-worn brown iron ore, in immediate contact with the limestone. The intimate relation, here existing between the iron ore and the limestone, appears to throw some light upon the origin of the former. This question, however, is discussed in another part of this report.
Chert, which is one of the most prevalent mechanical impurities of the brown iron ores of Polk county, is not very abundant ia the Ledbetter mine. It seems rather singular, that so little

. POLK CO [il\'TY

33

chert should occur in this ore-bank; while on the eastern slope of

the hill, on which the bank is located, the surface of the ground

is covered with a thick mantle of this material. vVith the excep-

tion of chert, and a fe\v fragments of sandstone and shale, the

clays, containing the ores, are practically free from foreign impuri-

ties.

The ratio, which the ore bears to the entire material mined at

the Ledbetter bank, is quite variable; as the ore runs in leads and

pockets. In some places, 50 per cent. of the whole material is

merchantable ore; while in others, it runs as low as ro per cent., ~r even less.

The chemical composition of the ores from the Ledbetter mine

is shown by the following partial analyses, furnished by Mr. H. N.

VanDevander : -

Fe
51.89 I 53.65 I 50.13 I 50.04 I 55-45 I 53 13 I
2
42.81 I 50.62 I 5I. 72 I 52.89 I .:;o.o6 2 48.23 2 49.85 2 45.65 2 5531 -?

p
.824 .87r I.583 I.I03 .567 363 384. 1.083 .637 I.262 .863

Insoluble 963 5.82 8.14 S.II
730
16.47 8.32
798 13.07 I7.42

-752 .681

Mn

Remarks

40ft. below surface.

35 " "

"

--.

IO " "

6 ,, "

,",

6.82

Fine red gravel.

6 ft. below surface.

9.52
r.rso .66r

:;: By J. B. Britton, of Philadelphia; Penn.
2 By S. L. Graham, of Rome, Ga.

34

POLK COUNTY

The Ledbetter mine has been worked almost continuously, since r889. The output of the mine, to date, is estimated at 35o,oootons of ore, which is said 'to have averaged more than 48 per cent. metallic iron.
The worked portion of the Ledbetter mine covers an area of something like ro acres. The ore is mined entirely by open-cuts. These cuts are variable in depth. Some of them, in places, where the ore is abundant and of good quality, extend to a depth of so or 6o feet; but, as a general rule, they rarely attain a depth of l}:lore than 30 feet.
At the time of the writer's visit to the Ledbetter mine, it -vvas being operated by THE NoRTH GEORGIA MINING Co., under the management of Mr. H. N. VanDevander. This company is well equipped with mining machinery, having a steam-shovel, a double log-washer, a dummy engine, pumps, and all other equipment and tools, necessary for mining these ores. The pumping-station, from: which the water, that supplies the washer, is obtained, is located on Cedar Creek, about one mile east of the ore-bank. The mine is connected with the main line of the East & West R. R., by a. branch road, about r% miles long. The ore passes directly from the washer into the cars, without further handling. During thesummer of 1899, there were regularly employed at the mine, from 50 to 75 hands ; and the monthly output was about r 50 car-loads of ore. The ores, at present mined at the Ledbetter mine, are all' shipped to Alabama and Tennessee; but, formerly, they were used by the furnace at Cedartown, in making charcoal iron.
The amount of workable ore, still remaining in the Ledbetter mine, is a matter of conjecture. On the eastern side of the workings, there remains in sight a large amount of ore; and, in: places, in the old workings, rich deposits extend to unknown depths.' There seems to be good evidence, that this property wilt

POLK COUNTY

35-

long remain a source of revenue to its owners. However, the true value of the deposit can only be conclusively demonstrated, by actual mining.

THE CHEROKEE MINE

This mine is located on lot 707, 2nd district, which lies immedi--

ately east of the Ledbetter mine. The main workings are situated.

near the summit, and on the western slope, of a low ridge, having an ele-

FIG. 2

vation, some 30 feet lower, than the

summit of the Ledbetter hill. There

are to be seen, here, several large

open-cuts, varying from 5 to 30 feet

in depth, from which large quantities of ore were mined 1 some years ago, for use in the furnace at Cedartown. The walls of the excavations are now much fallen in, so that only

Section along an Open-cut on theCherokee Property, Show-ing the Position of the Ore. r. Red Clay and Gravel-ore. 2. Vari-colored Clay. 3. Massive Bowlder-ore.

an imperfect idea can be had, of the extent and character of the

deposit. Nevertheless, from the few exposures and surface indica-

tions, there can be no doubt, that it is very similar to the Ledbet-

ter deposit. There is an abundance of gravel-ore in places, and

there seems to be no reason, why valuable deposits should_ not be-

found, below. Some chert occurs with the ore; but it is usually

much disintegrated; and it could, in a great measure, be removed

by the washer. In one of the excavations, near the center of the-

property, were seen water-worn pebbles associated with the ore_

POLK COUNTY
These pebbles, which consist chiefly of chert, appear to be quite loca!, in their distribution, and are of scientific interest, only. Fig. 2 shows how the ore occurs in one of the cuts, near the top of the . hi11. I
THE T. N. PACE PROPERTY
This property, tot 708, 2nd dz'strz'ct, adjoins the Cherokee prop,erty, on the north, and includes a portion of the same hill, on which the Cherokee deposits are located. The ore, here, is similar to that found on the Cherokee lot; and it may be considered as an extension of the same deposit. The workings consist of two main cuts, which vary from 3 to 20 feet in depth, and from 2 to 4 rods -in length. The ore occurs, in the form of gravel and nodular masses, in the dark-red clays. It appears to be of good quality, though some of the nodular masses contain more or less silica, in the form of sand. The excavations on this property are too limit.ed, -to give any very definite idea, as to the extent or commercial value of the ore.
The address of Mr. T. N; Pace, owner of this property, is ,,Cedartown, Ga.
1 Since the above was written, several excellent ore-banks have been opened up, on the Cherokee property, by THE ALABAMA & GEORGIA IRON COMPANY, its present owners i and the ore is -now being used at the Cedartown furnace. There is, at present, no property in the vicinity of ~cedartown, that shows more encouraging prospect of high-grade ore, than does the Cherokee 'property. The statement, made above, in reference to valuable deposits of ore beneath the sur.;;.face, has been fully justified by recent developments.

POLK COUNTY

3T.

S. W. GREEN'S PROPERTY

The iron ore, found on THE GREEN PROPERTY, is of excel-lent quality; but it does not seem to be ver;7 abundant. The prin-cipal excavations are located on lot 66o, 2nd district, which lies immediately north of the Ledbetter mine. All the workings, with the exception of a few test-pits, occur,on a small knoll, resembling an Indian mound, situated in the narrow valley, only a short distance below the dam, constructed, to retain the mud from the Ledbetter washer. The knoll was originally almost circular, having a diameter of about rso feet; but much of it has been removed, in the process of mining. It is reported, that about z,ooo tons of ore were taken from this knoll, and used mainly by the furnace-at Cedartown. The ore occurs in the form of nodules and gravel. in the red clays. Fragments of chert and sandstone occur associ- . ated with the ore. Along the hill-slope, directly east of the hillock,.. and on the same lot, is to be seen much float-ore, and a few shallow prospect-pits. The ore at this point is of excellent quality, much ofit having a fibrous structure, and called by the miners ''needle" ore. However, it appears too limited in quantity, to be of commercial value. On the adjacent side of the valley, along the hill-slope, :is. to be seen, a more favorable surface prospect; but the extent of" the deposit, at this place, had not been investigated, at the time--of the writer's visit. The ore, in the last named locality,. often . occurs in masses, weighing so pounds or more. These masses are quite compact; and they appear, frequently, in very irregular shapes, being sometimes called '' plough-share '' ore, from a fancied. resemblance to plough-shares. There is considerable outcropping_ of limestone along. the eastern hillside, on lot 66oo- It is heavy--

POLK COUNTY
bedded, and often shows fossil remains, on a weathered surface. Iron ore, in the form of gravel, is found in the red clays, in imme--diate contact with the limestone.
Mr. Green, the owner of this property, may be addressed at Cedartown, Ga.
THE J. H. DODD PROPERTY
THE DODD PROPERTY, lot 732, 2nd district, lies about half-a-mile northeast of the Green property. The ore, that occurs on this -property, is located in a comparatively level field, at an elevation .of not more than ro feet above tbe surface of Cedar creek, which is only a short distance away. There are three open-cuts, here, from which ore has been mined. None of these excavations have :a depth of more than eight or ten feet, the natural water-level. It is reported, that about three car-loads of ore were shipped from these excavations, and used in Tennessee furnaces. For some reason, this ore did not prove satisfactory, and the work was discontinued. Mr. H. N; VanDevander, the shipper of the or~ from the Dodd property, reports that it averaged about 50 per cent. -metallic iron. The ore, occurring here, is porous, and has some-what the appearance of common bog-ore. Its extent is not known ; 1mt the surface indications are not unfavorable for a considerable ,deposit. Near the excavation, is to be seen an extensive outcroppmg of limestone. It dips at a low angle, and contains, in places, an abundance of chert, in the form of concretions ; and -often a few imperfect casts of gastropods are also to be seen.
The owner of this property, Mr. J. H. Dodd, may be addressed
at Cedartown, Ga.

POLK COUNTJ--

39

A. H. VANDEVANDER'S PROPERTY

This property, lot 9z6, 2nd district, is located on the east side of
Cedar creek, I Yz miles due south of Cedartown. The ore occurs
on the southwest side of a hill, having an elevation of about 130 feet above Cedar creek. This hill is owned, in part, by THE CEDARTOWN CoMPANY, of Cedartown, Ga. It seems to be orebearing, on all sides. There are a number of large open-cuts on the VanDevander property, from which ore has been mined. The workings cover an area of about five acres, with a maximum depth of about 20 feet. Mining operations began on this property, in r8;8, and were continued, at irregular intervals, until r896. During this period, a large quantity of high-grade ore was mined and shipped to Cedartown and elsewhere. The ore is mostly in the form of gravel; though bowlder-ore also occurs. The gravel-ore is so abundant, at some points on the hill-slope, that it almost completely mantles the red soils. More or less chert and other siliceous material, in the form of jasper, occur with the ore; also, some impure ochre. The VanDevander ore-bank is only a short distance from Cedar creek; and it is favorably located for working. The surface indications and the exposure of the ore in the old pits seem to justify a continuation of mining operations on this propertv.

THE FORK-FIELD ORE-BANK
THE FoRK-FIELD 0RE-Ril,.KK, lot 988, 2nd district, is located near the Chattanooga, Rome & Southern R. R., about half-a-mile

POLR COUNTY
directly east of the VanDevander property. There are two workings to be seen here, each located upon small elevations, that rise some ~o feet, or more, above the level of the surrounding country. It is reported, that the workings have furnished between 8,ooo and ro,ooo tons of ore, which was used in the furnace at Cedartown. The excavations, which were made some ten or fifteen years ago, are now much fallen in; and but little ore is to be seen in situ.
However, it is said, that there still remains considerable workable ore in the bank.

THE CEDARTOWN COMPANY'S PROPERTY

THE CEDARTOWN COMPANY'S PROPERTY, lot 957, 2nd district,

FIG. 3

lies immediately e'ast of that of Mr. A. H. VanDevander. The

ore deposits of the two proper-

ties are located in the same

hill, and may be considered as

belonging to the same deposit.

Section through an Open-cut on the Cedartown Company's Property, Showing Impure Laminated Ore. I. Red Clay and Gravel-ore. 2. Impure Laminated Ore. 3. 'White and Vari-colored Clays.

Judging from the extent of the excavations, there has probably been more ore mined on the Cedartown Company's property, than on the VanDevander

property. The ore from the two properties is quite similar, and

occurs under like conditions. In one of the excavations on the

Cedartown Company's property, there is a decided tendency in the

more impure iron ores, to assume a laminated structure. r There

1
See fig. 3.

THE IRON ORES OF GEORGIA

PLATE Ill

MINING ORE BY USE OF THE STEAM-SHOVEL AT THE REED MINE 1 NEAR CEDARTOWN, POLK COUNTY, GEORGIA.

POLK COUNTY
is also to be seen, here, a very rich pocket of ore, almost circular, and several feet in diameter, extending to unknown depth. It has the appearance of a huge pot-hole, filled with ore and clay. Chert and clay horses, here, as elsewhere, are the chief difficulties to be overcome, in mining. This property, like the VanDevander property, is favorably located; and there appears to be no good reason, why certain portions of the bank could not be worked with profit.
THE REED MINE
THE REED MINE, which is owned by THE ALABAMA & GEORGIA IRON COMPANY, of Cedartown, Ga., is located on lots_ 639 and
640, 2nd district, about 2 Yz miles northwest of Cedartown. This <;;..
mine has been worked, almost continuously since r889, and is reported to have produced more than roo,ooo tons of ore. The entire workings cover an area of something like eight acres. They are situated on a ridge, having an elevation of about rso feet above Cedar creek. The excavations consist of large open-cuts and a few pits, together with some short tunnels. The cuts are often many rods in length, and frequently attain a depth of 70 feet. The ore is very similar to that, occurring in the Ledbetter mine. Gravelore predominates; though bowlders, massive and "pot" ore are, also, more or less abundant. The ores are associated with white and vari-colored clays, and with chert containing fragments of gastropods. Near the summit of the ridge, was observed, at one point, a bed of well-rounded, water-worn quartz pebbles, varying from one to six inches, in diameter. The bowlders overlie the ore deposits, and were evidently laid down, at a subsequent period.

POLK COUNTY
The Reed bank is noted for the abundance and great variety of its "pot" ore. A number of specimens of this form of ore, showing beautiful irridescence, are now on exhibition in the State Museum. These "pots'' are usually found in the white clay, and are frequently filled with water. Many of them are of large size~ weighing roo pounds or more. A mantle of dark-red clay, varying from 2 to 6 feet in thickness, covers the hill. This ciay always carries more or less high-grade gravel-ore, and occasionally
FIG. 4

;:,

'J

4

Section through the Large Open-cut at the Reed Mine. I. Red Clay and Gravelore. 2. Vari-colored Clays with "Pot" and Bowlder Ore. 3. White Clay Horses. 4 Chert and Clay.

quartz crystals, with irregularly formed faces, and fragments of sandstone. The manner, in which the ore occurs in the Reed bank, is best shown by diagram. 1
Partial analyses of ore from the Reed bank, by the Woodstock Laboratory, of Anniston, Ala.: -

Fe 47.00 5!.70 47.80 36.8! 4I.28

p
O.II3
o.r8o

Si02 g.02 730
II.IO
24.30 rg.os

Mn

A120 3

8.60

470

7.30

rr.rs

I.65

S.ro

1
See fig. 4

POLK COU.!VTY

43

The foJlowing is an average of 77 cars produced by the Rome Iron Co., of Rome, Ga.:-

Fe 46.6o 4500 49.00 4437
44.10.

p

Insoluble

Remarks

O.I2

26.6o 26.8r

5

Cars
,,

I4

IS.40

IS "

22.05

24 "

2I.I8

19 l'

Last summer, there were regularly employed at the Reed mine

about 30 hands; and there were shipped to the furnaces in Ala-

bama, on an average, about 6o or 70 cars of ore per month. For-

merly, the ore was used mainly in the Cedartown furnace.

The equipment of the Reed mine consists of two double log-

washers; i steam-shovels; a dummy engine; a large pump with a

capacity of r,ooo gallons per minute; a rso-horse-power engine, to
operate the washer; one mile of 12-inch water-pipe; zYz miles of

standard-gauge railroad, connecting the mine with the East &

\Nest R. R.; tram-cars; etc. The mine is less than a mile from

Cedarcreek; and it is otherwise favorably located for working.

THE ALABAMA & GEORGIA IRON Co. owns 265 acres of land, in

the immediate vicinity of the Reed mine. Much of the area has

favorable surface prospects; but the depth, to which the ore extends, has not b~en investigated. Should the present ore-bank

become exhausted, which is not likely to occur soon, there will

still remain much excellent ground, to be prospected. Hon. Chas.

D. Lawton, Commissioner of Mineral Statistics of Michigan, in

summarizing a report, made by him, on this property, says:-" It

\Yill readily be seen, that, with a depth of 6o to So feet, and a width

of sev-eral hundred feet, and a length of half-a-mile, all, workable

ground, and apparently rich, there must be a great amount of work-

1 Only one now in use.

44

POLK COUNTY

.able ore." This estimate is evidently overdrawn; but there can be no doubt, that the property contains a large amount of valuable ore.
Since the Alabama & Georgia Iron Co. took possession of the Reed mine; its output has been greatly increased. The mine now produces, daily, from five to seven car-loads of ore. This increase in output is due, mainly, to the opening up of rich deposits, and the installation of new steam-shovels, improved washers etc.

THE WOODSTOCK ORE-BANK
THE WooDSTOCK PROPERTY, lot 66], 2nd disb-ict, lies directly south of the Ledbetter property, and is traversed by the same orebearing ridge. The workings, which are confined chiefly to the west side of the ridge, consist of several open-cuts, each exposing a greater or less quantity of ore.
Immediately south of the Woodstock property, is THE MANN PROPERTY, lot 664, 2nd distrct, which has also been more or less extensively worked. Both of these properties seem to have considerable quantities of workable ore ; but neither has been worked, in the past few years, except to a limited extent.

THE WOOD MINE
This mine is situated two miles southwest of Cedartown, on lots 667 and 702, 2nd district. The ore occurs, here, on an oval-shaped

POLK COUNTY

45

hill, having a diameter, at its base, of about I ,ooo feet. The hill has a gentle slope, on all sides, and rises something like roo feet above the valley. The surface, in places, is covered with gravelore, more or less mixed with chert and sandstone. Near the summit, on the west side, is a large out-cropping of impure ore, in the form of bowlders. The surfaces of these bowlders have the appearance of a good quality of iron ore; but, when broken open, they are seen to be made up, in a large measure, of silica. The workings consist of several open-cuts, near the top of the hill. Some of these excavations are of large size; and, in places, they attain a depth of 30 feet. Several thousand tons of ore are said to have been shipped from this mine, in r889. The ore was used, almost entirely, in the furnace at Cedartown. It occurs as gravel, bowlders, and in large masses in the residual clays. It usually runs high in metallic iron, as is shown by the following partial analyses of the ore, made by the Woodstock Laboratory, of Anniston, Ala.:-

Fe 52.18

p 1.052

Si02 6.10

47.28

.216

IS.2I

4350'

326

22.18

50.62

.710

12-41

!.950

so.48

320

12.36

409

44.76

310

12.71

451

45.29

.290

II.92

424

4I.44

.267

15.43

980

7.22

45.87

.241

10.82

.srS

492

45.07

.240

I I.82

.716

4.16

42.65

.250

14.22

.642

6.56

40.62

.235

15.22

.037

5.88

A double log-washer, now in a somewhat dilapidated condition, is located on the side of the hill near the ore-bank. Water, for

POLK COUNTY
washing the ore, was obtained from Peek spring, a quarter of a mile away. The mine is on the Woodstock branch of the East &
West R. R. The workings cover about 2 Yz acres,_and are now
much fallen in; and only a limited amount of ore is in sight,I
THE PEEK BANKS
THE PEEK ORE-BANKS, lots 704 and 737, 2nd d-istrict, are situated on two separate hills, or ridges, about 7{ of a mile north of
FIG. 5
Section along the Open-cut on the Peek Property, near the Public Road. I. Red Clay and Gravel-ore. 2. Massive Iron Ore in Clay.
the Wood mine. One of the hills, on which the ore occurs, has
.an elevation of between 2 so and 300 feet, above Cedar creek.
Near its summit, is a bluff of ferruginous chert, from 20 to 30 feet in height, and several rods in length. It has somewhat the
1 Subsequent to the writing of the above, the Wood mine has passed into the hands of THE ALABAMA & GEORGIA IRON Co., and it is now producing from two to four car-loads of ore per day. The old washer has been put in good repair, and the mine is supplied with a steam-shovel; so, that there, now, seems to be nothing in the way of the v;rood mine's again becoming n profitable producer.

POLK COUNTY

47

appearance of an artificial wall. The chert, forming the bluff, is

much broken up; and, in places, it is traversed by veins of excel-

lent ore. At one end of the bluff, the chert contains so much iron l
that an attempt was made, at one time, to use it in the furnace;

hut it was found to run too high in silica, to be of commercial

value. Further down the hill, on either side, are to be seen large

open-cuts, now partially filled with crumbling earth; from

FIG. 6

these, large quantities of ore

were mined, some years ago.
-..
In some recent cuts on the hill- ~
"'"
side, near the public road, the

ore occurs mostly in the form

of large masses, in the motley clays.1 It, here, probably makes up fully 25 per cent. of the entire material mined,

Section along an Open-cut on the Peek Property, Showing Iron Ore beneath Clay. I. Red Clay and Gravel-ore. 2. Laminated Clays. 3 Massive Iron Ore.

and runs high in metallic iron. There seems to be but little

doubt, that there still remains in this hill a large amount of work-

able ore. The other hill, on which the ore-banks are located, has

also, n1uch chert on its summit; but it occurs mostly as large

brecciated bowlders. The workable ore, here, as in the other case,

is found on the side of the hill ; and, at no point, does it occur in

paying quantities near the summit. It always contains more or

less chert. The clays, in one of the banks on this hill, seem to be somewhat stratified. 2

1 See fig. 5

2 See fig. 6.

POLK COUNTY

Partial analyses of ore from the Peek banks, furnished by Mr. H. N. VanDevander:-

Fe
so.6s
47-80 45.65
4444 43~7

p Insoluble

Remarks

.0402 1o.so Analyst, Wallace Bowron, South Pittsburg, Tenn.

I.0702 I.0700 .ssso .8640

13.60 1!.12 I4.II 20.16

"

"

" "

" "

" J. B. Bri,t,ton, Philadelphia, Penn.

" "

"

"

" S. L. Graham; Rome, Ga.

The Peek ore-banks are located about %'s of a mile from Cedar creek, where water, in any desired quantity, can be had, for orewashing.

COL. J. 0. WADDELL'S PROPERTY
THE WADDELL PROPERTY, lo~s 784, 786, 799, 8oo a11-d 8or, 2nd disb-ict, is located on the Cave Spring road, 2 7f miles northwest of Cedartown. A limited amount of mining was done on this property, some years ago; and the ore was hauled, by wagon, to the furnace at Cedartown. The old workings, now much fallen in., are situated on the roadside, at the end of a low ridge. The excavations consist of two or three small open-cuts, 8 or ro feet in depth. The ore, found here, is mostly in the form of gravel. It is said to have given very satisfactory results at the furnace. The ridge, at the base of which the excavations occur, has much :float-ore strewn about its surface, in places. At one or two points prospect-pits expose the ore, to the depth of a few feet. The pits are too limited in number, and not of sufficient depth to give any definite knowledge, as to the extent of the ore beneath the surface. On the opposite side of the road, near the mansion-house, is to be

POLK COU.lvTY

49

seen another pit, exposing what appears to be a considerable de.,. posit of excellent ore. The excavation, which is only a few feet in depth, seems to penetrate an almost solid body of ore. Surfaceore, mostly in the form of gravel, is quite plentifully stre-vvn about the hill, on which the excavation occurs. It is also more or less abundant, about the mansion-house. Ferruginous chert is often associated with the ore. The Waddell property evidently has considerable ore ; but it would be a great pity to injure this handsome prbperty, by mining, unless the ore occurs in great quantities. The property makes an ideal country home; and it would be almost a public calamity, to have its beauty destroyed by mining.

THE T. G. W. McMEEKIN PROPERTY
THE McMEEKIN PROPERTY, lot 57I, 2nd district, lies on the west side of Cedar creek, about 4 miles northwest of Cedartown. There has recently been exposed, on this property, what appears to be valuable ore deposits. The ore occurs on the side of a hill, where it has been worked in several pits and open-cuts. Most of the ore is in the form of large masses or bowlders, in the vari-colored clays. Some of these bowlders contain a core of pyrite, frequently in the form of loose powder. The ore, surrounding the pyrite, is always quite compact, and has a dark-brownish color. Mr. Linton Sparks, who was working this property, when it was visited by the writer, said, that the ore from this bank always runs high in metallic iron, and meets with a ready sale at the furnace. The bowlders, containing the pyrite, are discarded at the mine, and only the ore, free from this impurity, is shipped to the furnace.

POLK COUNTY
None of the excavations on the McMeekin property attain a depth of more than ten feet. Chert and other mechanical impurities are almost entirely absent from this ore-bank. On the adjoining lots, namely, 58I and 582, also owned by Mr. McMeekin, are other deposits of iron ore. Here, are to be seen some old pits and cuts, from which, it is said, 200 tons of ore were mined, some years ago, for the Cedartown furnace. All the excavations are now so filled with fallen earth, that only an imperfect idea can be had of the nature and extent of the deposit. Samples of ore, found on the dump, are porous; but they appeared to be of good quality. The McMeekin property is favorably located for working.
THE NANCY CROCKER PROPERT"'Y~
This property is located immediately south of the McMeekin property, on lot 570, 2nd district. The ore-bank, here, occurs on a hillside, only a short distance from Dry creek. It was opened last summer, and was worked by Mr. Sparks, in connection with the lVIcMeekin .bank. . These two banks are situated on opposite sides of the same hill, and are not over 200 feet apart. The ore -of the two banks is quite similar, and evidently belongs to the same deposit. The workings on the Crocker property consist of a few open-cuts, 8 or ro feet in depth. The entire amount of ore, mined at this bank, would probably not exceed a dozen car-loads. The ore is hauled by wagon to Hematite, a station on the Southern Railway, some 4 or 5 miles distant.

sr
THE BEN HCNT PROPERTY
THE BEN HuNT PROPERTY is situated on the Cave Spring road, about 4 miles northwest of Cedartown. Iron ore occurs on this property, in several places ; but it is most abundant, on lot 573, 212d dz':Strz"ct, near Cedar creek, where considerable prospecting has been done. The main excavation is in a cultivated field, only a short distance from the public road. This is a small opencut, from which a limited amount of ore was mined and shipped, some years ago. The ore, here exposed, ,is chiefly in the form of nodular masses, associated with fragments of sandstone and chert. These mechanical impurities are more or less abundant; and, unless removed, they would materially affect the commercial value of the ore. A small amount of pyrite was noticed in a specimen of ore, examined at this excavation. This impurity, however, does not seem to be very abundant. Strewn about the cottonfield, in which the prospect-pits are located, occurs considerable gravel-ore. In places, the gravel-ore almost completely mantles the surface. This, together with other favorable indications, would seem to warrant a more thorough exploration of the property.
THE J. R. HCNT PROPERTY
This property, lots 435, 436 and 502, 2nd distrz'ct, lies on the left side of Cedar creek, in the vicjnity of Mount Hope church. At several places, on each of the above named lots, float-ore occur~,

52

POLK COUNTY

in greater or less quantities. At the time of the writer's visit, in the summer of r 899, the property was being prospected by its owner; but the work had not progressed sufficiently, to afford any definite information, as to the value of the deposit. The surface indications, in places, seem to be quite favorable, for workable deposits. The ore is found on the slopes of the red hills, which here rise to a height of from roo to 200 feet above Cedar creek. Many of the gullies along the hillsides show considerable gravel and "dornick" ore.

THE WATTS PROPERTY
THE WATTS PROPERTY comprises several lots of land on the
west side of Cedar creek, a short distance north of Mr. J. R. Hunt's
property. The main ore deposits occur on lots z,235, I ,236 and I,237,3rd district/ also, on lot 433, 2nd district. The most extensive deposit is on the last named lot, only a few hundred yards from Cedar creek. The ore appears here on the surface, in great abundance, in the form of bowlders, which vary, from a few inches to two feet, in diameter. Several car-loads of ore are strewn about the surface, within a small area, of less than two acres. A pit, made near the center of this area, shows, that the ore extends. beneath the surface; but, to what depth, it is not known. This, however, could easily be determined, by sinking prospect-pits. The ore is of a dark-brown color, and is quite compact. It has the appearance of sulphur-bearing ore; but a diligent search failed t~ re~eal any trace of this impurity. The ore seems to be entirely free from chert and other mechanical impurities ; and, should the

POLK COWFTY

53

deposit prove as extensive as the surface prospects indicate, the lot would be very desirable mining property. Its location on the hillside, and its being within a short distance of Cedar creek, are other factors, which go to make the lot desirable for mining purposes. Recently, the Georgia and Alabama Mining Co., under the management of Col. H. F. DeBardelaben, has, more or less extensively, prospected this lot ; and it is now erecting a washer, and making other improvements, with a view, to begin the shipment of ore, at an early- date. The numerous cuts and pits, made recently upon the property, disclose considerable ore; but it does not appear to be so abun9-ant, as the surface prospects would seem to indicate.
A short distance from the above deposit, in a cultivated. field near the mansion-house, is another deposit. The ore, here, occurs in considerable abundance, mostly in the form of gravel in the red soil. It seems to be of good quality; but no attempt has been made to investigate its extent.
T~e ore on lot I 12J5 occurs near the top of a wooded hill, where it is exposed in two open-cuts. The ore is mostly. in the form of bowlders, and appears to be in workable quantities. On the adjoining lot, I,2J6, near the summit of a hill, having an elevation of about 250 feet above Cedar creek, are to be seen other recent prospecting-pits. The ore, here exposed, is different from any, heretofore described. It is a red, porous ore, containing, more or less, fragments of chert. The ore seems to be a true hematite, which has probably been altered from limonite, by local metamorphism. It does not seem to be very abundant; and it is more of scientific interest than of economic importance. Near the foot of the ridge, on lot I,2J7, on which the red ore occurs, is quite a deposit of brown iron ore. The brown ore here is shown, by a number of test-pits, to be quite abundant; and the deposit is con-

54

POLK COUNTY

sidered valuable. The ore is chiefly in the form of "pots" and solid masses. Both chert and pyrite occur with the ore, in limited quantities. The pyrite is often found in the center of the ''pots," or geode masses.
A partial analysis of the ore from the Watts property, lot r,237~ made for the Geological Survey,I resulted as follows : -

Water at roo C . . .

460

'' above roo C..

ro.oso

Iron Sesqui-oxide . .

67-500

.Equivalent to } Metallic Iron

(47.26o)

Manganese . . . . . . . . . . .

Phosphoric Acid .

Equivalent to } Phosphorus

(.o8s)

Sulphur . . . . . . . . .

0 49

Sand or Insoluble Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.08o

THE CANNON PROPERTY
This property, lots I ,2II and I,2I 2, 3rd district, adjoins the Watts property, and is owned by the same parties. The ore, found on these lots, is located on a wooded hillside. It is similar to the ore, found on the \iVatts property; though it seems to be freer from pyrite. The ore is quite abundant on the surface; and the excavations, recently made, show, that it extends to a considerable depth. The indications, for a workable deposit on this property,
I By A. M. I~loyd, McCandless I,aboratory, Atlanta.

POLK COUNTY

55

are considered good. Both the Watts and the Cannon properties are traversed by a branch rail-road, now being constructed by the Southern Railway, from Cave Spring to the iron deposits, northwest of Cedartown. When the road is completed, it is the intention of the Georgia and Alabama Mining Co. to begin mining operations, on an extensive scale, on the- above named properties.

THE D. N. HAMPTON PROPERTY
The Hampton property, lots z46 and 2I2, 2nd district, has recently been purchased by the Georgia and Alabama Mining Co.
This property is loc;ated in the Knox Dolomite ridges, about 2 Yz
miles west of the \iVatts property. The exposures on lot 212 are confined to a number of small prospect-pits and open-cuts, on a hill-slope in an old field. The deepest excavation does not exceed ten feet. The ore seems to be somewhat siliceous, and is apparently not very abundant. The ore on lot 146 seems to be more plentiful, and of better quality, than the ore on lot 212. It is exposed in two open-cuts, on a wooded hillside, where a small amount of ore has been mined. The ore occurs as nodular masses and gravel, in the vari-colored clays. Its chief mechanical impurity is silica, in the form of chert, together with a limited amount of manganese. The latter mineral occurs, mostly as small crystals~ which are quite noticeable on the dump, where they have been washed clean by the rain. Owing to the limited exposures on lot 146, it is impossible to form any definite idea of the extent of the workable ore.

POLK COUNTY
THE W. J. BROWN PROPERTY
This property, lot 286, 2nd district, lies between the Watts and the Hampton properties, and is only a short distan.ce from the branch rail-road, now being constructed from Cave Spring to the iron deposits south of Cedartown. At the time of our visit to the property, it was being prospected by Mr. Brown, who had opened up a number of cuts, and shipped a few car-loads of ore. The prospect-cuts are confined mainly to the slopes of a chert ridg-e, along which are to be seen, at various points, natural exposures of impure ore. The ore appears associated with large quantities of chert, which here often occurs in the form of huge bowlders, several feet in diameter. Many of these bowlders contain considerable iron ore; but it is questionable, whether it could be separated from the chert, with profit. It is possible, that future prospecting may reveal deposits of iron, of economic value, on the Brown property ; but the outlook, at the time of examination, was not at all encouragmg.
THE J. E. CALLAHAN PROPERTY
THE) CALLAHAN PROPERTY is situated about a quarter of a mile directly west of the Cannon property, on lot I,2 I, 21zd district. Considerable surface-ore occurs, in places, on this lot; and, at one or two points, a .limited amount of prospecting has been done. The most favorable deposit on the lot is to be seen on a steep hillside, in a cultivated field. The ore, here, is quite plentiful on the surface.

THE IRON ORES OF GEORGIA

PLATE IV

THE CHEROKEE IRON FURNACE AT CEDARTOWN, POLK COUNTY, GEORGIA.

POLK CO[/_NTY

57

It is mostly in the form of gravel, and is apparently of good quality. Associated with the gravel-ore, is more or less chert and fragments of sandstone. Further prospecting is necessary, to determine the extent of the ore on this property.

THEW. T. BURGE ORE-BANK
This ore-bank was worked, more or less extensively, some years ago, and the ore was hauled, by wagons, to Cave Spring, some three miles distant. The bank is located on the east side of Cedar creek, about a mile from the Floyd county-line. The main excavations consist of two large open-cuts, near the top of a red hill, which has an elevation of about 200 feet above Cedar creek. The cuts are now much fallen in; and but little ore, except that occurring on the surface, is in sight. The ore, here, as elsewhere in the Cedartown district, is in the form of gravel and bowlders ; and it occurs in pockets and leads. The amount of ore, taken from the Burge bank, is not known ; but judging from the extent of the excavation, there appears to have been several hundred tons taken out. Near one of the cuts, is to be seen the remains of an old log-washer, formerly used in washing the ore. The water, which supplied this washer, was obtained from Cedar creek, less than half-a-mile away. The ore-bank is well located for mining; and it is thought to still contain much workable ore. This bank is situated on lot z,239, 3rd district, and is now owned by Mr.
J. S. DeVitt, of Cedartown.

POLK COUNTY
THE JAMES KING PROPERTY
The exposures of iron ore on THE KING PROPERTY, lot r,240~ 3rd district, occur on two separate hills, only a short distance from Cedar creek. No prospecting, to any considerable extent, has been attempted. However, the surface indications are very favorable, for a more or less extensive deposit of iron ore. The ore, in the form of bowlders of considerable size, is so plentiful, in places, that it has been used for terracing the steep hillsides. The ore seems to be of excellent quality, and is generally free from chert and other impurities. This lot adjoins the Burge property on the west ; and it is considered valuable for mining purposes.
THE GRADY MINE
This :inine is located at Grady station, on the East & West R. R., about six miles east of Cedartown. Mining operations were begun, here, in 1879, by THE CHEROKEE IRON Co., and were continued, with but few interruptions, until 1891. During this time, the mine is supposed to have produced something like 3oo,ooo tons of ore, which were used in the furnace at Cedartown. The main orebanks are on lots 730, 73I, 8o4, 805 and 824, 2rst dist1'"ict, only a short distance from the East & West R.R. They occur, chiefly, along the spurs and foot-hills of a rather prominent Knox Dolomite ridge, traversing this sectiom of the county.. The entire works, which are on both sides of the rail-road, consist of open-cuts covering an area of about ro acres. Some of these cuts are of huge size.

POLK COU.i\TTY

59

One of them is inore than a hundred yards in length, several rods wide, and, in places, 6o feet deep. These banks were fsst worked by shovel, pick and screen; but, afterwards, a double log-washer was introduced, and convict labor was used. \Vater, for washing the ore, was obtained from a large vvell on the property. The scarcity of water has always been a drawback to the Grady banks. This disadvantage, however, could be overcome, by constructing a pipe-line to Fish creek, two miles distant, and establishing a pumping station at that point. With this improvement, the Grady mine could compete with any mine in the county, in the cheap production of ore. The close proximity of the banks to the rail-road, and their location on the hill-slope, together with abundance of dumping ground, near by, for the waste from the washer, are other conditions, favorable to cheap mining.
The ore from the Grady mine nsually runs high in metallic iron; though, in places, considerable chert and impure jasper are associated with it. Where these mechanical impurities are abundant, it is necessary to remove them by hand. Decomposed shale also occurs, in plac~s, with. the ore. This impurity, however, is readily removed by the washer.
The ore is found in the vari-colored clays, in the form of large irregular masses, pebbles and rounded bowlders. The massive ore is often honey-combed or porous; while the gravel and the bowlder-ore are generally quite compact. The gravel-ore is most abundant in the red clays near the surface; but it is also present, at all depths. Especially is it abundant in the soil, in the immeate vicinity of the excavations, where it sometimes almost completely mantles the surface.

6o

POLK COUNTY

Partial analyses of the Grady ore, made 1n the Laboratory of the Cherokee Iron Furnace at Cedartown, resulted as follows:-

Fe 49-40 59.20

SiOz S.or 323

CaO
1.27

MgO 0.42
O.OI

Mn 0.12
O.OI

p 0.253 o.r6o

HzO 5.01 II.74

The depth, to which the ore in the Grady banks extends below the surface, is not known; since none of the excavations reach a depth of more than 6o feet. The presence of ore, however, in the deepest excavations on the hillsides, and its occurrence, also, in the valley below, would indicate, that it extends to considerable depth, -probably to the limestones underlying the residual clays, in which it occurs. Should these deposits extend to such depths, the amount of workable ore, still remaining in the banks, must be -yery great. Clay horses, consisting frequently of white kaolin, <Often occur in the Grady banks. Some of these are of large size; .and, in places, they interfere with mining.
The Grady property is now owned by THE ALABAMA & GEORGIA IRON Co., of Cedartown, which is shipping, at present, from the several banks, from four to five car-loads of ore per day. This company is now erecting a double log-washer on the property, and is constructing a pipe-line to Fish creek. When these improvements are completed, it is the intention of the company to increase
its output to at least rs car-loads of ore per day.

THE CENTRAL MINING COMPANY'S PROPERTY
THE CENTRAL MINING CoMPANY'S PROPERTY is situated on the opposite side of the East & West R. R., from the Grady mine. It comprises lots 878, 879, 88o, 897, 953, 954, 955 and 97 I, 2 rst

POLK COW\7Y

6r

district. Mining operations were begun, here, m r889, and were continued until r895. During this time, several ore-banks were opened and' a large quantity of ore was shipped. As many as three double log-washers were in operation on the property, at once~ and the output of the several banks aggregated many car-loads of ore, daily. The banks, here, as at the Grady mine, are situated on the foot-hills of the Knox Dolomite ridge. These hills are usually covered with extremely red soils; and they attain a height of from roo to rso feet above Fish Creek valley, which lies at their base. The ore occurs in pockets and irregular qeposits in the vari-colored clays. Some of the excavations are of large size, and have furnished much ore. In places, they attain a depth of 40 feet, and are many rods in length. Clay horses and chert, as in the Grady banks, are also present, here. In one of the cuts, near the East & West R. R., is to be seen a large quantity of low-grade ore, showing evidence of stratification; but, in all the other excavations, there is no indication, whatever, of bedding.
The excavations, as a general rule, are now so fallen in, that
there is but little ore exposed to view; and, as a consequence, only
an imperfect idea can be had of the extent of the deposit. The surface prospects, in places, however, are quite favorable; and there can be but little doubt, that there still remains a large amount of workable ore. Water in abundance can be had at Fish creek, about a mile away. Formerly, the several banks were connected with the East & West R. R., by a branch road, so that the ore passed directly into the cars, from the washer, without further handling.

-----) (-----

POLK COUNTY

THE LINDSEY PROPERTY

THE LINDSEY PROPERTY, lots 966 and 967, 2Ist district, lies in

the midst of the Knox Dolomite ridges, about three quarters of a

mile west of the Central Mining Co's. property. There are two

ore-banks on the property, each of which was worked, more or less

extensively, a few years ago. These deposits are peculiar; as they

occur in the chert ridges, and consist, in a large measure, of limo-

FIG. 7

nite, partially altered to hematite.

The largest exca-

vation on the prop-

erty is to be seen

on lot 966, in a

Section along an Open-cut on the L-indsey Property, Lot 967, Showing Bovi'lder-ore in Massive Vari-colored Clays.

hollow or depression between two well-rounded chert

ridges. The ridge on the south rises about 75 feet above the

excavation; while the one on the north rises about 50 feet above

the same level. Both ridges have gentle slopes, and their sur-

faces are covered by a heavy mantle of chert. Mixed with the

chert, may be seen a few fragments of iron ore; but the amount

is so small, that it would hardly ~eem to justify a prospector, in

making examination for a workable deposit. The ore occurs

:l.n very irregular pockets, mostly as gravel and small bowlders,

in the motley red clays, which are often much jointed and fis-

sured. In places, they show indistinct bedding ; but, generally,

they are massive. In one excavation, water-worn pebbles of

chert were noticed associated with the ore. The pebbles seemed

POLK CO[./NTY

63

to fill a pot-hole, instead of forming a continuous deposit. The main excavation on lot 966 is almost circular, being several rods :in diameter and 40 feet, or more, in depth. There are, near by, several o~her pits, from which ore has been taken. They all show, in their banks, more or less ore of the same character. The ore, shipped from these excavations, was mined by pick, shovel and screen, and was hauled, by wagon, about a mile, to the East & West R. R. The work, done on lot 967, is not so extensive, as the work, on lot 966. There are, on the former, only two pits, from which ore has been taken. They are of small size, and have apparently furnished only a few car-loads of ore. The ore, in these pits, occurs in the form of large masses.1
The Lindsey property is unfavorably located, for mining, on account of the lack of water for ore-washing.

THE B. J. \VEST PROPERTY
This property, lois 453, 5 Io and 5 I I, 2Ist district, is situated
about I Yz miles north of the Grady mine. There is to be seen, on
this property, several excavations, from which, it is reported, about 75 car-loads of iron ore were shipped, in r898. The ore is found in the chert ridges, in what appears to be small pockets. It is of good quality; but it is more or less mixed with chert. All the excavations on the property are small, and extend only a few feet, in depth. They are simply prospect-pits, and give only an imperfect idea of the extent of the ore deposits. On the adjoining properties, owned by Henderson, Capp and others, are small exca-
1 See fig. 7.

POLK COUNTY
vations, showing similar exposures of ore. Some excellent examples of mud dikes are to be seen in the excavation on the West property. These dikes, which consist of very fine !ed clay, vary from two to eight inches in thickness, and generally dip at a high angle. The dikes were evidently, at one time, open fissures in the residual clays, which have since been filled with fine clay, deposited from muddy surface waters. Their contrast, in color, with the residual clays, is quite marked ; but their small size renders them of no special importance in mining. The nearest point, at which water, for washing ore, can be had, on the above property, is Fish creek, some 3 ~ miles distant. This, together with the length of haul to the rail-road, places these properties at a decided disadvantage, in the production of cheap ore.
THE G. W. WADDELL PROPERTY
This .is a recent prospect, located on lot z,o52, 2zst dzstrict, near the head-waters of Fish creek. There occurs, here, near the base of a small hill, what appears to be a considerable deposit of ironore. The prospect was opened up, last summer; and, at the time of the writer's visit, it had produced only a few car-loads of ore. The deposit consists largely of bowlders and huge masses, weighing a ton, or more. The ore is found in residual clays, overlying the Rockmart slates. It is quite free from chert and other mechanical impurities. The prospect may prove to be a profitable ore-bank. However, the surface indications do .not point to a very extensive desposit.

POLK CO Ci\7Y

THE R. H. BREWER PROPERTY

THE BREWER PROPERTY, lots 95z, 974 and z,025, 2zst district, is located about r 3{ miles from Grady station. The main deposit

of iron ore, on this property, is located on the side, and near the

top, of a slate ridge, having an elevation of q.bout 150 feet above

the general level of the surrounding country. The works consist

of several small open-cuts, from

Fig. 8

which a number

of car-loads of ore

have been ship-

ped, during the

last few months.

The ore, which is more or less siliceous, occurs 1n

Section along a Cut in the Brewer Bank. r. Slate.
2. Vein of Iron Ore, zYz Feet 'IJ'iiide.

irregular veins, or deposits, in the sandy slates. It seems to be,

in part, a replacement of metamorphic sandstone, or quartzite~

which occurs as thin beds, interlaminated with the slates. Asso-

ciated with the ore, is found, in places, considerable wavellite, in

the usual form of small implanted hemispheres, only a fraction of

an inch, in diameter. This mineral occurs chiefly in small fissures,

in the more siliceous ores. Cacoxenite is also present ; but it

is not so plentiful as the wavellite. This mineral, which is in the

form of radiated silky tufts, is found, like the wavellite, in fissures.

or cavities in the siliceous ores. A partial analysis of the ore from
the Brewer property, made by Mr. J. B. Britton, of Philadelphia,

66

POLK COUNTY

Penn., for Mr. H. N. VanDevander, of Cedartown, gave the following result : -
Metallic Iron ................................................ 50.040 Phosphorus................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .547 Silica ....................................................... 13.360
The mode of occurrence of the ore is shown by figure 8. Other workings, from which some 20 or 30 car-loads of ore have been shipped, are to be seen on THE BIGGERS PROPERTY, about a quarter of a mile west of the Brewer property.

THE LEE CLARK ORE-:BANK
THE CLARK ORE-BANK, lot 7I5, 2Ist district, is a recent prospect, opened up near the East & V\Test R. R., about r mile northeast of Fish creek. The main workings consist of a single opencut, 40 or 50 feet long, and from 5 to 12 feet deep, situated on the northwest side of a gently sloping hill. The ore, which occurs mostly in the form of gravel and bowlders, appears in the varicolored clays. It seems to partake somewhat of the nature of red ore, and is quite free from impurities. Chert is more or less plentiful on the surface; but it appears to be chiefly superficial. The Clark ore-bank is thought to contain a considerable quantity -of workable ore. Some two or three miles south of the Clark bank, on the same side of Fish creek, are other prospects, on lots 907, I,027 and I,OIS, 2Jst district, owned by Messrs. W. H. Bunn,
R. H. Biggers and J. F. Dever, respectively. THE BUNN AND
THE BIGGERS PROPERTIES have each been worked, in the last few months,_ to a limited extent, and have furnished a few car-loads of ore.

POLK COW'lTY

6;

THE W. A. CAMP PROPERTY

THE CAMP PROPERTY, lot 537, 2Ist district, is located in the chert ridges, about four miles northeast of Grady. Iron-ore has been known to exist on the property, for some years; but it is only vYithin the last few months, that any effort has been made to work it. At the time of the writer's visit, only one cut, of any size, had been made on the lot. This cut had furnished four or five carloads of ore. The excavation is situated on a hill-slope. It is some three or four rods long; and, in places, it attains a depth of about
rs feet. The ore occurs, in considerable abundance, in the vari-
colored clays, mostly as gravel and ''dornick" ore. THE C. M. CAMP, AND THE BREWER AND JoNES PROPERTIES, near by, on lots 538 and 684, 2zst district, have similar prospects. From the latter property, some four or five car-loads of ore have been re-'' cently shipped.

THE GREEN BANK
THE GREEN ORE-BANK, lot z,252, 2zst district, -vvas opened in r894, and was worked, for about two years. It produced, during this time, a considerable amount of ore, which was shipped to the furnaces at South Pittsburg, Tenn. The ore deposit' occurs on the side of a hill; and, judging from the extent of the surface-ore, it must be more or less abundant. The main works consist of two open-cuts, near the base of the hill. These excavations, which are now much filled by fallen earth, vary from ro to 20 feet in depth,

68

POLK COUNTY

and are several yards in leJ?-gth. The ore, now exposed in these cuts, is mostly in the form of bowlders or large masses. It appears to be in considerable quantities ; but its black glistening color was said to indicate the presence. of phosphorus. The following partial analysis, however, furnished by Mr. Chas. D. Lawton, Commissioner of Mining Statistics of Michigan, shows, that there is but little of this injurious element present : -
Metallic Iron ................................................. 54-200 Silica ............ , ........................................ J.I30
Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .637
Chert and fragments of sandstone both occur with the ore; but neither, in very great abundance. The chief difficulty, in working the Green ore-bank, arises from the scarcity of water. The only source of this indispensable article is a so called dry-branch three-quarters of a mile away, which is too irregular in its flow, to supply water for continuous mining. The bank was formerly connected, by a branch road, with the Chattanooga, Rome & Southern R. R., and was supplied with a double log-washer and all other machinery, necessary for successful mining. The Green bank has recently been purchased by THE ALABAMA & GEORGIA IRON Co.

THE SIMPSON MINE
This mme 1s situated three miles directly east of the Green ore-bank, on lot z,24z, 2Ist dstrict, only a short distance from Euharlee creek. It was opened in r889, and was worked, more or less extensively, for about three years. The mine is connected with the Chattanooga, Rome & Southern R. R., by a branch road,

POLK COUNTY

5;% miles in length, and the deposit is natura11y well located for working. It occurs on a small hill, which has an elevation of about 75 or So feet above the level of the valley. The hill has

been attacked by two large open-cuts, driven into it from the north

side. The upper ends of the cuts, which are several rods in length, attain a depth of about 40 feet. The walls of these excavations,

aJthough now much fallen in, disclose, in the vari-colored clays, considerable ore, in the form of gravel and bowlders. In some

places, honey-comb ore occurs; but it is not very abundant. The

main part of the deposit seems to be made up mostly of gravel-

ore. Associated with the ore, are chert and fragments of sand-

stone. The former is frequently altered into a soft, white, chalky

substance, which is easily separated from the ore, by the washer. The ore is generally of good quality, and runs high in metallic 1ron.

Following are partial analyses of the Simpson iron ore:-

Fe P Si02 Mn S

5253 .275 14.22 Trace

52.80 330 I0-41

.037

48.29 .4SS

Remarks Analyst, R. Swain Perry, Cave Spring, Ga.
" , Battle & Nye.
,, , J. B. Britton, Philadelphia, Penn.

There is considerable ore still in sight at the Simpson mine; and, by judicious management, the bank could probably again be

worked with profit, at the present prices of ore. The mine is now in poor condition for working. The two double log-washers and the steam-shovel, formerly used at the mine, have long since been

removed, or were allowed to decay, and are now valueless. The

branch rail-road has also been torn up, and the iron taken away;

so that the property does not at present offer a very encouraging proposition to the practical min~r.

Near the Simpson mine, on the side of the branch rail-road, is

a limestone quarry. This was opened, during the time the Simp-

70

POLK COUNTY

son ore-bank was being worked; and a considerable amount of stone was shipped for fluxing purposes. It is a heavy-bedded, blu~ limestone, frequently much fissured; it belongs to the Chickamauga formation.

MRS. KATE HIGHTOWER'S PROPERTY
The iron deposit on this property, lot r,rr8, 2nd district, is situated upon the slope of a red hill, about half-a-mile from Young's Station, on the Chattanooga, Rome & Southern R. R. In r8go, about rzo car-loads of ore were shipped from this bank to the Citico furnace, at Chattanooga. The ore, which is in the form of bowlders and gravel, appears to be quite abundant, and of excellent quality. Some of the bowlders or masses of ore are of huge size, and often weigh many tons. There still remains much valuable ore in this bank; and there is apparently no reason, why it should not be made a paying mine. The ore occurs mostly in pockets ; but they are usually of large size, and extend to considerable depth, as is shown by the excavations. Cedar creek, which is about halfa-mile away, furnishes ample water, for ore-washing. It would be a difficult matter, to find an ore-bank, more favorably located, for economic mining, than the Hightower bank.

JAMES YOUNG'S PROPERTY
This property, lot r,r9o, 2nd district, is half-a-mile east of the Hightower bank. There is only one excavation on this property,

POLK COUNTY
where ore has been mined. The cut is of small size; and it has furnished only two or three car-loads of ore. The work was done in 1890, by the same parties, that worked the Hightower bank. The ore, which seems to be quite abundant, is mostly in the form of huge masses. The chief impurity, noticed in the ore, is silica, in the form of sand. The bank is located on the hillside, favorably for working.
THE Vi7RAY MINE
THE WRAY MINE is located on lot I9I, Ist district. It was opened in 1895, and has been worked almost continuously, ever since. Its output, up to the present, is supposed to aggregate 6o,ooo tons. The works consist of several open-cuts, covering a total area of about two acres. They are located on the side of a ridge, which has an elevation of about 150 feet above the valley. Some of the excavations attain a depth of 75 feet, without reaching the limit of the ore. Last summer, about 30 hands were employed at the \!Vray mine; and from one to two car-loads of ore were shipped daily. The mine has connection with the Chattanooga, Rome
& Southern R. R., by a branch road, 2 y; miles long. It is sup-
plied with a double log-washer, pumps, tram-cars, and other machinery, necessary for mining. The water, for supplying the
washer, is obtained from Young's spring, I Yz miles away, and on
the opposite side of the ridge. The pumping-station is located at the spring, and the water is forced directly to the washer, through a 6-inch pipe, without the intervention of a reservoir. The amount of water, thus supplied, is ample for the washer.

72

POLK COUNTY

The ore of the \ray mine consists mainly of gravel, though

there is much bowlder-ore present. The gravel-ore often has a

purplish tint, and .always runs high in metallic iron. It has the

appearance of limonite partially altered to hematite. Picked

samples of this ore are reported to yield 6o per cent. of metallic

uon. Associated with the ore, in places, was noticed considerable

manganese; especially was this true, in the old excavation near

the base of the hill. The manganese, which occurs mostly in the

Fig. 9 1

form of a black powder, could in

a great meas-

u,re, be removed by

the washer.

Huge masses

of siliceous

Section Showing Quartzite Bowlders Associated with Iron Ore at the \Alray Mine. r. Red Clay and Gravel-ore. 2. Varicolored Clays Containing Iron Ore and Large Quartzite Bowlders.

material ,partaking of the nature of both Jasper

and quartzite, also occur in the ore-banks.I These masses, which

are frequently so large, that they cannot be removed, without the

use of a derrick, often seriously interfere with mining.

On the adjoining lot, I92, which belongs to the Wray property,

are other excavations, where a limited amount of ore has been

mined. The ore occurs, here, on the top and upon the slope of a

rather steep hill. The deposit does not seem to be very extensive;

but the ore is of good quality.

I See fig. 9.

POLK COUNTY

73

THE COX PROPERTY

A considerable amount of ore occurs on THE Cox PROPERTY, lot I93, ISt district, immediately east of, and adjoining, the \;\,Tray property. The deposit is an extension of the deposit, spoken of above, on lot 192, and is situated on the same bill. Some of the opencuts on lot 192 are prolonged to lot 193, which appears to have the most valuable part of the deposit. The work on the Cox property is confined to a few open-cuts. These excavations are only a few feet in depth, and give but little indication of the extent of the ore. The large amount of float-ore, strewn about the surface in the cotton-field, on the summit of the hill, seems to indicate a deposit, of considerable economic importance. The ore is of good quality, and is quite free from mechanical impurities. It occurs as gravel and bowlders, and often has a dark-red or purple color.

THE ]. S. YOUNG PROPERTY
THE YOUNG PROPERTY, lots :r88 mzd I89, Ist district, adjoins the Wray property on the west. This property is, at present, undeveloped. However, the surface prospect for an extensive deposit of iron is excellent. There is no undeveloped property in the county, that presents a more favorable prospect. The ore occurs on the same ridge, on which the vVray ore-banks are located; and it is an extension of the same deposit. The surface-ore is in great abundance; and, in places, it completely hides the soil. It occurs

74

POLK COUNTY

mostly in the form of bowlders, weighing from ro to 50 pounds. Gravel-ore is also more or less abundant. A pit, three or four feet in depth, put down on the side of the ridge, shows an almost solid bed of bowlder- and gravel-ore. Near the top of the hill r the ore becomes more massive, and is occasionally in the form of huge "pots," made up, in part, of the so-called needle-ore. The entire deposit covers quite an area, on the side of the ridge ; and~ should it hold out in depth, the amount of workable ore win aggregate many thousand tons. Some samples of the ore, examined, contained considerable silica ; but, as a general rule, the ore appears to run high in metallic iron. Ample water, for washingr can be had at the Young spring, only about half-a-mile distant.
The following is a partial analysis of ore from this property~ made for the Geological Survey: _r

\Vater at rooC . . . . . . . . Water above roo C . Iron Sesqui-oxide . . . . . . . . ..
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron
Manganese . . . . . . . . Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to } Phosphorus
Sulphur ... ; . . . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter .

(5 r. 68o)
175
I .688 (735}
.OI2

I By A.M. I,loyd, McCandless I,aboratory, Atlanta.

----~(----

POLX COCKTY

THE ~A~CY ISBELL PROPERTY

THE NAKCY ISBELL PROPERTY, lot 267, 2Ist district, was pros-

pected, in rSso, for copper; but the result was unsatisfactory.

About this time, the copper mines of Ducktown, Tenn., were

attracting considerable attention, and there was extensive pros-

pecting for copper veins, throughont North Georgia. The general

opinion among miners, then, \vas, that the various beds of iron

ore, in or near the crystalline area of North Georgia, were gossan,

or altered out-croppings of copper pyrites veins. As a result of

this erroneous idea, many of the iron banks were opened up, and,

among them, the bank on the above named property.

These excavations, which are located on a small elevation near

the margin of a metamorphic area, are now well filled with earth.

Nevertheless, they disclose, along their sides, to the depth of six

feet or more, large masses of ore. To what depth the ore extends,

is not known. Its presence on the surface, in considerable quan-

tities, indicates, that the deposit is probably of commercial value.

The ore occurs mostlv in the residual clavs. that have resulted

.;

J

'

from the breaking down of metamorphic slates.

THE R. B. BREWSTER PROPERTY
THE BRE\'-'STER PROPERTY, lot 243, I6tlz district, is situated on the Georgia State-line, only a short distance from the famous Baker Hill mine in Alabama. The ore deposit of this property is found on a well-rounded red hill, about a quarter of a mile north

POLK COUNTY
of the East & West Rail-road. Several pits and open-cuts are to be seen here, from which considerable ore was mined, some years ago. The excavations vary from 5 to 25 feet, in depth; and, in places, they disclose, in the vari-colored clays, gravel- and bowlderore in abundance. The ore seems to be of excellent quality, and is comparatively free from mechanical impurities. Chert and fragments of sandstone are both present; but neither is in sufficient quantity to materially affect the commercial value of tht ore. In one of the excavations, decomposed shale occurs with the ore ; and the clays seem to be somewhat stratified; but, as a general rule, the clays are distinctly massive. The Brewster property is con:Sidered excellent mining property. However, it is unfavorably located, with respect to water. In order to secure sufficient water, for operating a washer on the property, it would be necessary to .construct a pipe-line, three quarters of a mile, or more, in length, and to maintain a pumping-station.
THE TUMLIN PROPERTY
This property, lot 244, I6tlt district, adjoins the Brewster property, on the south. The iron ore, found on the property, is somewhat similar to that, found on the Br~wster property. The ore occurs on the same line of hills, and appears to be a part of the same deposit. The surface prospect, on the Tumlin property, is quite favorable ; and the excavations, also show much ore in place. The works consist of three open-cuts, from 5 to 20 feet deep, and several yards in length. Many car-loads of excellent ore are reported to have been taken from these cuts, during the time, the

POLA- COCi\7Y

77

Brewster mine vvas being worked. The Tumlin ore-bank is favorably located for working; but, like the Brewster bank, it has no water, for operating a vvasher. Until this difficulty is overcome, mining on the Tumlin property must be carried on by pick, shovel and screen, which method would be necessarily wasteful; as the ore consists, in a large measure, of fi.ne gravel. Ore is also said to occur on lot I92, I6th district, belonging to the Tumlin property; but its extent and character were not investigated, because only small openings had been made on the property, and these were now filled with debris.

THE SHILOH CRl7RCH PROPERTY
The main works on this property, lot IOj, 2nd distnd, are located on the hill-slope, onJy a few rods from Shiloh church. It consists of an open-cut, about 75 feet long, and from 5 to r 5 feet deep. Several car-loads of ore were shipped from this excavation, in r897. The ore occurs in the form of gravel and bowlders; the latter sometimes contain pyrite. Another excavation on the hillside, in the cotton-field near by, shows similar deposits. Considerable ore of like nature is also to be seen in the gullies, along the public-road at the foot of the hill. There is evidently considerable ore on the Shiloh Church property; but the presence of pyrite would probably affect its commercial value.
----)(----

POLK COUNTY
THE GEORGIA LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY'S PROPERTY
The ore-bank on this property, lot I IJ, 2nd dstn"ct, is located on the hill-slope, near the public-road, about half-a-mile northeast of the Shiloh Church property. The bank has been opened, in two or three places, by open-cuts, from which a few car-loads of ore have been shipped. The cuts are now well-filled with earth ; so that they show but little ore in place. Float-ore is quite plentiful on the hill-slope, about the excavations ; and this would seem to indicate the .presence of a considerable deposit of ore. The bowlder-ore, here, as at the Shiloh Church bank, occasionally contains pyrite. Chert is also present; but it is not abundant. With the exception of water, the ore-bank of The Georgia Loan & Trust Co., is favorably located for economic mining. At the base of the hill, in a large lime-sink, was noticed an exposure of fos. siliferous limestone, which evidently belongs to the Chickamauga formation.
THE C. M. ISBELL PROPERTY
THE C. M. IsBELI. PROPERTY, lot Io6, 2nd dst7'-ct, adjoins the Shiloh Church property on the south. Ore occurs here, on a steep, high hill. A few shallow test-pits have been put down, at different points on the hill-slope; but they show only a limited amount of ore. Some float-ore was noticed, in places; but it is not abundant. The chert, fonnd on this hill, differs from that, usually found in this section, in that it often contains cavities, lined with drusy

POLK C00ATY

79

quartz. It is the prevailing opinion in the neighborhood, that this kind of chert indicates the presence of precious minerals in the hill. Such an opinion, however, is not based upon fact; and any exploration of the hill for precious minerals will evidently result in the useless expenditure of money.

THE J. F. SLOAN PROPERTY

An ore-bank was opened on this property, lot 40, 2nd dstrict, some

vears ao-o, and four or five car-loads of ore were mined and shipped

.I

I::>

~

to the furnace. The ore occurs in the form of huge masses in the

yellow clays. It is of dark color, and is quite brittle. Only one

excavation has been made on this lot; and, as a consequence, but

little is known of the extent of the deposit. The excavation, from

which the ore was taken, is located in the valley, only a short dis-

tance from the foot of the hill, spoken of above, on the Isbell

property. The deposit is peculiar, both in its location and in the

-character of the ore. Most deposits of the brown ores of Polk

-county are founded on elevated ground ; and they always consist

largely of gravel- and bowlder-ore.

THE NOBLE BANK
There are four different ore-banks on THE NOBLE PROPERTY, lots32, 2nd distrzd, and 32, I6tlz district, from which a considerable amount of ore has been shipped. The ore, found in these banks,

8o

POLK COUNTY

is very similar, in character, to the ore at the Wray mme. It often has a purplish color. Especially is this true of the gravel~ ore, in the red surface clays. Associated with the ore in all the banks, is more or less chert and ferruginous quartzite. The latter often occurs in large bowlders, which interfere, somewhat, with muung. The excavations, originally having a maximum depth of about 25 feet, are now much fallen in; so that only a very imperfect idea can be had, of the extent of the ore in the banks. This property, together with the adjoining lot, owned by Mr. B. M. Jones, which has also been worked, to a limited extent, is thought to still have a considerable amount of workable ore. All the banks are located on the hillside, only a short distance from the East & West Rail-road.

THE VANDEVANDER PROPERTY
THE VANDEVANDER PROPERTY, lot 42, ,2nd district, is located on the East & West R. R., about rYz miles east of Esom Hill. The ore, on this property, occurs on a hillside, onl3i- a few hundred yards from the rail-road. The bank was opened by Mr. H. N. VanDevander, in r895; and some 25 or 30 car-loads of ore were 1llined and shipped to the furnace. The main excavation consists of an open-cut, near the base of the hill. It disclqses considerable ore in the vari-colored clay, and, also, some chert and fragments of sandstone. On the adjacent hillside, in a rail-road cut, is to be seen quite an exposure of sandstone, partly metamorphosed into quartzite. The sandstone is heavy-bedded, and belongs, apparently, with the iron ore, to the Knox Dolomite series. Some

POLK COC.:.'I7Y

8r

pyrite is present in the ore, exposed in the excavation; but it does not, probably, occur in sufficient abundance, to materially affect its commercial value. Other prospects are reported, on the VanDevander property; but, as the pits were filled by fallen debris,. they were not examined.

THE J. E. PITTMAN PROPERTY
The ore-bank on THE PITTMAN PROPERTY, lot I I 5, 2nd district, is on a wooded hill-slope, half-a-mile northeast of the VanDevander property. The bank was opened, a few years ago; and about ro car-loads of ore were shipped. The ore is of good quality; though it does not appear to be very abundant. It is quite free from chert and other mechanical impurities. Gravel- and bowlder-ore are both present. They occur in deep-red clays. There is but one main excavation. Its maximum depth is not over eight feet. The bank is about a quarter of a mile from the East & V\lest R. R., and is otherwise favorably located for working.

THE STATE-LINE BANK
This bank, so-called because of its location near the GeorgiaAlabama State-line, is on the Southern Railway, about half-a-mile southwest of Etna station. The bank was opened up, in r875, and has been worked almost continuously, ever since. It is reported to have produced, during this time, several hundred

POLK COUNTY
thousand tons of first-class ore. The works consist of several large cuts on the hillside, covering a total area of about five acres. The excavations vary from ro to 40 feet in depth ; and they are often connected, one with another, by means of short tunnels, which form the common road-ways, leading to the washers. The -ore occurs in pockets and leads, which have been followed up, by the main cuts. These cuts form a perfect labyrinth, extending in all directions. The surface~clays on the hill are usually quite red, and carry mostly gravel-ore; while, below, the clays are varicolored, and contain, besides gravel, bowlder- and honeycomb-ore. Clay 'horses are frequently met with. Some of them rise up, as large cones, often completely cutting off the ore; while, in other cases, the ore dips beneath them. The hill, on which the ore--bank is situated, has an elevation of less than roo feet above Etna valley. It is only one of a number of hills and ridges, in the vicinity, that are ore-bearing. The State-Line ore-bank is now owned by THE TECUMSEH IRON Co., of Esom Hill, Ga., which -is now operating it. Last Summer, the company was employing .at the bank, regularly, about 35 hands, and was shipping daily,
-from 75 to roo tons of ore, guaranteed to average 48 per cent. of
n1etallic iron. The mine is supplied with two double log-washers .and all other machinery, necessary for mining. Water, for washing
the ore, is obtained from Indian mountain, I Yz miles away. The
waste from the washers is retained on a small elevation, near the ore-bank, by a large dike. By this means, the accumulated waste of several years, is confined to an area of a few acres.
The following is a partial analysisr of a sample of ore, collected by the writer, from the State-Line bank:-
I By A. JYL Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta.

POLJ,- COC::'\7Y
\\'"ater at roo C . \Vater above 100 C.
t Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to Metallic Iron J
Manganese Phosphoric Acid . Equivalent to }
Phosphorus Sulphur. Sand or Insoluble Matter .

g,., .)
59 9.88o 76.5oo
()-.")-))-o)
I. IOO
1.3 r8 $ ( 574) None 7830

THE ETNA FURNACE COMPANY'S PROPERTY
THE ETNA FuRNACE CoMPANY's PROPERTY lies immediately east of the State-Line ore-bank. This property, which is one of the most noted and extensive iron properties in the State, comprises an area of about goo acres, a considerable portion of which lies in the Etna valley. The principal ore deposits of the Etna Furnace Company's property occur on the dolomite ridges, east of Etna valley. There are four of these ridges, noted for their iron deposits, namely, Battle ridge, Vv'asher No. I ridge, Pond Bank ridge and Pennington ridge. All these ridges contain more or less extensi\e ore deposits, which were worked, to a considerable extent, duri11g the time the Etna Furnace was in blast.
Battle ridge, which has an elevation of about 150 feet above the general level of Etna valley, lies farthest to the south and west. Its trend is to the northwest and southeast. Near the western end of the ridge, only a short distance from its summit, is to be seen, what is known as the Battle Ridge cut. The excavation is about 150 feet long, from IO to 30 feet deep, and 2 or 3 rods

84

POLK COUNTY

wide. The work was done several years ago; and the banks are now much fallen in; so that only a limited quantity of ore is exposed to view. The ore is chiefly gravel, and is of good quality. Something like 200 yards west of the Battle Ridge cut, near the base of the ridge, is the Adams cut. The dimensions of this excav:ition are not so great, as those of the Battle Ridge cut ; but the quality and the extent of the ore is similar. Further to the southeast, along the slope of the ridge, is to be seen the Diamond cut; while, on the east side, near the summit, are two large excavations, known as the Blankinship and the Mahan cuts. All these excavations expose ore, of good quality. About one mile southeast of the Battle Ridge cut, on the continuation of the same ridge, are the more extensive workings, known as the State-Line cuts. Besides the above named openings, there are many other smaller excavations along the ridge, showing ore, in greater or less abundance.
Washer No. r ridge lies immediately east of Battle ridge. It has about the same altitude as Battle ridge; but it becomes much broadened, as it approaches Etna valley. Along its slope, facing the valley, are to be seen the Walthrop, the Asbury and the \Vasher cuts, all showing ore, of good quality. The surface, here, is well covered with float-ore, which is said to have been so abundant, formerly, as to interfere with the cultivation of the soil. On the west side of this ridge, is located the State-Line ore-bank, above described.
Pond Bank ridge is not so high, as the other ridges ; but its slopes are usually steeper. This ridge has been more extensively worked, than any of the others; a fact due, evidently, to the excellent quality of the ore, and to its proximity to the Etna furnace. One of the longest cuts on the ridge is the King cut, located on its western slope. The cut is about roo feet long, from ro to 50 feet deep, and from 30 to 40 feet wide. On the top and

POLA- COC:i\TTY
the eastern side of the ridge, are other excavations, known as the Lyons, the Coleman and the Pond Bank cuts, all re\ealing more or less ore in their crumbling walls. In the Pond Bank cut, the ore occurs in the form of massive layers, 1 while, in the other cuts, it is found mostly as gravel, though bowlder- and honeycomb-ore also occur. The Pond Bank ridge extends for some distance to
Fig. IO
Section through the Pond Bank, Showing Massive Iron Ore. r. Red Clay and Gravel-ore. 2. Massive Iron Ore.
the southeast, and shows gravel- and surface-ore, at several points along the grade of the old Bullock rail-road.
The Pennington ridge is the most eastern of the ore-bearing ridges, belonging to the Etna Furnace Co. Its trend is, at :first, to the northeast, parallel with the other ore-?earing ridges; but, upon approaching the valley, it turns, in a northwest course, and forms its eastern boundary. Along the western slope, overlooking the valley, several excavations are to be seen. Among these, might be mentioned the Tyler and the Leila cuts. The ore in this ridge seems to be quite abundant; but, in places, it contains more or less silica. In the Leila cut, are to be seen small veins of hematite, cutting the sandstone, almost at right angles to its bedding.
Besides the iron-ore deposits, on the above named ridges, the Etna Furnace Co. owns a number of other lots in the Yicinity
!
see fig .. ro.

86

POLK COUNTY

of Oredell and Hematite, which, also, have more or less extensive deposits of ore. There are, in addition, good surface prospects on the chert ridges, belonging to the company, along the grade of the old Bullock line of. road, two or three miles east of the station. The latter deposits have been prospected, to only a limited extent; and but little is known of the character and extent of the ore.
The ore of the Etna Furnace Co's. property occurs, in leads and pockets, in the residual clays, which have resulted mainly from the breaking down of the Knox Dolomite. Chert and fragments of sandstone are associated with the ore, in all the banks; but, as a general rule, these mechanical impurities are not abundant.
Partial analyses of ore from the Etna Furnace Company's property, furnished by Mr. A. S. Hamilton, are as follows : -

Fe 6r.s8 6r.o6 51-43 sr.oo 49.oS 52.18

SiOz 6.23 4.71 904
10.02
II.05
7.15

S

P

Remarks

3I

Analyst, J. J. Hamilton

38

57

Analyst, N. H. Ballard

.sr

" J. J. Hamilton

.6r

" N. H. Ballard

.4I

" J. J. Hamilton

A partial analysis1 of !1 sample of ore from the Pond Bank prop-

erty, collected by the writer, resulted as follows : -

Water at roo C . . . Water above roo C . Iron Sesqui.oxide
Equivalent to 1 Metallic Iron f
Ivi:anganese . . . Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to } Phosphorus
Sulphur . . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter .

43 9830 68.480
(47940)

I By A. M. I.,loycl, McCandless Laboratory, Allaula.

POLK COU:._li./TY
It will be noticed, that some of the above analyses run higher in metallic iron, than theoretical limonite does. These specimens were probably taken from the Leila cut, where the ore has been altered to hematite.
The several banks, spoken of above, have been worked, more or less extensively, since r87r, when the Etna furnace was put in blast. This furnace, which is located at the base of Washer No. r ridge, within a few rods of the Selma branch of the Southern Railway, was first constructed as a cold-blast charcoal-furnace, with a capacity of I2 tons per day. In r889, it --vvas changed to a hot-blast furnace, having a capacity of 25 tons. Owing to the cheapness of iron, it has remained idle, since r894. During the time, the furnace was in operation, it is said to have produced about rso,ooo tons of first-class pig-iron, from ore obtained from the company's property. The furnace is now out of repair; but,
according to Messrs. S. and F. J. Slucky, consulting engineers, of
Oxford, Ala., it could be put in blast, at a cost, not exceeding $7,000. Belonging to the Etna Furnace Company, is the unincorporated town of Etna, a village, formerly of about soo inhabitants. The company's improvements, within the town-limits, besides the furnace, consist of so cottages for miners and furnace employees, a Superintendent's residence, a laboratory, an office-building, a ware-house etc., all in fair state of repair. The company owns one single, and one double log-washer, with engine, pumps etc., to operate the same. It also owns a large number of_ tram-cars, some 6oo feet of 8-inch water-pipe, a saw-mill, and all the equipment, necessary to operate a large farm.
Water, for washing ore and for furnace purposes, can be had on the property, from Fiddler's hollow and Myers' spring. The former,
\vhich is about r Yz miles distant from the furnace, furnishes roo
gallons of water per minute. Its static head has an elevation of

88

POLK COUNTY

several feet above Etna valley; so that the water is conducted to the furnace in pipes, without the use of pumps. The Myers spring is about three miles east of the furnace ; and it is said to furnish 250 gallons of water per minute. Should water from these sources prove inadequate, for both the furnace and the washer, an additional supply might be obtained from Cedar creek.I

THE J. M. PRIOR PROPERTY
The iron ore deposits of the Etna Company extend on to the
adjoining property, lot I 28, I?tlz distrz'ct, now owned by Mr. J. M.
Prior. The ore occurs, here, on the side of the ridge, which forms the eastern boundary of Etna valley. The property was worked in r893-'94 by Mr. C. A. Wood, who reports the shipment of about r ,ooo tons of ore. The excavations are all small, and are so fallen in, that, at only a few places, is the ore to be seen z'n sztu, in the residual clays. The extent of the ore is unknown ; but,
I Since the above was written, several excellent prospects have been opened up, on the Etna property, by Mr. Alexander Hamilton. Among these exposures, may be mentioned the recent pro!lpects on Pennington ridge, the Davenport property, the l;)horter mountain and the Holsomback hollow, all of which show more or less extensive exposures of good ore.
The prospects on Shorter mountain and Holsomback hollow are of special interest, on account
of the extent of the deposits, and their occurrence in the vVeisner quartzites. These deposits
are the eastern extension of the deposits, which have been extensively worked at Bluffton, Ala., just across the State-line.
Should future developments, here, disclose such deposits of ore, as the surface indications seem to warrant, the amount of ore in these quartzite ridges will compare favorably with, if not surpass, the large deposits in the chert ridges east of Etna valley. The largest exposures are to be seen on lots 207, 2o8, 225,260,26 and 28o, I7tlt dist?ict, where the ore has been recently laid bare, by numerous open-cuts and pits. 'l'he most extensive exposure occurs on lot 280, in what is known as Holsomback hollow. The ore, here, occurs in a compact mass, several rods across. A recent charge of dynamite has exposed the deposit at one point, to the depth of several feet, and has thereby demonstrated, that the ore is, by no means, of a mere superficial nature.

THE IRON ORES OF GEORGIA

PLATE V

CLAY HORSE IN THE GRADY ORE-BANK, POLK COUNTY, GEORGIA.

POLK COuNTY

8g

owing to the large amount of float-ore, scattered about the surface, there, probably, still remains a considerable deposit. Th_e ore is chiefly gravel. It is of good quality, and quite free from mechanical impurities. On the adjacent side of the valley, are other deposits, on the same property. They have all been worked, to a limited extent, and some ore has been shipped. The main excavation, here, is located on what is known as Piney vVood hill, a small oval elevation, rising about 30 feet above the valley. The work was done in r8g2. The excavation, which is reported to have furnished about 20 car-loads of ore, is something like roo feet long, and from ro to zo feet deep. The ore occurs, here, associated with shale and sandstone. Near by, are other excavations, from which ore has been shipped. They are, now, all partially filled with crumbling earth, and show but little ore. The surface-ore, about these excavations, is quite plentiful. However, it is claimed, that a large amount has been picked up and hauled off.

THE C. A. WOOD PROPERTY
THE WooD PROPERTY, lots s8 and 88, I7tfz district, is situated on the east side of Etna valley, opposite Prior station. It is traversed by the same ore-bearing ridge, spoken of above, in the description of the Etna and the Prior properties. The ridge on the Wood property seems to contain a large quantity of ore, on the side facing Etna valley. Here, are to be seen a number of open-cuts, from which about z,ooo tons of ore are said to haye been shipped, between r888 and r8gz. There are three principal excavations, on the side of the hill. J:\ one of them, ho-vve\er; attain a depth of more than 2 5 feet. The ore occurs in pockets,

POLK COUNTY
in the residual clays, associated, more or less, with manganese ore and chert. It is mostly in the form of gravel, though massive and honeycomb ore also occur. The last variety of ore is said to run unusually high in metallic iron; but, unfortunately, it seems to be limited in quantity. In one of the cuts, a large mass of impure ore is exposed. It consists .largely of silica, and runs too low in metallic iron, to be shipped. The Wood, like the adjoining Prior ore-bank, is favorably situated, for working, with the exception of water. If water could be had, on these properties, there is no doubt, that the ore-banks could be worked, with much profit.
Immediately east of lot 58, on lot 25, are to be seen, on the hillslope facing Etna valley, a recently opened iron-ore bank, now being worked by THE JENEFER IRON Co., who are, at present shipping, daily, from one to two car-loads of ore. The ore is said to be of good quality; and it is thought to exist in considerable quantities.
THE OREDELL PROPERTY
THE OREDI<~LL PROPERTY comprises an area of several hundred acres of mineral land, located on both sides of the Southern Railway, in the vicinity of Oredell station. The ore deposits on this property were worked, on a small scale, as early as r876; but actual systematic mining may be said to date from some years later, when the property fell into the hands of THE REPUBLIC MINING & MANUFACTURING Co. This company operated the property, for some time, under the successful management of Mr. H. N. VanDevander; but finally it sold the property, in r89r, to Mr. E. W.

POLK COu--_NTY
:::.VIarsh, of Atlanta. Mr. Marsh, at once, began extensive improvements, by constructing an expensive pipe-line, three miles in length. He, also, erected the latest improved ore-washer with jigs, and purchased a steam-shovel and all other machinery, necessary for the equipment of a first-class mining plant. Hardly had the plant been put in operation, when the panic in iron came, and the mining of ore ceased to be profitable. Nevertheless, Mr. Marsh continued operations, until I894 Up to this date, the total output, of all the ore-banks on the property, is estimated at rso,ooo tons. During last summer, 1 Mr. Marsh sold the Oredell property
to Mr. J. D. Lacey and associates, of Chicago, who have recently
put the property in good shape for working, by opening up nevv banks and putting the old ones in order. rnere is probably no property in Polk county, at present, in so good a condition as the Oredell, for carrying on mining, economically. The washers, p-q.mping-station and pipe-line have all been put in good condition, and tram-tracks are now being constructed to the several ore-banks, in the immediate vicinity of the washers. The main tram-way, leading to the washer, exposes, in its open-cuts, which, in places, attain a dep,th of IS feet or more, large quantities of excellent gravelore in the red clays. There is now being mined and shipped, from the Oredell property, about five car-loads of ore, daily. When the works start up, in full force, it is thought they will be able to ship, daily, about IS car-loads of ore.
The ore deposits of the Oredell property occur in the hills and ridges, on both sides of the Etna valley, and also, in the valley itself. A bore-hole, put down for artesian water at Oredell station, is said to have demonstrated, that the ores, there, extend to a depth .of I8o feet below the surface of the valley. The hills, east of the valley, usually have their summits heavily mantled with chert,

92

PO,LK COUlv7Y

which evidently belongs to the Knox Dolomite series. The most valuable ore-banks, on this side of the valley, occur near the base, and along the sides, of these hills. Some of them have been worked more or less extensively, and have furnished considerable ore. The excavations consist of numerous cuts and pits, rarely attaining a depth of more than 20 feet. The ore occurs in pockets and leads, in the clays. It is usually of good quality, and runs high in metallic iron ; but, in places, it becomes siliceous, forming what is known as rough ore. Associated with the ore, are large masses of ferruginous chert, which frequently interfere with mining.

Fig. II

Section along the \Vest Side of Cut No. 2, Oredell Property, Showing Ore Associated with Quartzite. r. Massive White Clay. 2. Bowlder Ore in Vari-colored Clays. 3. Quartzite Broken to Fragments.
The hills, west of the valley, differ from those on its eastern side, in having no definite arrangement. They constitute the eastern margin of the knobby section, lying along the base of Indian mountain, and are underlain by shale and sandstone. The main ore deposits occur chiefly on the hills, bordering the valley. Along the sides of these hills, are to be seen a number of cuts and pits, where ore has been mined. The largest of these excavations, known as Cut No. I and Cut No. 2, are located on the same hillside, only a few hundred yards from Oredell station. They both enter the hill from the same point, one running northwest, for about roo yards, and the other, west, for about the same distance. Near the western end of the latter, is a branch cut, rmming north,

POLL COuNTY

93

for a hundred feet or more. These cuts vary from 30 to 8o feet in vvidth; and, in places, they attain a depth of 40 feet. Considerable ore is exposed along their sides; but much of it is low-grade, and contains a high percentage of silica. The ore, here, occurs in the \-ari-colored clays, associated with the quartzite. I It is often massive or honeycomb; and, sometimes, it contains small angular fragments of chert or sandstone. Samples of ore, taken from other cuts, on the above hill, show a partial alteration to hematite. The ore, occurring in the valley, is similar to that, found upon the hills. However, it is generally freer from mechanical impurities. One of these banks, known as Snake Pond bank, has furnished a large quantity of excellent ore. It is located on the side of a small pond, only a short distance frotn Oredell station. The ore, mined at this bank, often occurs in huge bowlders, weighing a ton or more.
The following partial analyses2 were made for the Geological Survey, from samples of ore, collected by the writer from the Marsh property:-

SAMPLE No. r
\Vater at roo C . . .
\Vater above roo C .
Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron
Manganese ... Phosphoric Acid .
Equi valent to 1
Phosphorus J-
Sulphur . . . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter .

.68o 9-980 6 I.920
(43-350) .675 -557
( -24:C)
.024 24.000

I See fig. II.

2
By A. M. Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta.

94

POLK COUNTY

. SAMPLE N 0. 2
Water at roo C . \Vater above I oo o C . Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to }
Metallic Iro..n
Manganese . . Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to l Phosphorus J
Sulphur. Sand or Insoluble Matter .

54
I 1.410 70.420
59 2 .516
( .224)
.o26 IO. 88o

SAMPLE No. 3

Water at roo C . .
Water above roo C .
Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron

.7 IO 8.700 56300
(394 10}

Manganese , . , Phosphoric Acid .

1.345 .868

Equivalent to } Phosphorus
Sulphur . . . .
Sand or Insoluble Matter .

(378)

. .. ~

.o6o

;,

30480

Samples Nos. r and 3 were two of the more siliceous oresr

taken from the cut near the washer.

'tHE J. A. WRIGHT PROPERTY
This property, lot 62, I?th district, adjoins the Oredell property on the east. The main iron deposits occur along the foot-hills of

POLK C0[7.l\7Y

95

the chert ridge, which bounds the Etna valley on the east. Considerable ore was mined, here, some years ago. The ore is similar to that, found on the Oredell property, and occurs in like manner. The property is now being worked by Mr. Linton Sparks, of Cave Spring, Ga., who is mining and shipping, daily, from one to two car-loads of ore. With the exception of water for washing, the Wright property is well located, for economic mining.

THE HEMATITE PROPERTY
The Hematite property is a large tract of mineral land, of about r, roo acres, adjoining the Oredell property on the north. Some mining was done on this property, in r874; but the greater part of the work has been done, since r897. There occurs, here, in the hills west of the Southern Railway, a large number of orebanks, many of which have been worked more or less extensively. The ore occurs, here, as elsewhere throughout Polk county, in pockets and leads, associated with chert in the vari-colored clays. Quartzite, in the form of angular fragments, cemented into large masses by oxide of iron, thus forming a typical breccia, is also present. In some of the banks, the ore seems to consist largely of limonite, partially altered to hematite. This alteration is especially noticeable in Bank No. r, located on the hillside near the Hematite siding. The ore here consists, largely, of what is known among miners, as soft ore. It is quite porous, and is easily crushed to powder. The cavities in the ore are usually angular, and often contain fragments of partially disintegrated chert. In some instances, the cavities are traversed by minute stalactites of

POLK COUN7Y
ore, having a beautiful play of color. Most of the ore has a purplish-red color; but, in places, it has a mottled appearance, due to included fragments of brown ore. There are two main excavations at the above ore-bank ; but neither is of large size. The one farther up the hill- the larger of the two- has a length of about 50 feet, and is from 5 to 20 feet in depth. It is a recent excavation, and has furnished a considerable amount of ore. Other orebanks, recently worked on the Hematite property, are the Shelton and the Pasture Field banks. The ore in the former bank occurs mostly in the form of huge masses, associated with large bowlders of siliceous material. There appears to be a quantity of ore in tl;le hill, on which the Shelton bank is located; but much of it is of low grade. The ore, at the Pasture Field bank, is of more uniform grade, and is comparatively free from mechanical impu1-ities. It occurs as gravel and bowlders, ju the form of small pockets, in the red clays. The scarcity of water, for ore-washing, on the Hematite property, has been a great draw-back in its devel-
opment. If this article, so essential to economic mining, were at
hand, there is no reason, why the property should not become a constant and profitable producer. , To supply an abundance of water, it would be necessary to construct a pipe-line, and maintain a pumping-station, which would necessitate a considerable expenditure of money. Water in abundance could be had from Little Cedar creek, a mile or so away. With the exception of water, the Hematite property possesses every essential, necessary to cheap nunmg. The Southern Railway runs almost directly through the center of this property; and the ore-banks, with only a few exceptions, are all located on the hillsides; where deep excavations can be made, without coming in contact with water. Mr. Linton Sparks, who has been working th~ Hematite ore-banks, since r897,

POLK CO[/JilTY

97

estimates the entire out-put of the several banks, up to the present time, at about 2o,ooo tons. Judging from the extent of the excaYations, this is a conservative estimate.
Partial analyses r from samples of ore, collected by the writer, from the Hematite property, resulted as follows:-

SAMPLE N 0. I' FROM BANK N 0. I
\Vater at I00 C .
\Vater above roo C .
Iron Sesqui-oxide Equivalent to I
Metallic Iron f
::\1anganese . . . Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to l
Phosphorus J
Sulphur . . . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter .

45
8. 7 so
69940
-410 .o88
.019
r6.82o

SAI~IPLE No. 2, FROM THE PASTURE FIELD BANK

Water at roo C . \Vater above roo C .

460
8.210

Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to l Metallic Iron f

66.300

Manganese ...

Phosphoric Acid .

.201

Equivalent to l
Phosphorus J

Sulphur ....

Sand or Insoluble Matter .

22.020

Recently, the Hematite property has been purchased by THE ALABAMA CoNSOLIDATED IRON, COAL & COKE Co., which has

1 By A.M. Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta.

g8

POLK COUNTY

leased it to THE HEMATITE MINING Co. The latter con1.pany is now mining daily about five car-loads of ore, which is shipped to Gadsden, Ala. The greater part of the ore is, at present, mined at what is called the Wood cut, where the ore occurs mostly massive, associated with motley clays. The Hematite company is now constructing double log-washers, and making other improvements, with a view to increasing the output of the mine.

THE EARL SLOAN ORE-BANK

This ore-bank is located on lot 20, 2Ist district, near the Chatta-

nooga, Rome & Southern R. R., about a quarter of a mile south

Fig. rz

of the Floyd County line. The

works, which con-

sist of two main
open-cuts, from s

to IS feet deep,

and several yards

Section Showing .Massive Ore in the Sloan Bank. r. Reel in length, are sit-

Clay and Gravel-ore. Massive Iron Ore.

uated on the hill-

slope, scarcely a stone's throw from the railroad. The excavations

expose a large quantity of ore, in the vari-colored clays. The

ore occurs chiefly as gravel and bowlders, near the surface; but,

in the bottom of one of the cuts, it becomes massive.1 Associated

with the ore, is more or less chert and fragments of sandstone.

The bank was opened in January, Igoo. Since this time, a

1 See fig. rz.

POLK COUNTY

99

considerable amount of ore has been mined and shipped to the furnaces at Chattanooga and Rome.
Some two miles southwest of the Sloan bank, are other prospects. These are situated on MRs. A. \lil. BYRD'S PROPERTY, lot I,I I5, 3rd district. The ore, which is here exposed in a few old pits, is associated with manganese.

COL. J. 0. WADDELL'S PROPERTY
THE WADDELL PROPERTY, lot 400, 2Ist district, is located about one mile northwest of Aragon. This property was worked for iron, in r892, by Mr. John D. Pope; and, later, hy THE CENTRAL MINING Co. The exact number of tons, mined, is not known; but, judging from the excavations, there must have been a considerable quantity. The main workings are located in the northeastern corner of the lot, near the summit of a low ridge. There is to be seen, here, a large open-cut, several rods in length, and from ro to 20 feet deep. It is now much fallen in, and shows but little ore. In the northwest corner, and also near the center of the lot, are other excavations, from which ore has been taken. The
entire workings cover an area of about r Yz acres. The ore,
exposed in the cuts, consists largely of gravel; though bowlder, "pot" and honeycomb ore are also to be found. The ore is quite free from chert, and other impurities, and always runs high in metallic iron. There is considerable surface ore, in places, on the lot, which would seem to indicate the presence of workable deposits, below. The Waddell property is only about half-a-mile from Young's station on the Southern Railway, from which point there

roo

POLK COUNTY

IS a branch road, extending to the ore-banks on this and the adjoining property. All the water, necessary for washing, can be obtained from Fish creek, about half-a-mile distant. The favorable location of the \7Vac1dell property, together with the excellent quality of the ore, makes it desirable property for mining purposes.

THE McGEE PROPERTY
THE McGEE PROPERTY, lotsJ4I and 40I, 2Ist district, adjoins the Waddell property, on the north and east. It was worked, more or less extensively, from r888 to r893, by THE CENTRAL MINING Co. The ore-banks are located on the same ridge, as the Waddell property. The works, -vvhich consist of a number of open-cuts, of large size, cover a total area of something like :five acres. The excavations rarely ever attain a depth of more than 20 feet. These are now much fallen in; but considerable ore is exposed, in places. The ore occurs in pockets, in the red and yellow clays. It is largely gravel-ore, of good quality. Some shale and decomposed chert is associated with the ore; but neither is of sufficient abundance, to affect the value of the ore. The shale is mostly in thin layers, traversing the ore-bearing clays. On the hill-slope, near the excavation, are to be seen the remains of an old double log-washer, formerly used in washing the ore. The ore-banks of the McGee property are favorably located for working. They are within reach of water, and are only a short distance from the Southern Railway, with which they were formerly connected by a spur-track.

POLA- COUl\"TY

IOI

THE CENTRAL MINING COMPAKY'S PROPERTY

This property, lot 239, 2Ist dz"strict, lies betweelil the McGee property and the Southern Railw-ay, a few hundred yards west of Young's station. The ore deposits, on THE CENTRAL MINING CoMPANY'S PROPERTY, are similar to those of the Waddell and the McGee properties. In fact1 these properties may all be considered as belonging to one and the same deposit. The ore-banks on the Central Mining Company's property, were first opened by
Mr. J. D. Pope, and, afterwards, -vvere worked by the Central
Mining Co. The entire worked area covers about two acres. The excavations consist of open-cuts, partially filled with crumbling earth. r

THE JAMES LONG PROPERTY
Ore, in workable quantities, occurs on the above named propertyy on lots 326 and 327, 2Istdzstnd. The deposit on the former lot has not yet been worked. Nevertheless, the surface indications are most favorable. The prospect is located on a low, well-rounded hill, about a quarter of a mile west of the Southern Railway.
1 Since the above was written, the Central Mining Company has again opened the ore-banks, and is shipping, daily, two or three car-loads of ore. New banks have been opened; a washer has been erected; and everything seems now to be in good shape, to carry on mining vvith profit. The manner, in which the ore occurs in the recent excavations, differs but little from that on the adjoining properties.

102

POLK COUNTY

There occurs, here, scattered over several acres, a large amount of surface ore, mostly in the form of gravel. It seems to be of exc~llent quality, and is comparatively free from mechanical impurities. On the eastern side of the above ore-bearing hill, is a lime-sink, in which is to be seen quite an exposure of limestone. It is a bluish-gray, heavy-bedded limestone, evidently belonging to the Chickamauga series. The deposit on lot 3 27 has been worked, more or less extensively, and has furnished a quantity of
"'
ore. The main excavations on the lot, from which ore has been taken, are three in number. They are all located on the hillside, only two or three hundred yards from Young's station. The excavations were made, some years ago ; and they now show but little ore in sight. Near one of the cuts, are to be seen the remains of a log-washer, formerly used for washing the ore. Water, for operating the washer, was obtained from the lime-sink, near by.

THE T. M. RANDALL PROPERTY
The chief workings on THE RANDALL PROPERTY consist of a large open-cut, about roo yards long, from 5 to 20 feet deep, and, in places, several rods wide. The excavation is located on lot I90) 2Ist district, on the Southern Railway, about one mile from Long's station. The ore-bank is on a low ridge, which has an elevation of only a ~ew feet above the valley. The deposit does not appear to be very extensive. It was worked in 1892, by the Central Mining Co., who erected a washer at a small pond, near by. The ore occurs in pockets, in the decomposed shales and vari-colored clays. It seems to be of good quality; but, unfortunately, it is appare11tly not very abundant.

POLK COT./.N. TY

103

On lot I92, are other old workings, from which considerable ore 11as been shipped. Recently, Mr. W. L. Craig, of Rockmart, has been prospecting this lot, with a view to shipping the ore. At the time of our visit, the work had not progressed to a sufficient extent, to foretell the result of the undertaking. However, as far as it had gone, it seemed to be encouraging.

THE BLACK ROCK BANK
THE BLACK RocK BANK, which now belongs to THE TECuMSEH IRON Co., of Alabama, is located on lots 43 and Io6, 2Ist dz':Strict, about half-a-mile east of the Southern Railway. This bank has been worked irregularly, for some years, and has produced, altogether, something like ro,ooo tons of ore. In r89r, a double log-washer was erected upon the property, near the ore-bank; but, on account of the scarcity of water, it was operated for only a short time. The other improvements consist of a commissary; a spur-track, half-a-mile long, connecting the banks with the Southern Railway; etc. The deposits occur on a low, :flat ridge, but little elevated above the surrounding country. The works consist {)f four large open-cuts, together with a number of lesser excavations, none of which attain a depth of more than 20 feet. The ore seems to be quite abundant; but, in places, it is of an inferior grade. It often occurs in large masses, weighing a ton or more. These masses are generally compact, and of dark color; hence, the name of the bank. Associated with the massive ore in the yellow clays, are, also, "pot '' and honeycomb ore. The former consists largely of hematite, inclosing n1.asses of bluish clay. The

104

POLK COUNTY

hematite contains a few particles of pyrite, which seem to throw light on its origin. In some of the excavations, is to be seen considerable decomposed shale with the ore. The shale is of a brownish-red color, and is easily excavated with the pick. The main difficulty in working the Black Rock ore-bank is the lack of water. The pond, near the Southern Railway, furnishes ample water, during the wet season; but a continuous supply would have to be obtained, elsewhere.
Following, is a partial analysis r of a sample of ore from the Black Rock mine, collected by the writer:-

Water at roo C , Water above roo C . Iron Sesqui-oxide Equivalent to 1_
Metallic Iron J
Manganese ... Phosphoric Acid . Equivalent to }
Phosphorus Sulphur . . . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter . . . . . .

.6ro ro.68o 7o.88o
(49 6zo)
L3 2 5 I. 857 ( . 8o8)

THE S. K. HOGE ORE-BANK
This ore-bank is located on the east side of Enharlee creek~ about two miles north of Rockmart, only a short distance from the public-road leading to Aragon. The bank was opened up, only
a few months ago, by Mr. vV. L. Craig; and it had furnished, at the
1 By A. M. I,loycl, McCandless I,ahoratory, Atlanta.

POLK CO U.NTY

IOS

time of our visit, about so car-loads of ore. The work is confined chiefly to one main excavation, located at the base of a limestone hill, which, here, rises a hundred feet, or more, above the valley of Euhar]ee creek. The ore occurs as gravel and bowlders, in a large pocket, in the residual clays and slates, near the contact of the latter with the limestone, which is exposed on the hillside, only a few rods away. The limestone, at this place, is much sheared; and it carries pyrite, in the form of small crystals. Near by, on an adjoining lot, the limestone has been altered, along certain lines, by local metamorphism, into white fine-grained marble, which, at one time, was thought to be of sufficient abundance, to be of economic value as an ornamental stone.

THE DEATON MINE
THE DEATON ORE-BANK is situated on the East & West R. R., about a mile southwest of Taylorsville, on lots 64 and 8r, r8th district. The deposit occurs, here, near the base of a high ridge, which rises from three to four hundred feet above the valley. The works consist of a perfect labyrinth of open-cuts, which, in places, attain a depth of 20 feet or more. There is every evidence to show, that this ore-bank, at one time, contained a large quantity of ore; but the workable part of the deposit seems now, to b~, in a great measure exhausted. The character of the ore, found here, and also its mode of occurrence, differ greatly from those of any of the ores, hitherto described. One of the first things to attract attention, in approaching the ore-bank, is the unusual redness of the soils. In these soils, are to be seen large numbers of small angular pieces of

106

POLK COUNTY

ore. They are of a dark-brown or chocolate color, and are quite porous and light. Associated with these, are other fragments of ore, similar in form; but these are of a dark-red color, and consist of hematite :in the place of limonite. Some of these fragments
. seem to be made up almost entirely of small concretions, resem-
bling the casts of ostracods; but they are too much altered to admit of :identification. Other fragments are quite caveri1ous, and resemble, in structure, scoria or slag from a furnace. These ores are derived from a bed of ferruginous limestone, overlying the
Chickamauga formation at this poine Dr. J. W. Spencer, for-

Fig. I3

Section through the Deaton Ore-bank, Showing Ferruginous Limestone Overlying Chickamauga Limestone. r. Ferruginous Limestone. 2. Chickamauga Limestone.
merly State Geologist of G~orgia, in speaking of this deposit, says :-"At the Deaton mine, these ferruginous beds rest upon Maclurea limestone .(Chickamauga series), which has been rendered cavernous, in places, beneath a roof of the iron limestone senes. This weak roof has subsequently collapsed, and filled the chambers with a heterogeneous mass of ore. The ore is known to have a depth of 40 feet, at least.''
The perfect labyrinth of open-cuts, referred to above, are separated from each other, by walls of solid limestone. At the upper ends of the excavations, the ferrugihons limestones, partially
I See fig. 13.

POLK COUKTY

I07

altered into brown iron ore, is seen to overlie the more compact

limestone. The unaltered ferruginous limestone has a dark-brown

color, and often contains angular fragments of a similar material,

of lighter color. On the weathered surface, these angular frag-

ments are often conspicuous. Microscopic examination shows the

rock to carry a large quantity of magnetite, which is evidently the

original source of the brown iron ore of the Deaton mine.

The following partial analyses of ore, from the Deaton mine, are
reproduced from the report of former State Geologist, J. \A!.

Spencer, on the Paleozoic Group of Georgia : - r

Fe 48.56 4932 49.80

Si02 I4.25 II.04 12.03

p
0.363 0.335 0.287

s
Trace

Ti o.orr

H 20 I.30 2-53

Ca

Al

0.73 Trace 904

One other analysis is reported to have yielded 33 I2 per cent.

of metallic iron, with less than 3 per cent. of phosphorus.

The location of the Deaton mine on the rail-road, together with

its proximity to Euharlee creek, which is only a few hundred

yards away, made it possible to mine the ore, at a minimum cost.

THE RED-ORE BANK
This ore-bank, which belongs to THE CENTRAL MINING Co., is
situated on lot 509, I8tlz district, about 2 Yz miles southeast of Ara-
gon. It was worked, for a short time, in r894; but it does not appear to have been very profitable. The works, which consist of open-cuts, are confined, principally, to a small circular hill, rising
1 The Paleozoic Group of Georgia; Geological Survey of Georgia; by J. W. Spencer; page I74

ro8

POLK COUNTY

not over 6o feet above .the valley. The ore, found here, is similar to that, found at the Deaton ore-bank. It seems to be more or less abundant ; and it is of fine quality. The same deposit extends on to the adjoining lots, 57I and 572 ). and Dr. Spencer reports its occurrence, also, on lots 868, 869, 870, 932 and I,o76 / but, on none of these lots, has there been any work of importance. The origin of these spongy chocolate-colored ores is well illustrated, on the top of a hill, on lot 37I. Here, may be seen the ferruginous limestone, overlying the Chickamauga limestone. The ferruginous limestone, where it has been long exposed to atmospheric agencies, has been leached of its lime; so that it now occurs as a spongy iron-ore, still retaining in a great measure the original form of the parent rock.
With the exception of water, the Red-ore bank is well located for working. It was formerly connected with the East and West R. R., by a branch road, a mile or more in length.

CHAPTER III
DESCRIPTION OF THE IRON ORE PROPERTIES IN BARTOW
CouNTY
The iron ore banks of Bartow county have been worked; on a more or less extensive scale, for more than half-a-century. It would be a difficult matter, to give anything like a reliable estimate of the aggregate amount of ore, mined at the several banks, during this time. The output has always been quite variable, depending largely upon ~he price of the ore. At present, there are shipped, 'from the several banks, 75 to So car-loads of ore per day. The most extensive and valuable iron deposits of the county are associated with the Cambrian quartzites, in the eastern part of the county. The ore is chiefly limonite ; though hematite and siderite also occur. The latter, which has, in a great measure, given rise to the extensive brown ore deposits in the Sugar Hill district, is also reported to occur, in a considerable bed, at the base of Pine Log mountain, a few miles north of this point.
The following descriptions of the numerous banks and properties, here given, is thought to include all the iron deposits, now known to be of economic value, in Bartow county.
----)(----

IIO

BARTOW COUNTY

COL. C. M. JONES'S PROPERTY

THE JoNES PROPERTY, which comprises an area of several hun-

dred acres of mineral and agricultural lands, is located on Pump-

kin Vine creek, about one mile south of Emerson. The iron

deposits of this property have been known for many years, and

Fig. I4

have been worked, more or less ex-

tensively, since

I 876. The main

workings are

chiefly confined to

lots 966,978, I,OJ9,

I,040 and I,050, 4tlt district. The

first mining of any

importance, done

Section Showing the Occurren<;:e of Iron Ore on the C. M. Jones Property, Lot r,o4o, 4th District. r. Red Clay and Gravel-ore. 2. Contorted Metamorphic Slate. 3 Iron Ore.

on the property) was at Bank No. I, locafed near the southeast corner

of lot I,o4o. This bank is on a small eminence, known as Ceine-

tery Hill, which is the eastern termination of one of the spur

ridges, extending down from the main quartzite ridge, which lies

a short distance to the west. Cemetery Hill has an elevation of

about 75 feet above Pumpkin Vine creek; while the main quartz-

ite ridge rises 300 or 400 feet above the same level. The work-

ings at Bank No. r consist of a large open-cut, about roo yards

long. It varies from roo to 200 feet in width ; and, in places, it

BARTDrV COCi..i. VTY

III

attains a depth of 50 feet. In addition to this excavation, tliere are some short tunnels, and a number of test-pits. The ore, exposed to view in these excavations, occurs in large irregular masses, or pockets, and leads, in the decomposed metamorphic slates or schists. 1 Some of the ore-bodies are of large size, suffi-
all - cient to furnish several car-loads of ore. Thev are more or less '
connected, one with the other; and they may be considered as a continuous deposit, replacing or filling cavities in the highly contorted schists. The ore is usually quite compact; and, frequently, it discloses numerous particles of white quartz distributed through it. These quartz particles are often arranged in parallel lines; and they seem to have been derived from the original schists. Many of the specimens, collected, contain a large amount of fibrous limonite, filling cavities and fissures in the more impure ,ore. Manganese, in small quantities, occurs with the ore. It is usually present, however, as a black powder, which can, in a measure, be removed by the washer. At the eastern base of the hill, in a rail-road cut, are to be seen large quantities of siliceous ore, in its natural bedding. This ore occurs, associated with a heavy-bedded quartzite, which, here, dips at a high angle. On the hillside above the cut, are huge quartzite bowlders, weighing many tons, partially buried in the red clays, which mantle the surface. These red clays contain, in addition to the quartzite bowlders, considerable float-ore. Cemetery Hill seems to contain quite a good deal of workable ore. It is reported, that the bore-holes, put down on the hillside, here, demonstrated, that the ore extends to a depth of more than a hundred feet below the surface. If this statement is correct, there probably still remains much more workable ore in the hill, than has heretofore been mined. The Ceme-

1 See fig. 14.

II2

BARTOW COUNTY

iery ore-ba1Zk is connected, by a branch road, with the V\Testern & Atlantic R. R., at Emerson. It is also within a stone's throw of Pumpkin Vine creek, where water, for ore-washing, can be had, in any quantity.
The following partial analysis was made 1 from a sample of ore from Bank No. I of Col. C. M. Jones's property, collected by the writer:-

Water at Ioo C . Water above roo C . Iron Sesqui-oxide .
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron
Manganese . . Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to } Phosphorus '
Sulphur . .. Sand or Insoluble Matter .

.

530

IO. 220

65.s7o

. (45900)

445 345 .. ( .rso)

20. IOO

Ore-bank No. 2, is located on lot I,oso, about half-a-mile west of Bank No. r. This bank was opened in r879, and was worked, off and on, until r896. Two years later, a double log-washer was erected at the bank, and an attempt was made to work thedeposit, on a more extensive scale; but, owing to a reduction in the price of ore, only a limited amount of work was done. Previous to r 896, all the ore, taken from Bank No. 2, was mined by means of shovel, pick and screen, and was hauled, by wagon, to Emerson, I~ miles distant. The total amount of ore, mined during this time, is not known ; though, judging from the extent of the excavation, it would seem to aggregate many hundred tons. The or~ bank is situated on a hill-slope, about 400 yards from Pumpkin

1 By A.M. Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta.

BARTOW COUNTY

II 3

Vine creek. This hill, like the Cemetery Hill, is one of the foothills of the high quartzite ridge, a short distance to the west. The excavations at Bank No. 2, consist of two large open-cuts, each about 75 yards long and from 50 to roo feet in width. They both enter the hill from the same point, one running northeast, and the other, southeast. In the former cut, near where it joins the latter,
so the ore is said to have been worked, to the depth of feet. The
surface of the hill at this point is covered with a deep red or mottled clay, cont~ining gravel-ore. Beneath these clays, in places, occur beds, from r to 2 feet in thickness, of water-worn quartz pebbles. The workable part of the ore-deposit is found in pockets, in the clays and the decomposed schists. Associated with the ores in the southeastern cut, are to be seen masses of siliceous material. These masses, which are often brecciated, or have a banded structure, are usually of a dark color, and are quite porous. Some of the hand specimens, taken from the bowlders, have a dose resemblance to volcanic tufa; while others are not unlike 'compact limestone. The siliceous masses, here referred to, probably originated from the crushing of the quartzites, during the process of folding and faulting of the rock of this region. The iron ore, exposed. in the excavations, is mostly in the form of nodules, pebbles and "pots.'' It is usually of good quality; but it often contains more or less silica. Some ochre and manganese occur with the ore, in limited quantities. Ore-bank No. 2 is supplied with a double log-washer, an engine, pumps etc., all in fair state of repair.

----) (-----

II4

BARTOW COUNTY

A partial m~alysis r of a sample of ore, collected by the writer, from Bank No. 2 of Col. C. M. Jones's property : -

Water at roo C . Water above roo C . Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron
Manganese . . . , Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to } . Pho~phorus
Sulphur . . . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter

.66o
10.420
72. Sso (sr.ooo)
.024 11.220

Ore-bank No.3 is near the summit of a ridge, on the west side

of lot 978. This bank was formerly knowi1 as the Black Bank, from the color of the ore. The excavat~ons, here, are small; they have furnished, according to report, only about I2 car~loads of ore.

The work was clone several years ago, and the cuts are now so

fallen in, .that but little ore is to be seen in places. Specimens of the ore, found .011 the dump, w~re in the form of nodules and

pebbles7 The nodular mas.ses often consist largely of fibrous or "needle" ore. About 400 yards southwest of Bank No. 3, is to

be seen quite an exposure of liw.estone, which was m~re or less

extensively q~arried, some years ago, for making lime for local

use. The limestone is much fissured and broken up; ~md it

.

.

appears to be more or less crystalline. Ore-bank No.. 3 has an

excellent location. However, it is questionable, whe~her it con-

tains Inuch workable ore.

Ore-bank Jllo. 4 is situated on a hillside, near the east side of lot

I 10J9 The main excavation in this bank is small; nevertheless

I By A. M. ~loyd, McCandless l,ahoratory, Atlanta.

BARTOW COUNTY
it is claimed, that it has produced about 50 car-loads of ore,. The ore occurs as angular gravel and bowlders; and it usually carries considerable silica, in the form of sand. On the hill-slope above the main excavation, are to be seen several small prospect-pits, all showing more or less siliceous ore.
Ore-bank JVo. 5 has been worked to only a limited extent. It is located on a rather steep hill-slope, on lot 978, only a few rods from the branch railroad, extending from Emerson to Ore-bctnk No. r. The ore, in this bank, is usually rough and honeycombed; and it seems not to be very extensive. Considerable ochre is here found, with the ore; but it is too impure to be of economic importance.
Ore-banks Nos. 6, 7 and 8 are all located on lot 966. Bank No. 6, known, also, as the Convict Bank, is situated in the northeastern corner of the lot. This bank was worked by convicts, in r872; hence, its former name. The excavations are now so fallen in, that no ore is exposed to view. It is reported, that a large quantity of ore was mined at this bank, for the Etowah furnace. Bank lvo. 7 is a few hundred yards west of Bank No.6, on the Alabama road. It has been worked to only a limited extent. The ore does not seem to be very abundant; though it is of excellent quality. It has a red color, and seems to consist largely of hematite. Orebank 1'/o. 8 is situated on a hill-slope, near the southeast corner of the above named lot. There is to be seen, here, near the top of the hill, a large open-cut, from which a considerable amount of ore was taken, some years ago. F:urther down the hill, are other more recent excavations, where a small amount of ore was mined, last summer. Bank No. 8 appears to contain a large quantity of ore; but it is rather expensive to mine, on account of its being associated with large quartzite bowlders. This is especially true

-rr6

BARTOW COUNTY

of the recent excavations on the hillside. The ore, in all the .above banks, occurs in pockets, or in irregular veins, in the -residual clays and decomposed slates, or schists.
Recently, THE CrTrco IRON CoMPANY, of Chattanooga, Tenn., bas purchased the mineral interest in the Jones property; and it is now erecting a washer, and getting the banks in shape, to begin mining operations, on a more or less extensive scale. The company, at the time of our visit, had just ~xposed an extensive body of ore, in an open-cut on the hillside, only a short distance northwest of Bank No. r.

THE J. A. STEPHENS PROPERTY
The main ore deposits on THE STEPHENS PROPERTY are situated near the summit of a rather high hill, on lot 98I, 4th district. Both iron ore and manganese occur here, in considerable quantity. The 1atter mineral, until recently, seems to have attracted much more .attention,than the iron ore. It is confined mainly to the western :side of the hill, where it has been prospected, more or less exten:sively, by means of tunnels and shafts. It appears to be quite .abundant, and is of excellent quality. The iron deposit is on the adjacent side of the hill. It is here well exposed, in an open-cut .and a tunnel, the latter being an extension of the former. The
total length of the tunnel, including the open-cut, is about 66 feet.
It extends directly into the hill, and penetrates the ore for nearly its entire length. The iron-ore occurs in the decomposed metamorphic slates, and seems to partake somewhat of the nature of .a stratified deposit. It is mostly in the form of nodular masses, which are often more or less honeycombed. Considerable gravel-

BARTOW COUNTY

ore is also present. Near the summit of the hill, in the vicinityof the excavation, is much float-ore, which is frequently in the

form of large irregular masses. Associated with the float-ore, is.

considerable quartzite, which, near by, forms a small bluff, extending for several rods along the hillside. At the base of the hill, on which these deposits are situated, is a large spring, which fur-

nishes ample water, for ore-washing. This, together with the favorable surface indications, above referred to, makes lot 981 one of the most valuable mining prospects in the vicinity.
A partial analysis I of a sample of ore from the J. A. Stephens:
property, collected by the writer, resulted as follows:-

Water at roo C ...
Water above I oo C
Iron Sesqui-oxide .
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron
Manganese ... Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to } Phosphorus
Sulphur . . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter .

520 r2.o5o 72.120
547 1.916 . ( . 834) . ,082

Mr. J. A. Stephens, of Cartersville, who owns this lot, also owns.

another lot, partially within the corporate limits of Cartersville,.

'which has recently been worked, to a limited extent, for iron ore.

The ore occurs, here, on the side of a quartzite ridge, in small

irregular pockets. It is frequently siliceous, and does not seem to,.

be very abundant.

I By A. M. Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta.

-----) (-----

rr8

BARTOW COUNTY

THE JOHN P. STEGALL PROPERTY

THE STEGALL PROPERTY includes a number of lots in the ne11g"n1oor.n. ooa1o~ r .....l...:....:!tlnerson, wn'1 1c1 n1nave 1oeen worK1e1a1r'o" r .non, more or less, since about 1870. One of the oldest workings 011 the property i_s to be seen 011 lot 980, 4tlz district, immediately east of the above described Stephens property~ It consists of a large open-cut, near the base of the same hill, on which the Stephens prospect is located. The excavation was made, some 20 years ago; and it is reported to have produced several car-loads of ore. It is now much fallen in ; so that but little ore is in sight. On the hillside, a few rods from the cut, is a short tumiel, begun with the view to striking the ore-deposit at a lower level. The abandonment of the tunnel before its completion, is said to have been due to encountering a bed of compact limestone. The ore, exposed in the walls of the open-cut, consists of nodules and gravel. It is quite free from mechanical impurities; and it appears to be of excellent quality. In the southeast corner of the same lot, is another excavation, from which a small amount of ore has been mined. The deposit, here, occurs in a ravine, near the Alabama road. The ore is somewhat siliceous; and it appears to be in limited quantities.
Probably the most valuable deposits, to be found anywhere on the Stegall property, is on lot 979 This lot, in places, has mt,tch float-ore on the surface; but, only at a few points, has the ore been worked to any extent. The main workings are situated on the summit and slope of a ridge, having an elevation of about 200 feet above the general level of the surrounding country. They consist of small open-cuts and shafts, varying from ro to 30 feet in depth.

BARTOW COUl\lTY
The greater part of this work was done, some zc:i years ago. Nevertheless, the exca\~ations, in places, still sho-vv considerable ore, z"n sz"tu. Besides these old excavations, there are others, more recent. One of these, \vhich is located on the hill below, is an extension of an excavation on the Jones property. It was worked, to a limited extent, last summer; and it was found, in good condition for examin-ation. The ore has been mined, here, by an open-cut and a short tunnel, to a depth of about 25 feet. It occurs in irregular pockets, in the residual clays, mixed with masses of quartzite. It seems to be quite abundant; but it is somewhat siliceous. In the excavations near the summit of the hill, the ore appears to contain less silica, and is of better. quality. There is but little doubt, that the iron deposits of the above lot are extensive and workable.
About three-quarters of a mile northwest of lot 980, near the branch road, leading from Emerson to the ore-banks on the Jones property, are other workings. The main excavation, to be seen here, is on a rather steep hillside. It is about 40 feet long, from 5 to 20 feet wide, and 4 or 5 feet deep. This work was done, some years ago, and the ore was shipped to the Citico and the Bartow furnaces. The ore is massive, and of dark color; and it appears to run high in metallic iron. The limited amount of work, done here, gives but little information, concerning the mode of occurrence and the extent of the deposit. Another excavation, of somewhat larger size, occurs on lot 894, 4tlz district, about half-a-mile southwest of Emerson. The ore, found here, is both massive and honeycomb, and is interlaminated with metamorphic slate and quartzite. The excavation, from which, it is reported, some ro or rz car-loads of ore <vvere shipped, was made, about ro years ago. The ore is partially altered to hematite. It is apparently limited in quantity; though, of good quality. In addition to the above,

I20

BARTOW COUNTY

there are also favorable prospects on lot 900. There, ore is found, mostly in the form of large masses, outcropping on the hillside. No attempt has been made, so far, to determine its extent.
All the ore-banks on the Stegall property are well located for
working, none of them being more than I Yz miles from the West-
ern & Atlantic R. R.

THE P. H. LAREY PROPERTY
THE LAREY PROPERTY, lots 67z and 750, 4th district, is situated on the Western & Atlantic R. R., about one mile northwest of Emerson. The ore deposits on these lots are confined mainly tothe east side of a quartzite ridge, which rises to an elevation of about 300 feet above the surrounding country. The main workings consist o~ six different open-cuts, from which it is reported,. that about 200 tons of ore were mined in r889, and shipp.ed to the Chattanooga and the Rockrun furnaces. The ore, which is nodular, honeycomb and massive, occurs in irregular pocket~, and in layers, interlaminated with the decomposed metamorphic slates and quartzite. In some of the excavations, the ore has a decidedly red color, and partakes of the nature of true hematite. This is especially true of the ore, occurring in what is known as the Buz-. zard ore-bank, a large open-cut in the head of a small ravine, well up on the hillside. It is reported, that small specimens of micaceous hematite have been picked up, at several' places on the quartzite ridge; but no regular deposit of this kind of ore has yet been located. The brown ore, found on the Larey property, is. usually quite free from mechanical impurities; but it does not. appear to be very abundant.

THE IRON ORES OF GEORGIA

PLATE VI

THE WHEELER ORE-BANK, NEAR EMERSON, BARTOW COUNTY, GEORGIA.

BARTOFV C0l/i\7Y

I2I

THE BARTO\V FDR::\ACE COMPAN"Y'S PROPERTY

THE BARTO\V FliRN"ACE Co::vrPAKY's PROPERTY compnses an

area of r,ooo acres of mineral and agricultural lands, located on

both sides of the \Vestern & Atlantic R. R., one mile east of Em-

erson. The first ore-bank \vas opened on this property, in r 862.

Soon thereafter, other banks were opened ; and m 1n1 n g

Fig. 15

operations, with various inter-

ruptions, were continued until

r 877. The exact amount of

ore, mined on the property, is

a matter of conjecture. How-

ever, judging from the extent

of the excavation, it must have

aggregated many thousand tons. The entire output, from the several banks, was used at the Bartovv furnace, the re-

Section through the East Side of Bank No. r, of the Bartow Furnace Property. I. Quartzite. 2. Iron Ore in Clay.

mains of which are still to be seen on the \Vestern & Atlantic

R. R., only a short distance from the ore-banks.

The most extensive workings, to be seen any\vhere on the prop-

erty, are located on lot 903, .;.tlz dstrz'ct, about a quarter of a mile

southwest of the furnace. The workings consist of t\vo large

open-cuts, covering a total area of about two acres. They' are both

on the same hillside, at an ele\ation of about r 50 feet above tl1e

\alley. The ore in these cuts is said to ha \'e been v;orked, in

places, to the depth of So feet, 'vvithont decrease in the quantity of

ore. The excavations are 110\\' much filled with fallen earth; sc

that only a \ery imperfect idea can be obtained of the ore in place.

"I22

BARTOW COUNTY

In the cut farthest to the south, the ore appears to partake of the nature of a stratified deposit, overlain by quartzite. r At other points, the ore seems to occur in the form of large pockets, or -irregular masses, in the decomposed metamorphic slates. The ore occurs mostly in the form of angular gravel and nodules. The latter are frequently concretionary in form, and filled with clay. .Associated with the ore, are large masses of ferruginous material, consisting largely of silica.
On the opposite side of the \i\Testern & Atlantic R. R., from the .above excavation, something like 200 yards from the old furnace, -is another huge excavation, from which large quantities of ore l1ave been taken. This cut, known as Ore-bank .flo. 2, is located -on the hill-slope, only a few rods from the rail-road. It is about 200 yards long, several rods wide, and, in places, 50 feet deep. 'The outline of the cut is very irregular, a fact due to its following the richer leads of the ore. Considerable ore is still to be seen, in the crumbling walls of the open-cut. It occurs in pockets and leads, in the red and mottled clays, and appears to be in workable quantities. Here, as at Bank No. r, are large masses of siliceous material, associated with the ore. Manganese is also present, in :a limited quantity. In some of the hand specimens collected, the 1nanganese is almost as plentiful as the iron ore itself. Ore-bank No. 2 was opened in r87 5, and was worked, more or less continuously, until r885. Near the entrance of the excavation, is the site of an old log-washer, formerly used in washing the ore, before it was taken to the furnace.
A third ore-bank, known as Bank No. 3, is located on a low -ridge, about a quarter of a mile south of the Bartow furnace. The main working, here, is an open-cut, about roo yards long, and from 5 to 20 feet deep.. It is now much fallen in, so that but

See fig. rs.

BARTOW COUNTY

123

little ore is to be seen z"n situ. The ore occurs mostly as gravel .and nodules, in the red and yellow clays. It seems to be of good ,quality; but it is limited in quantity.

In addition to the brown ore, micaceous hematite occurs on the Bartow Furnace Company's property. The best exposure of this -class of ore is found on the summit of the hill, on which Ore-bank No. I is located. The ore occurs, here, in considerable abundance, scattered about the surface as float-ore; and it is also exposed, in .one or two small prospect-pits, where it is interlaminated with the metamorphic slate. The ore generally has a schistose or foliated structure, and a very marked metallic lustre. It probably exists in workable quantities; but further prospecting 1s necessary, to

fully demonstrate this. The following is a partial analysis of the m1caceous hematite,
from the Bartow Furnace Co's. property, by Prof. H. C. vVhite, of

the university of Georgia:-

:Metallic Iron ..

64.500

Sulphur ...... .

.OI2

Phosphorus .

.OII

A partial analysis1 of a sample of brown ore from the Bartow

Furnace property, collected by the writer, yielded results, as

follows:-

vVater at roo C . VVater above I00 C . Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to l
Metallic Iron J
Manganese ... Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to } Phosphorus
Sulphur ... Sand or Insoluble Matter .

480
10. 6so 7431
2.300
None 70?0

1 By A. M. Lloyd, McCandless I,aboratory,-.,Atlanta.

I24

BARTOW COUNTY

Besides the iron deposits, here described, there are other favor-, able prospects on the Bartow Furnace Comp;:my's property, which would seem to warrant investigation.

1'HE ROAN IRON COMPANY'S PROPERTY
THE RoAN IRON CoMPANY'S PROPERTY, lot 68o, 4th distrz"ct 1 . is situated on the east side of the Western & Atlantic R. R., about
2 Yz miles northwest of Emerson. The iro11 ore, found o~ this
property, consists entirely of micaceous hematite. It occurs on the spurs and foot-hills of a quartzite ridge, which here rises to an elevation of 300 or 400 feet above the general level of the surrounding country. The greater part of the work was done on this property, in 1877- For about eight months, during that year, it is said, that the mine produced daily about four car-loads of ore. The works consist of a number of open-cuts, shafts anc1 tt~nnels, at different elevations on the hillside. All these excavations are now inaccessible, and no ore is to be seen, except on the dumps, or in the reel surface soils. The surface or float ore is quite abundant, in places, on the hillside. In one of the small ravines near the excavations, it is said, that this ore \Yas so abundant in the reel soil, that it was profitably worked. The material on the clump demonstrates, that the micaceous hematite o:cnrs associated with a fine-grained quartzite, which, in places, is quite fossiliferous. The fossils, however, have been so altered, that they are difficult to identify. The ore on the Roan Iron Company's property is of excellent quality; and, if found in large quantities, the deposit -vvonld be of great value; as the property i;;

BARTOW COUKTY

125

so fa\orably located for working. The main excavations are within a fe\Y hundred yards of the rail-road, and water can be had, in inexhanstable quantity, from the Eto-vvah river, not over half a

_-\ partial analysis: of a sample of inferior ore, taken from the <:1nmp of the Roan Iron Co.'s property, resulted as follows:-

'.Yater at roo C ..
'1\"ater above roo C
Iron Sesq ui-oxide
l Equivalent to
Metallic Iron j
Manganese . . . ,
Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to l
Pho,phorus j
Sulphur
Sand or Insoluble Matter .

. r6o I.OIO 53-9IO
193
.IZO
3 7. 730

THE ETO\-VAH IRON COMPANY'S PROPERTY
TEE ETO"V'i"AH IROK COMPANY'S PROPERTY, which comprises an area of several thousand acres of mineral land, ~s located on both sides of the Etowah river in Bartow county, only a short distance -,"est of Cartersville. This property is noted for its extensive and valuable iron deposits, which have been worked almost continuously, for more than half a century. As early as r84o, several c:old-blast furnaces were erected on the property, and the ores were reclnced, for local consumption. There occurs, on the property, a
. By A. M. Lloyd. McCandless I,aboratory. Atlanta.

rz6

BARTOW COUNTY

large number of ore-banks, the most important of which are here
described. THE ALLATOONA 0RE-BANK.-This ore-bank is located on lot
729, 2Ist district, two miles northwest of Allatoona. The bank was opened by Mr. Mark A. Cooper before the Civil War, to supply a small furnace with ore, then in blast on Allatoona creek. After the war, the bank was operated for some time, by an At-lanta company. This company constructed a narrow-gauge branch rail-road, a mile and three quarters long, connecting the ore-bank with the Western & Atlantic R. R., near Allatoona station. The ore-bank finally passed into the hands of the Etowah Iron Co., which operated it, until r89r. It is reported, that, during the last two years it was operated, the latter company shipped from the bank, to South Pittsburg and other points in Tennessee, something like 6o,ooo tons of ore. The Allatoona bank, together with the Crow bank, hereafter to be described, is located on a low ridge or hill, having an elevation of about roofeet above the valley of Allatoona creek. The main workings at the Allatoona bank con- sist of two open-cuts near the top of the ridge. These excavations cover a total area of about three quarters of an acre. They are each about roo yards long, and from ro to 6o feet in depth. The cuts are entered by tunnels driven on a level with the rail-road, which runs _along the side of the hill. By this means, the ore is conveyed directly to the cars, without having to be hoisted from the cuts. The ore-body, exposed in these excavations, seems to partake of the nature of both vein and pocket deposit. More properly speaking, it might be described as a continuous vein, or lead, several rods wide, having numerous large swells or pockets. The pockets frequently contain many car-loads of ore, which is. generally quite free from quartz and other n1.echanical impurities..

BARTOW COU.l'v7Y

127

The ore deposit, here exposed, occurs near the line of contact between the mica-schists and the granitoid gneiss.r The latter formation, in immediate contact with the schists, is much sheared; "'ivvhile, only a short distance away, it passes into a coarse-grained granitoid rock, containing large phenocrysts of feldspar. Associ-ated with the ore, are large masses of siliceous material, in the form of huge bowlders, often several feet in diameter. Some of these masses frequently carry considerable iron; but they run too

Fig. r6
------ -l- -- - - --
I

1

3

Section through the Allatoona Ore-bank. r. Granitoid Gneiss. 2. Iron Ore in Clays. 3 Mica-schist.

high in silica, to be of economic value. Much of the ore, exposed

in the walls of the cuts, appears in the form of angular and irreg-

ular fragments, which seem to have been broken up, by some

recent earth movement. This was at first thought to be due to

the use of dynamite or other explosives, used in mining the ore.

But further examination showed, that this broken condition of the

ore occurred, where no explosives whatever had been used. The

crushed condition of the ore, found here, is probably due to the-
is settling of the rock, in the process of weathering. The bank

favorably located for working, and appears to contain a large

quantity of workable ore. A partial analysis of the ore from the

Allatoona bank, by Mr. S. A. Reed, New York City, yielded:--

:Metallic Iron .... Silica . . . . . . . . ....................... . Phosphorus. . ........................... .

. . so.sr
723 I.36

1 See fig. 16.

IZ8

BARTOW COUNTY

A partial analysis I of ore from the Allatoona bank, collected by the writer, resulted as follows : -

Water at roo C . . Water above roo C
Iron Sesqui-oxide
l Equivalent to
Metallic Iron j
Manganese ... Phosphoric Acid .
} Equivalent to Phosphorus
Sulphur Sand or Insoluble Matter .

10.990 76340 . (537 20)
. ( I.054) 0 34
6.6ro

The Iron deposit, exposed on Allatoona hill, extends into the adjoining lot, No. 7 I I, where it has been exposed at a few points, by small prospect-pits, In the immediate vicinity of the Allatoona ore-bank, are other favorable prospects, on lots 7I2, 732 and 738, 2 I st district. ~
THE vVHEELER ORE-BANK._ This Bank is one of the most extensive ore-banks on the Etowah property. It is situated on lot
.648, 2Ist district, r Yz miles east of Emerson. The bank has been
worked, at irregular intervals, since the early sixties, and has furnished a large quantity of excellent ore. The first ore, mined at the \)\!heeler bank, was r~cluced at the Allatoona furnace, then in blast on Allatoona creek, about a mile from the ore-bank. After the Allatoona furnace was closed, the ore was hauled by wagon to the Bartow furnace, located on the vVestern & Atlantic R. R., about one mile southeast of Emerson. In r897, the Etowah Com-
pany constructed. a standard-gauge road, z Yz miles in length, to
Emerson, where it connects with the Western & Atlantic R. R.

I By"- M. !.,loyd, McCandless I.,aborutory, Atlanta.

BARTOW COD:i\71'

129

Since the above date, the ore, from the Wheeler and otber banks

-in the Yicinity, has been shipped to the Tennessee furnaces. The

total amount of ore, shipped to the above named furnaces from the

\Vheeler bank, is not known. Ho\vever, judging from the extent

of the excavation, it must aggregate many thousand tons. Capt.
J. J. Calhoun states, that the Eto\vah Company shipped from the

bank, for a period of 18 months, an average of about roo tons of ore per day. The ore deposit of the 'Wh'eeler banks occurs in a

;,;ell defined vein along the crest of a low ridge. The vein con-

forms, in strike and dip, to the schists, the country-rock. It has

been \vorked, in large open-cuts along its outcropping, for fully a

quarter of a, mile. Some of these exca\-ations are 40 feet deep, and

several rods in width. The vein varies from 10 to 30 feet, in

thickness, and extends to unknown depth. The walling, on either

side of the vein, consists of hydromica-schists, highly contorted,

and frequently replaced by brown iron ore, having a foliated or a

concretionary structure. This is especially true, of the schists, in

immediate contact with the vein. In places, the vein is separated

into two divisioDs, and the schist walling, here, contains small

})Ockets of ore. The ore is of good quality, and generally quite

free from quartz and other mechanical impurities.

The following are partial analyses of ore from the \l\;heeler

1Jank, made by .Messrs. Booth, Garrett & Blair, of Philadelphia,

Penn.:-

l\Ietallic Iron Phosphorus ...

SAr.fPLE No. r

47-47 95

:Metallic Iron. Phosphorus

SAMPI,E Ko. 2

51 O..:j.

130

BARTOW COUNTY

Another partial analysis of ore from the Wheeler bank, made-

by S. A. Reed, of New York City, is as follows : -

Metallic Iron ................................................ . 52.07

Silica ....................................................... . 6.85

-Phnc::n'hn.1"1,C: -~~y~ -~

. ' . . ... . . . .. . .. . . . .. . ...

. . . . .

. ................. .

95

There appears to be a large quantity of workable ore in the

Wheeler bank; but it is rather difficult to mine, on account of

the treacherous condition of the decomposed schists, forming the walls of the vein. 1 When the ore is removed, the schists have not

sufficient strength to support their own weight; and as a conse-

quence, they collapse, and fill the cavity, from which the ore was

taken. On this account, but little ore is now exposed to view,

except in the ends of the cuts. Ore deposits, similar to the above,

are to be seen, at a recent open-cut, on lot 649, zrst district. This.

deposit seems to be a continuation of the Wheeler vein. There is

now a double log-washer, located at the Wheeler ore-barik, in

good condition. Water, for operating the washer, was obtained

at a small branch about half-a-mile away.

THE IRON ORE DEPOSIT ON LoT 575, 2IST DISTRICT is quiteextensive. The main part of the deposit occurs on the summit

and slopes of a high quartzite ridge, about three quarters of a mile::

northeast of the Wheeler bank. Considerable ore was mined on

this lot, before the Civil War, for use in the Allatoona furnace.

These old excavations are now well filled with earth, and show

but little ore in place. Recently, the lot has been pretty tho-

roughly prospected by the Etowah Company, so that the ore is now

exposed, in no less than 20 excavations, at different points along

the ridge. From these several prospect-pits and cuts, five or six

1 Since the above was written, mining operations have been resumed at the Wheeler bank, by the Renfroe Brothers, who are now shipping fron-u three to four car-loads of ore per day.

BARTOW CO U.NTY

131

car-loads of ore were shipped, last summer, to the furnace, for a.

trial test. The result is said to have been satisfactory; and it is

reported, that it is the intention of the company to begin mining

here, at an early date, on a more or less extensive scale. Tbe ore

occurs in irregular veins and pockets, associated with quartzite

and mica-schist. Frequently, these ore-bodies are of large size,

and contain much ore. \i\lhen they occur in vein-form, they

alway conform, in strike and dip, to the country-rock. The ore

often contains considerable silica, in the form of quartz, which

seems to have been derived from the decomposed schists. Several

of the excavations expose a large amount of stalactitic ore ; but

the greater part of the ore consists of irregular masses, often com-

pact, but more frequently, cavernous, or s01newhat laminated.

The depth, to \vhich the ore deposits extend, on lot 57 5, is not
known ; as none of the excavations are more than rs or 20 feet in

deptho \Vater, for ore-washing, can be had on this lot, in unlim-

ited quantities at Allatoona creek, three quarters of a mile away.

Similar deposits occur on lots 57z, 578 ar-zd 579, 2zst dz"strzd.

A limited amount of prospecting has been done, on one or tvvo of

these lots.

The following is a partial analysis1 of an ore sample, collected

by the writer, from lot 575, 2zst district:-

Water at Ioo C
Water above roo 0 C. .
Iron Sesqui oxide Equivalent to )
Metallic Iron S
Manganese . . _
Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to l
Phosphorus j
Sulphur .....
Sand or Insoluble Matter .

5 I 0
II.j30
74-070 (sr.Sso)
.I 25
387 . I 68)
Trace

1 By A. M. Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta.

BARTOW COUNTY
LoT 6r2, 4TH DISTRICT.- There are to be seen, on this lot, several open-cuts, all made during the past year. They are situated on a hillside, only a few rods from the rail-road, leading from the Wheeler ore-bank to Emerson. Something like 40 car-loads of ore are reported to have been shipped from these excavations, last summer. The ore occurs in the red and yellow clays, mostly in the form of gravel and hollow nodules, called '' dornicks ", by the mmers. The latter often carry considerable silica, in the form of sand. In mining the ore, it was sluiced from the cuts, in a wooden trough, directly into the cars, without being further washed; and, as a consequence, it is reported, that it did not give the best results at the furnace.
ORE-BANK ON LoT 576, 2IST DISTRICT.- This ore-bank 1s situated on the point of a ridge, about half-a-mile due north of the \iVheeler ore-bank. It was opened in March, r899, and was worked, for about 6 months, during which time, it produced about r ,ooo tons of ore. The \vorking consists of a large ope11-cut, about 200 yards long, and from 5 to 30 feet deep; and, in places, .40 feet wide. The ore occurs, here, in a continuous vein, which varies from 5 to r5 feet in thickness. The vein is supposed to be the northern extension of the Wheeler vein, previously described. The ore at the two banks is quite similar, and occurs under like conditions. The vein clips at a high angle, and has a nearly due north-and-south trend. Its walling is hydromica-schist, much folded and contorted, and contains, in places, considerable graphite. Here, as at the \iVheeler bank, the decomposed schists are of a treacherous nature, and make mining, without timbering, dangerous. At the time of our visit to the bank, much of the vein was hidden from view, by the recent caving in of the walls. By proper timbering, such mishaps as this C'onlcl be easil-y avoided,

BARTOW COUNTY

1 33

and the veins could be \Vorked, to any desired depth. The bank is well located for working. It is -vvithin a few rods of a small brook, \Vhich supplies ample \Yater for ore-washing, and is connected by a spur-track with the branch road leading from the \Vheeler bank to Emerson. The double log-washer at the bank is comparatively new, and in good condition.
The following :is a partial analysis 1 of a sample of ore from lot
s;6, 2 rst district, collected by the writer:-

Water at 100 C . . \Yater above Ioo C

390 I I .6oo

Iron Sesqui- oxide .

76.oio

Equivalent to 1_ Metallic Iron j

(53-2IO)

Manganese . . . . . . . . . . . < Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent t<J I
Phosphorus f

-775 2. 387
(I. 0 39)

Sulphur . . . .

Trace

Sand or Insoluble Matter . . .

533

LoT 54I) 4TH DISTRICT adjoins lot s;6, 21St district, 011 the

north. In places, it has a good deal of float-ore on the surface ;

but, at only one point, has its extent been investigated. The

prospecting work is limited to a single recent cut, about 50 feet

long, and from 5 to 15 feet deep. The excavation is located on

the '-Yooded hillside, where considerable float-ore occurs stre-vYn

about the surface. The ore, exposed in the cut is found in reel

and yellow clays, more or less mixed \liith angular fragments of

quartzite. It is mostly in the form of graYel ore, and seems to be

of good quality. On an adjoining lot, _11./o. 5-1-2, are to be -~

other favorable surface prospects. Especially is t},i- -

'" By.-\. M. J<loyd, McCandless Laboratory. Allanta

BARTOW COUNTY
hill-slope, on which are located the old manganese pits. The surface prospects for iron ore is, here, unusually good, and would seem to warrant a thorough investigation of the entire hillside, where it occurs. LoT 6r6, 4TH DISTRICT. - 'I'his 1ot is noted for its deposit of micaceous hematite. It is located only a short distance from the Western & Atlantic R. R., and adjoins the Roan Iron Company's property, previously described. The ore, on the above lot, occurs . on the side of a quartzite ridge, at an elevation of about roo feet above the valley. It has been worked to a considerable extent, at various places along the hillside; but all the excavations, with one exception, are now filled with earth, and are inaccessible. The . exception, here referred to, is a short tunnel, well up on the hillside. Here, the ore is to be seen in the sandy clays, mixed with fragments of quartzite, as if it had been removed from its original position by a land-slide, or by some other local disturbance. It is reported, that the ore, in some of the excavations, appears as a well defined bed, from two to five feet in thickness, interstratified with quartzite. This statement is evidently true; for the material, found on the dump, consists largely of coarse. grained quartzite, often interlaminated with thin layers of micaceous hematite. Both the quartzite fragments and some of the more impure specimens of ore, found on the dumps, are often . quite fossiliferous, as is the case at the Roan Iron Company's property. Mr. A. R. McCutchen, formerly Assistant State Geologist of Georgia, in a private report to the Etowah Company, some years ago made the following statement, in reference to the iron , ""1Josits on lot 6r6:- '' The ore is found on this lot, in scattered hom the top to the foot of the ridge, on which it out, worked on an adjoining property, up to the

BARTOW COCNT1~

]imit of this lot) where the vein, now covered with debris, is said to be five feet in thickness, -vvith some intercalated slates and sandstones. The ore is of superior quality, as is shown by the analysis of specimen below. This appears to be stratified ore, occurring in a regular bed, and may continue throughout the lot. It may be traced by the surface ore, wherever the associated sandstone and slates are exposed."
A partial analysis of mica~eous hematite, from lot 6z6, 4th disirz"ct, from a report by Mr. A. R. McCutchen : -

Metallic Iron ............. .

. ..... : ...... .

Sulphur ................. .

Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... .

.02

A partial analysis of micaceous hematite, from lot 6z6, 4th dis-

.!nd, by Mr. D. G. \:Viggins:-

Metallic Iron .......... . Phosphorus ........ .

64.49
.OI

A partial analysis of micaceous hematite, from lot 6z6, 4th dis-

trict, by Messrs. Booth, Garrett & Blair, of Philadelphia:-

Metallic Iron ......... . Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . .

60.23

.... .. .........

.or

A partial analysis r of a sample of micaceous hematite, from lot

.6r6, 4th district, collected by the writer, is as fo1lows:-

\Vater at I00 C .. \A/ater above roo C Iron Sesqui~oxide
Equivalent to ) Metallic Iron ).
Manganese ...
Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to l
Phosphorus j
Sulphur . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter .

.130
79
82.320
. (57.63o)
.Of4) None 1 537

1 By A.M. Lloyd, :McCandless Laboratory. Atlanta.

BARTOW COuNTY
It will be seen, from the above analyses, that the ore from lot 6r6 runs very low in phosphorus; and it may therefore be classed as a true Bessemer ore. The extent of the workable ore, to be found on lot 6r6, is unknown. However, the favorable surface indications, together with the high grade of the ore, would seem to justify a thorough exploration of the hillside, on which the ore occurs.
THE HuRRICANE HOLLoW ORE-BANKS.-This group of orebanks, which is owned by the Etowah Company, is located on the foot-hills of Pine mountain, about three miles east of Cartersville. The mo~t extensive workings, to be seen here, occur on lots 400 and 465, 4th district. The greater part of the work on these lots was clone before the Civil War, in order to obtain ore for the Cooper furnace, then in blast on the Etowah river, only about a mile away. The largest of these old excavations, now known as tlze Big ore-bank, is situated on lot 465, near the end of a steep ridge, which extends clown from Pine mountain. The excavations consist of huge open-cuts, varying from ro to 40 feet in depth, and covering altogether an area of something like half-anacre. The walls of the cuts are now much fallen in, and show but little ore in place. The ore occurs in clays and decomposed schists, associated with quartzite, in the form of irregular pockets and veins. The pockets are frequently of large size, and often contain many car-loads of nodular and gravel ore. Stalactitic ore also frequently occurs; but it is limited in quantity. Mixed with the ore, in places, are numerous angular fragments of quartzite, which are very friable, and easily crushed between the fingers. \7ilith this exception, the ore is quite free from mechanical impurities. Immediately below the above excavations on the hillside, are two old tunnels, formerly driven into the hillside in search of

.BARTOTV CODi\'TY

1 37

manganese, virhich is often found in this vicinity, associated with

the iron deposits. The brown ore at the Big ore-bank frequently
has areddish color' and seems to be partly altered to hematite,

as is indicated by the following partial analysis of ore, from lot

465, 4th dz"strzd, from a report by Mr. A. R. McCutchen:-

Metallic Iron ................. .

. ............ 6r.roo

Sulphur ............. .

.005

Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .o6o

The following is a partial analysis 1 of ore, from the Hurrz"cane

Hollow ore-bank, collected by the writer:-

Water at 100 C .. \Vater above roo C Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron
Manganese ... Phosphoric Acid Equivalent to }
Phosphorus Sulphur . . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter .

.620
9.45 77-950 (54-570)
0 49
7-300

On the eastern side of the ridge, on which the Big. ore-bank is situated, are nurnerous other excavations, extending for half-amile or more, to the northwest: Here, are to be seen cut after cut and tunnel after tunnel, exposing ore, in greater or less quantities. One of these tunnels, now partially :filled with earth, but still accessible, extends into the hillside, for fully 30 feet, exposing ore, its entire length. Near by, is another tunnel, at the mouth of which are several car-loads of ore. This tunnel, which is now inaccessible, is said to extend into the hill, to a distance of 40 feet

1 By A.M. !,loyd, McCandless I,aboratory, Atlanta.

138

.BARTOW COUNTY

through solid ore. The ore, found on the heap, is quite compact, and of a dark color. Some of the specimens, collected, contain numerous small angular fragments of quartz, which seem to have been derived from the weathered schists. The quality of the ore taken from this tunnel is shown by the following partial analysis of ore by Messrs. Booth, Garrett & Blair, of Philadelphia:-
Metallic Iron ......... _.. _. _.................................... 5593 Phosphorus ............... _. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
In the hollow, a few rods from the mouth of the above tunnel, are to be seen the remains of an old rail-road, constructed in r889, by the Etowah Company, for hauling ore from the several banks in the vicinity. The road, here referred to, is one of the divisions of the main branch-road, built from the Western & Atlantic R. R. to the Cooper Iron Works on the Etowah river. Only a short distance away, are to be seen the remains of another road. This is a narrow-gauge road, constructed to the manganese ore-banks, in the neighborhood of Rowland Springs. These two roads, if put in repair, would furnish excellent facilities for transporting the ores, which occur in such abundance in this neighborhood. The ridge, on which the Big ore-bank and the several excavations, here referred to, are located, extends to the northwest, for some distance, and finally divides into two distinct ridges, one taking a western, and the other an eastern, course. On both of these ridges, for a mile or more, is one cut after another, exposing ore, in greater or less quantity. The ore, in all the excavations examined, occurs in irregular veins or pockets in the residual clays and decomposed metamorphic slates or schists. It often contains, in places, considerable silica, in the form of quartz; but, otherwise, it is of fair quality.
Ore deposits, similar to the above, and exposed in like excava-

BARTOlF COUNTY

1 39

t:i.ons, are found in the immediate vicinity, on the following lots:Nos. 329, JJO, 392, 393, 399 and 466, 4th district. Much of the work, on these lots, was done some eight or ten years ago by the Etowah Company, which shipped, at that time, a large quantity of ore from the several excavations. The ore, shipped by this company, is said to have been of excellent quality, and to have given satisfactory results at the furnace. The amount of ore, on the above lots, still in sight, is very great; and there can be no doubt, that, 1n many places, the deposit could be worked with profit.
LoT 253, 4TH DISTRICT.- This lot lies on the east side of Pine mountain. It was worked for iron ore, to a limited extent, by Mr. Mark Cooper, before the Civil War. The ore occurs near the summit of a sharp ridge, where it is exposed, in a few shallow cuts. It appears to be limited in quantity, and of a siliceous nature. Manganese occurs, in places, with the ore.
LoT 306, 5TH DISTRICT. -The iron deposits of this lot were worked prior to the Civil War, and the ore was used in the Etowah furnace. The works consist of several open-cuts, now much fallen in; but still, in places, considerable ore is to be seen in situ. The main deposit and working is to be found on the eastern slope of a hill, about half-a-mile from the narrow-gauge rail-road, constructed, some years ago, to the manganese deposit, in the neigh. borhood of Rowland Springs. Water, for ore-washing, can be had, about half-a-mile from the deposit.
LoT 268, 5TH DISTRICT was worked, to a considerable extent, a few years ago, for its iron deposits. The ore, found on this lot, is fossiliferous hematite, and resembles very closely the ore on lot 6r6, 4th district. It seems to occur here, as at the latter place, in a well defined bed, associated with quartzite. The old workings,

BARTOW COUNTY':

here to be seen, consist of open-cuts on a hill-slope. The excavations are now partially filled with fallen earth, so that but little ore is to be seen, except the float-ore, which appears in considerable abundance, in the deep red soil. No knowledge of the economic

importance of the hematite deposit on this lot can be had, from the limited exposure of the ore.

LoTs 274, 303 AND 3rr, 5TH DISTRICT. - Prospects, similar to those on lot 268, occur on lots 274, 303 and JII, sth dz'strz'ct. These lots have, in places, some very favorable prospects; but, at the time of our visit, they were in no condition for examination. Samples of ore, taken from the excavations, show, that it is of fair quality.

Partial analyses of hematite, from two of these lots, made by

Mr. S. Albert Reed, of New York City, are. as follows:-

SAMPLE No. I (LoT 274) Metallic Iron................................................. Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

57.72 14. r I o.o3

SAMPLE No. 2 (LOT 311) Metallic Iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

53.07 14.71
o.os

A partial analysis of the hematite from lot JOJ, by Messrs. Booth, Garrett & Blair, of Philadelphia, resulted as follows : -

Metallic Iron. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5549

Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.or

The low percentage of phosphorus in these ores shows, that

they are well suited for the manufacture of Bessemer steel. This, together with the favorable surface indications, would seem to warrant a more thorough investigation of the lots, on which the

deposits occur.

BARTOW coc-...NTY
THE CROW BANK
THE CROW BANK, lot 728, 2 I st district, is an extension of the Allatoona bank, previously described. This bank, now under the management of Mr. E. P. Earl, of Marietta, was opened, and worked to a limited extent, prior to the Civil War, by Messrs. Moore & Thomas. In recent years, it has been more extensively worked by Messrs. W. H. Renfroe & Sons. The latter firm is said to have worked the bank, more or less continuously, for a period of three years, shipping daily, during this time, about three carloads of ore, to South Pittsburg, Tenn. Messrs. Renfroe & Sons erected, near the bank, a double log-washer, the remains of which are still to be seen. The ore-deposits occur on the end of a low ridge, referred to, in the description of the Allatoona bank. There is to be seen, here, a huge open-cut, many rods long, and from 20 to 75 feet wide. The cut, in places, is said to have originally attained a depth of IJO feet; but it is now much fallen in, so that its greatest depth, at any point, does not, at present, exceed 75 feet. The excavation is entered, by a tunnel on its western side, through which the ore was taken to the washer, located on the hillside, a short distance away. The ore occurs as gravel and '' dornick '' ore, in a large irregular vein or deposit between the mica-schist and granitoid gneiss. It is of good quality; but, owing to the fallen-in condition of the cut, only a limited amount of it is, now, in sight. It is said, that a large quantity of workable ore remains in the bottom of the excavation. The Crow bank is well located for working; and it was formerly, like the Allatoona bank, connected with the Western & Atlantic R. R., by a
branch road, r %' miles in length.

BARTOW COUNTY

A partial analysis of ore from the Crow bank, by Messrs. Booth, Garrett & Blair, of Philadelphia, Penn., follows:-

Metallic Iron ................................................... 5337 Phosphorns .......................... : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r. 67

A partial analysis I of a sample of ore from the Crow bank, collected by the writer, yielded the following results : -

Water at 100 C . . \Vater above roo C Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron
Manganese ... "Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to} Phosphorus
Sulphur Sand or Insoluble Matter .

420 12.000
72. Sso , (sr.ooo)
5 2 5
2. r6r
. ( . 940)

THE STEPHENS & LARRAMORE PROPERTY

This property, lot so6, 2ISt district, adjoins the Etowah prop-

erty, lot 575, on the south. The ore deposits upon the latter lot,

which have been previously described, extend upon the former,

where they are, now, exposed, in three different prospect-cuts,

located upon a steep hillside. These cuts are only a few feet in

depth, and give but little information, concerning the extent of

the deposit. The ore occurs associated with mica-schist and

quartzite, and is of good quality, as is shown by the following

analyses : -

I

.

By A. M. I,loyd, McCandless I,aboratory, Atlanta.

BARTOi'V COUNTY

143

Partial analyses of ore, from lot 506, 2zst distrzd, by Mr. B. Keppler, Bessemer, Mich. : -

Metallic Iron .

. ................. 54. ISO

Manganese.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330

. Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .485

Silica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.ooo

LOWER Cl'T

Metallic Iron ....

. ......................................... 53750

Manganese .................................................... . 360

Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ ."........................ . 374 Silica ......................................................... . 6.950

On an adjacent ridge, only a short distance away, is to be seen a

fourth prospect-cut. This excavation is small, and would be passed unnoticed, were it not for the peculiar ore, here exposed.

This ore has a remarkably dark color and a glistening lustre, re-

sembling, somewhat, anthracite coal. It is found in small fissures

and joints in the quartzite, and is apparently limited in quantity.

THE W. P. LARRAMORE PROPERTY.
THE LARRAMORE PROPERTY, lot 47 I, 4t/z district, is located near the Etowah river, a short distance south of the Hurricane Hollow ore-banks. This property was worked, to a considerable extent, before the Civ~il \Var, by Mr. Mark A. Cooper. The main workings are situated on the top of a ridge, near the public road, a few hundred yards from the Etowah river. It consists of an opencut, several rods in length, and from five to ten feet in depth. The ore seems to be of good guality; but little information could be

I44

BARTOW COUNTY

gained from the meagre exposure, as to the extent of the deposit. Near by, on another lot, No. 474, are to be seen similar workings and ore deposits.

DR. W. H. FELTON'S ORE-BANK
THE FELTON ORE-BANK, now being worked by THE FEL'roN
MINING Co., under the management of Mr. L. S. Mumford, is
located on lot 96, 4th distn'ct, near the Tennessee road, 2 Yz miles
Fig. I7

1
Section through the Felton Ore-bank. r. Red Clay and Gravel-ore. 2. Varicolored Clay with Bowlder-ore.
north of Cartersville. The bank has been opened up, only a short time; but it is now shipping regularly from two to four car-loads of ore per day. The working consists of an open-cut on a hill-slope at an elevation of 40 or 50 feet above the general level of the surrounding country. The ore occurs, mostly in the form of large bowlders, some of which are hollow, and sometimes contain,. in their cavities, a small amount of pyrite. 1 The ore is generally of
1 See fig. 17.

.BARTOvV COCl\TTY

145

a bro\\'nish liver color, and \'ery compact; and it runs unusually

high in metallic non. A number of analyses of the ore, made

by the Tennessee Iron & Coal Co., show, that it rarely e-ver runs

below 54 per cent. of metaJlic iron.

The bank is well located for working, being only a short

distance from a large spring, which furnishes ample water for

the double log-washer, now being operated on the hi11s:ic1e, a fe1v

rods from the month of the open-cut. The ore, here, seems to

occur at the line of contact of the shales and limestones. The

former, as is shovm in a cut, transverse to the ridge, are much brec-

ciated and folded, which indicates a fault or displacement at this

place, along which the iron ores were deposited. If this interpre-

tation of the structural geology of the locality be true, it is quite

likely, that the ore extends to considerable depth, and is not a

mere superficial deposit, as has been suggested. In addition to

the aboye deposits, favorable surface prospects occur on lot 95,

which is also the property of Dr. Felton.

The followin! anal vses of the Felton ore were furnished bv Mr.

~

~

~

James L. Gaines, of the Tennessee Coai, Iron & Railroad Co.:-

Metallic Iron ........ . Insoluble ......... . Phosphorus Manganese Sulphur ..... .
Metallic Iron. Insoluble ..... Phosphorus Manganese .. Sulphur.

SAMPLE Ko. r SAl\ll'LE ~0. 2

0.09 0.09
60.700
0-4So
0.0.".9
Trace
O.OjO

----1 (-----

BARTOW COUNTY
THE GUYTON ORE-BANK
THE GuYTON ORE-BANK, which now belongs to TnE Sou'rnERN MINING Co., is located on lot 200, sth dZ:stnd, four miles north of Cartersville. The bank was opened in the early sixties, and was afterwards worked, to some extent, in r873. In r88o, it
was purchased by Gov. Jos. E. Brown, who constructed a branch
rail-road from the bank to Roger's station, on the Western & Atlantic R. R. Under Gov. Brown's management, the bank was worked, on quite an extensive scale, there being as many as three log-washers in operation, at the bank, at the same time. Mining was discontinued, in r892, since which time the property has remained idle. No definite figures are to be had, as to the total output of the Guyton ore-bank. However, judging from the extent of the excavation, and the length of time mining operations were carried on, it would probably be no exaggeration, to place the entire output at several thousand car-loads.
The ore-dep?sit, at the Guyton bank, occurs in a low, well rounded hill, having an elevation of about roo feet above Pettet creek, which flows at its western base. The main part of the work consists of large open-cuts, situated near the top and on the northern slope of the hill. The excavations, in places, are many rods 'wide, and often attain a depth of 6o feet, or more. The walls of the cuts are now much fallen in. Nevertheless, in places, a considerable amount of ore is to be seen, i1Z situ. The ore occurs as gravel and "dornick" ore, in large pockets, in the vari-colored clays, and in the decomposed partially metamorphosed slates. Associated with the ore, in the residual clays, are large masses of siliceous material, which, in places, becomes so abundant, as to

BARTOW COUNTY

1 47

interfere with mining. With the exception of this siliceous material, the ore seems to be quite free from mechanical impurities. The Guyton ore-bank is thought to still contain much workable ore, and it was reported, at the time of our visit, last summer, that it was soon to be opened up by the Southern Mining Co.
The bank is well located, being on the Iron Belt R. R., within

Fig. rS
1

Section through the Guyton Ore-bank. I. Red Clay and Gravel-ore. 2. Decomposed Slate. 3 Iron Ore with some Decomposed Slate. 4. Oolitic Limestone. 5 Alluvial Clays with some Water-worn Gravel- and Bowlder-ore. 6. Varicolored Clays and Iron Ore. 7 Vari-colored Clays with Large Masses of Impure Jasper and some Iron Ore.
a few rods of Pettet creek, which furnishes ample water, for orewashing, at all seasons of the year. 1
1 Since the above was written, the Iron Belt R. R. Co., has opened up the Guyton ore-bank, and is now shipping from three to five car-loads of ore per day. A double log-washer is now in operation at the bank, and everything seems to be in good shape for carrying on successful mining. The manner, in which the ores occur, is shown by figure r8.
------) (---------

BARTOW COUNTY
The following analysis of ore, from the Guyton bank, is reproduced from the U. S. roth Census Report:-
Sulphur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.003 Silica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.490 Iron Protoxide ................... : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.480 Iron Peroxide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7g.oro
Ei~~~~ifi~\;~n ~ -Css.6go)
Alumina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 730 Manganese Protoxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trace Lime...................................................... o.-170 Magnesia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 0.210 Carbonic Acid...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o.ogo Sulphuric Acid...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o.o2o Phosphoric Acid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.756
E~~~:~~~~r~~ }...........................................(0.330)
THE LOWRY ORE-BANK
This bank is located on lot 20I, sth dz'strz'ct, immediately north of the lot, on which the Guyton ore-bank is situated. It was worked, in r891 and in 1893; and it is said to have produced a considerable amount of first-class ore. The workings} which consist
of one large open-cut, 15 or 20 feet in depth, and a few smaller excavations, are located on a low ridge, rising 30 or 40 feet above
the general level of the valley. The ore is found in pockets, in the residual clays, in the form of gravel and "dornick" ore. It appears to be of excellent quality; but it is limited in quantity. The main excavation is situated only a few rods from the Iron Belt Rail-road.

BARTOVV COC.l\7Y

I49

THE l:VlTMFORD ORE-BANK

THE MUMFORD ORE-BANK is situated on the same ridge, and lot as the Lowry ore-bank, and only a short distance from :it. The two banks may be considered, as belonging to one and the same deposit. The Mumford bank is reported to have been worked

continuously, for some years, during which time, it is said to have

produced a large quantity of first-class ore. Mr. L. S. Mumford,

in speaking of the bank, says:- "There has been more ore taken from the Mumford bank, than from any other bank in the county,

o equal size." The main workings consist of two large open-cuts,
from ro to 8o feet in depth, and covering a total area of about r Yz

acres. The larger cut is now partially filled with water, so that but little ore is exposed to view. It is said, that the ore, which was mined from the two excavations, was remarkably free from all mechanical impurities, and always ran high in metallic iron.

The limited exposure of the ore at the Mumford ore-bank gives

no definite knowledge of the amount of workable ore still remain-

ing in the bank.

A partial analysis of ore, from the Mumford bank, is reproduced from the U. S. roth Census Report, as follows:-

Metallic Iron ................................................. . Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . Manganese Oxide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . Phosphorus in roo Parts of Iron . . . . . . . . . . .................... .

0.20I

BARTOW COUNTY
'I'HE D. J. GUYTON PROPERTY
The iron ore on this property, lot 235, 5th district, was worked, as early as the year r848, and the ore was used in the furnace on Stamp creek. It was also worked, to some extent, several years later, and the ore was used in the furnace at Rogers station. The total amount of ore, mined on the property, would probably aggregate only a few thousand tons. The excavations are now well filled with earth, and show but little ore, z"1Z situ. It is reported, however, that there still remains in the bottom of the old workings a considerable quantity of valuable ore.
THE BISHOP ORE-BANK
THE BISHOP ORE-BANK, lot 27s, sth dz'strict, is located near the
Iron Belt R. R., about two miles south of White's crossing. The working, which consists of an open-cut, about 200 yards long, and from ro to 30 feet in depth, is situated on a hillside, at an elevation of something like roo feet above the valley. The ore occurs in an irregular vein or lead, in the vari-colored clays, associated with quartzite. It is mostly in the form of gravel and bowlders; and it seems to be of good quality. The bank was opened, some five years ago, by Messrs. Renfroe & Sons, who erected and operated, for some time, a double log-washer, near the ore-bank. This company is said to have shipped quite a quantity of ore from the bank; but, for some reason, the working was continued for only a short time. Manganese was noticed, at one or two points

.BARTOJ17 CO('l/7T
in the ore-bank, associated with the iron ore. Near the lower end of the open-cut, is to be seen a short tunnel, which is said to have been driven into the hill, in search of manganese. The limited exposure of ore, at the Bishop Bank, gives but little information concerning the extent of the deposit.

THE :BURFORD ORE-BANK, NO. r

This ore-bank was opened, some time in the sixties, and was

worked, off and on, until 1890, during which time, it furnished a

la:rge amount of ore. The bank is located on lot JOI' sth district,

about half-a-mile east of the Iron Belt R. R. The workings,

.which consist of large open-cuts, covering a total area of some-

thing like two acres, are situated on a hill-slope, at an elevation

1e De+-+-e+- I .c_e.._ ()+ v O.cl

'""j ~

0~ J_

s~

lt::

~

d~1.U-..ov-c-:

<L-1H-..e

V

c-

1
ti

J Ul. J_

~~ool-
LL L L-.il-l..-">-.

T,..,
.I...U.

l.'.~-.1a' -~'"-'S '

f~-Hh'o-.

excavations originally attained a depth of 40 feet or more; but

now their walls are much fallen in; and, as a consequence, their

depth has become much reduced. The ore is mostly limonite;

though micaceous hematite also occurs. The latter appears as

thin layers, rarely over an inch or so, in thickness, intercalated

with layers of clay beneath massive ferruginous quartzite. This

variety of ore is usually of excellent quality. However, it seems

to be too limited in quantity, to be of commercial value. The

limonite is far more abundant. It occurs as irregular deposits in

the residual clays, mostly in the form of gravel and bowlders.

Associated with the ore, in places, are numerous angular fragments

of quartzite, with an occasional nodule or thin layer of manganese.

\Vith these exceptions, the ore is comparatively free from mechan-

BARTOW COUNTY
ical impurities. In one of the cuts, is to be seen a larg-e clay horse, made up of laminated clays. It is several feet in heig-ht, and is quite conspicuous, as the excavation is viewed from its lower side. The ore-bank was formerly connected with the Iron Belt R. R., by a branch road, about half-a-mile long-. Nothing definite can be said, as to the amount of workable ore still remaining- in this bank.
THE BURFORP ORE-BANK, NO. 2
BURFORD ORE-BANK, No. 2, lot JOI, sth. dstrZ:ct, is located near the Iron Belt R. R., about half-a-mile south of White's crossing. The bank was opened, some 15 years ag-o; but most of the work was done, in r888 and r88g, by Messrs. Renfroe & Sons. The works, which are situated on a hillside, having an elevation of about 6o feet above the valley, consist of an open-cut about 200
yards long, from so to rso feet wide, and, in places, 40 feet deep.
Both hematite and limonite occur here. The latter is found mostly in pockets; while the former appears as thin layers in the metamorphic slates, which are always much folded and contorted. Associated with the ore, are larg-e masses of ferruginous, brecciated quartzite. Both _varieties of ore, which occur at the above named ore~bank, appear to run high in metallic iron ; but neither seems to be very abundant. The bank is well located. It is within a few yards of the Iron Belt R. R., and also, near Pettet creek, which furnished ample water, for ore-washing-, during- the g-reater part of the year.

THE IRON ORES OF GEORGIA

PLATE VII

._ .
.-.. ~-!._--.:-
--
DR . W . H . FELTO 's ORE -BANK, NEAR CARTE R SVILLE, BARTOW COUNTY, GEORGIA .

BARTOW CO[i..N. TY THE WILD CAT BANK

I 53

The iron ore deposit of this bank, lot 3I2, sth district, resembles very closely the deposits of the Sugar Hill bank. There are to be seen, here, several open-cuts along the sides of different quartzite ridges. They vary from 50 to 200 feet in length, and often attain a depth of 20 feet, or more. The ore is usually associated with heavy-bedded quartzite and light-colored micaceous slate. The limonite is far more abundant than the micaceous hematite. It occurs as irregular deposits and pockets, and is usually of good quality. The hematite is found chiefly in the form of thin layers) intercalated with the slates. It appears to be limited in quantity .. The greater part of the work, on the Wild Cat bank, was done, in r89r. The excavations are, now, much fallen in. The bank \Vas formerly connected with the Iron Belt R. R., by a branch road.
The following partial analyses of ore from the vVild Cat bank, are reproduced from the U. S. roth Census Report:-

Samples Metallic Iron .. Phosphorus .. Sulphur ................ . Silica ........................... . \\Tater of Composition ..

No. r .... 60.930

No.2

No.3 63-400

0.200 . ... I0.300

O.I79

"I 54

BARTOW COUNTY

A partial analysis I of a sample of ore from_ the Wild Cat mme, ..collected by the writer, resulted as follows : -

Water at Ioo C . . Water above IOo C Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to l
Metallic Iron j Manganese ... Phosphoric Acid .

.56o 5030 74-310
(52.020)

Equivalent to } Phosphorus
Sulphur
Sand or Insoluble Matter

.095 I 8. 500

THE CONNER BANK
This ore-bank, lot I3 I, 22nd district, which is situated on the Iron Belt R. R., half-a-mile northeast of White's crossing, was worked, to a considerable extent, some years ago. The main workings consist of two large open-cuts, covering a total area of something like an acre. The cuts, in places, are several feet deep; and, at the time of our visit, they were partially filled with water. The bank is located on a low ridge, having an elevation of only a few feet above the general level of the valley. The deepest part of the open-cuts is said to extend below permanent water-level. The ore occurs, in irregular deposits, in the clays, associated with the partially decomposed slates and quartzite. It is mostly in the form of gravel and bowlders. The latter frequently contains considerable
I By-A.M. Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta.

BARTOW COC.l\71'

1 55

pyrite; but, otherwise, it appears to be of good quality. The days, in which the ore occurs, is often laminated; and, at one or two points in the walls of the cuts, are to be seen deposits of waterworn quartzite pebbles. The greater part of the workable ore, at the Conner bank, appears now to be, in a measure, exhausted.

THE BIG MOUNTAIN ORE-BANK
THE BIG MouNTAIN ORE-BANK, lot z82, 22nd district, is located on what is called Big mountain, abou1 half-a-mile east of the Conner ore-bank. This bank was worked quite extensively, by convicts, a few years ago. It is connected, by a branch road, with the Iron Belt R. R., and it is otherwise favorably located for working. The chief working consists of a large excavation, situ.ated near the top of the mountain, which has an elevation of something like zoo feet. The excavation is fully a hundred yards long; from 20 to So feet deep; and many rods wide. It is now much filled in, by fallen earth. The ore, which is limonite, seems to .occur, mostly in large -fissures and pockets, in the much broken-up quartzite and slates.. It is usua1ly of good quality, much of it being stalactitic ore. About 300 yards north of the above cut, and on the opposite side of the mountain, is another excavation, of somewhat smaller size. The ore in this cut has a reddish tint, and seems to partake of the nature of hematite. Its mode of occurrence :is similar to that, of the other bank.
----)(----

BARTOW COUNTY
THE SUGAR HILL ORE-BANKS
, THE SuGAR HILL ORE-BANKS, which are at present the most productive iron-ore banks in the State, are located in the north- eastern part of Bartow county, in the vicinity of Pine Log moun-tain. These banks were first worked, to a limited extent, prior tothe Civil War, by parties operating a small blast-furnace on Stamp creek. Some of these old excavations are still to be seen, in tbe vicinity of what is known as Pine Hill ore-bank. They were origi-nally several feet in depth; but they are now well filled with earth. The amount of ore, mined during these early workings, is not known; but, judging from the extent of the excavations, it probably did not exceed more than a few hundred tons. After the shut-ting down of the blast-furnace on Stamp creek, no further attempt was made, to work the Sugar Hill ore-banks, until they passed into the hands of the Iron Belt Rail-road & Mining Co. This company began mining operations on the property, in June, r898, shortly after the completion of the rail-road to the ore-banks. Since the above date, the banks have been worked continuously, with an output of from 25 to 6o car-loads of ore per day. The ore-banks are all located upon the foot-hills of what is called Little Pine Log mountain, a short ridge, having an elevation of about 8oo feet above the valley, which lies to the westward. This ridge, as well as Pine Log mountain proper, is formed of metamorphic slates and sandstone. The slates are vari-colored, and are often much folded. and contorted. In places, they contain considerable graphite, and also some pyrite. The latter mineral usually occurs in the form of cubical crystals, pretty evenly distributed throughout the slates. The sandstone is more or less metamorphosed into quartzite. It

BARTOW COni\TTY

1 57

1-s of dark-gray color, and usually heavy-bedded. When weathered, -the quartzite becomes quite porous, and assumes a brownish-red color. These conditions are due to the decomposition of pyrite, -which is present in large quantities.
Limestone was noticed at only one point in the vicinity of the ore-banks. This exposure occurs on the right side of the branch, a short distance below the present mud dike. The outcropping is ,confined to a small circu]ar depression, evidently an old lime-sink. The limestone is partially crystalline, and of a dark-gray color. It appears to be a comparatively thin stratum, intercalated with met.amorphic slates and quartzite.
The iron ore of the Sugar Hill district, which is limonite, including a small amount of magnetite, occurs as irregular beds, overlying porous, coarse-grained quartzite. In some places, as at ~the Cripple Creek ore-bank, the ore has but little or no overburden; while, at other places, it is overlaid by residual clays and decomposed slates, often several feet in thickness. It has been suggested, on account of their bedded form, that these deposits are of sedimentary origin, and were deposited at the same time as the slates and quartzite. Furthermore, it is pointed out, in support of this theory, that the deposits always occur in the same stratagraphic position, immediately above the porous quartzite. These facts are certainly strongly suggestive of sedimentary origin. Nevertheless, the deposits are unquestionably of secondary origin, and were derived from the iron carbonate, and the pyrite in the underlying quartzites. Facts, supporting this theory, will be brought out in the description of the s~veral ore-banks.
THE KINSEY ORE-BANK is located on the western slope of Sugar 'Hill, at an elevation of about So feet above the spring, which flows :from its base. The excavation, which has a U-shape, is something

BARTOf/V COUNTY
like roo yards long, and from ro to 25 feet deep. Between the arms of the U, is a large quartzite horse, which dips beneath the ore, where the two arms of the U unite. The quartzite horse, here exposed, is in the form of an anticlinal fold. The west side of the fold dips at a high angle, and soon disappears be- neath the iron deposit; while, on the east side, the dip is very gradual, and the ore occurs as a blanket, covering the hill-slope.1
The ore in the Kinsey cut, as shown by the section, below, ap-pears as a well defined bed, more or less mixed with clay and
Fig. 19

j

Section through Kinsey Ore-bank, near Ore-washer, Showing "Sandstone Horse." I. Decomp9sed Metamorphic Slate. 2. Iron Ore. 3 Quartzite.

decomposed slate, overlying the porous coarse-grained quartzite. At the terminus of the lower arm of the U-shaped cut, the deposit
attains a thickness of about 25 eet. The ore consists largely of
what is called soft ore. Considerable ''pot" ore also occurs. It is quite free from mechanical impurities, and always runs high in metallic iron, as is shown by the following partial analyses : - 2

1 See fig. rg.

2
By A. M. I,loyd, McCandless I,aboratory, Atlanta.

---------)(---------

BARTOT'V COl./NT1"

1 59

SAJ\IPLE N 0. I
\Vater at roo C . . \Vater above roo C Iron Sesqui-oxide Equivalent to }
Metallic Iron Manganese ... Phosphoric Acid . Equivalent to }
Phosphorus Sulphur .... Sand or Insoluble Matter .

12.000 (sr.r 70)
2.254
. ( I.045)

SAMPLE No. 2
\Vater at I00 C . . \Vater above 100 C Iron Sesqui-oxide Equivalent to }
Metallic Iron Manganese . c _ Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to 1 Phosphorus S
Sulphur Sand or Insoluble Matter

12.510 77-95 (54-570)
2.257

A short distance west of the Kinsey bank, on the side of the rail-road, is to be seen another ore deposit, occupying the same stratigraphical position. The deposit has been worked, to only a limited extent; though there is quite a quantity of excellent ore exposed to view. On the hillside, about zoo yards south of this exposure, the ore again outcrops on the surface. It occurs, here, upon the surface, in the form of bowlders and gravel; and it is, also, well exposed in an old copper shaft, near by, which was sunk, in unsuccessful prospecting for copper, many years ago.

I60

BARTOW COUNTY

The thickness of the deposit, at this point, is several feet ; and the ore appears to be of fair quality.
THE SuGAR HILL ORE-BANK is located on the hill-slope, only a short distance southwest of the Kinsey bank. It is one of the most extensive workings, in the Sugar Hill district. The main work consists of a large, irregular cut, several hundred feet in length. The northern extension of the cut is within 200 feet of the Kinsey cut. This part of the cut, which is about 200 feet long, and from IO to 30 feet deep, has a southeastern trend, corresponding to the strike of the quartzite. The ore, here, occurs as an irregular bed, overlying the coarse-grained quartzite. The overburden consists of red and yellow clays and decomposed slates. At the southeastern end of this part of the excavation, the direction of the cut changes, rather abruptly, to the south, and :finally, to the southwest, following in both instances, the trend of the underlying quartzite, and rottghly, the contour of the hill. The character and mode of occurrence of the ore, in these divisions of the cut, differ but little, from that of the northwestern division. In the extreme southwestern part of the excavation, the ore is cut off, by an outcropping of heavy-bedded quartzite. Here, the regular formation seems to be much broken up; and the ore, which is usually soft and porous, is often associated with huge quartzite bowlders. At one point, there is to be seen a thin layer of honeycomb ore, underlying the brecciated quartzite, which is cemented by iron oxide. The deposit of ore, exposed in the Sugar Hill cut, is quite variable in thickness. In some places, it attains a thickness of ten feet, or more; while, in others, it is often reduced to :five feet, or even less. The following partial analyses, I the first of which is from a sample collected by the writer, show the quality of the ore:-

I By A. M. Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta.

BARTOW COUNTY

r6r

Water at roo C ..
\Vater above roo C
Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron

SAMPLE No. r

-470 10.990 76. OIO
(53-210)

I\1anganese . . Phosphoric Acid . Equivalent to )
Phosphorus f

2 95
I.3 13
( 571)

Sulphur . . . .

Sand or Insoluble Matter .

Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron

SAMPLE No. z

76.5oo (53550)

Phosphorus . . .

Sand or Insoluble Matter .

7-37

On the hillside, a short distance below the west end of the

:Sugar Hill cut, is to be seen another excavation, from which con-

siderable ore has been mined. It seems quite probable, that the

greater part of the hill-slope, between the Sugar Hill cut and the

-creek, at the base of the hill, is underlain by iron ore. The recent

-developments on the hill-slope, .here referred to, fully verify the

above prediction. Two of the most extensive banks, anywhere

to be seen, at present, in the Sugar Hill district, are now being

,,.orked at this point.

THE CRIPPLE CREEK ORE-BANK is situated near the base of

Sugar Hill, about 300 yards southeast of the western end of Sugar

Hill cut. The ore, here, occurs as a blanket, from ro to 15 feet

in thickness, with but little overburden. The underlying quartzite

is porous, and, in places, quite friable. The ore, which extends

BARTOW COUNTY

down to the foot of the hill, and outcrops in the creek, often occurs

in the form of huge bowlders. Some of these large masses are

several feet in diameter, and contains 50 tons, or more, of high-

grade ore. The Cripple Creek ore-bank has furnished a large

quantity of ore; but it now seems to be, in a great measure,

exhausted.

The following is. a partial analysis1 of a sample of ore from the

Cripple Creek bank, collected by the writer:-

V\Tater at roo C . .

700

Water above roo C

I I. 630

Iron Sesqui-oxide

76.oro

Equivalent to } Ivfetallic Iron

(532!0)

Manganese ....

. 192

Phosphoric Acid .

2. rsr

Equivalent to } Phosphorus
Sulphur ....

( . 936)
.on

Sand or Insoluble Matter .

6.430

A few rods below the Cripple Creek bank, in the bed of the small stream, furnishing water to the washers, is to be seen the iron carbonate (siderite), from which the brown ores in the district have been, in a great measure, derived. At the time of our visit, the deposit of iron carbonate was completely hidden by the mud, recently carried down from the washer located further up the stream; so, that it was impracticable, to see it in place. Near the exposure, in a dump, however, was to be seen a considerable amount of it, in the form of masses, weighing a hundred pounds, or more. The surfaces of these masses, in all cases, were encrusted, to the depth of an inch or more, with limonite. Maj. M. T. Singleton, the min-

1 By A. M. Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta.

2 See fig. zo.

BARTOvV COC_i\7Y

I6"J'

mg expert of the Iron Belt Rail-road and Mining Co., who was.

the first to discover this deposit of iron carbonate, informs the

writer, that it occurs in the bed of the branch, and also at one

point on the hillside, a few rods away, in the form of a well

defined stratum, 30 feet wide, and dipping at a high angle to the

.southeast.

The non carbonate, or siderite, when fresh and unweathered,

has a dark-gray color, and resem-

Fig. 20

bles, very closely,

partially indurat-

ed mar1, or soft

earthy limestone.

The ore contains

considerable pyrite, in the form of minute crystals, which are pretty

Cross-section near Cripple Creek Ore-bank, Showing Massive Siderite (Iron Carbonate), Altered above to Limonite. r. Quartzite. 2. Massive Siderite, Altered above to Limonite. 3 Metamorphic Slates.

evenly distributed through all the hand specimens examined. It

is quite probable, that all the iron-ore deposits, now being worked,

in the Sugar Hill district,, will, sooner or later, as mining increases

in depth, pass into the unaltered iron carbonate. The following is a partial analysis 1 of a sample of massive sid-

erite (iron carbonate) from Sugar Hill, collected by the writer~-

\Vater at I00 C .
Iron Carbonate .
Equivalent to l
Metallic Iron j
Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to 1
Phosphorus f
Sulphur ....

320
. 79 890
. 38.59

By A. M. Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta.

BARTOW COUNTY
PINE HILL ORE-BANK was one of the first, worked in the .Sugar Hill district. It is located near the base of Pine Hill, about a quarter of a mile northwest of Cripple Creek ore-bank. The OTe, here exposed, seems to be a part of the same deposit, now being worked at the Kinsey, Sugar Hill and Cripple Creek banks. The interruption in the continuity of the deposit appears to be due to the wearing away of an anticlinal fold.r The chief workings at the Pine Hill ore-bank consist of two large open-cuts, each many -rods long, and, in places, 25 feet or more in depth. The ore, here,
Fig. 2I

{~ross-seCtion from the Cripple Creek Ore-bank to the Pine Hill Ore-bank, Showing Anticlinal Fold. I. Metamorphic Slate. 2. Quartzite.

as elsewl1ere in the Sugar Hill district, occurs in the form of an irregular deposit, associated with quartzite and slate. The quartzite, underlying the ore in the cut, farthest up the hill, is very -much broken up ; and it often partakes of the nature of tripolite, or some other very fine grained polishing powder. It has a white or brownish color, and is so friable, that it can be easily crushed between the fingers. Manganese occurs with the ore, in limited -quantities; but it is mostly in the form of fine powder, whiCh is in . a great measure removed by the washer.

1 "

See

fig.

zr.

-~---) ( - - - -

BARTOW COUNTY

r6J-

The following is a partial analysis 1 of a sample of ore, from the Pine Hill ore-bank, collected by the writer:-

\Vater at roo C . . Water above 100 C
Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to ) Metallic Iron )
Manganese ...
Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to l
Phosphorus r ' '
Sulphur . . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter ,

0. 5TO
I 2.010
74 sso
r.szo 2 379 1.036)

THE BLUFF ORE-BANK, so called, on account of the ore originally occurring in the form of a bluff, is located on the side of the branch, only about .200 yards from the Pine Hill ore-bank. The ore contains some pyrite; but, otherwise, it appears to be of excellent quality. There are two excavations at the bank, both of which are of considerable size, and have furnished much ore. The excavation, located on the side of the branch, has been worked, several feet below water-level. The ore seems to occur here, in the form of a large pocket, which dips with the quartzite at a high angle to the southeast. In the other excavation, which is on the hill-slope, only a few rods from the branch, the ore appears to partake more of a bedded form. The ore, here exposed, is of a porous nature, and often contains a small amount of pyrite. Near the cut, is a bluff of massive quartzite, which apparently marks the limit of the iron deposit, in that direction. The Bluff ore-bank is still being worked; but it is thought, that the workable part of the deposit is, in a me::Jsure, exhausted.

I By A. M. I.,loyd, McCandless I.,aboratory, Atlanta.

r66

BARTOW COUNTY

THE IRON BELT RAIL-ROAD & MINING COMPANY employs, at -<the various ore-banks in the Sugar Hill district, about roo hands, 50 of whom are convicts. There are, at present, in operation, four . double log-washers; and two others are in course of erection. vVhen the latter are completed and are ready for operating, it is said, that the company intends to augment the working force, by the addition of 50 more convicts, thereby increasing the output of the banks to 50 car-loads of ore per day. All the washers are situated -on the main track of the Iron Belt R. R., or on short spur-tracks, so that the ore passes directly from the washers into the cars, with. out further handling. The washers are operated by steam-engines, varying from ro to 20 horse-power; they are supplied by water
from a pumping-station, located on the creek at the base of Sugar Hill. The creek, from which the water is obtained, is small; and it does not supply all the washers with sufficient water, in the dry -season. To overcome this deficiency, the water from the washers is retained by dams, until the mud is settled, when it is pumped back to the washers, and used over, again and again. In addition -to the above improvements, the company has a number of miners' . -cottages, repair and blacksmith shops, barracks for convicts, a commissary, a boarding-house etc., all comparatively new, and in good , condition.
The contemplated improvements, above referred to, have now been completed, and the Sugar Hill district has, at present, an out_put of about 50 car-loads of ore per day.

BARTOW COUNTY

r6~I

THE GORDO~ PROPERTY

THE GoRDO~ PROPERTY, now owned by THE IRON BELT RAIL-
ROAD & MINING Co., is located about r Yz miles north of Sugar
Hill. The property has long been supposed to have extensive and valuable iron deposits; but, up to the time of our visit, no attempt had been made to work the ore. The _main deposit is on the slope of a ridge, having an elevation of about 8o feet. The ore, here, occurs in the form of gravel and bowlders, in great abundance, strewn about the surface, for a distance, of about 300 yards. Some ,of the bowlders are of large size, being frequently two feet, or more, in diameter. The ore, in places, seems to be somewhat siliceous; but, otherwise, it appears to be of good quality. In its mode of occurrence, it resemb]es very closely the Sugar Hill deposit. There are but few iron properties in Bartow county, that show more favorable prospects, for an extensive and valuable ore deposit, than the Gordon property.

THE J. J. BEN:0TETT PROPERTY
This property, lot 296, 22nd dz"strz"ct, adjoins the Gordon property on the west. The iron deposits of the two properties are quite similar ; and they occur under like conditions. The most extensive exposure, to be seen on the property, is near the summit of a sm:1ll ridge, lying just back of Mr. Bennett's residence. The ore, here, occurs on the surface, in considerable abundance; but, as no

r68

BARTOW COUNTY

prospecting had been done upon the ridge, it was impossible to get any definite idea of the economic importance of the deposit. On an adjacent ridge, on lot 3 r7, are other surface prospects ; but the ore seems to be too limited, in quantity, to be of much value.

THE BLACK BANK ORE-BANK
THE BLACK BANK ORE-BANK, so called from the dark color of the ores, is located on one of the foot-hills of Pine Log mountain,
about 3 Yz miles southeast of Sugar Hill. This bank was first
worked, prior to the Civil War; and the ore was used in the smaJl furnace, then in blast on Stamp creek, only a short distance away. The main workings, which are located upon a hill, having an elevation of about 200 feet above the small creek at its base, consist of several open-cuts. The excavations are all now much fallen in, so that but little ore is to be seen in situ. The ore, exposed to view, seems to be largely what is known as hard ore. It differs from the Sugar Hill ore, chiefly in being more compact, and in carrying more silica. The rocks, forming the hill, upon which the iron deposit occurs, consist of quartzite and metamorphic slates. The former, in places, is made up largely of angular fragments, cemented by iron ore. In one of the excavations, located on the side of the hill, near the branch, manganese occurs, in limited quantity, associated with the ore. With the exception of manganese and silica, the ore appears to be quite pure ; and it is well located for working. It is impossible, from the limited exposure, to place any estimate upon the amount of workable ore in the bank.

THE IRON ORES OF GEORGIA

PLATE Vffl

THE KIN EY ORE-BANK, SUGAR HILL, BARTOW COUNTY, GEORGIA.

BARTO"YV COUNTY
THE PEACHTREE BANKS
These ore-banks, on lot I 48, 22nd district, are located along the
top and side of a quartzite ridge, about I Yz miles south of the Black
Bank ore-bank. The banks were worked, at the same time as the latter, and the ores were used in the same furnaces. The ridge, on which the ore occurs, has an elevation of something like 250 feet above the valley of Stamp creek. It is made up largely of quartzite, and has nearly a due north-and-south trend. The quartzite, as at the Black Bank, is often much broken up and :fissured. The excavations, near the top of the ridge, are all small, and now show but little ore in sight. The ore, here, appears in the form of small pockets in the quartzite. It seems to be of fair quality; but it is limited in quantity. The excavations, on the east side of the hill, are much larger than those on top of the hill, and appear to have furnished a much larger quantity of ore. They consist of two large open-cuts, several rods in length, together with a few smaller excavations and prospect-pits. The ore occurs in fissures and joints in the quartzite; but the largest deposits are found along shearing planes in the quartzite. The ore is usually quite porous, and it often has a reddish color. It has every appearance of being an excellent ore.
THE A. H. MORRIS PROPERTY
The iron deposit on THE MORRIS PROPERTY, lot 376, 17tlz district, appears to be quite extensive. The ore occurs, here, 111 great

BARTOW COUNTY

abundance, in the form of gravel and bowlders, covering an area of some five or six acres, on a gradually sloping hillside. In one place, the ore is so plentiful, that it. interferes with the cultivation of the soil. It is usually quite compact, and generally, free from mechanical impurities. Some of the larger bowlders occasionally contain small fragments of chert, and also a limited amount of sand ; but neither is in sufficient abundance, to affect the commercial value of the ore. A partial analysis 1 of a sample of the ore, collected by the writer, gave the following result :-

Water at IOo C . \Vater above roo C . Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron
Manganese ... Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to } Phosphorus
Sulphur . . . . . Sand m Insoluble Matter .

55
IO. 220
. (53380)
. ( -402)
. Trace 8.s8o

No prospecting has been done on the Morris property ; and as a consequence, nothing definite can be said, as to the depth, to which the iron deposit extends below the surface. Should the deposit hold out, in depth, it will prove to be valuable ; otherwise, it is of little commercial importance. The ;property is located about six miles southwest of Kingsto~, the nearest railroad station. The unfavorable location, with regard to transportation, accounts in a measure, for the undeveloped condition of the property.

1 By A.M. I,loyd, McCandless I,aboratory, Atlanta.

-----) (----

BARTOW COUNTY

THE COLLIAR PROPERTY

THE CoLLIAR PRoPERTY, lot 444, I7th distrz"ct, is noted for its

extensive surface deposit of iron ore. It would probably be no

exaggeration, to say, that there are here exposed, upon the sur-

face, thousands of tons of first-class ore. The deposit, which

covers an area of six or eight acres, is located upon the adjacent
wooded hill-slopes, near the public road, r 3 miles east of Ligon

P. 0. The property was prospected, some three years ago, by a

number of shallow pits and cuts; but no regular mining has been

attempted. None of the excavations attain a depth of more than

a few feet. They all disclose considerable ore ; but, as a general

rule, it does not seem to be so abundant below the surface, as

above. The ore is mostly in the form of. honeycomb ore; but

compact ore is also plentiful. The former frequently occurs, in

the form of huge masses, often ro or rz feet in diameter, and

weighing several tons. Silica, in the form of sand and chert,

together with a limited amount of slate, is the chief mechanical

impurity, noticeable in the ore. It runs high in metallic iron, and

low in sulphur, as will be shown by the following partial analysis r of a sample of ore, from this property, collected by the writer:-

Water at roo C ..
Water above roo C
Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron
Manganese ...
Phosphoric Acid.
Equivalent to } Phosphorus
Sulphur . . . . . Sand or Insoluble Matter .

37 rr.oso 75 z8o
(5z.7oo)
42 5
I. 291
( . s6z)
.oz6 7.080

1 By A. M. Lloyd, McCandless I,aboratory, Atlanta.

172

BARTOW COUNTY

Ore deposits, similar to the above, though not so extensive, arefound on MR. Z. T. NICHOLS' PROPERTY, lots 370,37z, 422 and 445, and also on MR. \/\1. A. HENNON'S PROPERTY, lot 42I, all of the z7th distrlct. MR. Nichols, in sinking a well at his gin-house, o'nly a few hundred yards from the Colliar deposit, reported that iron ore was struck, at a depth of 2 5 feet, and that the ore extended to thebottom of the well, 47 feet in depth. This seems to indicate, that the ore deposit probably extends to considerable depth, ahd is. more valuable, than is generally supposed.

THE R. L. GRIFFIN PROPERTY
The most favorable prospect, for a valuable ore deposit, anywhere to be found on this property, occurs on lot 426, z7th district.. The main exposure is to be seen upon a steep hill-slope, only a few rods from Ligon P. 0. The ore occurs, here, in considerable abundance, in the form of bowlders and gravel in the red soil. It seems to contain more or less silica, in .the form of chert; but, otherwise, it appears to be of good quality.- No attempt had been made, at the time of our visit, to prospect the hill-slope, upon which the ore is exposed; and as a consequence, no idea can be had as to the depth, to which it extends. The abundance of floatore, scattered ~bout the cultivated fields in the immediate vicinity of the hill, suggests the presence of more or less extensive and workable deposits of ore, underlying the surface. Similar surface prospects occur on the adjoining property, lot 367, owned by MR.
J. 0. LIGON, and also on MR. F. L. DoDD'S PROPERTY, lot 374
None of these deposits have been prospected; and, as a consequence, nothing can be said of their economic importance.

BAR TO VV CO Ul\7Y

173

THE J. C. KERR PROPERTY

Brown iron ore occurs on the KERR PROPERTY, lot zoo, z6th dz'sirz'ct, near the public road, and about 400 yards west of Linwood :Station. The deposit was opened and worked, to a limited extent, in r887, by Mr. L. S. Mumford, who shipped a few car-loads of ore to Pittsburg, Penn. The working is confined to a single open-cut, three or four feet in depth, and only a rod or so in length. It is, now, much filled with earth, so that but little ore is to be seen in .situ. Associated with the ore, and scattered about the excavation is much chert; and also, more or less manganese. The presence of the latter mineral in quantity is said to account for the shipment of the ore to Pittsburg. Besides the above deposit, ore also occurs on lot 76, z6th dz"strict, owned by MR. KERR. This prospect is
located on a chert ridge, 3 Yz. miles east of Linwood. The ore,
which seems to be of fair quality, but limited in quantity, 1s exposed, in two small excavations, near the top of the ridge.

THE J. M. COPP PROPERTY
The ore deposit on THE COPP PROPERTY, lot zo2, z6th district, is located on a chert ridge, about three quarters of a mile east of Linwood. The deposit was opened, several years ago, and a considerable amount of ore was mined. The work consists of a number of shallow cuts, all now more or less filled with fallen earth. The cuts expose but little ore, and only an imperfect idea can be formed of the extent of the deposit. The ore is associated with

I74

BARTOW COUNTY

more or less chert, which is quite abundant along the summit of the ridge. Near the iron deposit, on the same lot, are to be seen recent prospect-pits, exposing bauxite.

THE SHEATS PROPERTY
THE SHEATS PROPERTY, lot 9, I6th dz'strz"ct, is located in the
chert ridges, 2 Yz miles southwest of Adairsville. There is to be seen,
here, on the side of the ridges, som~ eight or ten small prospectcuts and pits, all exposing more or less ore. Considerable float-ore is also to be seen, scattered about the surface, which would seem to indicate the presence, below, of a workable deposit. The ore occurs mostly in the form of "pot" and honeycomb ore, and is always associated with chert. On the a<;ljoining lot) 22, are other prospects, of similar nature. The ore, which is here exposed, in two small excavations on the hill-slope, does not appear to be very abundant; but it is of good quality, and comparatively free from chert. The Sheats property is r >.{ miles from the \ATestern & Atlantic R. R., and is about the same distance from a stream furnishing sufficient water for ore-washing.
.
THE VEAC:H PROPERTY
This property, lot 8, z6th dz"strz'ct, adjoins the Sheats property on the east. It was prospected and worked, to a limited extent,

BARTOW COUNTY

IJ5

some four or five years ago. The workings consist of a few small open-cuts, now well filled with earth. The ore appears to be of fair quality; but it does not seem to be abundant. It occurs, mostly in the red soils, as gravel and bowlders. Its chief impurity is silica, in the form of chert.

THE BURGMAN PROPERTY
This property, lot 83, I6th district, is located in the chert ridges,
rYz miles northeast of Linwood. It was prospected for iron, a few
years ago, and four or five car-loads of ore were mined and shipped. The ore, which seems to be of fair quality, occurs in a hollow, and upon the side of the adjacent ridge. 'l'he excavations are all small, and now show but little ore. About three quarters of a mile north of these excavations, are other workings, on THE HowARD PROPERTY, lot 52. The ore here occurs, near the summit of a chert ridge, where it has been worked, to a considerable-extent, by open-cuts. The excavations, in places, still reveal ore; but they are all much fallen in. The surface ore, in the vicinity of the excavations, is quite plentiful; and it seems to indicate a deposit} beneath the surface, of some economic importance.

MRS. A. C. HOLT'S PROPERTY
The iron deposit on THE HoLT PROPERTY, lot 65, I6th district, occurs on the side of a chert ridge, only a few rods from a bauxite

BARTOW COUNTY

mine, which has been worked, to a considerable extent, in the last few years. The iron ore is found, mostly as gravel and bowlders, strewn about the surface. At one or two points, shallow prospectpits expose ore, a foot or more in depth. The ore is siliceous; and it does not seem to be very abundant.
A deposit, similar to the above, and occurring in the same position, with reference to the bauxite deposits, is to be seen on THE ARMINGTON PROPERTY, lot I I7, I 6th dz"strzct. Some four or five car-loads of iron ore are said to have been shipped, from the last named property. The workings, here, which formerly consisted of small open-cuts, are now partially filled up, by the dump .from the bauxite mine. Near the side of the road, is to be seen, near one of the excavations, a small heap of iron ore, from which a sample was taken for analysis. The ore seems to be of fair quality; but it is apparently limited in quantity.
A partial analysisr of the sample of ore, from the Armington property, collected by the writer, gave the following results : -

Water at roo C ..
Water above IOo C
Iron Sesqui-oxide
Equivalent to } Metallic Iron
Manganese . . Phosphoric Acid .
Equivalent to } Phosphorus
Sulphur .... Sand or Insoluble Matter .

.232 .241
. ( 095)
.048 I2.430

I By A. M. Lloyd, McCandless Laboratory, Atlanta,

--------)(--------

CHAPTER IV
THE IRON ORE DEPOSITS oF FLoYD CouNTY
THE BROWN IRON ORES OF FLOYD CouNTY are confined to two districts, namely, THE CAVE SPRING DISTRICT and THE SILVER CREEK DISTRICT. The main deposits of the former district occur in the Knox Dolomite ridges, from one to two miles southeast of Cave Spring, on the several properties, hereafter to be described. The iron ore deposits of this district have, so far, received but little attention. This is due, i1;1 part, probably, to their distance from the rail-road, and to the lack of water, for ore-washing. The first of these difficulties is now overcome, to some extent, by the construction of a branch rail-road through the southern portion of the district, which, it is hoped, will do much toward the development of the properties. The ore deposits of the Silver Creek district are more fortunately located, with reference to transportation, than the ores of the Cave Spring district ; but water, for ore-washing, is also here lacking. The chief deposits of this district are located on both sides of the Chattanooga, Rome & Southern R. R., in the vicinity of Reesburg. It is only recently, that these deposits have ~tracted much attention; and, as a consequence, but little
ore~~ been mined. The entire output, of the several ore-banks
of Floyd county, does not exceed, at present, more than ten carloads per day.
(177)

I78

FLOYD COUNTY

THE STATE ORE-BANKS

These banks, so called, on account of their being on the property of the State Deaf and Dumb Asylum, are located in the
chert hills, on lot 997, 3rd district, I ;i miles s~utheast of Cave
Spring. The workings, which consist of two large open-cuts,. each several yards long, and in places, 40 feet deep, are situated only a few rods apart, on the slopes of two adjacent ridges, here separated from each other, by a narrow hollow. The banks were
Fig. 22

Section through the State Ore-bank. r. Clay and Chert. 2. Iron Ore in Varicolored Clays. 3 Clay Horse. A. Mud Dike.
opened some r8 months ago; and they have been worked, by a small force of hands, almost continuously, ever since. The ore occurs, as gravel and bowlders, in the vari-colored clays; and it is more or less mixed with chert. Clay horses I are frequently met with, in the banks; and they often seriously interfere with mining. Clay dikes, which are fissures, from 4 to r8 inches., wide, filled' with. very fine dark-red clay, are also of common occurrence. In one of these cuts, as many as four of these dikes. are to be seen. They are usually parallel, and from 5 to IS feet
I See fig. 22.

FLOYD COUNTY

1 79

apart; and they extend to a greater depth, than has yet been reached by mining.
The ore, from the State banks sometimes has a reddish color, as if it were partially altered to hematite. It usually runs high in metallic iron; but it often contains considerable manganese oxide. This mineral is frequently noticeable in the banks, where it occurs as small veins and irregular pockets, associated with the iron ore~ in the form of a black powder, and as minute imperfect rectangular pnsms. There seems to be a large quantity of :first-class ore still remaining in the State banks; but it is questionable, whether it can be econGmically worked, on account of the heavy over-burden and the clay horses.

THE T. W. ASBURY PROPERTY
THE ASBURY PROPERTY, lots 950 and 95I, 3rd district, is located on the public road, two miles east of Cave Spring. The main workings on this property are to be seen, in a depression at the base of the hill, on which Mr. Asbury's residence is located. The ore, here, occurs in a small elevation, rising only a few feet above the general level of the depression. This ore-bank was :first opened, in r888, and was worked at irregular intervals, until a. year or so ago, producing, during this time, according to the statement of Mr. Asbury, about so,ooo tons of ore.. In r894, a washer was erected at the ore-bank; and it was operated, for about two years. At the time of our visit to this property, last summer, the remains of this washer, together with a huge heap of screenings, and a large excavation, partially :filled with water, were all, that

rr8o

FLOYD COU.l'ITY

was to be seen of this once prosperous ore-bank. The excavation, 'from which the ore was taken, covers an area of something like half-an-acre; and, in places, it is said to attain a depth of 35 feet. The ore, which is reported t.o be of high grade, occurs, apparently, in the form of a large pocket. Considerable workable ore is thought to still exis~, in the bank, beneath the old workings. On the hillside, a few hundred yards north of the above excavation, are t<? be seen other workings,. from which mqre or less ore has been mined. On the same ])ill, was also noticed a small excavation, which had furnished a car-load or two of manganese ore.
The Asbury property has recently been purchased by THE GEORGIA & ALABAMA MINING COMPANY, which has also purchased the Scott, the Gordon, the King, and several other valuable mineral properties in the Cave Spring district.

THE J. J. W~GGINS PROPERTY
The main workings of THE WIGGINS PROPERTY are on lot 948, .3rd dzstrz'ct, directly north, and adjoining the lot, on which the State banks are located. The chief deposits of the two properties are on the same ridge, the former being on the top, and the latter on the side. They may be considered as belonging to one and the .same deposit. The excavations, which consist of several open-cuts,
from 5 to rs feet deep, are not over 200 yards from the main cut
of the State banks. The ore is often in the form of geodes, or .concretionary, hollow, rounded masses, from an inch to a foot or more, in diameter. Some of these concretionary masses are :filled with a white siliceous material, in the form of :fine powder, resem-

FLOYD COD?vTY

I8I

bling kaolin very closely. This siliceous material appears to have originated from the disintegration of the chert, which occurs in considerable abundance, associated with the ore. On an adjoining lot, 996, are other old workings. One of the largest of these is only a few rods from Mr. Wiggins' residence. The excavation, here, is a small open-cut, exposing, in its crumbling walls, much ore, in the form of water-worn pebbles, varying in size from a fraction to four inches in diameter. In the gullies on the hillside, above the excavation, is to be seen a considerable quantity of similar ore.
The Wiggins property has been worked for iron, irregularly, for about five years. The entire output of the several banks is not known; but it would probably aggregate a hundred car-loads, or more. At the time of our visit, in May, 1900, only five or six hands were at work on the property. The ore, in the several excavations, seems to be of good quality; and, if it is as abundant,. as the surface and other prospects indicate, the Wiggins property is quite valuable.

THE T. M. GORDON PROPERTY
THE GORDON PROPERTY, lots 994 and I,02J, 4th district, now -owned by THE GEORGIA & ALAB.AMA MINING COMPANY, lies. directly south of, and adjoins the Asbury property. The same deposits, which have been worked on the latter, extend on to the former property. With the exception of one or two prospect-pits, the Gordon property is undeveloped. There occurs, in places, considerable :float-ore; and there can be but little doubt, that, if the

FLOYD COUNTY
property were thoroughly prospected, there would be revealed considerable workable ore.
THE J. B. SC:OTT PROPERTY
This property, lot 953, 3rd district, adjoins the Asbury property on the east. It was worked for iron ore, at a few points, some eight or ten years ago, and about 20 car-loads of ore were shipped. The excavations are aU, now, well filled with fallen earth, and but little ore is to be seen in situ. Nothing definite could be determined, from the meagre exposures, as to the extent of the workable ore.
OTHER IRON PROPERTIES NEAR CAVE SPRING
In addition to the properties, here described, there are anumber of other properties along the Southern Railway, north of Cave Spring, which show more or less surface ore. The deposits are usually found, near the line of contact between the Knox Dolomite and the Connasauga Shale. Such exposures are to be seen on THE DAVIS, THE -NANCY, THE MoNTGOMERY and THE GIBBONS PROPERTIES, between Cave Spring and Six-Mile station.

.l?LOY'"D COllPlTY
MISCELLANEOUS ISOLATED DEPOSITS
THE BOBO BANK
This bank was opened, in r89r, and was worked, at irregular intervals, until r896. During this time, about 75 car-loads of ore are said to have been shipped from the bank to the furnace at Rock Run, Ala. The bank is located on the chert hills, on lot 692, 3rd dstrict, about one mile north of New Prospect church. The main workings are confined to two open-cuts; one, on the slope of a low hill, and the other, in the hollow, near by. Neither
excavation attains a depth of more than 25 feet. The ore is mostly
a soft ore, and carries considerable silica, in the form of chert. Manganese is also associated with the ore; but it is not abundant. Only a few rods from the main excavation, there has recently been opened up, what appears to be a valuable deposit of bauxite. Another exposure of iron ore also occurs associated with bauxite, on lot 6o7. The iron ore deposits of the Bobo property seem to be of only trifling importance, compared with the bauxite deposits.
THE H. WASHINGTON PROPERTY
THE WASHINGTON PROPERTY, lot 6I, 22nd dzstrict, is located on the Chattanooga, Rome & Southern R. R., about one mile north of Reesburg. The iron deposit on this property, which has re-

FLOYD COUNTY
cently been opened up by Mr. Sparks, is situated on the slope of a chert ridge, a short distance from New Bethel church. The working is a small open-cut, from which seven car-loads of ore have been shipped, in the last six weeks. The ore is mostly massive, and is badly mixed with chert. The deposit is considered to be of little economic importance. Some two miles south of this bank, on THE FRICKS PROPERTY, Mr. Sparks is having some ore raised. From this property, he has recently shipped about .20 car-loads of ore. The workings, here, are limited to three open-cuts, none of which attain a depth of more than IS feet. The ore in the Fricks, as in the Washington bank, is associated with chert; but analysis shows, that the ore from the Fricks property runs high in metallic iron, and low in phosphorus. The limited development, on the Fricks property, gives but little information, as to the extent of the ore deposit.
THE J. C. REESE PROPERTY
The iron deposits, on THE REESE PROPERTY, are confined mainly to lot 49, 22nd district. The deposit occurs on a chert hillside, only a short distance from the rail-road. The workings consist of only one or two small excavations, from which four or five car-loads of ore have been recently shipped. On the adjoining lot, just across the rail-road from the Reese property, iron ore, in limited quantities, is found associated with bauxite. The iron deposits of the Reese property extend south, and re-appear on THE WARE PROPERTY, from which a small amount 6 ore has been shipped. Similar deposits also occur ~n THE A'I'KINSON, THE

l\1INTER and THE HoWELL PROPERTIES, lots I2, IJ and z4, respectively. The Atkinson property is said to have produced some 25 or 30 car-loads of ore. The workings, from which the ore was obtained, are located near the top of a small chert hill. The ore seems to be in considerable qnantities; but it is more or less mixed with chert. Near the base of the above hill, are to be seen the workings on the Minter property. No ore has yet been shipped from the last named working. However, two or three car-loads have recently been mined, and are now fying in a heap, near the mouth of the cut, from which it was taken. The ore on this property is also siliceous, and seems to be in limited quantities.
The several ore deposits, here referred to, in the vicinity of Reesburg, all belong to what has been termed the Silver Creek district, which has its southern limits in the neighborhood of Sloan bank, in the northern part of Polk county. This iron-bearing district continues north of Reesburg, to the northeastern part of Floyd county, following the red hills, east of the valley, which is underlaid by the Oostanaula shale. Float-ore occurs in considerable abundance, among these red hills, both north and south of Rome; but they have been worked, at only one point, namely, Hermitage, eight miles northeast of Rome. The iron deposits, at this point, were, at one time, thought to be quite abundant; but subsequent developments demonstrated, that they were limited to a few, more or less widely distributed, irregular deposits, which have since become, in a measure, exhausted. The iron ore mining, in the vicinity of Hermitage, seems itself never to have been very remunerative. Nevertheless, it resulted in the discovery and the development of the bauxite deposits of that region, which have proved far more valuable, than the iron deposits, however extensive the latter might have been.

I86

ACA"NOH'ZEDGllf.EN7S

ACKNOWLEDGMEN'l'S

In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge my obligations to the following citizens, for assistance rendered, in getting np this re-
port:- Hon. W. C. Bunn, Judge J. R. Barber, Capt. J. J. Cal-
houn, Messrs. H. N. VanDevander, A. T. Hamilton, C. A. vVood, Vl. 0. Conner, G. H. Aubrey, L. S. Mumford and others.

INDEX

A

Brown Iron Ores, Geographical Distribu-

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . .

18li

Alabama Consolidated Iron, Coal and Coke

Co., The,.................................... 97

Alabama & Georgia, Iron Co., The..

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... -H, 43, 44, liO, GS

Allatoona Ore-bank, The, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126-1:28

_-\.ragon Iron Ore District, The,.............. 13

Armington Property, The, .................. 176

Asbury, '1'. W., Property, The, ............ 17~-180

Atkinson Property, The,. . . . . . . . .

1&!

Aubrey, G. H.,...................

.. ..... J81i

tion of the ...... _...... 11-14 Geological Distribution of the, ................. 15-17 in Polk Co., Distribution of the, ............11-13 _________ ,Methods of Mining the,
....................... 2G-:!.7 _____, Mode of Occurrence of
the, .................... 17-1~ ------------- Origin of the, .......... 19-26 Bunn, Hon. W. -C., .......................... 186 ___ , W. H., (Error; should be W. C. Bunn) 66

Burford Ore-bank, No.1, 'rhe, ........... 151-152

B

________, No.2, The, ............... 152

Burge, W. T., Ore bank, The,............... 57

Ballard, :K. H., Analyses by,.. Barber, Judge J. R.,...............

Sli Burgma,n Propert:r. The, .................... li5 J.'\0 Byrd's, l\Il'S. A. \Y., Property................ 9\i

Bartow Co u11 ty, Furnaces of,

... _.. :27-28

_____ ,Description of the Prop-

c

erties of.. ........... 109-176

_______ ,Distribution of the lron

Cacoxenite . . . . . . .. . .

.. . ..... ... .

65

Deposits of, ..... ...... 13-H Calhoun, Capt. J. J ., . . . .

18o

Bartow Furnace Company's Property, The,

________,Cited.........

12\l

. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . .

. ........ 121-124 Callahan, J. E., Property, The,.

. .... 56-57

Battle Ridge Cut, The, ............... _...... 83-84 Camp, C. M., Property, The,..

. ... 67

Beaver Limestone of the Cartersville Dis- - _ _, iV. A., Property, Th<,.. .. . . . . .. .

67

trict, 'rhe, ..... .

--)>) Ctuu1on Property, The,.

. .. 54-5fi

Bennett, J ..J., Property, 'rhe, ..

. .. 1G7-1fit-: Capp, J. l\I., Property, ThP,..

. ......... 173

Biggers Property, The.... .

li6 _ _ , Property, The,...

.. ...... 63-64

___,R.H.,............ .

HG Cave Spring Iron Ore District. ....... H. 177-182

Big :Mountain Ore-ba,nk, 'l'he, ...

Ji)5 _ _ _ _ _ ,Other Iron Deposits near, .... 182

Bishop Ore-bank, The, ....... .

.150-151 Cedartown Company's Property, The, .... .40-41

Black Bank Ore-bank, The, ... .

..... 168 _ _ _ _ _ Iron Ore District, The,..

l:l

Black Rock Bank, The,.

.... 103-104 Cemetery Ore-bank, The,.... . ........ 111-112

Blanket Deposit, 'rlle,.

18 Central Mining Company, The, .......... 102, 107

Bluff Ore-bank, The, ....

. .1G5 Hili Centrall\:Iining Company's PrO}>erty,

Bobo Bank, The,.

The .................................... 60-62, 101

Booth, Gttrrett & Blair. Analyses by.....

Chattanooga, Rome & Southern R. R., The,

............. 129. 185, 1B8, 140, 142

. . . 14' 3(1, 68, 70, 98. 177, J83

Brewer l'roperty, The, ...

fi7 Cherokee 1\Jine, The,...

. ............. . 3f}-UG

Brewer. R. H., Property. The..

. ....... G5-61i Chickanmuga Limestone, Relation,; of the.

Brew:oter, R. B., Property, 'l'he, ..

to the Iron DepoSitf'....

. .16-Hi

Britton, .T. B., Ana.lyses by, .... 48, 00-ol.i, iW Citico Iron Company, The,....

11G

Brown, Gov. Jos. E..,.

14(i Clark Ore-bank, The,.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6C

_ _ _ , W. .J., Property, The,.

C>6 Clay Dikes.

171:!

r88

INDEX

Colliar Property, 'l'he,... .. . . . .

.171-172 Gibbons Property, The, ..................... 182

Concentration Iron Ore Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . 22 ~ordon Property, The, ...................... 157

Conner Ore-bank, The, .................... 154-155 _ _ _ , T l\:L, Property, 'l'lle, ........... 181-182

Connor, vV. 0., ................................ 18G Gossan Ore, Deposits of,..................... 21

Cooper, Mark A., .......................... 126, 143 Grady Mine, The, ................. .......... 58-50

Cox Property, The,........................... 73 Green Bank, The, ........................... 67:._68

Craig, W. L., ..............................103, 105 ___, S. W., Property, 'l'he,................. 37

Cripple Creek Ore-bank, The, ............. 161-1G3 Grifi'tn, R. L., Property, The, ................ 172

Crocker, Nancy, l'roperty, 'l'he, ............. 50 Guyton, D ..T., Property, ~!.'he, ............... 150

Crow Bank, The, .......................... 141-142 _ _ _ Ore-bank, The, .............. : ... 146-148

D

H

Davis Property, The, ....................... .. 182

Deaton Formation, Description o'f the, ... . 23 Hamil ton, A. S., Analyses from,. , . . . . . . . . . . 86

_ _ _ Mine, The, ........................ 105-107 - - - - A.T, ............................. 186

_ _ _ Series, 'l'he, ......................... 17 - - - - .T. J., Analyses by, ............... 86

DeBardelaben, H. F., ........................ 53 Hampton, D. N., Property, The,............. 55

Devers, J. F., ............................... fiG Hannon's, W. A., Property .................. 172

DeVitt, J. S , Property of,................... 57 Hayes, Dr. C. W., Quoted................... 21-23

Dodd, F. L., ......... : . ....................... 172 Hematite, Micaceous, Deposits of, .......... '13<1

_ _ , J. H., Property, The, .................. 38

Mining Company, 'l'he,.......... 98

Duclctown, Tenn., Iron Deposits of,........ 21

Property, The, .................. 95-98

Henderson, Property of, .................... 63-64

Hightower's, Mrs. Kate, Property........ .. 70

E

Hoge, S. K., Property, The, ............... 104-105

Holt's, Mrs. A. C., Property .............. 175-176

Earl,E P., ................................... 141 Howell Property, The, ....................... 185

Eastern District, Iron Deposits of the, ... 13-14 Hunt, Ben., Property, The,.................. 51

East & West R. R ...... 15, 17, 23, 34, 46, GO, 61,

_ _ , J. R., Property, The, ................. 51-52

63, 76, 80, 105, 108 Hurricane Hollow Ore-lianlc, The, ....... 136-139

Esom Hill Iron Ore District, The,.. . . . . . . . . . 13

Etna .ll'urnace Company's Property, The, .. 83-88

Etna. Valley Iron Ore District, The,.. . . . . . . 12

Etowah Iron Company's Property, 'l'he, .125-140

Iron Belt R. .B.., 'l'he, 1'17, 148, 150, 152, 15<1, 155,163

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ and 1\'Iining Company, The, 1.65

F

Iron Carbonate, Deposits of, ......... 19, 162-163

__ Furnaces, Some Notes on the, ........ 27-28

Felton Mining Company, 'rhe, .............. 144 __ Hill Ore District, The,.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Felton's, Dr. W. H., Ore-bank ............ 144-145 __ Ore Properties in Bartow County, De-

Fi dcller's Spring. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 87

scription of the, 109-176

Fish Creek Iron Ore District, The, ......... 12-13 - - - - - - - - - F l o y d County, De-

Floyd County, The Furnaces of, ........... 27-28

scription of the, 177-185

------, Destlription of the Proper-

- - - - - - - - - Pollc County, De-

ties of, ................... 177-185

scription of the,.29-108

-~----- Iron Ore Districts of, . . . . . . 14 _ _ Ores, Impurities of, ................... 10-1.1

Fork-field Ore-bank, The, .................. 39-40 _____,Varieties of, ..................... 9-10

Fricks Property, The, ...................... 184 Isl1ell, C. M., Property, The,.. . . . . . . ....... 78-79

Property, The, ...................... 75

G J

Gaines, James IJ., Analyses from, .......... . 1-15

Georgia Loan & Trust Company's Property,

J enel'er J ron Company, 'l'he,.............. 90

The, ....................................... . 78 Jones, I1. M., Property, 'l'he,................. so

Georgia & Alabt1ma Mining Unmpn.ny, The,

:____,C. M., Property, The, .............. 1!0-lHl

.................. ' ........ .f>3, 55, 180 _ _ Property, 'he,.......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <i7

K

p

Keppler, B., _-\.mtlyses 1,~- ,.

143 Pace, T. K., I>roperty, The, .................. 36

Kerr, J. C., Property, The,

173 Pasture Field Ore-bank, The ............... 96-\H

King, James, Property, Th~:, ..

58 Peachtree Banks, The, ....................... Hi9

Kinsey Ore bank, The, ....

. ..... 157-WO Peek Ore-banks, The, ....................... 46-48

Knox Dolomite, Desc:ription of,

15 Pennington Ridge, The. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Phosphorus as an Im1mrity. . . . . . . . . . . . . __ 10

Pine Hill Ore- bank, The, ................ _... 164

l

Pine Log Mountain .......................... 15!i

_________ , Iro11 Deposits of,...... 19

LM;ey, J.D., ..

Pittman, J, E, Property, The,............... 81

Larey, P. H., Property, The,..

120 Polk County, The Furnaces of, ............. 27-28

Larramore, W. P., Property, The,.... . .143-lH

____ Iron Properties, Description

Lawton, Charles D.. Cited .................. 4cl, 68 of the, ..................................... 29, 108

Ledbetter ~1ine, Description of the, ...... 30-;33 Pond Bank Ridge, The, ..................... 84-85

Ligon, .T. 0.,..

17:2 Pope, J.D., ................................... 101

Limonite, Chemical Composition of,..

\J l'rior, J. 111., Property, The ................. 88-89

Lindsey Property, 'Ihe,.

. ... 02-G3

Linwood Iron Ore Distric:t, The,. . . . .. . . . . . 14

Little Pine Log l\1ountain ................... 15G

Lloyd, A. M., analyses by, ...... 5~, 7-L 8:3. 86,

R

U3-\l4, 97, 104, 117, 1213, 125, l!ll, 185, 137, 14:!,

154, 159, 101, 16~, 163, 165, 170, 171, 176 Long, James, Property, The, ............. 101-102 Lowry Ore-bank, 'l'he, ....................... 148

Randall, T. M., Property, The, . . . . . . . . . . . 102-103 Red Ore Bank, The, .......................107-108 Reed Mine, Description of the, ............. 41-44

M ~Iann Property, 'The .....

Reed, S. A., Analyses by, ............. 127, 130, 140
Ree.sburg, Iron Deposits near, ............ 183-184 Reese, J. C., Property, 1'he, ...... ~ ........ 184-185
44 Renfroe, vY. H., & Sons ........ .............. 141

Marsh, E. W., .....

. ~)0-91 ____ & Sons .............................. 150

McCutchen. A. R., Quoted ..

.13-1-135 Republic :!\lining and Manufacturing Com-

McGee Property1 The, .......... .

.100-101 pany, The....... . .. . .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . . .. .. . .. . 90

Mc11eekin, T. G. W., Property, 'l'he, .. .~\J-50 Roan Iron Company's Property, The, .... 124-125

.Montgomery Property, The, ...

182

Moore & Thomas.. . . . . .

Hl

Morris, A. H., Property, The,...... . .16\1-170

.:VIud Dil;:es. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. (j4

s

Mumford, L. S., ..

.1-14. 149, 17:!

_______ , Quoted ..

. ........ 14}1

_____ Ore-bank, The ..

Hfl Scott, .J. B., Property, The,..........

182

:!\leyers' Svring.

. .87-f;S She~ets Property, The, ........................ 174

Shiloh Church Property, The,.......... . . . . . . 77

Siderite, Deposits of,......................... 19

N

Silver Creek District...

. . . . . . . . . . 14

Simpson Mine, Thr-,...........

. 68-'70

Kaney, Property, The, .... Nichols, Z. T., Property

.. l.'i:! Sloan, Earl, Ore-bank, 'l'he,. . . . . . . .

.... 17:2

___ , J. F., Property, The,. . . . . . .

. 9tHJ\! 79

Noble Bank, The, ..... North Georgia .:\Iining Co., The, ..

... 7\J-80 Sluc:Ky. S. & :F. J.,............................ 87 3~ Southern Railway.55, 81. \l5, 101, 102, 10il, 104,182

Sparks, Linton,.............................. 95

__________. _..____.Cited....................... 49, !li

0

SpeJJler..Ur . .J. W., Cited.................. 17, lOi;

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ , Quoted.............. 20-21, 106

(ll'P\hJL l!Pf']' \\'ell a1...

1ti Stamp Creek, Furnaces along,.............. 27

_____ Property. Ti1e, ....

.\!0-\H. State-line Ban);:, The,..

. ............ 81-83

iNDEX

State Ore-bank, The, ...................... 178-179

w

Steam shovels .................... ............ 27

Stegall, John P., Property, The, ....... 118-120 Wa,ddell, G. W., Property, The,............. !H Stephens, A. J., Property, 'I'he,...........116-117 ____ , J. 0., Properties, The, .... .48-4!l, 09-100 ____ & La.rramore Property, The, .. 142-14tl Ware Property, 'l'he, ........................ 184 Sugar Hill Iron Deposits, Location of the,. 19 Washer No.1 Ridge.................... .. . .. 84 _____ Ore-bank, The, ................ 160-101 Washington, H., Property, 'l'h e, ............ 183 _____ Ore-banks, The, ............... 156-HHl Watts Property, The, ....................... 52-54
Sulphur as an Impurity .................... 10-11 Wavellite, Occurrence of,................... 65

Weisner Quartzite ..........................16-17

West, B. J., Property, The,.............. 63-64

T

Western & Athmtic R. R ........ 112, 120,121,

124, 134, 138, 141, 17<1

Tttylorsville, Iron Deposits near,........... 2tl 'l'ecumseh Iron Company, The, ........... 82, lOU Tenth Census Report, Analyses from the,
.......................................... 148, 149 Tertiary Iron Deposits ..................... 21-22 Tumlin Property, The, ..................... 76 -77

Wheeler Ore-bank .................. 18-HJ, 128-130 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ,Described by Hayes .... 2tl
White, Prof. H. C., Analysis by, ............ 123 Wiggins, D. G., Analysis by, ................ 135 Wiggins, J. J., Property, The, ........... 180-181 Wild Oat bank, The, .......................... 153 Wood, C, A., .................................. 186

Property, The, ................ 8\J-90

v

Wood Mine, Description of the, ........... .44-46

Woodstock Laboratory, Analyses by the, . .42, 45

_____ Ore-bank, 'l'he,.. .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . 44 VanDevander, A. H., Property, '!'he,........ 39

_ _ _ _ _ _ ,H. N., ...................... 90, 186

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ,Analyses furnished by, 48

y

Property, The, .............. 80-81 Veach Property, The,. ................... 174-175 Young,James, Property, The, ............. 70-71 Vein Deposit; The, .......................... 18-19 _ _ _, J. S., Property, The, ................ 73-H