Wisconsin and Missouri Lead Region. 59 
for a great distance, no pieces of ore nor rock are exposed above 
the soil, but according to reports they may be traced several miles 
ina enstealit: direction... The soil itself consists of fragments of 
iron ore, and most of it, if mixed with the large lumps, would 
work well in a blast furnace. The pieces scattered about vary in 
size; few are so heavy that a man could not lift one of them, and 
dea are so numerous that they could long be depended upon for 
the supply of many blast furnaces, without the necessity of min- 
ing at all. Notwithstanding the sterility of the soil, the hill is 
covered with a good growth of oak, and these trees are. suffi- 
ciently abundant throughout this section of country to supply. all 
the necessary fuel for large works during many years. But there 
is no good water power within less than ten or twelve miles, 
Limestone suitable for flax may be found almost any where in the 
valleys, and also hematite iron ore of suitable quality to mix with 
the heavy ores, or better, to work alone. Notwithstanding the 
abundance and richness of the Iron Mountain ore, it sialdinas 
about seventy per cent. of iron, it seems to me improbable that 
it will soon become of any great importance, even if a company 
could have a clear title to it, which none is now likely soon to ob- 
tain. For it isa difficult ore to work ina blast furnace—it is likely 
to be contaminated with titanium or other metals, which would 
much increase the difficulty of working, as well as injure the 
iron; and bloomeries, even if a great number could be in opera- 
tion, could not make iron so cheap as to compete with the coke 
and anthracite iron of Pennsylvania, and the Ohio River country. 
‘The distance from the river, and nature of the country between, 
are also serious objections. Besides, if it were desirable to en- 
gage in this business, there is sufficient hematite iron ore, which 
though it yield only from thirty to forty per cent. is a more profi- 
table ore to work, and may be found in abundance, as I have 
reason to believe, near the river and near the bituminous coal 
mines on the other side of it.. It is this ore that makes the cele- 
brated Juniata iron, and when smelted with charcoal always 
makes the softest and toughest bar iron. It was discovered and 
wrought some time ago near Caledonia, and the Iron Mountain 
ore was hauled and mixed with it. The furnace was a small 
quarter stack, and if properly managed ought to have done a good 
business; but it is now mahandonets nad on account of inju- 
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