WASHINGTON COUNTY. 459 



about one hundred feet higher in the series, found in many parts of the 

 county, which is generally thin, but serving a purpose for local use. It 

 is seldom sufficiently thick to warrant extensive mining. There is in 

 Washington county an adequate supply of coal. It only needs the proper 

 facilities for distribution. Unfortunately, all the seams of coal in the 

 hills bordering the Ohio River are thin. The Pomeroy and the one 

 about ninety feet above it are brought up in the NewelPs Eun uplift, 

 but are too.thin near the Ohio River for extensive and profitable mining. 

 Upon the Muskingum the Coal Run seam, which is the one above the 

 Pomeroy seam, is in fair development. When mined with discrimina- 

 tion, the better coal of the seam is of very fair quality and suitable for 

 all general uses. This coal meets a want on the river which could not 

 otherwise be well supplied. A large supply of coal may be obtained 

 above Lowell, on the waters of Cat's Creek and Big Run. The Cat's 

 Creek seam extends through the hills, and is found well developed on 

 the head waters of Bear Creek, a stream which enters the Muskingum 

 a mile below Lowell. All these locations of coal will be noticed more in 

 detail in the reports on the different townships. 



Iron ores have been found only in limited extent in the county, seldom 

 in quantity to warrant mining. The traditional mines of lead and sil- 

 ver ores are every where, although I could never find them, and never 

 saw any body who had found them. The poor Indian, who never used 

 either of these metals until he obtained them from the white man, is 

 generally charged with the working of these mines. 



Salt, in the form of rich brines, may be found in many parts of the 

 county by sufficiently deep boring. Many oil wells have struck ample 

 supplies of brine. 



Petroleum is found in considerable quantity in several townships east 

 of the Muskingum. 



DECATUR TOWNSHIP. 



This township is in the western part of the county, and adjoins the 

 Athens county line. It is drained chiefly by the west branch of Little 

 Hocking River, excepting the north-western corner, which is drained by 

 the heads of Big Run, a branch 'of Federal Creek. The township is 

 hilly, but the soil is of fair quality. 



In order to understand the geology of this township, it may be well to 

 enter it on the north-west by the way of the valley of Big Run, for the 

 Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad is located in this valley, and the rail- 

 road cuts will greatly aid us. At Big Run Station, in Rome township, 

 Athens county, the Pomeroy seam of coal is below the level of the stream, 



