MINES -PLATTE VILLE DISTRICT. 719 



of the preceding. Work was begun here in the winter of 1875-6, a,nd a large flat 

 sheet of Smithsonite was discovered, which has been worked over 200 feet in diameter 

 vnthout reaching unproductive ground. It is found about 50 feet below the surface in 

 the random or horizon of the flat flint openings. The ore is found in flat sheets inter- 

 stratified with the formation. One hundred tons have been produced. 



McEli'oy Bros. Situated half a mile south of the village of Bouton. This is a 

 new discovery, made in the winter of 1875-6. An irregular flat sheet of Sniithsonite 

 was found at a depth of 50 feet below the surface, from which in two months, 15 

 tons of ore were produced. Work was then discontinued during the sumruer. The 

 above parties intend to work it again in the winter. 



M. J. AVilliams & Co. Situated on the S. W. qr. of ihe S. W. qr. of Sec. 3, T. 1, 

 R. 1 E. A large flat sheet of lead ore and blende, about one foot thick, was discovered 

 LQ July, 1 876, in the bed of Fever river, soon after a heavy flood which took place at 

 that time. It Ues on the upper surface of the Blue hmestone, and on account of its sit- 

 uation in the river, but Httle has been done with it. It is an excellent prospect, and 

 will doubtless be remunerative, as soon as the water can be removed. 



McCaffery, Smith &, Co. In the middle of October, 1876, these parties commenced 

 work, sinking a shaft on the west line of the forty of M. J. WiUiams & Co. They found 

 the same sheet of ore as there described. In the space of two weeljs they had developed 

 a fine xjrospect, and had produced about one ton of ore. 



Level Company. On the N. W. qr. of Sec. 29, T. 1, R. 1 E., a level is now being 

 run by Messrs. Stevens, Mason, Miller. Robbins, Broderick, Hoover, Thompson, Coltman 

 and Farley, who own and have leased one hundred and thirty-live acres m Sees. 20, 21, 

 28 and 29. The level was commenced in the spring of 1870, and has now reached a 

 length of one thousand feet. It is beuig driven on a flint opening near the top of the 

 Browm-ock, which is here about fourteen feet above the Blue hmestone. 



The object of driving the level is to unwater the Drummond range, which runs east 

 and west, and is supposed to be a continuation of the Craw range of Hazel Green, and 

 the Niigle range of ISew Diggings. It is believed that when tlie level is completed it 

 will unwater the Drummond range to a depth of forty feet below the present water 

 level. 



The level now gives access to two openings in working it, and liad, when visited, an 

 inch sheet of lead ore in the workiog forehead. It may be remarked that these open- 

 ings are lower than any of the Benton openings, and seem to be identical vrith those of 

 the Buncome district. The product has been up to the present time 60,000 pounds. 



PLATTEVILLE DISTRICT. 



The digguigs of the Plattevflle district comprise those situated m the immediate vi- 

 cinity of the village, the Whig diggings and the Big Patch digghigs. The mines near 

 PlatteviUe are all mcluded m Sees. 9, 10, 14 and 15; and of these, the ones chiefly worked 

 are situated on Sees. 9 and 10, a short, distance north of the viUage. The digghigs here 

 axe very shallow; the deepest shafts are seldom more tlian thirty feet. The ore occurs 

 in bunches, pockets and smaU openmgs m the clay crevices, and often comes up to the 

 surface Their geological position is about the middle of the Galena hmestone. There 

 are no large companies at work ui this district, all the minrng being done by parties of 

 two or three persons. There are quite a large number of such parties, who form the ag- 

 gregate production of tlie district. A few of tlie more promment are here given, and 

 theh: annual production as nearly as could be ascertained. 



Stevens* Kowe ■ 40,000 lbs. 



Lane&Lawton 60,000 " 



Wales&Eowe ^0,000 " 



