THE IRON ORES OF EAST TEXAS. 81 



that this difference in character of the ores was due to the different modes of 

 formation during the deposition of the respective strata. But these strata 

 are so very similar, both in chemical composition and physical character, 

 that it does not seem possible that the ore in them could be so absolutely 

 different. Also, as we approach the water level going down through the 

 strata, the brown hematite does not run abruptly into the pure clay iron- 

 stone, but we come to intermediate beds composed of ironstone partly de- 

 composed and covered with a crust of hematite. Still lower down the crust 

 becomes thinner, until finally the pure clay ironstone is found. It must be 

 admitted that, as far as the writer's experience goes, no beds of clay iron- 

 stone of sufficient size to produce some of the thick beds of brown hematite 

 in the Marion and Cass county region have been seen. But this can be ac- 

 counted for by the fact that the clay ironstone, on account of the under- 

 ground position it occupies, is rarely seen, and data concerning it are only 

 gotten in wells and a few river bluffs. Hence its greatest thickness is still in 

 obscurity. 



3. CONGLOMERATE ORES. 



The variety of ore included under this head consists of a conglomerate of 

 brown ferruginous pebbles one-quarter to two inches in diameter and ce- 

 mented in a sandy matrix. Sometimes a few siliceous pebbles are also found. 

 The beds vary from one to twenty feet thick, and are generally local deposits 

 along the banks and bluffs and sometimes in the beds of almost all the creeks 

 and streams in the iron ore regions just described. Sometimes they cap the 

 lower hills. They are generally of low grade, but could be concentrated by 

 crushing and washing out the sandy matrix. They usually contain more or 

 less ferruginous sandstone in lenticular deposits, and are much cross-bedded. 

 These ores are seen throughout East Texas from the Red River to the Brazos, 

 but have as yet been put to no practical use, on account of the abundance of 

 the other ores. On White Oak Creek, in the same county, and at the house 

 of William Smith, a bed of this rock is seen which in places is twenty feet 

 thick, and interbedded with sandstone. It rises from the bed of the creek 

 upwards, and is traceable at intervals for several miles above and below this 

 place. Similar beds are seen on the Neches and Angelina rivers in many 

 places, as well as on Larisson, Bowles, Box, Gum, Killough, Mud, Sulphur, 

 and other creeks in the same county. Such beds are also found in Ander- 

 son, Smith, Rusk, and the surrounding counties. In Marion and Cass coun- 

 ties they are also plentiful. Near Lasater, Marion County, conglomerate ore 

 is found at the foot of Leverett's Hill, and also in the streams running off of 

 Berry Hill. 



This variety of ore has generally originated by the cementing together of 



