5". HOWE TOWNSHIP F 2 . 227 



of the red shale cove reaches the Susquehanna by Hunter's 

 run. 



If the Juniata, when flowing at a much higher level, cut 

 across the point of Buffalo mountain, as six miles to the 

 northward it has cut across the end of Tuscarora mountain, 

 it would have made such a gap as actually exists. 



Allusion was made above to the presence of a promise of 

 coal in this mountain. In the gap and near its southern 

 end are traces of an attempt made some years ago to open 

 a coal mine. No success attended the effort nor have I been 

 able to see any specimen except what weathered fragments 

 can be found at the bank. There are many who yet believe 

 that these mountains will one day yield coal, but all such 

 faith is baseless and the expectations founded on it are 

 futile. No workable coal exists in the mountain in Howe 

 township, and those who are inclined to deem this a rash 

 and positive assertion without proof must be referred for 

 the facts on which it is based to the report on the Cove 

 mountain sandstone in Penn township and the chapter on 

 "The Coals of Perry county." 



The Mauch Chunk red shale No. XI. 



This formation occupies a small area in the. northeast of 

 the township between the mountains at the head of the 

 northern cove. It is the youngest geological formation in 

 the county, and is only found in the three townships, Howe, 

 Buffalo and Penn. 



