75 



i lies made a settlement near it. On opening the 

 mine they found a rich ore in great plenty. But 

 the French furnaces were very badly constructed. 

 They were formed somewhat similar to a lime 

 kiln, at the bottom of which they placed a flooring 

 of large logs, and set up a tier of smaller ones 

 around the sides of the furnace, within which they 

 put a large quantity of ore. A fire was then made 

 and continued until the mineral was smelted, and 

 run off into troughs made to receive it : but much 

 of the metal was burnt up, or lost in the ashes. 

 In this manner each family smelted their own 

 mineral, until Mr. Austin erected his furnace. 

 Since that time, they find it more advantageous 

 to sell ther ore to him. It is conjectured that 

 the whole distance between the old mine and Bar- 

 ton's is one continued bed of lead ore. 



The time of working the mines is from August 

 to December. After the harvests are over, the 

 inhabitants of Saint Genevieve and other settle- 

 ments on the Mississippi resort to the mines, 

 The rich employ their negroes, and the poor peo- 

 ple work for themselves ; depending on the lean' 

 they procure, to furnish necessary articles for their 

 families. The lead is estimated equal to cash 

 * for whatever they wish to purchase. 



Another mine, called Ranalt's mine, situated 

 on a creek of the same name about six miles 

 north of Barton's, is said to contain very rid 

 ore, but has been worked only a short time* 



