ONEIDA COUNTY. 
259 
The Limestone or Helderberg range, as a ridge, maintains its integrity, or is unbroken 
through the county. The north and south waters divide upon its surface ; its southern slope, 
as well as the slope of the surface to the south, being very evident to the eye. 
4. Oneida County. 
This is a large county, embracing a greater number of different kinds of rocks than any 
other county in the district. 
In commencing with the oldest, and terminating with the newest, the first in order is the 
Primary system of rocks. This system covers the northeast portion of the county, extend¬ 
ing east from Black river, keeping on that side of the river, and extending thence by a straight 
line to Herkimer county, which it strikes about a mile or more northwest of the mouth of Black 
creek. The area formed by the county line and the line just mentioned, comprises those parts 
called Adgate, Woodhull, Remsen, and all that part of Boonville which lies east of the river. 
With the exception mainly of the border part along the river and its prolonged line, that area 
is yet uninhabited. 
At the head of the feeder, is the settlement of Dr. Williams ; the rock is granite chiefly, 
and some of its varieties are very solid and beautiful. In blasting for the feeder, it was 
reported and asserted that coal was discovered in the solid part of a mass, and specimens 
were handed about. The part which the blast had left was well examined : there was no 
coal, nor mark of any in the rock ; no cavity or vein to enclose it, nor any fact to induce one 
to believe that it had there existed, save the assertion. The coal was pure anthracite, and in all 
respects the same which existed in the cavities of the calciferous sandrock of Little-Falls and 
Middleville. From the report having had some circulation, it is deemed proper to notice it; 
the supposed discovery giving rise to great expectation of finding other and large deposits. 
It is difficult to appreciate the full value of what is certain or true ; but nothing adds so much 
to its importance, as the reflection that the world in which we are placed requires that all 
truth must be known ; for it is said, “ the truth shall make you free.” So we must know 
the truth; therefore there can be no time for error, even ever so well intentioned. 
The Calciferous sandrock no where exists in Oneida county, that I am aware of, except 
in the bed of the West-Canada creek, not far from the county line, where it is entirely covered 
with water. It may be found along the boundary of the Primary and the Trenton limestone, but 
was not seen in the part examined, nor heard of; the discovery not being considered an object 
of importance, when comparatively there were so many of more consequence to the comple¬ 
tion of the survey. It was not diligently sought for in the direction of the primary boundary 
line, as it ought to have been, as matter of fact and science. 
The Black river limestone forms the bed of the river at Wheeler’s mill, opposite to Boon¬ 
ville, and appears above the dam with the Trenton limestone proper, both appearing on both 
sides of the river. It is the only part of the county where that limestone was seen. 
The Trenton limestone borders the Black river, from Lewis county; extending southeast 
