72 University Geological Survey of Kansas. 
ore in large quantities, and as a result no mining was done. 
Some of the crystals of zinc ore were one and one-half inches 
in diameter, and appeared to be practically fresh, with no in- 
dications of oxidation or weathering. 
MIAMI COUNTY. 
Traces of lead ore and zinc ore have been reported from 
limestone and shales in many parts of Miami county, prin- 
cipally the western half. The writer is not familiar with any 
of these from personal observation, but has had reports of 
the same from a dozen or more parties who were familiar 
with the discoveries. Similar reports have been made from 
Linn county also and there is good reason for believing that 
both lead ore and zinc ore have been found in many places in 
these counties, principally in the western end. 
BOURBON COUNTY. 
In the northwest part of Bourbon county in the vicinity of 
Xenia, a sufficient amount of lead ore and zinc ore was found 
a few years ago to cause the formation of a company which 
leased over 2000 acres of land with a hope that mining might 
be conducted extensively. Nice specimens of zinc ore from 
this area have been seen by the writer, although he did not 
see any of them in place. The ore is reported to occur in the 
shale and in the limestone. An interesting story comes from 
this part of the country, which is as follows: About thirty 
years ago a farmer was digging a well for the purpose of ob- 
taining water for domestic use. When down about twenty 
feet he came to a ledge of galena which showed about 6 inches 
thick on one side of the well. Not knowing what to do he 
consulted others. One man who claimed considerable ex- 
perience in mining at Joplin advised him to drift on the ore. 
Another one who claimed like experience in Colorado advised 
him to sink farther, as he was almost certain to open up larger 
bodies with greater depth. The farmer finally drilled 100 feet 
or more, beginning in the bottom of the well, but found 
nothing. It is doubtful if as large an ore body was found as 
this story reports, and yet the persistency with which it is 
told by citizens, and the occurrence of ores in places near by, 
lead one to believe that there may be some foundation for 
