THE IRON ORES. 407 
range of 20 feet. These facts are entirely in keeping with the general 
character of the horizon. 
In composition the ore is not in most cases a true blackband, but 
much of it would rather come under that division of the stratified ores 
called clay-bands. . Thin streaks of coaly matter are distributed between 
the drab-colored layers of carbonate of iron. Below it there is often 
found, as in the other fields, a foot or two of coal, generally poor in 
quality, and not enough can be depended on to effect the calcination of 
the ore. 
The blackband in the immediate vicinity of Shawnee is supposed to 
have occupied about 20 acres, but it is now practically exhausted, only 
a few small areas being left of the original deposits. Four fur- 
nace stacks were built, upon the discovery of the ore, and they have 
made, in their short career, quick work with what has been discovered up 
to this date. One furnace might have found a profitable life in the 
field, with the blackband for its main reliance, but four necessarily 
brought about a rapid exhaustion of the limited supply. 
The ore seldom rises above 3 feet in working height, and the 
average of the worked areas will not probably exceed 2 feet. It was 
largely mined by “stripping” or “tailing” at first, but that stage was 
soon passed, and almost all is taken from regularly opened drifts at the 
present time. ‘The calcined ore yields more than 50 per cent. of 
metallic iron. 
In section 14, of Pike township, about equally distant from New 
Lexington and Moxahala, the valuable deposit known as the “ Hone 
ore” was found. The bank covered less than 2 acres, and reached a 
maximum thickness of 8 feet. It has been entirely mined out. It was 
a distinctly stratified ore, but contained no carbonaceous seams. It 
was quite light in color when under cover. The outcrop was a rich 
and mellow limonite. A question has been raised as to the true geo- 
logical place of this ore, but there does not seem to be sufficient reason 
for rejecting the general conclusion that it lies at the blackband horizon. 
No such question exists in regard to the “‘ Whitlock ore” which is 
found in section 14, Bearfield township. This is certainly at the Upper 
Freeport horizon, and, moreover, it is a true blackband. A long and 
valuable section was measured in this vicinity, including the Whitlock 
bank. It is as follows: 
