WASHINGTON COUNTY. 459 
about one hundred feet higher in the series, found in many parts of the 
county, which is generally thin, but serving a purpose for local use. It 
is seldom sufficiently thick to warrant extensive mining. There is in 
Washington county an adequate supply of coal. It only needs the proper 
facilities for distribution. Unfortunately, all the seams of coal in the 
hills bordering the Ohio River are thin. The Pomeroy and the one 
about ninety feet above it are brought up in the Newell’s Run uplift, 
but are too thin near the Ohio River for extensive and profitable mining. 
Upon the Muskingum the Coal Run seam, which is the one above the 
Pomeroy seam, is in fair development. When mined with discrimina- 
tion, the better coal of the seam is of very fair quality and suitable for 
all general uses. This coal meets a want on the river which could not 
otherwise be well supplied. A large supply of coal may be obtained 
above Lowell, on the waters of Cat’s Creek and Big Run. The Cat’s 
Creek seam extends through the hills, and is found well developed on 
the head waters of Bear Creek, a stream which enters the Muskingum 
a mile below Lowell. All these locations of coal will be noticed more in 
detail in the reports on the different townships. 
Iron ores have been found only in limited extent in the county, seldom 
in quantity to warrant mining. The traditional mines of lead and sil- 
ver ores are every where, although I could never find them, and never 
saw any body who had found them. The poor Indian, who never used 
either of these metals until he obtained them from the white man, is 
generally charged with the working of these mines. 
Salt, in the form of rich brines, may be found in many parts of the 
county by sufficiently deep boring. Many oil wells have struck ample 
supplies of brine. 
Petroleum is found in considerable ene in several townships east 
of the Muskingum. 
DECATUR TOWNSHIP. 
This township is in the western part of the county, and adjoins the 
Athens county line. It is drained chiefly by the west branch of Little 
Hocking River, excepting the north-western corner, which is drained by 
the heads of Big Run, a branch of Federal Creek. The township 1S 
hilly, but the soil is of fair quality. 
In order to understand the geology of this township, it may be well to 
enter it on the north-west by the way of the valley of Big Run, for the 
Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad is located in this valley, and the rail- 
road cuts will areal, aid us. At Big Run Station, in Rome township, 
Athens county, the Pomeroy seam of coal is below the level of the stream, 
