Box 15, Folder 8: Geological Survey, Draft Report 1874

Dr. O. W. Wight Appointed

State Geologist by

Gov. Taylor.

1

[Summary 1874]

A report of the progress & results of the survey was made to the [goverm?] Early in January 1874 in which after stating the requirements of the law, detailig [detailing] the [orgaizern?] of the several parties for field work, the special work assigned to Each, gives a succinct statement of the results of their seasons labor. To Prof R. D Irving of the state University at was assignd [assigned] the region bordering upon ^the western coast of Lake Superior, with its wonderful "Penokee Iron Range" and its copper bearing series of rocks. To Prof. T. C. Chamberlin of Beloit College Examined the Southerm [Southern] Central region, especially along the Escarpment of Niagara group of rocks, with its iron ores of the age of the Clinton group. Special provision having been made in the law for a careful topographical survey of the lead region in the south = western portion of the state, (the geological character of which is so fully reported upon by J. D. Whitney), one of the parties was directed to that object. This was assigned to Mr. Moses Strong of Mineral Point. Prof W. W. Daniells of St U. to make Chemical analyses +c - -

The reports of these several Assistants accompany the general report, and are full of important details of the local geology of their several districts

Much information was collected in regard to the Elevation of the several rail road [statiors?] above the surface of Lake Michgen [Michigan] + the Sea.

2

Advantage is taken of the government surveys of the public lands to lay down the facts observed; and Efforts were made to induce officers of the general governmnt [government] to cause the Exact lat. + long. of to be ascertand [ascertained] along the base, meridion, + correction lines, thus securing a far greater degree of accuracy in the future maps of the state. These points are to be used as the basis of geodetic surveys, as is now being done in N. Hamp by Prof Q

A Catalogue of minerals found in the state has been commeed [commenced] and now embraces about 60 species

Mineral waters - Analysis of 23 - Many of Chief [Carb.?] [lun?] + Mag. +c &c them found to be health givig [giving] +c 0. 155 to 4.643 0.960 in 1000

The immense denudatin [denudation] +c - durng [during] the Carboniferous, Permiar [Permian], Jurassic Cret. + Ter. periods Wisconsin continued to be dry land +c -

Report required so Early that results cannot be made up, very completey [completely] -

Subsequent reports to be made by Irvrg [Irving] + Chamberlin.

Businns [Business] of the miner + not the geologist to Explore by diggig [digging] +c -