Box 4, Folder 5: Miscellaneous Typewritten Letters

1873.

by the law authorizing the survey, except such as relate to mineral waters, selecting for that purpose such ores, minerals, clays, &c. as it may be advisable to have analyzed.

Full accounts to be kept of all money expended from time to time, which will be supplied to you when needed.

Yours very truly,

I.A. Lapham, Chief Geologist.

-----------------

Milwaukee, May 5th, 1873.

Professor T.C. Chamberlin, Ass't. Geologist,

Dear Sir,--

As you have upon my recommendation been commissioned by the Governor as one of the assistants in the Geological Survey of Wisconsin, and having accepted the same, you will proceed to organize a party for field work, commencing early in June next and supply yourself with the necessary outfit and instruments to explore that portion of the state lying immediately west of the line of outcrop of the Niagara (or Clinton) limestone, from the south line of the state through the counties of Walworth, Jefferson, Dodge, Fon du Lac, Calumet and Outagamie to the southern limits of the azoic rocks in Shawano county, giving your attention to the collection of all facts and information required to be collected and reported upon by the law authorizing the survey or necessary for the elucidation of the same. This route will bring you to the ore beds lying between the limestone and the shale below at Iron Ridge, and diligent search will be made for indications of similar deposits at other points along the same geological horizon. At Fon du Lac you will investigate the matter of artesian wells and

1873.

thus be prepared to indicate other localities where similar wells may prove successful.

Your return route should be farther to the west, perhaps in the vicinity of the outcrop of the upper sandstone, extending your observations laterally so as to include as much territory as possible.

You will have "opportunity to study the phenomena of the Drift, including the remarkable parallel ridges so common in the region you will traverse. It will be well to select for detailed survey some favorable group of these ridges, like that over which the old road from Jefferson to Concord was opened. The broken ridge with the "pot-ash kettles" so called, will fall under your notice in Walworth county.

All facts in regard to this (probably) ancient shore line upon which icebergs were once stranded, will be of interest and value.

It is not the intention to prescribe in detail the exact nature of your duties, much being left to your own judgment and discretion.***

Yours truly,

I.A. Lapham, Chief Geologist.

-----------------

Milwaukee, May 15, 1873.

Moses Strong, Esq. Asst. Geologist,

Dear Sir,--

The Governor having upon my recommendation appoint you an assistant in the Geological Survey of Wisconsin, you will proceed to organize a party and supply yourself with the necessary outfit and instruments for a detailed and careful topo-

x-[Institutions?] the name as to.

1873.

graphical survey of the lead region, for the purpose of ascertaining as far as possible the amount of denudation and the exact position with reference to the several rock formations, of the mining grounds, at each locality, and also to collect all facts and information required to be collected and reported upon by the law authorizing the survey, or necessary for elucidation of the same.

Perhaps these objects will be best accomplished by commencing with the survey of two lines, with sections of the strata, one east and west, the other north and south through the central portions of the Lead Region. This may be done on lines crossing at or near Mineral Point extending through Grant, Iowa and Green counties, and from the state line to the northern out crop of the Lower Magnesian Limestone and to the railroad near Ironton in Sauk County.

Though it is not intended to prescribe in detail exactly what you are to do, or how to do it, much in this respect being left to your own judgment and discretion, yet it seems important that you should give special attention to the following points, all of more or less importance in the practical working of the mines.

You will ascertain whether there are any facts showing that the lead veins were filled from below as seems to be generally believed by parties interested in them. Or whether the facts show that they were filled (as with the clay fossil bones &c.) by deposits from above. Or do they show that these veins were filled by infiltration from the inclosing rocks, as is now believed to be the case in the great majority of mineral veins.

Are there any well observed facts showing that the ores still grow or accumulate in the mines by deposition of otherwise?

Are the rock strata continuous as is generally believed or broken up by faults, up lifts &c.

1873.

Are there several "centers of elevation" around which the strata dip in every direction, as was believed by the lamented Percival.

Do the principal streams occupy valleys of erosion only, or are they along the lines of anticlinal axes, the strata dipping from them in both directions (Sketch).

These matters are of importance with reference to the drainage of the mines.

You will endeavor to collect statistics of the mineral production since the last date reported by Whitney, and if no accurate figures can be obtained, estimate the probable production of the several years.

Were the minerals found in the veins deposited simultaneously, and if not, what was the order of succession?

Were the veins filled before or after the great denudation that has caused the removal of so large a portion of the strata.***

Yours very truly,

I.A. Lapham,

Chief Geologist.

-------------------

Milwaukee, June 5, 1873.

To His Excellency, Governor C.C. Washburn,

Dear Sir,--

The letters forwarded with your note of June 3rd, were duly received, and it is gratifying to know that so much will be added to a correct knowledge of the Geography and Topography of our state by officers of the Engineering Department of the United States Government in compliance with my request.

Yours very truly, I.A. Lapham.

1873.

Ashland, Wis. June 6, 1873.

Dr. I.A. Lapham, Chief Geologist,

Dear Sir,--

I have to report to you that the first of our party reached Ashland Monday, June 2'd, and that the work of the survey commenced on that day. The balance of the party reached here on the fifth and is now fully organized and equipped. The first member of our party was one week on the way from Madison to Ashland having been frozen in the ice off Duluth for five days and only got out by digging through.

The balance of the party came through fifteen miles of ice and found ice blocks floating everywhere.

We leave for the Penokie Range this afternoon.

I am, Sir,

Yours &c.

Roland Irving, Asst. State Geologist.

--------------

Milwaukee, Aug. 5, 1873.

I.A. Lapham, Esq.

Dear Sir,-

Some of the members of the Chamber of Commerce have had of late several discussions as to the "theory of storms". As a rule, we are more familiar with the laws of Commerce than we are with those of meteorology and I therefore take the liberty of asking you for my personal information, whether storms as a rule, travel in the direction in which the wind is blowing or against the wind.

I am respectfully yours,

A.K. Shepard.