further west are a counterpart of those just described and are all small. They reach to within a few feet of the top of the ridge and the low dip creates a terrace upon the higher Oriskany backbone to the north.
From Adamsburg to McClure there is not a single water gap or break in this limestone ridge, which rises from 200′–250′ above the valley and railroad with an unusually steep slope in its southern flank, which in a measure has no doubt militated against the extensive development of its limestone beds.
At McClure there are a number of quarries, and the lime industry has been pushed rather vigorously there, owing to the extensive building operations which have been carried on in the town. The limestone ridge is gapped here by a branch of Middle creek which forms at once a natural means for attacking the beds and an avenue for distributing the burnt lime to the slate valley to the north. On the east side of the ravine there are but two kilns, but the following quarries from east to west:
1. C. Nolt and J. Dreese. 2. D. B. Hassinger. 3. J. O. Goss. 4. R. J. Smith. 5. J. D. Ulsh. The outcrop of the limestone seems to have been purchased in lots by these parties, each having from 30′–50′ in width. Sometimes one or more lot owners combine and erect a kiln; at other times they work quite independently with or without kiln. This policy is adverse to any systematic or well devised operation and the result is seen in the irregular, badly-worked, and expensive quarries on both sides of the creek.
Ulsh’s quarry, nearest the stream on the east side of the gap, exposes about 30′ of stone, near the top of No, VI on a 30° N. W. dip. The bottom 20′ are good; but the beds generally are thin.
The other quarries on this side have furnished merely outcrop stone and had not been sufficiently developed to warrant an expression of opinion regarding their future,
Good facilities exist here for economical work. The quarries are near the railroad; consequently can get cheap coal and distant markets for their product; but up to the present time no one man seems to have done more than open
