below the outcrop. But in the large abandoned open-cut workings, immediately east of the present shaft, a very large portion of the ore deposit had been converted into oxide, and was nearly all mined as wash hematite ore. This large cut was 200′×60′×60′, and its great width (60′) was no doubt dune to local rolls on each side of a distinct local anticlinal axis, which was just beginning to develop itself at the east-face workings of the new mine when visited in May, 1888, about 70 yards east from the shaft.
The present shaft has been sunk from a point well up the flank of the ridge, 100′ deep to the ore-bed and 8′ further for a water-sump. The normal dip of the ore-bed is fully 80°, towards the southeast: and as the shaft is situated but a a short distance in front of the outcrop there will not be over 115′ to 125′ of breast-work in the mine above its present level. The ore above the first level had all been worked out, while that in the second had been developed in May for 30 yards west and 70 yards east of the shaft towards the old open cut working.
The underground gangways are driven along the hanging-wall which forms the best and most secure guide, and the bed developed in the lower workings showed usually from 6′ to 9′ in thickness, although in places the ore mass swelled out in bunches over 20′ thick. The foot-wall had not been reached at all places, so that it was not possible to say what the true average width of the ore-bed would be; but in any event the deposit is one of great value to the company, and one of great interest geologically as tending to show the richness of the Marcellus ore throughout this district, and the importance of an intelligent search for it.
The ore-bed looked better in the west gangway of the mine than on the east side of the shaft, where the ore seemed to contain some little admixture of clay. Throughout this lower level however, the ore body presented an exceedingly attractive appearance, and gave every indication of maintaining a persistent workable thickness well beyond the limits of the workings at that time. Fully ½ and perhaps ⅔ of the ore mined from the shaft is lump-ore, which is taken directly to the two roasters situated at the mine; the
