Chapter XIV - Mining and Manufacturing
Importance of Mining Industry
“To Missouri’s normal mineral output of $50,000,000 the Ozark Highland contributes more than three-fifths. The value of all minerals produced in the Ozarks is nearly half as great as that of all agricultural crops. Half of the mineral values of the state consist of lead and zinc, both of which are mined exclusively in the Ozarks. In addition the region yields clay, limestone, granite, barite, iron ore, tripoli, copper, silver and coal. More than half the total mineral output of the highland is from the southwestern district, comprising Jasper, Newton, and Lawrence counties, and most of the remainder from the southeastern counties, St. Francois, Washington, and Madison. The places of principal production of the various minerals are shown in Fig. 42.
“Mining in general probably does not benefit the region to the extent which similar earnings along many other lines do, because (1) the net profits of mining are largely taken out of the region, and (2) the wage-earners themselves do little to build up the community. Ordinarily they do not become permanent citizens but drift away after a time, and their savings go with them. Mining has aided development principally in the following ways: (1) The taxes enable the carrying out of extensive public works, especially the construction of good roads. Jasper and St. Francois counties have some of the best roads in the state built by these means. (2) The mining towns furnish excellent markets for the surrounding agricultural sections. (3) The miners spend freely and thus create good business for the merchants. (4) In so far as royalties are paid to owners of land, the stable indigenous population shares in the profits. (5) The mineral deposits attract railroads, which in turn aid the general development of the mining districts and of the territory lying between the mines and the markets.
Southwestern Mining Region
“The southwestern region still leads the country in normal times in the production of zinc. Its output of raw ore in 1912 was worth $13,000,000. In addition there was produced about $2,100,000 worth of lead ore, mainly as a by-product. Of the total, almost 95 per cent came from three times as large. The mines are so distributed that no one center overshadows the rest in size and importance. Flat River, with a population of 5,112 in 1910, is at present (circa 1920) the center of greatest activity, and is a typical, hastily built mining town. Bonne Terre (4,500) is the oldest mining town in a field which still is producing satisfactorily. The town has the appearance of prosperity and stability. Elvins (2,071) and Desloge (2,200) are mushroom places. In all, there are at present at least 25,000 people dependent on the mines of the district. The workers are largely foreigners from the east of Europe. Mining has aided the growth of the old city of Farmington and has contributed greatly to its wealth. Because of its established residential character it has been the home of many of the men connected with the mines in superior capacities. Some of its inhabitants have been made prosperous by the sale or lease of land to the mining companies. As a result the city has an air of prosperity and refinement rare in places of its size.
Quarries and Associated Industries
“Next to the lead and zinc mines, quarries are the leading producers of mineral wealth. The quarries that ship out their product fall into two groups: (1) those possessing competitive water rates, and (2) those producing a stone of such quality that it can be shipped considerable distances by rail. To the latter class belong the Carthage quarries and those of the granite region. The Carthage limestone is the best-known and most successfully developed building stone of the state. It is much stronger than the Bedford stone, is hardly surpassed by any limestone in uniformity of color,1 dresses well, and does not discolor readily. It is quarried by improved methods and has a stable output, 75,000 tons having been shipped in 1912. The stone is shipped not only throughout Missouri but to regions in the Southwest as well which are deficient in structural stone. The stone is used for all exterior work in the new state capitol. The extensive use in Carthage has made that city one of the most beautiful in the state. Ste. Genevieve has the largest quarry in the state. Limestone is produced here by the government for riprap to protect the banks of the Mississippi. Granite quarrying commenced at Graniteville in 18692 and a few years later at Syenite and Knob Lick. The industry flourished until very recently (circa 1920), Knob Lick alone shipping out a thousand carloads annually for fifteen years.3 The decadence of the industry was due in the first place to the decrease in the demand for paving blocks.4 Secondly, to the working out of the bodies which were easily accessible and required little machinery; and thirdly, to a lack of initiative and to poor management. At present the quarries are at work only when a contract for stone comes in, an event which seems to occur more and more rarely. The quarry towns of the granite region are all decadent, the remaining population being obliged to eke out an existence by various occupations.
(1 Page 213 footnote: Buckley and Buehler, Missouri Bur. Geol. and Mines, Ser. 2, II, 123.)
(2 Page 213 footnote: Buckley and Buehler, op. cit., p. 62.)
(3 Page 213 footnote: Winslow, Missouri Geol. Surv., Sheet Rept. No. 4 (1896), p. 112.)
(4 Page 214 footnote: Winslow, Missouri Geol. Surv. Sheet Rept. No. 4 (1896), p. 112.)
“At Crystal City and Festus the St. Peter Sandstone outcrops near the Mississippi River. Sand is therefore shipped out cheaply. In 1912, 108,000 tons of sand are reported to have been sent out by rail.5 Coal is also shipped in at low cost from the nearby Illinois fields and is used to operate a large local glass industry. Sand is quarried also at Pacific from the same formation.
(5 Page 214 footnote: Missouri, 1912, 1913, 1914: Jefferson County, Ibid., p. 29.)
“Lime is burned at many different places, most notably at Springfield, Ash Grove, and Pierce City on the west, and at Kimmswick, Ste. Genevieve, and Cape Girardeau in the east.6 In the border regions nearly pure limestones are available in most localities. The location of lime kilns is determined therefore primarily by shipping facilities. Cape Girardeau has a cement mill, which utilizes the local limestone and clay, and ships in coal at competitive water rates.”
(6 Page 214 footnote: Recently a plant has been built at Mideo, Carter County, to produce wood distillate and charcoal iron.)