Post by Marge Smith on May 4, 2003 22:15:41 GMT -5
I received the following from Alan S. VanNatta of Potosi who is restoring an old lead furnace there. He forwarded the invitation from Loren Farrey who published the driving tour of Lafayette Co., WI mines.
It sounds interesting
Marge Smith
"To all my mining enthusiast friends,
Does the name DR. ALLEN V. HEYL "ring a bell" with you? I hope so because you can have a chance to hear him speak on the mining and minerals of the Wisconsin-Illinois-Iowa lead-zinc mining region. He is nationally known as one of America's foremost economic mineralists and knows this mining region on a "nose to rock" basis.
Working with his sister-in-law, Catherine Whiford of Mineral Point, we've just arranged to have Allen speak with interested folks on May 17, 2003 at 1:00 PM at the old mining community of Linden, Wisconsin just to the west of Mineral Point. He will speak in the historic old 1851 Linden Methodist Church which is built in stone in the likeness of those Wesleyan and Methodist churches thoughout England complete with a horseshoe balcony. Even if Allen was not going to speak there, just seeing the church would be worth the trip.
Allen Heyl worked with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Bureau of Mines in the mining district of southwest Wisconsin from 1943 to 1953 where he was directed to explore for and discover new lead and zinc ore deposits. Prior to this, many thought the mineral deposits in this area had been nearly exhausted.
Because of his work, new deposits were discovered and new and larger mines were created and the mining industry in southwest Wisconsin and northwest Illinois got "a shot in the arm". His work is believed to be responsible for the recovery of mineral wealth (notably the Eagle-Picher Calumet Mine and the Blackstone Mine just south of Shullsburg and the Bautsch ore deposit in the Galena area) which was produced over $1 billion from 1943 to 1979 when mining stopped. Had it not been for his exploration and research, lead and zinc mining in the area would most likely have ceased after 1945.
Allen is a a fascinating man of about 80 years who is still active in mineral exploration. He has been down in nearly every mine in this mining region and even today can recount what he found in each. Actually, he is the leading expert on the formation of the distinct type (Mississippi Valley Type) of lead and zinc ore found in this region. He has authored or co-authored a number of articles and books on mineralogical interest. One of his USGS works from 1959 formed the basis for my book, A Tour Guide to the Mines of Lafayette County, Wisconsin.
Allen's deceased wife was from Linden (she was of Cornish ancestry as is much of the community) and he has held a great love for that little mining town. She was an artist in her own right and was active in his career where she created many of the maps for his works.
We would love to have you come listen to and visit with Allen. We hope to have a number of old miners from the area in attendance as well as some maps of the mines as well as some mining photos and artifacts. There is no registration needed and no fee, but a "free will donation" will accepted for the rental of the church and the light refreshments after.
Please let others who may be interested know of this program. Bring your friends, your questions, your interest, your photos, your specimens and...even your wife if you want.
While no reservations are needed, I would appreciate it if you could e-mail me if you think you can make it - we'll brew another pot of coffee!
Sincerely,
Loren Farrey
608-429-9032
lfarrey@jvlnet.com
It sounds interesting
Marge Smith
"To all my mining enthusiast friends,
Does the name DR. ALLEN V. HEYL "ring a bell" with you? I hope so because you can have a chance to hear him speak on the mining and minerals of the Wisconsin-Illinois-Iowa lead-zinc mining region. He is nationally known as one of America's foremost economic mineralists and knows this mining region on a "nose to rock" basis.
Working with his sister-in-law, Catherine Whiford of Mineral Point, we've just arranged to have Allen speak with interested folks on May 17, 2003 at 1:00 PM at the old mining community of Linden, Wisconsin just to the west of Mineral Point. He will speak in the historic old 1851 Linden Methodist Church which is built in stone in the likeness of those Wesleyan and Methodist churches thoughout England complete with a horseshoe balcony. Even if Allen was not going to speak there, just seeing the church would be worth the trip.
Allen Heyl worked with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Bureau of Mines in the mining district of southwest Wisconsin from 1943 to 1953 where he was directed to explore for and discover new lead and zinc ore deposits. Prior to this, many thought the mineral deposits in this area had been nearly exhausted.
Because of his work, new deposits were discovered and new and larger mines were created and the mining industry in southwest Wisconsin and northwest Illinois got "a shot in the arm". His work is believed to be responsible for the recovery of mineral wealth (notably the Eagle-Picher Calumet Mine and the Blackstone Mine just south of Shullsburg and the Bautsch ore deposit in the Galena area) which was produced over $1 billion from 1943 to 1979 when mining stopped. Had it not been for his exploration and research, lead and zinc mining in the area would most likely have ceased after 1945.
Allen is a a fascinating man of about 80 years who is still active in mineral exploration. He has been down in nearly every mine in this mining region and even today can recount what he found in each. Actually, he is the leading expert on the formation of the distinct type (Mississippi Valley Type) of lead and zinc ore found in this region. He has authored or co-authored a number of articles and books on mineralogical interest. One of his USGS works from 1959 formed the basis for my book, A Tour Guide to the Mines of Lafayette County, Wisconsin.
Allen's deceased wife was from Linden (she was of Cornish ancestry as is much of the community) and he has held a great love for that little mining town. She was an artist in her own right and was active in his career where she created many of the maps for his works.
We would love to have you come listen to and visit with Allen. We hope to have a number of old miners from the area in attendance as well as some maps of the mines as well as some mining photos and artifacts. There is no registration needed and no fee, but a "free will donation" will accepted for the rental of the church and the light refreshments after.
Please let others who may be interested know of this program. Bring your friends, your questions, your interest, your photos, your specimens and...even your wife if you want.
While no reservations are needed, I would appreciate it if you could e-mail me if you think you can make it - we'll brew another pot of coffee!
Sincerely,
Loren Farrey
608-429-9032
lfarrey@jvlnet.com