First Report of a Geological Reconnoissance of the Northern Counties of Arkansas, made during the years 1857 and 1858, by David Dale Owen ... assisted by William Elderhorst ... Edward T. Cox

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FIRST REPORT GEOLOGICAL RECONNOISSANCE OF THE NORTHERN COUNTIES OF AEKAN8AS. MADE DURING THE TEARS 1857 AND 1858. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. F I K S T REPORT OF A GEOLOGICAL RECONNOISSANCE OF THE NORTHERN COUNTIES OF AEKANSAS, MADE DURING THE YEARS 1857 AND 1858, BY DAVID DALE OWEN, PRINCIPAL GEOLOGIST, ASSISTED BY ■WILLIAM ELDERHORST, Chemical Assistant; EDWARD T. COX, Assistant Geologist. LITTLE ROCK: JOHNSON & YERKES, STATE PRINTERS. 1858. INTRODUCTORY LETTER. To His Excellency, E. N. Conway, Governor of Arkansas: Sir — In conformity to an act approved 15th January, 1857, entitled " an act to provide for a geological survey of the State of Arkansas," I had the honor of being appointed by you State Geologist of the State of Arkansas, which office I accepted with the proviso that I was to commence the geological survey of the state as early as my engagements in Ken tucky permitted, say about the 1st of October, or as soon thereafter as possible, it being, however, expressly understood that my salary as Geolo gist of the State of Arkansas, was not to commence until I entered upon the duties of that office, as will appear from the following letter of your Excellency, addressed to me on the 20th April, 1857: Executive Ofeice, \ Little Rock, Arks., 20th April, 1857.)

Dr. D. D. Owen- Si'/-: I have appointed you State Geologist of the State of Arkansas, under the act of the 15th January, 1857, as shown by the enclosed com mission, which will take effect from and after the 1st day of October, 1857; and your salary is to commence upon your qualification, on or before the 15th October, 1857, that is, as soon as you shall enter upon your duties as State Geologist of Arkansas, under said law, and not before then. I hope by the first day of October, you will have completed your present engage ments in the State of Kentucky, and that you will accept the commission which I send you upon the terms stated in it. As a measure of economy, as far as this state is concerned, I was pleased INTRODUCTORY LETTER. to learn that the chemical work could all be done in your laboratory at New Harmony, and would be pleased to learn what annual expense this state will incur under such an arrangement, and for all instruments which I presume you have and can use in the prosecution of the work, including office-rent and fuel, whilst doing the office-work at New Harmony.

As you know best the kind of wagons and camp equipage you will require to suit you, I presume it would be better for you to procure and ship them to Jacksonport, Arkansas, than to obtain them in this state. The horses and mules which you would require, could, perhaps, be obtained in Arkansas, as well as common laborers. We shall have to be confined to the amount of appropriation by the law, and that is so small for such an important work, we will have to use economy to accomplish much good, and I shall depend greatly on your experience and good management in the whole matter. When you qualify before an officer of this state, you will have to take and subscribe and have authenticated and filed with the governor of Arkansas, a duplicate of the official oath which will be indorsed on your commission.