American Geological Surveys

Abstract

MISSOURI THE State of Missouri boasts of abundant mineral wealth. Its seams of coal and its stores of iron and lead mark it out as one of the great centres of the future industry of the United States, Such a country might have been supposed only too anxious to have its mineral formations accurately mapped, so as to know exactly where and how its subterranean resources lie. Yet the history of its official action in this matter is by no means a gratifying one. As far back as the year 1849 a memorial was presented to the General Assembly of the State, praying for the formation of a Geological Survey, with liberal appropriations for constructing maps and publishing reports; for investigating causes affecting health, the agricultural capacities of different soils, the water system, and the rocks and minerals of the country. It was not until the early summer of 1852 that the State geologist, who, in response to this memorial, was appointed, began operations. Five annual reports, consisting for the most part of only a few leaves, appeared up to the year 1861, and, with one exception, contained mere statements of progress. Perhaps the Legislature began to think that the results obtained were not worth the expenditure to secure them. At all events, in 1861 the Survey was disbanded. The authorities, however, seem to have been unwilling that the fruits of the long years of work of their geological staff should be lost; they accordingly arranged to have them published, but finally abandoned this idea on account of the expense. For nine years nothing further appears to have been done in the matter. At last, in 1870, the Legislature once more roused itself to consider the expediency of having the country properly explored and mapped. A “Mining, Metallurgical, and Geological Bureau” was now created, and a new State geologist was appointed. This arrangement, however, not proving satisfactory, the act was amended next year, but soon thereafter the State geologist resigned, and Mr. R. Pumpelly took his place. The body by which the geological work of the State was controlled, now called the “Bureau of Geology and Mines,” consisted of a board of five managers, with a staff formed of a State geologist, an assistant paleontologist and geologist, an assistant chemist, and such additional assistance as might be possible within the limits of an annual appropriation of 10,000 dollars.