New Mexico Mineral Symposium — Abstracts

The Tri-State mining region of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri initially covered 1,100 square miles. The production of lead (galena) and zinc (sphalerite) ore from this area surpassed all other mining regions during its 100-yr-old history. Depending on whose report you read, the Kansas portion of the district alone produced more than 2.9 million tons of zinc valued at $426 million dollars and 60,000 tons of lead valued at $91 million dollars. There were more than 600 working mines in Galena, 45 of which were in the town itself or on the outskirts.

During the period between 1870 and 1970 some 81 communities in the Tri-State region were formed. The first towns were miner's shacks thrown together with what they could find. Later buildings constructed of local limestone, wood frame, and brick began to appear. An estimated 25,000 miners worked the mines during this period. Literally thousands of holes, which later had to be backfilled by reclamation, were dug in the Galena area known as "Hells Half Acre" and included parts of downtown. A tunnel under downtown Galena went all the way to Picher, Oklahoma, a distance of 12 miles. Of the 81 mining camps only a few remain today, including the modern cities of Webb City, Joplin, Carterville, and Carl Junction in Missouri, and Galena and Baxter Springs in Kansas. The famous mining towns of Oklahoma, such as Cardin and Picher, will soon only be a place name in history.

The host rocks for the deposits were laid down during Ordovician and Pennsylvanian times, and consist of layered, fossiliferous limestones covered by the "Boone" chert. Galena was most commonly found as a "sheet," layered in the chert. Massive galena crystals weighing tons were sometimes found in open cavities. The predominant minerals from the Tri-State region were galena (lead) and sphalerite (zinc). In the early days of mining the galena was the only mineral processed, and the sphalerite was thrown away. Later on zinc production became most important. Some copper minerals reported from the district include: covellite, cuprite, malachite, and azurite but only in trace amounts. Other minerals,such as leadhillite and linarite were reported from Granby. At Blue Mound, 20-inch-high scalenohedral crystals of calcite and dolomite were found. In addition Boodle Lane and Howard Litch found multi-colored smithsonites throughout the district. Commonly, locals would glean the old "chat" piles to make extra money by selling mineral specimens. From a present-day collecting standpoint, the chat piles are dangerous. The area abounds with uncovered and water-filled deep holes and tunnels. Sinkholes continue to develop suddenly over old stopes and tunnels. Collecting today is best achieved by "silver picking."

Howard Litch wanted to work in the mines, but his dad, being a widower, refused so Howard assisted in his dad's auto garage. Howard remained fully interested in mining after serving in World War II. He could see that one day the mining would end, and he soon amassed a large collection of equipment, memorabilia, and minerals. He filled numerous storage buildings and loaned things to other museums. Mining in the area ended in the 1970s with the closing of the mines and smelter. At the same time, the old 1903 Missouri, Kansas, and Texas (Katy) depot became vacant and was scheduled to be torn down. Howard was instrumental in getting the depot saved, and with the aid of Galena citizens and a donation of land, he moved the depot to its present location. His massive collection proudly went on display with museum doors opening in 1984. Howard Litch (1906-1996) was designated "lifetime curator," and he lived to see the collection grow with donations and loans from many people. Although the museum is listed as Galena Mining and Historical Museum, the overhead sign at the entry reads, "The Howard Litch Mining Museum." Entry to the museum is free, and donations are welcomed. The mineral room of the museum highlights collections of both Howard Litch and Boodle Lane along with donations from others.

Born in Kansas, and a contemporary of Litch, Fred "Boodle" Lane came to Galena, Kansas, after serving in World War II. He got to know the miners and their companies and bought a farmhouse one mile west of Galena where he would give produce and cold cider to the miners coming off their shifts. He was very interested in minerals and often traded and purchased specimens from the miners. Visitors passing through town always went to his home to see what he had laid out on tables. When he wasn't helping his wife at home he was in the mines collecting "worthless minerals" like the giant calcites and dolomites. His collecting fame spread, and he traveled to both the east coast and west coast mineral shows and gave talks on Tri-State minerals. A number of his choice minerals were donated to the Smithsonian among other famous museums. If one owns a specimen from the Tri-State area, chances are it came from "Boodle." When he died his estate was sold, and a large specimen of galena and sphalerite was donated to the Galena Museum in his memory. It weighs an estimated 300 lbs and has at least 27, 2-inch-diameter galena cubes on the specimen between completely terminated sphalerites.

Acknowledgments
I wish to acknowledge the memories of my friends who work in the Galena, (Kansas) Mining and Historical Museum and who have lived all their lives in Galena: Pansy Baker, Gene Russell, Joe Douffet, Bill Toney, Gary Kennedy, along with Jerry and Barbara Hichenbaugh. Thanks also to Marie Kennedy who wrote an article for the Lapidary Journal on her friendship with "Boodle" Lane and Gary Young who also knew "Boodle" and his superb minerals. Lastly, thanks to Joe McKenzie, who was my guide on the back roads of Oklahoma so many years ago!