m
STATE OF ILLINOIS
DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION
DIVISION OF THE
STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
M. M. LEIGHTON. Chief
REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS-NO. 17
THE LIMESTONE RESOURCES OF THE PONTIAC-
FAIRBURY REGION
BY
J. E. LAMAR
PRINTED BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
URBANA, ILLINOIS
1929
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
http://archive.org/details/limestoneresourc55717lama
STATE OF ILLINOIS
DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION
A. M. Sheltox, Director
BOARD OF
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
A. M. Sheltox, Chairman
Edsox S. Bastix, Geology Henry C. Cowles, Botany
William A. Noyes, Chemistry Charles M. Thompsox, Representing
Johx W. Alvord, Engineering the President of the University of
William Trelease, Biology Illinois
THE STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DIVISION
M. M. Leightox, Chief
Jeffersons Printing & Stationery Co.
Springfield, Illinois
1929
CONTENTS
Page
Introduction 7
Summary 7
General geography 7
Transportation 7
Topography 8
Genera] geology 8
The Pontiac limestone 11
General character 11
Chemical composition 12
Results of physical tests 16
Strata associated with the Pontiac limestone 16
Distribution of the Pontiac limestone 17
Area 1 17
Area 2 19
Area 3 19
Area 4 20
Area 5 21
Area 6 21
Area 7 21
Area 8 : 21
Other data of interest 22
Point 9 22
Point 10 22
Point 11 22
Point 12 22
Point 13 22
Testing for areal distribution 23
Uses of the limestone 23
Agricultural limestone 23
Concrete aggregate 23
Macadam roads 24
Railroad ballast 24
Flux 24
Lime 24
Portland cement 25
Fuel for burning cement 26
Conclusions 27
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure Page
1. Index map showing the location of the Pontiac-Fairbury region 8
2. Maps of the Pontiac-Fairbury region 9
3. Graphic log of shaft of the Murphy, Linsky and Kasher Coal Company 10
4. Pontiac limestone in Area 1 11
5. General view of the quarry in Area 1 18
6. General view of the quarry in Area 3 19
7. Near view of limestone in Area 3 20
TABLES
Table Page
1. Chemical analyses of samples of limestone taken b\ the Illinois State Geological
Survey 13
2. Chemical analyses of limestone from Area 1 — Test boring A 14
3. Chemical analyses of limestone from Area 1 — Test boring R 15
4. Chemical analyses of limestone from Area 1 — Test boring C 15
5. Chemical tests of limestone from Babcock quarry — Area 1 16
6. Results of physical tests on Pontiac limestone 16
7. Chemical analyses of clavs 1 7
THE LIMESTONE RESOURCES OF THE
PONTIAC-FAIRBURY REGION
By .7. E. Lamar
INTRODUCTION
In the summer of 1928 the State Geological Survey received inquiries
regarding the commercial possibilities of the limestone deposits in the vicinity
of Pontiac for cement manufacture and other uses. In response to these in-
quiries the writer, assisted by Mr. Carl E. Dutton, made a reconnassiance
study of the area, the results of which serve as the basis of this report.
SUMMARY
Within the Pontiac-Fairbury region in Livingston County, Illinois, it
seems probable that test-drilling would outline considerable areas of limestone
which have a thin overburden and are close to railroad transportation. The
limestone is from 10 to 20 feet thick and is sufficiently extensive and of such
purity and physical constitution as to be of commercial promise for cement,
agricultural limestone, macadam roads, and possibly flux, lime, and railroad
ballast.
GENERAL GEOGRAPHY
The city of Pontiac is located near the center of Livingston County on
the Chicago and Alton Railroad, Wabash Railway and Illinois Central Rail-
road, 92 miles from Chicago and 192 miles from St. Louis by rail. The city
has a population of 7,400 and is the center of an agricultural district.
Fairbury, with a population of 2,532 is located in the south central part
of the county, on the Wabash Railway and Toledo, Peoria and Western
Railroad which intersect trunk lines for Chicago and St. Louis. It is also
the center of an agricultural district.
Figure 1 shows the location of the Pontiac-Fairbury region with refer-
ence to northern Illinois as a whole.
Transportation
The Pontiac-Fairbury region is crossed by four railroads (fig. 2). The
main line of the Chicago and Alton Railroad between Chicago and St. Louis
cuts diagonally across the northwest part of the area ; the Kempton to Minonk
8 THE LIMESTONE RESOURCES OF
branch of the Illinois Central Railroad crosses the north part ; the Forest-
Streator branch of the Wabash Railroad crosses the entire area diagonally
from northwest to southeast and the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railroad
from Effner, Indiana, to Keokuk, Iowa, touches the southern margin.
In addition to the ample railroad facilities, the region possesses many
good roads. State Highways 4 and 2 parallel the Chicago and Alton and the
Toledo, Peoria and Western railroads respectively, and many of the secondary
roads are graveled or macadamized.
JO DAVIESS STEPHENSON I WINNEBAGO I g I M(.HENaY | LAK£
I OGLE
keh°*%ol.et1-l_
MERCER I I [putnamI I '
I ] ' I ' ■) ]_ I KANKAKEE
I STARK I MARSHAU H j uwssroH 1
l£\ KNOXp ~1 L_J agONTIACI I
FORD |__
I L-— ^ BL00MINGTON „„„
TA7PWELL mPlEAN T
I \—
J 1 / mason I "h r\
"1 SCHUYLER '— JZ/ _J , „_.„ DEWITT / I CHAMPAIGN VERM
^ /\ ~^~C I LOGAN I I
, D A M <! \ J MENARD I '
Fig. 1. Index map showing the location of the Pontiac-Fairbury region
with reference to northern Illinois as a whole.
Topography
For the most part the topography of the Pontiac-Fairbury region is level
to gently rolling. The total relief rarely exceeds fifty feet and in most
localities is considerably less. The principal stream is Vermilion River which
with its tributaries is chiefly responsible for much of the relief. Some undula-
tions are due to glacial deposition.
GENERAL GEOLOGY
The limestone in question belongs to the upper coal measures which are
composed chiefly of shales. Although the limestone member is probably the
THE I'OXTIAC-IWIRBURY REGION
Lonsdale or LaSalle, it is here called the "Pontiac" limestone because of the
uncertainty of its identity.
Fig. 2. Map of the Pontiac-Fairbury region showing areas and points men-
tioned in the text. In the upper right hand corner is an enlarged sketch
map of Area 1 showing the location of bore holes A, B, and C, which are
mentioned in Tables 2, 3, and 4 of the text.
Coal No. 7 is mined at Fairbury and was at one time mined at Pontiac.
The record of the formations reported to have been penetrated in digging
the mine shaft at Pontiac (Point 13, fig. 2) are shown in figure 3.
The local occurrence of the limestone is probably the result of the preser-
vation from erosion of a tract of the stone in a saddle on the LaSalle anti-
THE LIMESTONE RESOURCES OF
Thick- Depth
62 10-
f§'l'gbark
Coal ^H
Fig. 3. Graphic log of shaft of the Murphy, Linsky and Kasher Coal Company. T!
\7y2 foot bed of limestone is probably the equivalent of the Pontiac limestone.
THE PONTIAC-FAIRBL'RY REGION"
11
cline. The main axis of the anticline extends from the LaSalle-Utica area
in LaSalle County southeast through the Pontiac area.
The surficial materials consist of glacial drift and earth. The former is
commonly a gray or brown clay, containing pebbles and locally boulders and
cobbles. Its thickness varies from a few inches to probably about 30 feet.
The drift is overlain by black soil which mantles the entire region and varies
from 3 inches to about 3 feet in thickness.
Fig. 4. Near view of the Pontiac limestone in quarry
in Area 1, showing the fractured and thin bedded
character of the stone.
THE PONTIAC LIMESTONE
General Character
The general character of the Pontiac limestone is quite constant so that
the bed is readily recognizable at its various outcrops. (See figs. 4, 5, 6
and 7.) The stone is nodular, fine-grained, brown, light gray or bluish-gray,
containing numerous cavities lined with crystals of calcite. Irregular masses
of hydrated iron oxide are also common in cavities and along joint-planes.
12 THE LIMESTONE RESOURCES OK
The limestone where unweathered is in beds 1 to 3 feet thick, but weathers
commonly to slabs 1 to 2 inches thick. Where weathering- has been severe
water has dissolved channels along joints and bedding-planes which are now
filled with brown earth. As a whole the limestone is much fractured, par-
ticularly the upper 10 to 12 feet. The principal variations found in the out-
crops as observed at quarries is in the amount of iron hydroxide present and
the extent to which the deposit has weathered.
The most extensive outcrop of the limestone is in the quarry in Area 1,
sec. 16, T. 28 N., R. 5 E. (fig. 2) where the sequence of beds exposed is as
follows :
Pontine limestone exposed In quarry, Area 1
Thickness
Feet Inches
3. Limestone, gray, porous, locally spotted brown by iron hydroxide 11
2. Limestone, similar to limestone above but less porous and bluish-gray
in color ; grades into bed above 3
1. Limestone, bluish-gray, clayey, fossiliferous 1 2
This three-fold division is common to most outcrops of the stone. Bed
No. 2 is probably an unweathered phase of bed No. 3. In the deeper quarries
bed No. 1 is almost invariably reported to occur below the bluish stone.
In the shaft of the Pontiac mine (fig. 3) the \7y2 feet of limestone en-
countered at a depth of 36 feet is probably the equivalent of the limestone
outcropping in the general region. Outside the immediate vicinity of the
mine shaft the overlying limestone beds are absent; the underlying limestones
are not known and may thin and disappear.
Chemical Composition
Because the Pontiac limestone has been quarried locally in many places
it is possible to secure a more complete set of samples for chemical and
physical analysis than is normally the case for undeveloped limestone deposits
of its type. In addition to the results of tests made on samples taken by the
Survey, a very detailed set of analyses of the limestone in Area 1 (see inset
fig. 2) are presented through the courtesy of Miss May H. Babcock, owner
of the quarry in Area 1. They are significant in that they show the vertical
differences in the composition of the limestone.
THE rOXTlAC-FAIRBURY REGION
| q
'in c/5
1.33
5.44
25.34
4.64
1.12
•| o"
C\ 00 rn ^O C\
r-i o .-< © ©
■c s om
£ o £
ft- o — i t- lo
O C\ u-j t^ O
© © o © o
Magnes-
sium
Oxide
MgO
.-( y-h -f CO i-<
©' o © o ©
Magnes-
sium
Carbon-
ate
MgC03
00 o\ O 00 o
o © o --< ©
5 4j o
u °
N «-H C\ -I" ©
f^i o od •-< eo
Calcium
Carbon-
ate
CaCO..
93.50
89.20
68.75
91.56
95.05
Limestone, gray
Limestone, blue .
Limestone, blue,
argillaceous. .
Limestone, gray .
Limestone, gray .
o
Area 1
Area 1
Area 1
Area 8
Area 3
& 6
in
M <*3 T O CO
CU Ol di Oh' Oh'
TIIK !.l.MI-Mn\K KKSOIIUKS OF
Table 2. — Chemical analyses of limestone from Area 1
Test Boring A (See fig. 2)
Depth
(Feet)
CaCOs
MgC03
CaO
MgO
Fe203
A1,03
Si02
Phos-
phorous
Total
6
87.2
2.02
48.82
0.96
0.99 '
2.13
8.30
.025
100.66
8
94.6
0.86
53.09
0.41
0.99
0.81
2.76
.019
95.90
10
94.6
1.74
53.03
0.87
0.70
1.58
1.40
.017
100.40
12
92.6
1.61
51.80
0.77
1.48
2.13
0.92
.019
98.76
14
91.6
1.40
51.36
0.67
1.60
2.58
1.16
.018
98.30
16
90.4
2.08
51.06
0.99
1.48
2.05
2.74
.024
98.77
18
75.0
3.11
42.0
1.48
1.72
4.86
13.84
.033
98.56
20
62.5
3.48
35.0
1.74
1.97
8.93
22.22
.042
99.14
22
46.1
5.38
26.81
2.56
3.90
14.63
27.64
.025
98.67
Average
(6'-16')
91.72
• 1.63
51.53
0.78
1.21
1.88
2.88
.020
100.30
Average
(18'-22')
61.58
3.99
34.60
1.93
2.53
9.47
21.23
.033
99.13
THE PONTIAC-FAIRBURY REGION
Table 3. — Chemical analyses of limestone from Area 1
Test Boring B (See fig. 2)
Depth
(Feet)
CaCOa
MgC03
CaO
MgO
Fe203
A1203
Si02
Phos-
phorous
Total
6
80.2
1.70
44.91
0.81
1.11
2.82
14.40
.034
100.26
8
87.5
2.46
49.09
1.17
0.99
2.27
6.24
.040
99.50
10
92.1
1.57
51.67
0.75
0.99
1.77
4.06
.025
100.50
12
91.6
2.59
51.30
1.23
2.34
0.74
2.32
.034
99.62
14
90.0
2.79
50.38
1.33
1.72
1.02
4.24
.025
99.80
16
90.8
1.46
50.81
1.17
1.72
1.64
3.36
.059
99.04
18
88.2
3.11
49.40
1.48
1.97
1.97
4.12
.058
99.43
20
84.2
3.45
47.24
1.64
1.84
1.84
4.76
.035
96.13
22
84.6
1.47
47.44
0.70
0.62
0.80
12.68
.052
100.22
Average
(6'-16')
88.45
2.26
49.69
1.08
1.48
1.71
5.77
.036
Average
(18'-22')
85.49
2.65
48.03
1.27
1.48
1.54
7.15
.048
Table 4. — Chemical analyses of limestone front Area 1
Test Boring C (See fig. 2)
Depth
(Feel)
CaC03
MgCO,
CaO
MgO
Fe203
A1203
Si02
Phos-
phorous
Total
2
95.8
1.51
53.64
0.72
0.86
0.73
1.10
.024
100.20
4
94.6
1.68
53.02
0.84
1.84
0.81
0.74
.021
99.69
6
72.2
1.88
40.41
1.37
1.35
6.19
16.54
.012
98.17
8
88.1
2.04
49.34
0.97
1.11
2.54
6.14
.013
99.94
10
94.6
1.53
53.02
0.73
1.11
1.10
1.32
.014
99.67
12
93.9
1.41
52.66
0.67
1.35
0.95
1.96
.013
99.58
14
94.5
1.17
52.90
0.56
1.35
0.85
1.90
.015
99.79
Average
90.4
1.60
50.79
0.77
1.28
1.88
4.24
.016
99.56
16 THE LIMESTONE RESOURCES OF
Table 5. — Chemical tests of limestone from Babcock quarry — Area 1
CaC03
MgCOa
Fe20„
A1203
Si02
Total
Upper limestone, including
90.16
42.13
0.48
3.36
2.30
2.20
0.82
11.80
4.64
36.64
98 40
Lower limestone, clayey, blue..
96.13
The outstanding features brought out by the analyses are: (1) the cal-
cium carbonate content of the limestone is commonly above 90 per cent and
is reasonably constant from place to place ; (2) the magnesium carbonate
content is with one exception consistently lower than 4 per cent and in over
3/5 of the samples tested was less than 2 per cent; (3) the ferric oxide,
alumina, and silica contents vary considerably with the calcium carbonate
content ; and (4) the phosphorous content is small.
Results of Physical Tests
In order to determine the value of the Pontiac stone for concrete aggre-
gate, road material, and the like, two samples were taken for physical analysis.
The results of the analyses are given in Table 6. These tests indicate the
character of the limestone only in the places where the samples were taken.
Nevertheless they give a general idea of various physical properties of the
stone.
Table 6. — Results of physical tests on Pontiac limestone a
Limestone Limestone
From Area 1 From Area 8
(Sample P. 9) (Sample P. 7)
Specific gravity 2.55 2.63
Weight, lbs. per cubic ft 159 164
Absorption (24 hrs.) per cent 2.0 0.6
Absorption, lbs. per cubic ft 3.2 1.0
Abras'on loss per cent 7.5 5.8
French coefficient 5.3 6.9
Soundness 2 pieces failed O.K.
(5 runs)
Strata Associated with the Pontiac Limestone
According to the data available the beds immediately below the Pontiac
limestone are shale, but there is no information as to the character of this
material.
a Tests made by Division of Highways, Bureau of Materials. Springfield, lllinoi:
THE PONTIAC-FAIRBURY REGION
Unconsolidated materials overlie the limestone at all the outcrops visited
In some places the rock is immediately overlain by a tough, greenish-brown
clay m others by a pebbly, gray or brown glacial clay which is usuallv thin but
may he 15 or 20 feet thick in places. Where the overburden on the limestone is
heavy this glacial clay is probably the dominant constituent of the overburden
In all places the uppermost material is black soil. Locally the soil rests directlv
on the limestone, elsewhere on the brown clay or pebbly glacial clay. Analyses
indicating the general chemical composition of the various materials follow
Table 7.— Chemical analyses
of chiys
Sample
CaCO,
MgC03
CaO
MgO
Fe203
A1203
SiO,
Loss on
igni-
tion
PI — Area 1 ; from 2
feet brown clav and
2 feet black earth. .
1.50
0.11
0.84
0.06
4.31
5.31
77.72
6.80
P5— Area 8; from 5
feet brown clay. . . .
3.79
0.11
2.12
0.06
6.45
16.33
58.74
12.43
Area 1 ; surface clay" 3.20
1.02 1.80
0.49 j
4.30
12.38
67.00
lay H. B
abcocK.
Distribution of the Pontiac Limestone
The areal distribution of the limestone in the region southeast of Pontiac
as known from outcrops is shown in figure 2, page 9. In addition the lime-
stone outcrops at intervals along Vermilion River northwest of Pontiac to
approximately the township line. According to well drillers limestone is com-
monly encountered at a shallow depth in most of T. 28 N R 5 E T 27 N
bodiesEofa,nd '^ W" * T 27/N" R- 6 E' ThCre are With°llt doU'bt s-able
bodies of limestone ,n most of the region outlined but these bodies are prob-
ably not continuous. This discontinuity is doubtless the result of stream
channeling and glacial erosion.
dah?"!ops;f ,the p?ntiac ,imestone shown in fi?ure 2- ***** *** the
data from wells also indicated on the map, are listed and described below.
SW.
Area 1
VA NE. 14 sec. 16, T. 28 N., R. 5 E.
At this place a quarry about 300 by 350 feet has been a source of stone
tor crushed-stone roads and agricultural limestone. (Figs 4 and 5 ^ The
section exposed at the quarry is as follows ■
18 THE LIMESTONE RESOURCES OF
Section in quarry at Area 1
Thickness
Feet Inches
6. Soil, black, matted with roots 1 6
5. Earth, black 2
4 Clay, brown, breaks into grans 2
3. Limestone, gray, spotted with iron hydroxide ; numerous cavities lined
with calcite crystals; fracturing and jointing prominent; beds be-
fore weathering are 1 to 3 feet thick, after weathering 1 to 2 inches ;
grades into bed below 11
2. Limestone, similar to limestone above but less porous, less iron-
stained, and blue-gray in color ; grades into bed above 3
1. Limestone, clayey, fossiliferous, slabby, blue-gray 1 2
Floor of quarry
The total thickness of limestone exposed is about 15 feet, but borings in
the vicinity of the quarry indicate at least 22 feet of limestone (see pp.
Fig. 5. General view of the quarry in Area 1, showing the almost flat-lying
Pontiac limestone with a comparatively level surface and thin overburden.
14 and 15). A former workman in the quarry states that in drilling
blast-holes an average of about 11 feet of hard limestone was penetrated,
underlain by a softer bluish limestone (bed No. 1 of above geologic section)
which was 20 feet thick in a test hole drilled into it. There appears, there-
fore, to be a good thickness of limestone at this place.
The areal extent of this deposit is difficult to determine without test-
drilling. From the topography it seems likely that limestone with a thin
overburden underlies 120 to 160 acres and possibly more; other estimates are
that it underlies 200 acres or more. Only thorough test-drilling will accurately
delineate the extent of the limestone.
A large number of chemical analyses of stone from the quarry at Area 1
are shown in the tallies of chemical analyses (pp. 13, 14, 15. and 16). Of the
THE PONTJAC-1 .MRI',1 KV RF.GIOX
samples taken for chemical analysis by the Survey during the present studies,
Sample P. 1 is from beds 4 and 5 in the preceding section of formations
(p. 17) ; Sample P. 2 from bed 3, P. 3 from bed 2, and P. 4 from bed 1 (p.
13) : Sample P. 9 was taken from beds 2 and 3 for physical analysis (p. 16).
NW.
Area 2
23, T. 28 N., R.
5 E.
At the northeast edge of the city of Pontiac are two abandoned quarries
in the Pontiac limestone. One is used as a city dump and is filled with rub-
bish ; the other is full of water. Very little information is available, therefore,
concerning the character of the stone but such as is obtainable indicates that
the deposit and stone are generally similar to that at Area 1 . The overburden
on the stone is from 2 to 5 feet thick and is largely black or brown earth.
<_L, ■ , /jfc
bsv;
Fig. 6. General view of quarry in Area 3, illustrating the irregular surface of the
limestone and the thin overburden.
In the most elevated parts of Pontiac, the limestone is commonly found
in digging sewers and basements, so it appears that a considerable tract is
underlain by limestone in this area.
NW,
Area 3
NE. y4 sec. 1, T. 27 N., R. 5 E.
About a mile northwest of McDowell a small quarry has been a source of
road material and agricultural limestone. (Fig. 6.) About 15 feet of lime-
stone is exposed which is much less weathered than most of the deposits.
(Fig. 7.) Excepting the badly weathered upper 3 or 4 feet, the rock is dense,
fine-grained and very hard. Fossils are common. The stone lies in beds 1
to 8 inches thick and is mostly white. The overburden is from 1 to 4 feet
of black and brown earth.
20
ki.-o' if. .
Sample P. 8 was taken from this quarry for chemical analysis. The
results of the test shown on page 13 indicate that this stone is among the best
sampled.
There is very little data on which to estimate the size of the limestone
body at this place, but the presence of two quarries at McDowell suggests
that a fairly extensive tract may he underlain by the stone at no great depth.
Fig. 7. Near view of limestone
The rock is thicker bedded than
i quarry, Area 3.
most exposures.
SW. }i sec. 6, T
Area 4
27 N., R. 6 E., near McDowell.
In the NE. corner of sec. 12, T. 27 N., R 5 E. and the NW. corner NE.
34 NW. Y\ sec. 7, T. 27 N., R. 6 E. respectively, are abandoned quarries
in the Pontiac limestone. The quarry in sec. 7 exposes 11 feet of gray lime-
stone with 3 to 5 feet of earth overburden. The limestone is underlain by
an unknown thickness of blue shaly limestone. Well drillers report 18 to 20
feet of limestone underlain by blue shale (probably shaly limestone) in this
vicinity.
THE PONTIAC-FAIRBURY REGION 21
The quarry in sec. 12 is partly filled and shows only 6 feet of weathered
limestone overlain hy 3 to 5 feet of earth.
These exposures, though small, are significant because they suggest a
limestone body of considerable size in this area having an overburden averag-
ing less than 5 feet.
Area 5
Center SE. yA sec. 19, T. 27 N., R. 6 E.
A small quarry at this place which has been a source of crushed rock for
local roads shows 12 feet of typical weathered gray Pontiac limestone under-
lain by about 1 foot of blue shaly limestone. The overburden ranges from
practically nothing to about 2 feet in thickness.
There are no data on the extent of this deposit.
Area 6
Sec. 16, T. 26 N., R. 6 E.
Limestone similar to that in the Pontiac region outcrops for about a
third of a mile along a creek in sec. 16, about lj/j miles southwest of Fair-
bury. At one place the stone was once quarried for foundations and well
walls. In the old quarry the limestone is said to have been 15 to 20 feet
thick, though only about 10 feet are now exposed because the quarries are
filled with water. Another partly covered outcrop was noted in a barnyard
near the center of the SW. 34 sec- 16 and is probably a continuation of the
same deposit seen along the creek.
The outcrops in this area are due to stream erosion of a broad, flat hill
composed of Pontiac limestone. The rock hill is apparently of considerable
extent.
Area 7
NW. corner sec. 23, T. 27 N., R. 5 E.
At this place typical Pontiac limestone outcrops for a short distance in
the bed of small gully. The extent of the limestone is not known.
Area 8
Center E. line, sec. 25, T. 27 N., R. 4 E.
In digging a drainage ditch in this area typical Pontiac limestone was
cut through for a distance of about 1200 feet. The limestone was first en-
countered about a mile and a half north of the south line of Livingston
County ; it extends in a northeast direction, paralleling the Chicago and Alton
Railroad and State Route No. 4. In the ditching operations the limestone bed
was not penetrated for more than about 3 feet. The section exposed near
the center of the outcrop follows :
22 THE LIMESTONE RESOURCES OF
Formations exposed in drainage ditch, Area 8
Thickness
Feet Inches
5. Soil, black 2 0
4. Clay and gravel, brown clay and fine chert gravel 4-6
3. Clay, greenish-brown, tough, irregular fracture; containing a few chert
pebbles 5 0
2. Gravel and clay; limestone and igneous pebbles up to 3 inches in diam-
eter in a clay matrix 0-8
1. Limestone, gray, porous, iron-stained 3
Sample P. 5 was taken from bed No. 3, P. 6 from bed No. 1 for chemical
analysis. Sample P. 7 was taken for physical analysis. The results of the
analyses are given on pages 17, 13, and 16.
The fact that the limestone outcrops for 1200 feet at a shallow depth in
the drainage ditch suggests a good sized body of stone in this area.
Other Data of Interest
In addition to tbe outcrop data presented the following information de-
scribed as occurring at various "Points" is of interest.
Point 9
SW. corner sec. 19, T. 27 N., R. 6 E.
Limestone is reported at a very shallow depth in wells.
Point 10
SW. corner sec. 13, T. 27 N., R. 5 E.
In the vicinity of the adjoining corners of sees. 13. 14, 23. and 24 lime-
stone is reported at a shallow depth.
Point 11
Center W. line. sec. 15. T. 27 N.. R. 5 E.
Limestone is reported at a depth of 15 feet.
Point 12
S. y2 S. y2 sec. 5, T. 27 N.. R. 5 E.. at County Farm.
Six feet of limestone was encountered at a depth of 20 feet in well.
Point 13
SW. corner SE. J4 sec. 15, T. 28 N., R. 5 E.
Approximate location of Pontiac coal shaft. (See figs. 2 and 3.)
THE PONTIAC-FAIRBURY REGION 23
Testing for Areal Distribution
In view of the likelihood of local discontinuity of the Pontiac limestone
it is advisahle to thoroughly test the extent of the deposit by drilling either
with core or churn drills, though preferably the former because they yield
a better record for study and analysis of the strata penetrated. The test
borings will also give critical information as to the thickness of the limestone
which doubtless varies considerably from place to place.
Uses of the Limestone
The uses of the Pontiac limestone may be divided into two groups :
(1) those requiring simply crushing and screening of the limestone; and
(2) those necessitating burning in addition to crushing and screening. The
first group includes agricultural limestone, concrete aggregate, railroad bal-
last, flux, and other minor uses ; the second includes lime and cement.
AGRICULTURAL LIMESTONE
The function of agricultural limestone is to neutralize soil acidity and
thereby promote the growth of bacteria, some of which convert nitrogen
from the air into a form available to plants and others of which aid in the
decomposition of humus materials in the soil. Inasmuch as both calcium
and magnesium carbonates are effective in neutralizing soil acidity the total
of these carbonates is an approximate measure of the effectiveness of a lime-
stone in correcting acidity. As will be seen from the tables of chemical an-
alyses (pp. 13-16) the total carbonate content of the Pontiac limestone varies
from 90 to 95 per cent in the non-shaly part. A stone of this carbonate con-
tent is ordinarily considered a good agricultural limestone and this, therefore,
is an important use for the stone in the Pontiac-Fairbury area.
CONCRETE AGGREGATE
The physical analyses given on page 16 indicate that the limestone in
the Pontiac-Fairbury area is on the borderline as aggregate for concrete
roads and concrete for construction purposes. Regarding Sample P. 9, V. L.
Glover, Engineer of Material of the Illinois Division of Highways, says,
"This rock fails to meet our requirements as the abrasion loss exceeds the
maximum permitted by our specifications. Our specifications permit a loss
of 7 per cent whereas the tests on the rock show 7.5 per cent.
"The rock contained streaks of iron carbonate and oxide caused appar-
ently by the infiltration of these compounds through the voids. These streaks
are rather soft and are, no doubt, partially responsible for the high abrasion
loss which we obtained in the tests. These soft spots are rather undesirable.
_4 THE LIMESTONE RESOURCES OF
especially if the rock is to be considered as an aggregate for concrete. I
would not consider this rock satisfactory for use in concrete road or bridge
work, but it may he used in macadam construction on secondary road-."
Concerning Sample J'. 7 (see p. 16) the report is. "According to our
tests the limestone is satisfactory. The specific gravity, absorption, and abra-
sion loss are well within the limits of our specifications. The soundness test
also showed satisfactory results."
From the foregoing it is apparent that though parts of the Pontiac lime-
stone are suitable concrete aggregate other parts are not. Inasmuch as there
is considerable variation in the character of the limestone from place to place
in the same quarry it seems probable that the stone can not he used exten-
sively for this purpose. Of the outcrops visited, the limestone in Area 3
seemed most likely to be an acceptable aggregate stone.
MACADAM ROADS
Water-bound macadam roads, popularly known as crushed-rock roads,
can be satisfactorily constructed from the Pontiac limestone of the Pontiac-
Fairbury region as indicated in the interpretation of the results of tests on
Sample P. 8 given above under the discussion of "Concrete Aggregate."
The limestone in general is probably slightly too soft and friable to be used
in primary macadam roads carrying a heavy traffic, but for secondary roads
the stone should give good service either in water-bound or bituminous
macadam.
RAILROAD BALLAST
The specifications for first-class limestone railroad ballast are about the
same as for concrete aggregate, and the Pontiac limestone is therefore slightly
on the borderline in this regard. However, the bulk of the stone would proba-
bly be satisfactory to many railroads.
The specifications for limestone to be used as flux vary to some extent
with the particular requirements of the user, but in general limestone flux
should contain over 90 per cent calcium carbonate, less than 5 per cent silica
(most fluxes contain less than 3 per cent) and be low in pyrite, alumina and
phosphorous. Some of the Pontiac limestone meets these requirements and
can probably be used as flux.
Most limestones burned for lime contain over 95 per cent total carbonates.
If the lime resulting contains less than 5 per cent magnesia it is known as a
THE PONTIAC-FAIRBURY REGION -0
"high-calcium lime" ; if it contains over 30 per cent magnesia it is known as a
"high-magnesium lime."2 If the lime contains over 5 per cent of impurities
such as silica, iron oxide, and alumina it is usually dark in color and is known
as a "lean" or "poor" lime.3 The Pontiac limestone, because of its impurities,
high iron oxide content, and slightly low carbonate content, would probably
make a lean lime.
PORTLAND CEMENT
Portland cement is made by heating to incipient fusion an intimate mix-
ture of limestone and shale or clay or their equivalents, in the proportion of
Bout three parts of limestone to one part of shale or clay. The principal
substance to be avoided in cement materials is magnesium carbonate, which
should not exceed about 5 per cent.
The Pontiac limestone offers a good combination for cement manufac-
ture. Though the limestone does not contain the requisite amount of clay
itself, there are overlying clays and an underlying shaly limestone which may
be combined with the purer limestone to yield the raw cement mix desired.
For example in Area 1 a cement mix composed of the top earth and clay
(Sample P. 1, p. 17), the gray limestone (Sample P. 2, p. 13) the blue lime-
stone (Sample P. 3, p. 13) and the blue shaly limestone (Sample P. 4, p. 13)
in the ratio of their thicknesses, which are 4, 11, 3 and 3 feet respectively
(see p. 18) would have the following composition:
Approximate composition of cement mix, Area 1
Per Cent
CaCOs 71.83
MgCO;i 0.34
SiO„ 19.89
A1203 1.94
Fe~03 1.35
According to Eckel4 the ratio of silica to alumina plus iron for ordinary
purposes should be about 3 to 1. In the above analysis the ratio is about 6
i to 1, but by the addition of shale from the bed underlying the shaly limestone
in the bottom of the quarry, or by employing a surface clay of somewhat dif-
ferent composition, as Sample P. 5. page 17, any common raw mix for cement
pan be produced.
In Area 8, a cement mix composed of the limestone ( Sample P. 6, p. 1 3 )
and the clay (Sample P. 5, p. 17) in the proportion of 1 1 to 5, which is their
ipproximate thickness, would have about the following composition :
2 Eckel, E. C. Cements, limes and plasters, Wiley and Sons, New York, p. 118. 190f>.
3 Idem, p. 117.
*Op. cit. p. 394.
26 THE LIMESTONE RESOURCES OF
Approximate composition of cement mix, Area 8
Per Cent
CaCOg 64.13
MgCOs 1.26
SiO„ 21.55
Al2Os 3.35
Fe2Os 2.52
This, though not quite fulfilling the requirements mentioned by Eckel,
indicates that a suitable mix might readily be obtained.
Other areas also offer opportunities for obtaining suitable materials for
cement manufacture.
FUEL FOR BURNING CEMENT
The manufacture of Portland cement requires a large amount of fuel ;
that used in Illinois is mostly powdered coal. The coal formerly mined by
the Murphy, Linsky and Kasher Coal Company (Point 13, fig. 2; fig. 3)
appears to be a potential fuel source. According to observations made by
Dr. G. H. Cady of the Survey staff in 1918 the coal is from 48 to 66 inches
thick, averaging about 57 inches.
A clay band about 3 inches thick occurs 2 or 3 inches above the floor.
A band of pyrite (iron sulphide) about y2 inch thick occurs 18 inches above
the floor, and locally concentrations of pyrite occur in the coal itself. When
the mine was in operation the pyrite was removed by hand-picking. The
pyrite was of excellent quality, hard and stony, and it is estimated that 2 or
3 car-loads could have been produced monthly when the daily output was 175
tons of coal. An analysis made of the coal "as received" follows :
Analysis of coal from the mine of the Murphy, Linsky, and Kasher Coal Company
Moisture 9.41
Ash 13.81
Volatile matter 35.69
Fixed carbon 41.09
Sulphur 4.74
B. t. u 11.258
THE POXTIAC-FAIRBURY REGION 27
Conclusions
1. In the Pontiac-Fairbury region there are tracts, some of them prob-
ably 200 acres or more in extent, underlain by limestone. A 200-acre tract
underlain by 11 feet of limestone would contain about 3,500,000 cubic yards
or about 7,500,000 tons of limestone.
2. Many of these tracts are located on or close to a railroad.
3. The overburden on the limestone varies from 1 to 5 feet in thickness
and probably averages about 3 feet.
4. The limestone is suitable for agricultural limestone, macadam roads,
Portland cement, probably railroad ballast, flux and lime.
5. Of these uses the outstanding one for which the limestone is not
now employed is the manufacture of Portland cement, which is favored by
the presence of a suitable limestone and associated clay, shale and argillaceous
limestone which provide conveniently the necessary raw materials.
6. Fuel for cement burning can probably be obtained locally.
7. The local labor supply is regarded as adequate.
:cher-sm
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