Jasper County Democrat, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1902 — NIAGARA LIMESTONE. [ARTICLE]

NIAGARA LIMESTONE.

The Niagara limestone outcrops at many points In the eastern part of the state, and were it not for the superior quality of the Bedford oolitic limestone the quarrying Industry In the Niagara limestone belt would be a very important one In this state. It is equal to the Joliet and Lamont (Ill.) limeatones and it successfully competes with . them. The Niagara limestone also competes with the Berea (O.) sandstone. This Indiana limestone occurs in natural slabs of uniform thickness and usually very even, being easily and cheaply quarried without much. If any. drilling .or blasting, and requires no dressing after quarrying. It Is of handsome color, very hard and durable, except where smoke from bituminous coal affects It. Being a magnesian limestone, the sulphurous fumes of soft coal decomposes the magnesia In the stone. It is used extensively for flagging and curbing In street works. It is also used for window tills, doorsteps, foundations. bridge abutments, street crossings, gutter stones, sidewalks, etc. In the trade this Is known as the "Laurel limestone” on account of its best exposure near Laurel Franklin county, where It has also been more extensively quarried than elsewhere In the state. It has also been quarried on a large scale In Ripley county, near Osgood: In Decatur county, near Westrfrrt. Newport and St. Paul, and In Wabash county, near Wabash: also at Huntington, Delphi. Logansport. Kokomo and elsewhere for lime and concrete.