An intriguing way of discovering iron deposits.

In the early 1800's iron was a necessity to farming as well as the home. Plows, axes, wagon rims as well as cooking utensils were all needed and in the eastern states these products were readily available and fairly inexpensive. West of the Mississippi, though, iron products were hard to obtain and expensive due to the high shipping costs from the east. There were no railroads at this time so iron was shipped either by wagon or by water. Some was floated down the Ohio River to the Mississippi and taken up to St. Louis where it was distributed. Other iron products that were heavier were put on ships that sailed from the Eastern foundries to New Orleans and then paddled up the Mississippi to St. Louis.

What was needed to help the new country develop was an iron works in the frontier area, but the problems and the risks that were involved discouraged many iron industry owners. As early as 1825 Thomas James and Samuel Massey, who were running an iron works in Ohio, decided to take the risk in Missouri. They learned of an iron deposit from Indians who camped on James' land while on their way to Washington, D. C. James noticed their peace paint was made from hematite which was high in iron content. When he inquired, they told him of a large pit that was all red rock. While they talked about this place, the Indians also told him about the large spring and the wooded country. They arranged that when the Indians returned they would guide James and Massey there. When they saw the iron deposit, and the spring in Missouri near the present day St. James they decided it was definitely going to be the location of an iron works.

The whole story.http://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/bittersweet/wi77h.htm 

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