The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-01-26
From the Diamond Fields.
A Buffalo hoy in Lack-S0me Facts
as to Life at the DiggIngs.

From the Buffalo Commercial, January 6l
We announced yesterday of the Grri-
val of Mr. VIM. Z. Burns from the dia-
mCud fields of South Africa, and are
now able to give some particulars.
CLEANED from a trief interview, of his
interesting experience in that latest FL
dorado. Mr. Burns left this city last
winter. and arrived at tthe diggings
about the first of May last. At that
time the diggings on the river Vdal
were beginning to be abandoned for
the dry diggiBgs inland. De Beers had
Just been pros pected and after rndur-
ing some hard times for lack of sufii-
cient capital, and by dint of friendly
aid from a stranger who admired his
pluck, Mr.. Burns managed to get in
and secure claims in that richest pOT-
ticn of the diamondiferous country.
Diamonds, Mr.. Burns informs us are
chiefly obtained by digging in what are
called K0pjeS pronounced copiesC or
small knobs which rise from the sandy
stretches of the Transvaal country.
The KOpje st De Beers is about thirty
five Feet high and large enough to &C
com modate from five to six bundled
claims of thirty feet SQUARE each.
When it is remembered that there are
about fifteen thousand persons at De
Beers, it will be seen that good claims
must be scarce and in demand. In
fact, some diggers make arrangements
by which they are permitted to carry
away earth by the sackful from the
Konje, which earth they slit and pick
over at distance.
The surface ofthe diamond region is
sand of varying depth. Then coales a
hard calcareous conglomerate, of which
a couple of feet have to be laboIiOussy
cut through. Strata of gravel anil,
shale, in which diamonds are found.
are next reached. The actual .diggin"
is mostly done by Cafi'res. who can be
hired for about an English pound per
month, and who are very industrious
and honest. The fact that they are not
allowed to own or sell diamonds, uyIeT
heavy penalties for an infringement OF
this law, doubtless adds to their hon
esty.
Living is much cheaper at the dig
gings than might be supposed. Mr.
Barns kept an establishment going,
consisting of three kaifIsS aud two
whites, for $50 month, the food being
chiefly coarse, black bread and.pleufy OF
butcher meat. Water costs 81 90 per
cask, the sinking of wells having been
postponed for more important business.
The country is not arabic, and was for
merly Inhabited only by stock Taisers.
of Dutch descent, whose cattle and
sheep obtained subsistence on the thin
wire-grass of the region, but frequent
ly suffered for lack of water, During
the months of our summer the nigh S
are cold and the days are very warm.
The country, being more than 900 feet
above the sea level, is extremely
healthy.
Mr.. Burns was at the diggings from
May to October inclusive, and managed
to accumulate about 40 gems, varying
from one-quarier ofa carat to twenty
seven carats In size. His most valuable
find brought him $3.50 in London
The diamonds of South Africa, rs is
we'll known, mostly incline 70 a straw
color in hue, and, as the supply has
been immense, this variety OF stone has
fallen prodigiously in value.
Lest our ,aders should be attacked
ith the diamond fever, we have to add
til Hfact that Mr.. Barns good for
tune is mo means a fair sample Ofthe
luck usually met at the diggiugs, He
tells Us that not more than two persons
out of hundred. on an average, sue
ceed in making handsome thing out
of the business. Many suffer and toll
for months and are glad at last to get
away penniless. In fact, no one ought
to go who has not some capital on
which to live while he is trying his
luck.
A better and shorter route to the dry
diggings than that by Cape Town has
been opeLed from Port Elizabeth, on
the east coast. An American has put
on line of coaches from that place to
the diggings, distance of about six
hundred miles inland. From Cape
Town the distance Is seven hundred
and fifty miles. Mr.. Burns made the
journey in eight days and half to
Cape Town. and in thirty-two days
thence, by English steamer, to London.
There he disposed of nearly all his jew
els at handsome figure. We congrat-
late him, and are bound to say he de-
serves this luck.