Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-08

La:e California papers indicate growing be-
lief that the reports of diamond discoveries were
not altogether fables. A Captain Buckley.
agent of the "Paci6c diamond and ruby mining
company" tells reporter Of the San Francisco
Bulletin that he has visited the diamond fields
and, with the help Of few laborers, gathered
over hundred pounds of precious stones
many Of which have been tested and pronounced
genuine. There is no longer any affectation oil
secrecy as to the place where these gems arc
found. This is described as near Fort Defiance
in Arizona, in the midst of tie Rocky mountain
range, about eight thousand feet above the sea
level. Eight parties from San Francisco, Ari
IONA, New York and elsewhere, are now
known to be engaged in prospecting for da.
monds within a hundred miles of Fort
Defiance. The directions given for reach
ing the fort Illustrate the immense area
of that region which we are accustomed to men.
ton vaguely as "the plains" and "the noun.
tains" The route described is by the Central
Pacific railroad to Denver, a Journey about
equalIto that FROM boston to Chicago, thence by
the narrow gauge railroad to Puebla, thence by
stage 800 miles to Santa Fe, thence 300 miles
westerly without any public conveyance. The
| country is said to be particularly barren and
forbidding, without vegetation or water, and
with harsh climate. In some of the valleys
small fertile spots are found, and in the imme-
diate neighborhood of Fort Defiance the aspect
of the country is somewhat more agreeable.
The only inhabitants are the Navajo indians,
who are undlsturoed except by occasional raids
Of ttt,,itr
is in the midst of the Rocky Mountain range,
and was occupied by United States troops in
1866, since which it has been used for the Indian
agency, trading post and general rendezvous
for proSpectorS and adventures. The Navajo
reservation is here and about five thousand In
dams, who are friendly and well disposed, are
engaged in cultiYaing the soil, raising sheep,
horses, cattle, etc. Corn, pumpkins, and
squasheS are grown in large quantities. The
Indians have about 200 600 sheep, 5000 horses
and about 1000 horned cattle. These Indians
are willing laborerS, and for small remuneration
do good service. This post may he considered
in the diamondregion, as it has the same general
appearance, and is only Seyenty-fve miles dis
tant from explored ground, from which stones
have been sent to the Pacific diamond and ruby
mining company, at San Francisco.
The diamonds fields are about 5000 feet above
| the sea level, and snow falls deep during the
winter. No signs Ofprecious metals are visible
in this region, but soda, borax, kaolin plum
bagO and coal are abundant between Sante Fe
and Fort Wingate. The geological features of
these fields are represented in sandstone forDa-
tions, very much broken and upheayed, with
evidences of great volcanic action and overflow
The precious stones are found in earthly matter
(Oyerlylng the sandstones), which is glittering
with cryStallzed substances. The industrious
builders Of the ant hills carry up with the earth
from their subterranean cells, diamonds, rubies,
sapphlreS, emeralds, garnets, and tourmaline,
and 1t is only above the sandstones that these
gems are found