Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-12-19
The Diamond Swindie.
Statement of One of the Princi
pals in the Transaction.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. Id. b. Coop
er's statement to the Executive Com
mittee of the Lent nt-Harpending Compa-
ny is to the following effect: 81 was
-book-keeper to the Diamond Drill Com
pany of this city. 1 have known Ar
mold for the past six years. He knew
much about diamonds, and wanted to
learn more about the way in which
they are deposited, the nature and kind
of ground, DC. He said he thought he
could produce diamonds by artificial
means. I told him that diamonds
were generally found in beds of ex-
tinct rivers in tropical countries and in
grayelly soil. Arnold said that in Ar
izona he saw an Indian chiefs wife
with a bracelet of sparkling stones,
which he obtained from her. He said
he would go back to Arizona and look
/ for natural deposits of these stones.
On his return he told Cooper that he
had "a big thing in view,p stating that
Slack and himself were the only per-
sons in the secret, and offered me great
inducements TO join in the scheme,
In 1871, with Arnold and Slack, ]
made trip to New Mexico, where we
! collected quite number of rubies,, and
returned to this city, when we decided
to get the large capitalists Interested in
the plans. Arnold suggested that over
tufes be made to Harpending, a gentle
man of high staining, and eonversant
| with money matters. ~. ST.
Arnold then wrote to Harpending, at
london; asking his cooperation in the
development of diamond mines. 49,
Arnold and Slack went to New York
and interested Barton in the escheife.
When Lent and Harpending reached
| New York from London, Arnold ex-
hibited the gems, and a council was
held, the result of which was that Lent
and Harpending came to San Francisco
|tand formed the company. Arnold saw
he must make a bold strike, and taking
81, 600 with him, crossed the Canadian
line and sailed from lQuebeet for Lon
don. Arriving at the latter city he
made the acquaintance of two Ameri-
can sailors, to whom he paid S500Leach,
and binding them with an oath of Sc
erecy to conceal the business, ordered
them to go to different jewelers. in Lon
don and Fuy diamonds 'o si.-ii'oe ~
IisaIn that way he got $37 700 worth, and
returned to Quebec: From that city he
went to st. Louis, and thence to Arizo-
ma, where he bought. a large quantity
|afrubies, garnets, and sappbires. He
then returned to San Francisco, where
he counseled with myself, Roberts and
Slack, the result of Which was, that
Lent, Harpending, Arnold, and Dodge
went to New York to interest capital
lists there, bntthe Wall street men were
shy, and they did not meet with much
success there. They wanted an expert
fa.whom the New York men would
place confidence. Janin was suggested
and he was accordingly consulted and
permitted 70 test some diamonds.H He
accepted the offers to go and examine
the fields. ~ ~ .3,st-- .TLEa
Slack and Arnold went ahead to
Denver, from which place they were to
pilot Janin to the fields. Thence they
went to Donner mountain, ,.Dear which
they selected a few; acres, and haa
scATREREp DIAMONDS 9ill 9
and other precious stones with reckless
profusion; they then went back TO
Denver, whence they piloted the Janin'
parties to the fields. where they hunted
for diamonds :,
AT the close Of each day Arnold told
Janin the value of the gems found, and
Janin- made his report accordingly.
After searching and examining for,
some time, the whole party, with the
exception of Slack and .Rabery (Who-
remained TO attach Claims returned to
San Francisco. -
The above is ALI that has been elected
fins far from COoDef - % ''i-'i- = :