Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-11-07
An Old Diamond Digger.

Mr.. j. -. CaldOn, long q resident OF
South Africa, in the region now made
famous by the Zulu war, has removed
to this country, and will henceforth
make his home ut Ludlow, Ky. As q
surveyor and diamond digger Mr.. Cal.
don had opportunities for becoming
familiar with all phases Of South Afri-
can life, and his descriptions of his
personal experiences and of the politi-
cal changes that have taken place in
that remote corner of the globe are in.
teresting. To representative of the
Gazette Mr.. Caldon detailed the follow
ing account Of the discovery Of the ia
nous diamond mines:
Diamonds we're first discovered in
South Africa on the banks OF the river
Voel, by o trader of the name of Stat.
ford Parker. He saw children playing
with them at a Dutch farmers house.
The brilliancy Of the stones attracted
his attention. Inquiring of the farmer
where the stones we're obtained, lie was
informed that they we're to be found at
the river on either side. The trader
obtained some OF these stones from the
farmer and took them to Graham
Town, 500 miles from where the dia-
monds were first discovered. There
showing them to an English CONNER
cial traveller he was informed by him
that they were diamonds, which he had
not before suspected. Parker was D
native of Africa. of European parent
age, and then informed the Englishman
that he had found the stones at small
town on the river Voel, called Hebron.
Parker bought stock of suitable
goods and hastened back to the place
where he had found these precious
stones. The news of this wonderful
discovery spread as if by magic, and
merchants, traders and laborers, far
mers, teamsters, artisans, in fact all
classes, fastened from Cape Town,
King Williamson aud Port Elizabeth,
to this modern Eldorado, where for
tunes we're expected to await all who
might come. Adventures and for.
tune hunters focked from every quar-.
ter to these new mines, so that in q
period of about eight months after Par
ker's discovery 100, 900 men had found
their way to the banks of Voel river to
search for diamonds. The roads were
filled in the direction of the diamond
fields with conveyances of any and all
descriptions; men on foot and on horse.
back; wagon trains loaded with mer-
chandise and provisions, or implements
for mining operations, were everywhere
to be seen. In fact, it was one grand
rush and crusade to this tempting field
of sudden and fabulous wealth. Pros
pecting parties extended for two hun
bred miles up and down the river. New
lodges, or rushes, as they were called
in mining technical phrase, were dis
covered almost every day.
GAS usual in all similar feverish ex.
elements occasioned by the discovery
Of mineral wealth, as in California and
other mining districts in all countries,
the money shark obtained the lions
share of the treasure without contribut-
ing his proportionate part OF labor or
capital in its production. Many OF
those who ventured their all in mining
enterprises, as usual in all such cases,
reaped only harvest of disappoint-
ment and financial ruin, the few only
reaching the hoped for successful ter
mination."
"What about big diamonds ?" quer-
led the Gazette representative.
1.-THE largest diamond which was
taken from these mines was found in
the month of June. 1870, weighing 288
carats, and was valued at the enormous
sum of S12, 900 sterling, and was found
by man of the name of Robert Spald-
ing. This gem was about the size of a
Brazil nut, neither in shape nor color
either slightly or desirable, and was in
the London market in 1877, still uncut,
as it came 'front.' mine. The name of
the mine where this enormously valua.
BILE stone was found was Caywood's
Hope, Immediately ON the bank of the
river, about ninety miles from Hebron,
down the river.
In the year 1871 the most product
i've mine, called the Coalsberg Mine,
or new rush, was opened. Ninety thou
sand men were attracted to this spot by
the wonderful statements made and &C.
credited of its wonderful richness, and,
in fact, immense quantities of the COW
eted treasure were found by those en-
gagged in mining at this noted place.
A town called Kimbley, sprang up as if
by magic in the mining region, and
commerce established a busy mart OF
trade in all its ramifications. In about
twelve months city of 10000 souls
stood where, previous to the discovery
OF Parker, there was nothing but an
uninhabited plain. Trade of all de-
scriptions fourished, but the one and
all pervading pursuit was the hunt for
diamonds. Men bought, traded for,
mined after, and sought for diamonds,
a. the chief object of their existence. ~
Do the diamonds bring good prices
in South Africa?" Mr.. Caldon was
asked.
"The value of diamonds in the mar
ket of Kimbley, varied in the years
1869, 10, II from twenty to forty
pounds per carat, English money, since
which time the price of diamonds in the
African market has greatly diminished,
ranging from thirty-five shillings to
five pounds, English, per carat.
Diamonds are much worn in that coun.
try for ornament, uncut, and are very
brilliant and handsome, and to my taste
are as desirable as those that are cut
that have passed through the European
or American diamond settlers hands.