Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1882-07-15
JULY 10, 1882.


- kOhbiChioh iCtCuttJ ttVI1 tIiO
African diamond fields relates the fol
lowing big story to the st. Louis Rcpub-
lican: while abroad I was fortunate
enough to see the largest and most
valuable diamond in'the world. 1t was
my good fortune to learn Of a very rich
one in the hands Of a slave, who made
his escape from the coast, and had been
away from the mines shout a year, but
It was not then known that he had got
ten away with anything very valuable
in the shape of a stone. He roamed
around for a period of eighteen months,
through every yicissitude. He had
many difficulties before him in trying
to gain passage. Finally he got on board
a boat which CHANGED in the Gambeza
river. Twice he was confined in servi-
tude, until by two escapes he finally
made q state arrival in London. There
he Inadvertently became acquainted
with ali African woman who had been
brought from slavery to London, and
was then free. She was a servant in the
family whose guest I was. This woman
could speak his tongue, and, after be-
coming better acquainted with her he
divulged his ~secrect, telling her that he
had been q slave, in servitude for year
in the diamond fields Of Africa that
by providential escape he had made his
way to London. He told her that he
wanted to obtain information in refer
ence to getting his wife and children to
London. The black in her
ignorance, was unable to tell him what
to do, and she applied to me, knowing
that ! had a knowledge of slave times
in America. After hearing the story /
advised them to apply to the British
consul in the provincial building. L
went with them, and upon explaining
to the consul, the question arose, among
other questions, what recompense he
could make the English government for
going to such expense as he had asked.
After demurring a good while, on &C.
count Of the great fear he felt about let
ting the officials know he had such a
treasure, he finally admitted that he had
q rich stone. Upon further inquiry and
delay he requested the gentleman to
come and make an examination. He
exercised great caution for one of such
ignorance, but finally brought down a
large, stale loaf Of bread and laid it on
the table for an examination. Before
the loaf was cut open he negotiated for
the safe arrival Of his family and pro.ec.
ton against his former masters, provided
the value of the diamond was such az
represented. / having rendered him
was given an invitation to be
present in the provincial building when
the examination was made. / was not
prepared, however, to believe that |
have the satisfaction of seeing
shat is considered as the largest and
most valuable diamond in the world.
When the loaf was cut open few believ-
ed that a diamond would be revealed.
Garden experts were called, and
they were 10th to believe that the stone
was as large and valuable as the owner
represented. II was the size of an
ordinary orange when revealed; and
it was at once claimed by
present that il was Of a very low
grade and of inferior quality. On a
more thorough examination and partial
cutting 1t was found to represent a weight
OF over six hundred carats. It was sub
sequently shown to a number of the
largest diamond dealers in London. It's
history was traced as accurately as pos
sSble; the slave was believed, money
was put up, and his wife and children
we're ut once Sent for. The slave was
treated like a lord of the manor, and the
last time that ! saw him he was riding
IN . me carriage and enjoying all the
comforts and luxuries of London. It
was = queer sight to Bee him-as black
- Tar and regular Ethiopian.
The diamond was purchased bv q
syndicate Of capitalists, and the very
best experts pronounced Il . very 6pc
specimen. IL owners hold il at e.5.oo0 4.
Voo, and haye refused $4,000. 0o0 for \