The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1884-08-02
CAFE TOWN DIAMONDS.
Detroit Times J

cent interview with a Times reporter
said: "When people tell you that the
supply of diamonds down our way is ex.
hausted you just take them to one side
and whisper in their ears solemn fact that
they don't know as much about our bust
ness as they did last summer Sabe?
Our diamond fields are situated in the
middle of what is known as the Great
Desert. Now, am going to tell you
something that will surprise you. The
leading diamond mine and the one that
furnishes the most Of the diamond wealth
is nothing more nor less than what
do you suppose?-the crater of an extinct
volcano. This mine since 1870 has given
to the world at least 500, 900, 900 worth
of diamonds, and is still yielding at least
SIS, 900, 900 worth yearly. Now, l will
tell you something about the plan of
work in this volcanic diamond mine The
interior of the extinct volcano is filled
with q sort of ashen substance which is
of the hardness Of rock. Within this
the diamonds are embedded. Thousands
of crystals exactly similar to diamonds
are also embedded in the same snug quar-.
tiers. The mines are divided into hun.
dreds Of claims and the crater has now
been emptied to depth of 800 feet. Ex-
perts have bored down to almost endless
depth, however, and report the supply as
practically inexhaustible. AS soon as
this ashen substance is loosened, hauled
to the surface of the earth and exposed
to the influence of air or water, it dis.
solves and crumbles like sand and the
crystal and precious stones lie in the
grasp Of the Spectator. To you, the
crystals would appear Of equal value
with the diamonds, but an expert knows
great deal better than that. He places
stone after stone between his lips and the
precious treasure i, easily selected and
carefully looked after. The secret Of the
matter is not much of secret when you
know that diamond in its crude state is
velvety TO the touch, while crystal is
hard and unyielding. The mouth of the
diamond volcano is surrounded with min.
ing machinery, mostly of American man.
ufacture. The workmen employed in the
mines are entirely naked and their move.
ments are watched with jealous eye. The
laws have been made exceptionally severe
for the punishment of thieving miners
the penalty in most instances being long
years of service in the penal colonies
but this fact does not deter the poor
devils from taking their chances from
winning an immense fortune with single
stone. Their hair is clipped TO the scalp,
they are not allowed to wear beard of
any sort they are entirely naked,
are examined critically upon leaving the
mine, and yet they steal millions. How?
l will tell you. They swallow the
sinners. You should see them gulp a
stone down in the face of the guards.
After recovering their plumber the thieves
dispose of the stones to specializing Jews,
who hang about the place like carrion
crows. These receivers also run great
resk from stringent laws, but the great
profit justifes the peril. They generally
buy a $4,000 stone for about $500.
There are also several mines in the desert
besides the crater mines, but they are
small and comparatively unimportant
Our diamonds all 90 to England in the
rough, but the United States buys more
pure diamonds of the first water to.da,
than any other country upon earth
That's news for you, my boys-news
The Indies and Turkey are great market
for off.color stones, the nabobs settiny
them in sword and dagger hits. Gu
gold fields north of Transvaal are ais
assuming proportions Of real commercial
Importance"