The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-11-02
The New Gold Fields of the World.

The exact place where the gold of
Ophir was obtained in such large
quantities in Solomon's time is not
now known. That it came from the
African Continent is fact pretty
we'll established. It is probable,
also, that as much was known about
many parts of that Continent then
as is known to-day. One of the
first African explorers who made
his way across the Continent records
that at one place in the far interior
the natives were using placer gold
in their old muskets as substitute
for lead shot. The former was worth
no more to them than lead, and the
inference of the explorer was that
the gold must be abundant, as the
natives obtained it without any
great exertion. Recent accounts
published of gold discoveries n'the
Transvaal Republic of South Africa
go far to confirm the theory that
the gold mines yet to be explored
in South Africa may be as produc-
tive as those were in California or
Australia. One town has sprung
up, Johannesburg, on the edge of
the gold-fields, that now contains
10000 inhabitants. The yield in
six months of the present year of
these mines has been 100000.
These mines are several hundred
miles beyond the famous diamond
mines of Kimberly. The latter
mines are already connected with
the seacoast by e railroad.
Miners are now flocking to the
gold mines in the Transvaal Repub-
lie in great numbers. In all such
mining excitements there is great
deal of fiction mixed up with the
facts. But far beyond the Trans
vaal Republic in Mashuna land
there are reports of wonderful dis
coveries, SURPRISING in richness any
heretofore known. The natives are
extremely hostile to the whites.
But the latter are pushing on to
these mines. If the gold is there,
it may be assumed that no native
hostility will keep the miners out.
The latest theory is that the real
Ophir is in Mashuna land. But it
may be noted that Ophir is always
moved along to the richest mines
that are found. However, on the
theory that Solomon procured his
gold for the temple from the South
west coast of Africa, Ophir might
as well be located in the mysterious
Mashuna Land as elsewhere, until
the next famous discovery is made
in Africa. Nothing of consequence
has for some years been reported
about gold in Central Africa. Vague
accounts are given from time to
time of natives who have both gold
and ivory to exchange for goods.
Africa, as gold-bearing country,
is virgin ground. The theory has
long prevailed that it is the richest
gold country of the world. This
theory is partly supported by ira
dition and in part by such accounts
as have been given from time to
time by explorers. The isolated
traveller could do little in the way
of gathering information about the
mineral resources Of the African
Continent. That was not his busi-
ness. These early explorers only
incidentally mention the finding of
gold, as if it were really of no great
in comparison with
other objects to be attained. But
whenever the fact is clearly demon
strated that there are great and rich
gold fields in Africa nothing in the
climate nor in the hostility of the
native population will keep back
those who are in search of the gold
en- fleece. The discovery of vast
in Africa might be dis
astrous to the natives, but it wonld
introduce a crude civilization, the
pioneer of still better one which
will one day take possession of the
entire African Continent. = San
Francisco Bulletin.
HE SUED HIMSELF.