Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-06-28
AFRICAN GOLD FIELDS.
Rich Mines In the Tran.saai and In Ma
shuna Land.

shana Land
One of the first African explorers who
made his way across the continent re-
cords that at one place in the far inte-
rior the natives we're using placer gold
in their old musk~ Is as substitute for
lead shot The former was worth no
more To them than lead, and the infer
ence of the explorer was that gold must
be abundant. as the natives obtained ID
without any great exertion. Recent ac-
counts OF gold discoveries in the Trans
vSsl republic of South Africa go far TO
confirm the theory that the gold mines
yet to Ia explored in South Africa may
be as productive as those we're in Cali
fornia or Australia. One town has
sprung Johannesburg the edge
Of the gold fields, that now contains 40,-
600 inhabitants. The yield in six
months Of last year Of these mines has
I been -. 600. 600. These mines are sever
I al hundred miles beyond the famous dia-
mond mines ut Kimberly. The latter
mines are already connected with the
sea coast by a railroad.
Miners are now fiocking to tho gold
mines in the Transvaal Republic in
great numbers. In all such mining ex.
citements there is a great deal of fiction
mixed up with the facts. But far be-
yond the Transvaal Republic, in Mash
una land. there are reports OF wonderful
discoveries surprising in richness any
heretofore known. The natives are ex-
tremely hostile to the whites. But the
latter are pushing on to those mines. II
the gold is there, Ii may be assured that
no native hostility will keep the miners
out. The latest theory is that the real
Ophir is in Mashuna land. But IL 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 southwest coast OF Africa
Ophir might as well be located in th'
mysterious Mashuna land as elsewhere
until the next famous discovery Is made
inAfrica.
Nothing OF consequence has for som'
years been reported about gold in cen
trail Africa. Vague accounts are giyeI
from time to time of natives who hav'
both gold and ivory to exchange 70
goods Africa as a gold bearing countr.
is virgin ground. The theory has lonI
D pTtNAlitu lUdh ~ ~ Aht AANhNNN 80
country in tho world This theory !
partly supported by tradition and II
part by such accounts as have been give
from time to time by explorers. Tn
isolated traveller could do little in tn
way OF gathering information about tn
mineral resources OF the African cont
nent. That was not his business
, These early explorers only incidental
, mention the finding Of gold, as II itwer
! really Of no great Importance in con
parison with other objects TO be obtair
ed. But whenever the fact Is clearl
demonstrated that there are great an
rich gold-helds in Africa, nothing in th
climate nor the hostility OF the natis
population will keep back those wh
J, are in search of the golden fleece. tn
! discovery OF vast gold-felds in AfriC
I. Fright be disastrous to the natives, b'
: il would introduce a crude civilization
the pioneer of still better one whic
will one day take possession OF the e.
: tire African continent San Francis
: Bulletin.