Rock Island daily Argus., 1892-12-15
DIAMOND STEALING.
NO HONOR AMONG THE THIEVES
WHO INFEST THE MINES.

Illicit diamond buying has been carried
on to such an extent in South Africa that
it has been computed by those competent
to judge that stones to the value of not
less than 930O, 600 have been lost to the
companies engaged in that industry in one
year. This, in my opinion, is low figure,
as am acquainted with one man, a Jew,
who is now engaged not far from Hatton
gardens, London. who was caught trying
to smuggle parcel of diamonds across the
Free State border which weighed close to
four pounds and was valued at $4,000. If
remember right he got five years impris-
onment for the foolhardy attempt
AS rule when a fairly good parcel of
stuff has been got together by those en-
gagged 1t is either disposed of to large buy
ers on the fields or run out of the colony at
the owners risk. family of Jews had a
good system. Father and sons carried on
operations in Kimberley, while the daugh-
ter took periodical visits to England with
the stones bought during her previous alb
Sence concealed on her person. Another
large buyer paid very handsome salary
to man to run his property over to the
Free State. This man, not being satisfied
with his pay, took to tampering with the
parcels committed to his charge but being
discovered was dismissed. He then volun-
teered his services to the detective force
and trapped over dozen people, ten of
whom were caught, nine convicted and
sentenced to terms of Imprisonment rang
ing from five TO nine years each.
The people engaged in the illicit dia-
mond traffic are often respected and
licensed buyers, and are not confined to
any class or nationality Although Jews
En iS torJ.
so are India and China, and the black and
white elements of Africa itself are not far
behind. Women are particularly ready to
enter into this trade, and many of them
have been very successful. Others have
had to pay the penalty by retiring from
active life for a few years. There is fas-
cination to those engaged in this business
that far eXcels all other systems of gam
bling. ] have met several men who have
done long periods in the chain gangs for
this crime, and after being discharged from
prison can no more resist the temptation
to buy than if they had never suffered for
it, The fact has been so apparent in the
past that the judges are empowered to
pass sentence which includes banishment
from Griqualand West.
The mines are worked entirely by native
labor. Every ten or fifteen men have a
"ulGe ONtTSeeT III Charge, VINO receives q
percentage on all the stones he or his men
may pick up while working the blue
ground. CThis system has been recently
altered, the overseers now receiving a fixed
salary) This is practically premium on
his vigilance, but in spite of the closest
watching some of the boys are so smart
that they can pick up and conceal gems
about their person in the most inconceiv-
able manner. The ear, nostrils and mouth
form receptacles for the gems, ana some
times they will elude the keenest search by
mating it into their woolly hair. A Kaf-
frs countenance is so immovable that it is
impossible to read it; looking straight at
his overseer he will work n diamond be-
tween his toes and retain it there until an
opportunity offers to remove it. A dog
has often been utilized for this purpose if
the stones are valuable, and If it is risky to
fix it among the wiry hair it is rolled in a
piece of meat and the animal forced to
swallow it.
At night the dog is dubbed and the gem
extracted from his stomach. In the early
days this ended the trouble. There was no
difficulty in getting rid of the stuff, as no
sooner were the natives clear of the works
than they were met by boys engaged by
the buyers to bring them to their house
where barS in was struck and the money
paid. Since TIE compound system has been
introduced it is much more difficult for the
native to get rid of his plunder, as be is
compelled to stay within the company's
grounds until he has completed his engage
ment. Before being discharged he is very
carefully searched, likewise every article
In his possession.
A few months ago a native was being
searched after having finished his time.
On coming into the Office he threw his
stick, coat, hat and other garments on the
floor in the most careless fashion. The
chief searcher was struck by the remarka-
ble workmanship of the walking stick,
which was made of the skin of a cows
tail, drawn, dried, dressed and beautifully
bound round the handle with thin copper
i wire. One OF the wires had come slightly
loose. He pulled it open and saw some
thing that aroused his suspicion. He i'm
| mediately cut it open, and out rolled a
| few diamonds of great beauty, which were
roughly valued at over e700. 1t is need
| less to say that this boy was not dis
l charged, but had he got clear he would
| most likely have received about fifty
| pounds for his parcel.
Success in the Illicit trade is like almost
| every other business, in SO far as capital is
l concerned, but to carry it on with safety it
requires an amount OF discretion and
l ability far above the average. The most
| important part is to he able to value
| stone correctly, which is undoubtedly
very hard matter, as they vary in value
| from few shillings per carat to many
| pounds. The next thing is to be sure of
| your man. Is he a bona fide seller or
| trap" A question of great Importance,
| for if he is trap" it means very serious
trouble. On the other hand, you may clear
| or lose few pounds, according to the cor
rectness of your valuation. 1t is also not
| at all unlikely that the stone is only an
imitation.-Cape Town Cor St Louis
| Globe-Democrat.