Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-11-18
A Woman in the African Diggings.

The advent Of q woman marked 3n
epoch in the history of Pilgrims Rest
ESQ called because Of the rest il sug-
gested when the almost unconquera-
BILE task of reaching it had been accom-
~plished), and there were among the
diggers men who, long unaccustomed
to the sight of such a phenomenon,
could not overcome their self-con-
seriousness sufficiently 10 approach
within speaking distance; and yet.
consumed with curiosity, they made
observations from the shelter OF friend
~ rocks. cpvying more fortunate COM
rades who found presence of mind 10
face the unfamiliar spectacle. The
privatious and mutual dependence
which are part and parcel Of the dig
gers life call into action the best phase
of human character. and the genial
Interchange of kindly aid conduces TO
frank social relations hal arc undeni-
ably charming.
The most cordial assistance was rem
dered my sister in every detail: her
tent was pitched in 4 quiet, secluded
spot; she was advised in the selection
OF n claim; initiated into the formali-
ties of p~egging-out and registration;
and thus found many anticipated diili-
culties considerably ameliorated. The
~cheapness OF native labor lessened in q
great degree the hardships Of living
ut these gold-iields. The Amatongas,
a very intelligent tribe on the east
coast, came in freely to work. Offering
their services at the rate Of Fl per
month, with the usual rations OF mealie
meal; and having paid the digger's
tax Of 5 shiilings for the month, and
hired several of these natives, my sis
ter found herself settled down to the
life Of a digger. She superintendent
the work of her claim herself, and in
the process of washing the disinte-
grated soil she personally took part.
NY sister lived for two years in her
little canvas ten on the creek, which
she had in the meantime inclosed by
means of a fence Of laced boughs and
planted about with vegetables. She
found gold for the most part steadily,
but only in small quantities of a few
ounces at a time. 1t existed very in
definitely. and there were no indica-
tions that proved Of the slightest value
In searching for il.
At n time she hit upon tho expe-
dent OF meeting her expenses by maxi
Ing ginger-beer and pastry, a dilicult
task where kitchens arc not, and with
cooking-utensils Of The most primitive
kind. The sight of such delicacies
raised the livcliest emotions in the dig
gers, whose life condemned them to .
monotonous and sorry fare, and the
Kaiir who became the ilincrant vender
on these occasions grew inflated with
the importance IL conferred on him.
He was hailed in all directions, and
when he could no longer meet the de-
mands of importunate customers, he
would toss the basket into the air with
q smile of ironical pity. In the mean
time. several claims had passed through
my sisters hands, and the last OF these
realized some of the expectations the
hope Of which gives a flavor Of excite
mcnt TO the monotony Of gold-digging.
This claim contained q rich lead, from
which some very finc nuggets OF al
most pure gold were taken, solid Jumps
of metal averaging in weight from
eight ounces Ia four pounds. She Wal
now 10 possession Of q moderate CON-
potency. and her c was the
theme Of considerable comment
throughout the entire press OF South
Africa 80 Century.