The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-07-08
A WONDERFUL CITY.
The Rapid Growth Of Johannes
burg, South Africa
An "El Dorado in the Midst OF Tree
less Waste That Has Become Fa-
nous for Its Mineral Wealth
and Architectural Beauty.

johannesburg is situated in the Wit
watusrandt gold fields, in the southern
part of the South African republic, at
an elevation of 5000 feet above sea
level. Its climate IS most luxurious
and pleasant, says correspondent OF
the st. Louis Globe-Democrat In
winter. which is from May to the end
of August, the weather is sufficiently
cool to make an overcoat necessity.
ard at night and in the mornings the
air is very cold and bracing. In sum-
mer the heat of the sun is tempered
by gentle winds that are constantly
blowing. In the year 1856 the govern
ment of the South African republic
proclaimed and threw open for min
ing purposes tract OF land on which
gold had previously been discovered and
found to be in paying quantities. This
tract Of land. which was then a tree
less prairie. with no human habitation
within miles of it and no railroad ia
cilities or other means of tranSporta-
ton, is to-day-seven years later-the
site of Johannesburg, city OF $4,000
inhabitants, with all the improve
ments and conveniences of the modern
American city of similar size. The re-
marllable feature OF its rapid growth
is that every bit of material used in the
construction of buildings and in the
equipment of the mines had TO be
transported on freight wagons, drawn
by oxen. hundreds of miles from the
nearest railroad terminus or seaport.
Shortly after the proclaiming of the
district open for mining purposes min
ing men fiocked to the new "El Dora
do from all parts of the world. Pros
pecting was vigorously pushed in every
direction, and ere long it was discov-
that the lode bearing the precious
metal was very extensive, having
length of forty miles and breadth
varying from one-half TO two miles, its
thickness varying from one to seven
feet. The country through which the
gold-bearing strata passes was all
staked out into mining claims and in
Vulnerable syndicates and mining COM
panies were organized. In November,
1887, there were no less than sixty-eight
gold mining companies, with a nominal
capital of S15.315, 900 and in January,
1890, there were $50 accompanies, with s55,-
600, 900 capital. These extensive prep
ara atoms were made for active mining.
The assembling of so many people in
mushroom" town made good open
ings for all kinds of business. \ cham
Der of mines was organized, com
prised chiefly of men engaged in the
mining industry, its object being 20
collect statistics and generally to fur
ther the interests OF mining. a cham
Der of commerce for the interest of
the commercial community was also
formed. Churches, theaters, govern
ment building. business blocks and
all kinds of public buildings of sub
stantial nature were constructed, and
thus the mining camp gradually devei-
oped into beautiful city, with broad
streets lined with magnificent stores,
hotels, Office buildings and theaters in
the business center, and in the sub
urbs beautiful residences of the most ar
tistic architectural designs. Johannes
burg has had it's bad times also. young
as it is. There was n natural pause in
its career of prosperity when the first
excitement cooled down in some de-
gree and a reaction set in. But II has
entirely recovered from this temporary
hull. and assured confidence in its /
future is felt by all who realize its inn
mense mineral wealth. Most Of the !
mines at present are paying handsome I
dividends, and developing is constant
lv going along. The monthly yield Of /
the gold mines in the Witwatusrandt |
district exceeds s. 900, ,000, aud from |
the known resources il is fair to say |
that ere long the monthly yield viii !
be doubled Most of the work in the |
mines is done by negroes, there being |
more than 10000 employed in this dis |
trict Their daily wages average |
about 62 cents, and sufficient corn |
meal is given them 10 make their |
porridge, which is their principal food. |
The white miners are employed 10 act |
as foremen over gangs OF negroes, and /
there are really more whites here than |
there are places for them. Johannes |
burg is full of strength and vitality. |
and bids fair TO be a great city some /
day soon