Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-01-06
DIAMOND STEALING.
NO HONOR AMONG THE THIEVES
WHO lNr EST THE MINES.
The Illicit Diamond Traffic Of South Africa.
Shrewd Tricks Of tho Natives In the
DIgsings Diamond Cut Diamond.

Illicit diamond buying has been carried
on to such an extent ia South Africa that
Il has been computed by those competent
10 judge that stones 20 the value OF not
less than 100000 have been lost TO the
companies engaged Ia that industry in one
year. This, in my opinion, IL n low figure,
rs / am acquainted with one man, jew,
who Is now engaged not far from Hatton
gardens, London. who was caught trying
TO smugglo parcel OF diamonds across the
Free State border which weighed close 10
four pounds and was valued at 10000 II
remember right he got Eve years impris
onment for the foolhardy attempt.
- rule when a fairly good parcel Of
stun has been got together by those en-
gagged IL Is either disposed Of TO large buy
ers on the fields or run tnt OF the colony az
the owners risk. A family Of jews had a
good system. Father and sons carried on
operations in Kimberley, while the daugh.
ter took periodical visits 10 England with
the stones bought during her previous ab.
sence concealed on her person. Another
large buyer paid a very handsome salary
10 man to run his property over TO the
Free State. This man, not being satisfied
with his pay, took 10 tampering with the
parcels committed TO his charge, but being
discovered vas dismissed. He then volun.
teered his services TO the detective force
and trapped over dozen people, ten OF
whom were cuught, nine convicted and
sentenced 20 terms OF imprisonment rang
ing from Ave 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
predominant, Europe is well represented;
80 are India and China, aud the black and
white elements Of Africa itself are not far
behind. Women are particularly ready TO
enter into this trade, aud many Of them
have been very successful Others have
had TO puy the penalty by retiring from
active life for few years. There Is fas
cination 20 those engaged in this business
that far excels all other systems OF gam.
bling. l 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 tenn tation
TO buy than II they bad never suffered for
II. The fact has been 50 apparent in the
past that the Judges are empowered To
IfAAn q nfhANhkN WHICH lHNAuNtA DNnlanllnnL
from Grlqunland West.
The mines are worked entirely by native
labor Every ten or fifteen men have a
white overscer in charge, who receives a
percentage on all the stones he or his men
may pick up while working the blue
ground. This system has been recently
altered, the oyerseers now receiving "A Axed
salary This is practically premium on
his vigilance but In spite Of the closest
watching some OF tho boys are 80 smart
that they can pick up aud conceal gems
about their person in The most inoonceiy.
able manner The ear, nostrils and mouth
form receptacles for the gems, and some.
times they will elude the keenest search by
mating II into their woolly hair. A Eaf
frs eountcuance IL 80 immoyable that il Ia
impossible to read IL; looking straight at
his oYerseer he will work a diamond he
tween bis toes and retain it there until nm
opportunity offers To remove IL. A dog
has often been utilized for this purpose n
Tue stones are valuable, and II IT, il risky To
fix It among the why hair 1t ~ rolled In n
piece OF meat and the animal forced to
swallow H.
AZ night the dog Is dubbed and the gem
extracted from his stomach. In tho early
days this ended the trouble. There was mo-
dlhlculty 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 ouyern 10 bring them TO their house
Where bargain was struck and the money
paid since the compound system has bsen
Introduced IL Is much more difficult for tho
native To get rid OF his plumber. AS lac IL
compelled TO stay within the compapy's
grounds until he has completed his engtt,e.
ment' Before being discharged lac is very
carefully searched, likewise every article
IN his possession.
lew months ago native was being
searched after having finished his ZINE
On coming into the Office he threw bis
suck coat, hat and other garments on tha
moor Ia the most careless fashion. THE
enlet searcher was struck by the remark a.
nle Workmanship OF the walking stick
Whleh was made OF the skin OF a cows
tali' drawn, dried, dressed aud beautifullv
oounu round the handle with thin conner
WIRE One OF the wires had come sligl,tlv
loose lie pulled II open and saw sop,e.
thlng that aroused his suspicion. Helm.
mediately cut IL open, and out rolled a
Few diamonds OF great beauty, which were
roughly valued at over 600 tits neal.
less 10 say that this boy was not 81
charged, but had he got clear he would
most likely have received about aftv
pounds for his parcel. ''
success in the Illicit trade is like almost
every other business, In 50 far as eanital q
concerned, but TO carry il on with ssf..t,, a.
requires an amount OF discretion ana
ABILITY far above the average. Tbe moSt
important part IL to be able TO valne =
stone correctly, which is undonbt.dly I
very hard matter, as they vary IN yaine
rem a few shlllings per carat 20 MANY
ponnds The next thing Ia to 81 snrs I,
your man. Is he n bona fid. saiis. -. ~
trapt A question OF great importance
Tor Il ne Is trap il means yery ss s,,'v
~ trouble mos on ths other hand you may clear
OF lose few pounds, according 10 tbe cnr
reetnesa 81 your valuation. Ii Is also M,
az All unlikely that tho stone il on I ~" ~
inn,'ltAtion'-C'spe Town Cor 81 Io,,s1
Globe Democrat o. LOUIS
loan agents arr in.,a.tl..t