Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-02-19
BIGGEST OF The LOT.
THE ENORMOUS DIAMOND RE.
GENTLY FOUND IN AFRICA
Christcncd the Jagcrsrontcin "Ex-
oelsior" aud Weighs o7i Karais.
Its Worth S5,ooo,ooO.

Frederick St, George writing 10 tl.e
Jewelers. Chmnicle from Kimberly, Afrl.
ca. gives some interesting Information
concerning the largest diamond Of The
decade. Mr. St. Georges letter is as
follows;
| learn from London that the emperor
OF Germany is eager TO purchase she
big diamond found at Jagertonteid mlnc
daly last. This monster gem turns tho
scale at pal karats. and there seems good
reason for believing that It is ihe very
biggest in the wor,d some Of tie Ori.
entail poientates have very large da.
monds. the weight aud Size Of which they
are not anxious to disclose to Europeans,
aud il is thought there are seyeralin c2.
isie9ee appoaehins nearly isS ihe Size
OF tue 'lagersiontcin gent. TITS latter
IS of fairly good color and Shape, aud
has been chrisicn6 TIE Jagersfontcin
"ENcelsiOr. As | mentioned whoa rye
ording the find, this diamond has q s0inJ.
what interesting history.
The jagcNlOntcin niue, whicl. is site
uated about fifty miles from Kimberly,
aud within the territory Of tie Orange
Free Stuto Republic, is owned by com.
pany, many of The shareholders Of which
reside In England, aud few of them on
tue spot. For some time they tnve sold
the Yield Of diamonds by public tender
IN advance. The contractors for the
purchase of the diamonds IN duly were
Messrs Ncrnheim and Belt, and their
contract expired ON the very day this
famous stone was found. Had L been
handcd TO the manager only "a few hours
later ii would have fallen into other
hands.
The Excelsior" was found by q native
Basuto lahorer named Jonas. and he
could easily have sccrctcl II. as'has been
done in thousands OF cases, no doubt. be.
cause II happened that he was working
alone at tie time sat a place whore no
diamonds were expected 10 he found.
However, he promptly placed II IN the
hands OF the manager, who did not for
conNdelahle time realize los tnormpus
value. The natives nt the miueN as au
encouragement 80 zeal and honpstNt are
allowed a small commission upon thc Me-.
mpnds they find, and Jonas share WI
about tS1. This sum 10 an Afriea0
native Is quite q small fortune aud "
the bonus WAS supplemented by ile gifi
of . horse. saddle and bride. the Basuiu
left for home q very proud man
TN thu spot the diamond was valued by
the official government inspector ai f95,-
Wh, hui when Z reached Kimberly a
bid of t25OtNO was made for H. Ihe
offer was declined, aud the "Excelsior'
was shipped To Europe II was a curious
sight 10 see the parcel ruprded 10 the
C2petown docks by a squad Of cayalry
ana a detachment OF police. II rAhod
England safely, aud immedln - Tho
value went up. until now the o, de.
cline TO part with il for less IN 1000,
OUn. Il has been lodged in Yik Of
England for security. aud at cresent
time negotiations are pr0reei% for It's
purchase on behalf Of the German en-.
pcror, who Is having new crown con.
sfructo1 aud has nn idea. apparently,
that this particular gem will add luster
10 the diadem. He is not however the
only bidder IN the market, and 1t Is
quite uncertain yet what will he the
gems ultimate destination.