The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-07-17
DIAMOND DIGGERs.
The Detective system and It's "orkfass
In Mines of South Africa - How
the Precious Gcras Are
shipped.


shipped
OF course the expenses OF company
owning block Of claims are enormous,
and large number of stones have TO De
found before the margin for dividend
arrives The expense and difficulty OF
reaching the diamond field in the early
days kept away the rovdy element "a
be found in our western mines
Such digg~rs - have remained on th-
fields since the early days" seem never
20 be tired OF talking OF the life they
then led as the hsppiest they have ever
known. Then each would peg out his
claim and go 20 work therein with 4
pick and shovel. depending scarcely at
oil upon the uncertain help o. the lazy
kafir. and with his own strong arm at
tackled the hard. pehbly soil in which
the diamond was imprisoned and In
primitive way washed" the soil for
diamonds. They are not 10 be picked
up walking through the streets or over
the floors" where the soil lies pulver-
lied by sun and rain. 1t is Illegal to
own a diamond unless one is a claim
holder or a licensed buyer. II private
individual wishes to purchase stone
or two for himself he must FIRST obtain
= permit from the authorities.
These precautions viii DE seen 20 30
necessary, because the value OF the
diamond. its portability, the facility
with which II can be concealed and the
uncertainty regarding its existence
make 1t source OF temptation to dis
honesty among all classes. /; is there
fore against the law for anyone. even
If licensed buyerS.sto purchase a dia-
mond from anyone not clainholder
unless he can produce a permit.
The law has become 50 stringent and
the detective force 50 active thet ter
ror hes stricken the I. d. BIS illicit
diamond buyers), for It Is matter OF
us years hard" to he convicted Of
buying stolen diamond. Before this
stringent law was passed many went
away rich in few years who could not
possibly have made their pile in any
legitimate business in that length OF
time. Men who have been suspected
for years but have managed TO evade
detection have been pounced upon by
detectives n: most unexpected mo-
Ineuats. but the tenpta ton is so strong
that, despite the penalty, the practice
STILL goes on, but 10 a smaller extent
than before.
II was astonishing 10 snd out how
often the culprit turned out TO be a
man in good and responsible position,
and often the very men who were the
loudest in the denunciation OF tho
crime were themselves practicing il.
The writer was in cafe one evening
when there was a sudden hush. followed
by startled buzz of conversation. and
he heard the name OF weIl-Lnown
man, followed by the word detectives"
A man standing near. who was suspect
ed of carrying on the same trade. be-
came suddenly pale and bit uneaSily on
his visor, ard, with a careleES laugh.
said: Serves him right" then cortin-
ued in scarcely audible tone; what
a fool not 20 be more CAREFUL" BE-
fore the writer left the camp that same
man was working in convict dress
Detectives themselves have been
tempted 70 dabble in the trade. and
have been trapped and are now work-
ing in convict dress by the side OF tbs
men they have helped 70 hunt down.
This fascinating trade OF gems Oilers
great temptations to tho weak willed.
and IL takes a certain amount OF bull
dog courage, combined with caution
and patience, 10 continue in this dam
gerous business.
On mail days great envelopes OF dia-
monds are sent TO London Some OF
these packages contain fa~less din
uonds, others smoky diamonds used
in machinery for polishing and cutting
the stones, Others, again. would contain
stones OF all colors, SIZES and purity.
One package. worth many Thousands OF
pounds, contains yellow diamonds, se-
iected stones IN size. color and purity.
Those Of yellow tiBge arc bought and
worn By the East Indians.
The pure white stone is Of more value
than the yellow. because not 50 plenti-
ful. IT Is a strange fact thss these dis-
uond merchants ssldora wear dis~
mond tevelry; they prefer ruben OF
corals 20 the too common gem, the dia-
nond.
The mines have now criftod into tbs
hands OF a few large companies, AMI
the Trar<vsni In the EIderado 10 which
aIl eyes la Africa are turned.