The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-17
AN ISLAND MADE OF PURE GOLD.
IN TIE SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
marvellous Story as How t. Was
Lost to Nicw--Thr Gold Belt is
Guarded by Snakes.

Marvellous Story as How t. Was
Lost to Vicw--Thc Gold Belt is
Guarded by Snakes
Tho biggest gold yarn over told is
being whispered around and. strange
TO say, IT. has found SO many believers
that no less than six expeditions are
being fitted out
The gold yarn is about an island Of
gold in the South Pacific Ocean. 1t lies
in tho belt OF gold islands, west OF
Panama. But this ono is so much larger
than the others, 50 much richer and so
much more easily worked, that it is
the magnet that Is drawing all the
gold parties toward IT,
When Cecil Rhodes said he was 60
ing to corner the diamond market OF
the world by iG,Iting possession OF the
entire South African mines, specnla-
tors laughed at him, and INVESTOR,
wanted to imprison him and Burna.0
and Bcir as crazy knavcs who were
trying to get rid OF the money intrust.
ed to them.
But Belt, Barnato and Rhodes knew
whore the "corncr" Was located, and
they found it.
The hunters for the new gold field
are talking about " corners" They
say that gold lies so plcntifully in this
new region that to own it practically
corners the gold Of tho world. From
nowhere else can il be mined so cheap
~ or plcntifully, and that fact alone
lnSurcS Il corner.
The gold field toward which the six
winter expeditions are pointing is in
tho warmcst part Of the Pacific. 1t con-
sists OF an island with sandy beach and
two mountains which rise like horns
at the opposite ends OF the island. The
beach is rich with orc, even the pcb-
bles bearing that dar rusty look that
means gold. But tho richest layers
whole ledge OF soft rock that is more
than half gold. The lodges reaches
along one end OF the island, which is a
quarter Of y mile in width and rises in
great height, rich in gold.
The discovery Of this island dates
back twenty years: and for that length
OF time expeditions have been getting
ready to sail for it. But all have met
with some calamity before starting.
Meanwhile the secret has been kept.
The story is something liko this {:
Twenty years ago Maine carpenter
started by ship from California back
home, going by way Of Panama. When
nearly in port the ship stopped at an
island for repairs, and the carpenter
took a day to enjoy himself. At TIC
public housc-for tho island was IL
small scntlcment--hc met two sailors
who had with them bag OF ore.
Hearing he had been miner they
asked him to test tho metal. He did
so, finding it nearly pure gold. The
sailors said they had obtained il from
an island one days sailing north.
The sailors proposed that all go back
| IA iSl In
gold. They would start in vessel
purchased with the carpenters money.
Tho carpenter agreed and back they
went. Near tho island q severe storm
camc up, wrecking them. The car
pcntcr and one sailor were cast ashore,
but the crew pcrished.
Next day thcy-thc carpenter and
the sailor-cxplorcd the island and
were delighted to find it rich in gold.
They gathered such OF the mineral as
they could and that day were provi-
dcntially picked up by a vessel hap
pcning along. They hailed her and
wcrc taken abroad.
Returning to his homo in Maine he
married, intending next year to return
to his island of gold. His wife object
cd, however, to tho voyage and so the
years passed. Last year the carpenter
died, but on his death-bed he told his
son how he acd the sailor had shovel
led up pebbles that wore more than
half gold.
But the son was less adventurous
than his father. Like his mother he
was incrcdulOus and told the story to
friends as an evening tale. The first
! friend who heard it after tho old mans
!cath sp, ang to his feet. "If your
father told that story" said he, cit is
| | 20 4
pcdition to look up that island"
A party was speedily formed and in
a few days it will sail from Maine to
| look for the gold island in the South
crn Pacific.
| Meanwhile, however, the news
spread, and parties in Boston took it.
up and began lifting out q ship OF their
own.
The location OF tho island is such
for the bearings were found In tho cf
fccts OF the old carpcnter-that it
might easily exist and be laden with
gold, for it Is in the richest gold belt
known.
Such an island might easily have
| been found before now by other cX-
! plOrcrs, for thousands start out every
year, but for one fact There is GER
tain latitude OF the South Pacific
where the greatest quantity Of poison
Gus reptiles live. The islands are alive
with them and go vcnomOus and fierce
arc they that mariners do not land at
these islands nor does a living soul
touch them from year to year. Mari
ners' courses lie as far away from
them as possible, and this island lies in
tho very midst Of this "Snakc Belt"
The exploring party would be
obliged to rid the island at once Of rep
tiles. They would first assure them
selves that they had found the island
so rich in gold and then the snakes
could be driven out by poisons and by
planting certain herbs that are rcpul-
sive to them. In six months o small