Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-25


:: Brookfield Centre. Conn. who ::
:: In the following article, gives TO ::
:: our readers the result OF his in ::
:: vestigatiOn Of the probable ::
:: home Of the American diamond. ::
:: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::
! In specializing on the probable location
Of the diamondhelds that undoubtedly ex-
ist on this Continent. it is first necessary
to remember that the diamonds which
have from time to time been discovered
IN the region of the Great Lakes of North
America now number seventeen, not in
GLIDING those of microscopic size. with
the augmentation Of the number or
stones, the problems arising out OF their
distribution in the glacial drift, and par
ticularly those relating to the source or
sources from which they have been de-
rived. assume increasing interest.
The localities at which the diamonds
have been found are distributed through
out an area nearly COO miles in length by
200 miles in breadth. with its
longer axis trending almost exactly north
west and southeast. Six Of the eight To-
calties are near the centre Of this terri
tory. within an area about 200 miles
square. with its centre near the city OF
Milwaukee.
All of the diamonds, with the exception
OF some from Plum creek, were obtained
from the deposits Of glacial drift. The
Plum creek diamonds were obtained from
the bed OF the stream in immediate prox-
| unity 10 glacial deposits. IL IS clear,
| therefore, that the stones must have
reached their late restiug-places in the
drift through the agency Of the ice man.
| tie, and we should, therefore. study the
direction of glacial movements through
| out the region to discover the law OF
their distribution and to CLEAN any facts
that may be within our reach regarding
| the ancestral homes which they occupied
before they were carried away by the ice.
The problem of locating the area from
which the diamonds of the drift have
been derived is a fascinating one: and,
while the data now available are INSULT
cent for its complete solution. they are
Of kind to indicate that. with the in
crease Of our knowledge likely to come
in the next decade, the desired end may
be reached.
The first question which naturally arises
is whether all The diamonds that nave
teen found I'm the lake region have been
derived from a common source. While
there Is no certain evidence that they
have, nevertheless, IL would seem TO be
probable. Demonstrating rocks are not
go numerous that there is much likelihood
of two unconnected areas being discover
ed in the region in question. Moreover
the occurrence of diamonds with some
what similar crystal habits over so large
q territory would seem 10 be significant.
Before the home OF the diamonds can
be located with dehniteness, II will be
necessary 10 carry out several lines Of In
vestigation. OF first Importance is it that
the direction of ice movement be studied
in al much detail as possible in the terri
tory surrounding Hudson bay on the
southwest south. and east. II Will be i'm
pOrtant also 10 search the morines
south of the lakes, and particularly the
marginal ones. for diamonds since the
evidence points 10 them as the principa!
repository Of the immigated stones. II IS
especially important 10 examine the mo-
raines Of Ohio. Western New York, and
Western Pennsylvania. in order TO de-
termine whether the fan Of distribution
extends farther I'm that direction. IL this
IS true, the apex Of the fan would seem
to be located very near 10 the centre OF
the LabradOrean neve.
Il has seemed 10 the writer that much
might be gained by arousing an interest
In the problem in The people who reside
on or near the moraines and suggesting
TO them that children particularly be
urged to use their keen eyes in search for
the diamonds that have been sown in
the drift.
For the encouragement OF these dia-
mond-seekers IL IS as we'll 10 enumerate
the discoveries made on this continent OF
valuable diamonds. The writer's interest
having been aroused in the reported find
ing of stones he investigated. and after
some correspondence learned that ye,-
low diamond Of over IS carats weight was
in the possession Of Colonel $. B. Boyn-
ton, OF Chicago. From MIR. Boynton was
learned the history of this stone, which
was undoubtedly found as reported. at
Eagle, near Waukesha, Wis. The stone
was brought TO light while digging a we'll
on the farm owned by Thomas Deve-
reaux. The diamond was noted as some
thing peculiar. and was given TO Mrs.
Clarissa Wood. who, with her husband,
was a tenant on the property. Seven
years later, while still ignorant Of the
stone. she sold ii 10 Mr. BOyntOn, at that
time conducting a iewelry business in
Milwaukee for the sum Of 81 Colonel
Boynton submitted the stone TO compe-
tent examination, and learned that it was
a diamond. Upon hearing Of this Mrs.
Wood offered TO purchase the stone for
sl1O, and upon his refusal to accept this
offer. brought suit against him TO recover
the full value OF the stone. After ex-
tensive litigation the case was brought
to the Supreme Court OF the State, from
which a decision was handed down in
H. dee 10. rsrI
Of his ignorance of the nature Of the
stone at the time Of purchasing il.
The writer called upon Colonel Boynton
at Chicago, and was allowed to examine
the stone Both It and the Oregon dia-
mond were subsequently purchased by
Tiffany & Co., Of New York and are still
uncut in the Tiffany collection.
Through Mr. Boynton the writer learn
cd that a large diamond had been found
In 1854 by a farmer named Endlich, at
louisville. near West Bend, Washington
county. Wis. The stone had been brought
10 MIR. Boynton's shop for examination,
and he had remembered Il as a wine
yellow diamond, weighing q Ia carats
After considerable correspondence this
diamond was located by the writer in the
possession OF Mrs. Louis Endlich, OF
Kewaskum. Wis. the widow Of the man
who had discovered the stone in the
neighboring town Of louisville. On visit
ing Kewaskum the writer was allowed to
examine the stone. which proved to be
In all respects as described by Colonel
Boynton. and there is no doubt that the
weight (2l ii carats) reported by him is
approximately correct, since this stone Is
considerably larger than the one from
Eagle. Mrs Endllch stated that her dia-
mond was found by her husband In the
I'LL. oil rfagr Ga11 m IL