The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-17
FAMOUS MINES
IN SOUTH AFRICA
Gold Reefs That Pay
Millions.

well under way, the story OF the GOLD
mines which have led to the conflict Is OF
the greatest interest. More fortunes have
been made in South Africa OF late years
than In almost any other corner OF the
world. and the mines are still rich enough
to make hundreds OF millionaires before
they are exhausted.
1t sounds like romance to say that the
English soldiers are now fighting on fields
of gold. yet II is mere sober reality. There
is gold enough in the mines already
worked TO pay off the whole national debt
OF England, and nobody can say what the
future may bring forth. 1t is quite within
the bounds of possibility that at any mo-
ment gold mine may be discovered
which Will surpass in wealth any that has
yet been known. Already South Africa is
the second greatest gold producing coun-
try In the world, and what II may be be-
fore the next century opens II Is impos-
stble TO foretell. Its wealth may be beyond
the most amazing dreams OF avarice. Six
Inches OF soil on any Transvaal battleheid
may hide such wealth IN gold and dia-
monds as the world has never dreamed OF.
The mines OF South Africa cover many
miles, and give work to between 5000 and
10000 men. The famous Witwatersrand
mines, nearly the richest in the world. are
In gold basin which extends for l30
miles, and In less than dozen miles OF
this reef there is said to be gold worth
s., coo. 900 900.
The first man to make his fortune in
bOuln africa OlQ not become q
but he became immensely rich in less time
than II takes to read this article. Thirty
years ago Hottentot child was found
playing with bright pebble, which to-
day is In the possession of an English
countess, who purchased II for sl25O00.
That was the first fortune TO be made In
South Africa. and since that time It has
been impossible TO keep pace with the 81
gantic fortunes which men have built up
In that part OF the world.
Barney Barnato made moro money in
a ha VI n
had barely enough money to pay his hotel
bill when he set foot for the first time
In the country, but at the end OF three
years he had sold some mines for S575 600,
having mace money at the rate OF $500 900
year. and from that time his wealth
grew amazingly. In one day the public
were more than seven million and a half
dollars. and he became the first South
African millionaire.
The De Beers mine pays dividends at
the rate Of SIS a minute all the year
around, and the huge fortunes II has
made for its owners run into many mil
lions.
]. B. Robinson, a youth OF 10. happen
ing TO be If the country when gold was
discovered. established himself at once
and bought what proved TO be the richest
trict. For $4,000 he purchased the Land
laagte estate, the richest gold producing
area OF its size in the whole world.
There Is still sold in Kimberley a fac
smile OF The check for s27 500. 900 paid by
the De Beers Company for the assets OF
the owners Of the Kimberley diamond
mine. and 1t serves to. remind us Of the
tremendous figures in which South
African money makers deal. The wages
paid by The various companies run into
considerably over $4,000 900 every year,
and in diamonds alone the exports have
been over $500, 100000 in the last thirty
years.
The four De Beers mines are liz acres
IN extent, and in one year three million
loads Of "blue ground" were taken out.
1t is a strange sight TO see the Kailir
workmen ct work with their pickaxes,
1t upon 5arrows ana wheeling II away
into the open fields. Here is is left IN the
rain for months to be subjected 20
natural decomposition before being sent
| loads taken up by the De Beers work.
men in one year diamonds worth $780,
900 were extracted at a cost of 81 500 go.
How long will the gold mines last?
COMMUNICATIONS
captains defense Of her even at the risk
OF court-martial: and upon the final solv-
ing of all the difficulties, and the brave
Countess and the noble captain loving
each other and being forever happy.
The court-martial scene Is a triumph
OF stage management. 1t is remarkably
effective and picturesque The stage is
crowded with French soldiers In their
striking uniforms. The scene ends with
q battle which could scarcely be sur
passed on the stage.
The captain. who has been condemned
10 death because he has allowed the
Countess to escape-in order to save her
| from Bonaparte-has been permitted TO
lead forlorn hope. Before he has
chance TO leave the inn in which the trial
has taken place he is attacked by the
Austrians and in a desperate struggle is
overpowered and taken prisoner. The
Countess meanwhile has returned to her
home. She finds that the Austrlans are
10 make II their headquarters. OF course
Captain Egalite is brought there as
prisoner. She obtains his release. In this
last act Miss Harmed shows as artistic
and convincing acting as she has ever
shown in her career. Her pleading for
vindication from the distrust Of her lover
| Is a beautiful piece OF work from first to
last Miss Harned's lovely voice lends
itself 10 tenderness, TO love. to womanly
| dignity. to all the charm which such a
scene demands.
Mr.. Sothern is most skillful in the scene
where he Stimulates partial intoxication
and the gradual clearing OF his faculties
at the time OF stress and danger. His
role Is not the equal OF that he has as
| D'Artagnan. II does not furnish him with
such opportunities for the display OF those
| 4NoAA1NS nave MIN SUCH
favorite with the public. He has had sew
eral plays which show him TO more ad-
vantage. This is not detracting from his
work in 1.-The Song OF the Sword" but
! merely to emphasize what he has done
In the past. He is a romantic actor of
rare ability, with much magnetism and
dash and fervor. He has much humor.
too. and when he diplays II he is sure to
please even more than in his tender love
scenes. And that is saying a good deal.
for as stage lover Mr.. Sothern has won
many enthusiastic comments. The sue
cess OF his revival OF 1.-THE Kings Mus
keteer" delayed so long the production Of
The Song OF the Sword" that il is not
likely Mr.. Sothern will produce 1.-THE
sunken Bell" which he has been rehears-
Ing. That charming fantasy which Agnes
Sorma and her associates produced at the
Irving Place Theater ought to suit Mr..
Sothern. Miss Harmed and their admira-
Bile company. In German 1.-The Sunken
Bell was very successful
Days Theater has remained I'M
changed-decorations, curtain with the
monogram AID" stfll upon IT., the uni
forms OF the ushers and gatekeeper and
so on. Only the foyer looks bare because
or the removal OF the superb portraits
which graced its walls and made II a
bower or beauty. One especially misses
seeing Ada Rehan's portrait as RATHER
! Inc. And several times as I watched the
SothernS and their companv I'm ''The Song