The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-14
KING SOLOMON'S MINES.
How DIR. Carl Peters Discovered the
Old Testament Land of Ophir.
From the London Chronicle.

Old Testament Land of Ophir.
From the London Chronicle
A representative who met DIR. Carl Pc
tiers on his arrival from Africa had a con-
versation with him respecting his discov-
cry of Ophir.
DIR. Peters said:
1 have this summer explored the coun-
try between the Zambesi and the Pungwe
in Portuguese East Africa and Eastern
Mashonaland. Before 1 started from Eng
land l had acquired geographical infor-
nation which led me to believe that Fura
was near the eastern entrance of the Luz
pata Gorge. There 1 have found it. 1t is
estimated on the banks of the Muira river,
about fifteen miles south of the Zambesi,
and half way between Sena and Tete. AT
the time of my discovery l had with me
Mr.. Puzey and two mining engineers,
Messrs. Gramann and Napolski.
l should perhaps here explain that Fura
is the native corruption of the word Afur,
by which name the Arabs of the sixteenth
century knew the district of which l am
speaking. Afur is the Sabaean, or South
Arabian, form of the Hebrew name Ophir.
l have ample proof that the Fura we
discovered and explored this summer is
the Ophir of the Old Testament. Afur or
Ophir in the Semitic language means
pie who now inhabit the district, also
means mine
The natives, who are under the power
full Chief Macombe, call themselves Maka-
!anga, which means people of the sun.
Unlike any other Africans 1 know, they
are to this day sun and fire worshippers.
They are quite unlike the ordinary Afri-
can, and have a distinct Jewish type Of
face; and in my opinion they are a mix
ture of the Asiatic conquerors with the
original inhabitants of the country.
On arriving in the district l soon found
that the natives had some idea of the ex-
istence of the ancient Ophir. In fact they
wash gold themselves after the rainy sea-
son, and, after storing it in quilts, do a
fairly large trade in it with Beira and Teti
I found there ancient ruins of undoubtedly
Semitic type. Fura itself l found to pos
sess a formation of quarEzitic slate and di-
orite, between which gold reefs were run
ming. Under the ruins l found a large al
luvlal tract in which we discovered gold,
and near ii magnificent quartz reefs. The
ancient workings which l found We're not
only surface workings, but there were also
shafts and roads hewn into the rock. I
have built station in this district, and
also one in Inyanga, both of which are in
charge of trustworthy Europeans.
/ intend next summer to further investi-
gate the traces of diamonds, coal, white
mica and safpetre which we found.
My theory in regard to Ophir said the
Doctor in conclusion) is this The ancient
conquerors heard at the mouth of the
Zambesi of rich alluvial gold up river, and
sailed up TO the eastern entrance of the
Lupata, beyond which rapids made navi-
cation difficult. They then proceeded
overland. and found under the very walls
of the fortif1cation Guins of which We
have discovered) alluvial and also reef
gold They then settled for considerable
as1fA hn
west toward Ruenye. They eventually
settled in the cool climate of Inyanga, con-
ouered all the districts west and south
west as far as the Sanyate river and Tati,
and built a great empire along the Fam
best and Sabi rivers. This ancient Sa-
baean empire probably lasted for thou
sands of years. Its existence was well
known among the Semitic nations. and it
is interesting to note that Ophir is al
WAYS mentioned in the Old Testament
without any explanation as to its locality.
I have seen enough to be assured that ell
the products of the ancient Oph1r are to
be found on the Zambesi.
AS a result of my investigation the Ara
HAN and Indian theories regarding Ophir
fall to pieces, and l claim unhesitatingly
10 have located this year the Golden
Onhir of King Solomon and King Hiram.
In an account of his expedition which
he gave before he left Cape Town to
correspondent OF the South AFRICAN NEWS
Dr. Peters said
These mines are in Macombe's country.
with whom-although he is generally
much averse to the white map-I succeed
ed in establishing a friendship. j am TAX
ing his favorite brother with me to Lon
don now He is now on board the BraeH-
ar Castle. We got up the Zambesi all right
without any adventure out of the com
mon. | am the first white man to cross
Macombe's country from the northeast to
the southwest When / got to Macombe's
nlace-M issa ngwe-it was uncertain to me
what sort of a reception ] might have re-
ceived. and what might have happened.
Nacombe has about 1000 rifles in his com
mand. 1000 of these being maintained on
the northern border for protection against
tho Portuguese Macombe is now the
greatest independent chief left in South
Africa. | made presents to him, and he
gave me presents; we made good friends,
and we drank a bottle of champagne to-
gether.
After leaving Macombe's country I
marched to Inyanga in Mashonaland,
which explored in July, August and un-
III the middle Of September, and there /
found gold reefs and pegged-out claims.