The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-12-29
The Sailed DIAMOND FIELDS.
CLARENCE KING AND ROBERTS
DIE ALMOST AT ONE HOUR.
The GcoIosist Discovered and Exposed
the wyoming Fraud OF 1877, Which the
Promoter was In%nooently FurtherinE
A Sensation Here and Abroad.

Promoter was Innocently FurtherinE
A Sensation Here and Abroad.
The recent deaths OF Clarence King,
the geologist and mining expert. and
George d. Roberts, the mining promoter,
within a few hours Of each other, recalled
one Of the most interesting Incidents In
which they were both commemorative
ssalted diamond fields Of Wyoming. MIR.
King discovered the fraud. Mr.. Roberts,
In entire innocence, was instrumental In
advancing the public estimation OF the
new fields. Mr.. Roberts was always an
enthusiast In new mining ventures, and
when the stories of the discovery, OF rich
fields Of precious gems in Wyoming came
East. was among those who were most
anxious to organize corporations to de-
velop the opportunity.
Late In 1872 a large number OF diamonds OF
fair quality and considerable value and
some rubles were brought to this city with
the statement that they had been found in
Wyoming in the neighborhood Of the for
tieth parallel, which Mr.. King was then
engaged In surveying for he Government
under the supervision Of the Geological
Survey. Previous rumors had reached the
East that there had been considerable
discoveries OF gems in Arizona. Mr.. King
heard Of the location Of the alleged dia-
mond fields while he was at work on the
survey and at once set out for the neigh
borhood, which was not far from the line
Of the Union Pacific Railroad,
IL at once became apparent 20 the ex,,
plorers that the country 70 which no had
been directed was extremely rich IN gems
But 1t seemed TO Mr.. King and his assist
ants that there was much food for inquiry
In the peculiar places in which the diamonds
and ripies were found. Very often they
were discovered lying on bare rocks; Never
discovered that diamonds had been 80
lodged by the forces Of nature; Becoming
suspicious, Mr.. King observed that when
the anthills in which sone of the gems
wore found, were studied hoy bore PLAIN
evidence Of having been visiled by human
beings. In I.o case where there was no
man sign we're there diamonds. The
gems which we're found In these anthills
were frequently found at the bottom OF
artificial holes made by the insertion OF a
sharp stick. There were no artificial holes
in the anth!lls which had no gems In them.
Mr.. King became convinced that a great
fraud had been prepared. He made known
his deductions and there was a great sensa,,
ton here and abroad. II was learned
that for nearly a year before the rumors
number Of men. apparently with a com
mon object, had been engaged In the buy
ing Of great quantities Of gems in Europe
IL WIS generally felt that by his work IN
exposing the swindle. Mr.. King had saved
uncounted thousands of dollars to the
people who would have swarmed out 10
Wyoming from the Atlantic Coast and from
Europe 10 buy the worthless fields and "a
prospect for gems.
Nj. Roberts was greatly disappointed
by the discovery that the fields had beei
sailed" His whole life was n succession
OF disappointments and sctbacks. The
diamond swindle was one Of the most
scrious Of all Of them.