St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-04-30
SAVED THE DELHI DIAMOND
Strange Stories Of Gems Related by
q Precious Stone Expert Of
Long Experience.

AOAS GApSI4S4CSs
In q very short time there will retire
from active business the well-known ex-
pert in precious stones and metals, Ed
win William Streeter. The story Of his
career is a deeply interesting one, says
the London Express of recent date.
Il was the first," said Mr.. Streeter,
ITO open up the diamond mines of South
Africa. At that time my business place
was at Bevis Marks, and l had for a
partner one Harry Emmanuel. The
firm was known as Emmanuel Bros, for
merly Robert Streeter, jewelers. to Queen
| Anne.
"We had in u office as clerk the late
Cecil Rhodes, and it was our interest in
South African mines that turned the at
tention Of the empire maker.to that con-
tinent.
Il also opened up the ruby mines of
Burmah. Soon after the taking of the
place by the British one of my sons, who
was in Australia, wrote over to me ex-
pressing a wish to go to Burmah, as he
felt sure there were ruby mines there.
can expedition was fitted out, headed
by my son, and an adventurous journey
was made. On the way $500 worth Of
silver was stolen, and there was moth
ing with which to pay the natives.
In this enterprise I was associated
with Lord Rothschild. When the CON-
pany was floated the crowd outside his
l%ordship's premises was SO great that
he had to be assisted over the peoples
heads to gain admission. Applications
were also being made at my private resi-
dence till the early hours of the morn
ing.
My latest expedition-my last expe-
dition-is to Egypt, the eastern desert,
the vast tract of land between the Nile
and the Red sea, the richest territory in
all the world. l have been engaged upon
this for about 20 years, but at last it is
in working order.
Il first obtained a clew to 1t from a
gentleman named F1oyer, head of the
Egyptian telegraph department, and al
together I have sent out three expedi-
lions. The first was in charge of Seton
Kerr, the second headed by Allen Fors-
ter, and the third by John Jane. We
found emeralds in abundance, gold and
copper, iron and other minerals"
Mr. Streeter was asked to tell some
of his jewel stories, and he readily re-
sponded:
During the Indian mutiny," he said,
"at the taking Of Delhi the royal palace
was sacked and some very valuable jew
els secured. Maj. Probyn got posses
sion of a string OF fine pearls and brought
them to me for valuation.
II valued them at 100000. I believe
they were used for the purpose of OBJ
tanning remounts, horses being scarce In
that campaign, as they were in South
Africa.
But the strangest story Is that in con
nection with the famous Delhi diamond.
This got into the possession of one of
the hussars, but the commanding officer
forbade his retaining It, as he would
have nothing to do with the loot.
'"The hussar, however, was not so
easily to be deprived Of 50 precious a
gem, and he hit upon a very simple,
yet effective, ~expedient to retain posses
sion Of it. He embedded it in a pill,
he gave to his horse, and so got
away with 1t.
Later he complained that his horse
was suffering from some mysterious
malady, and was unfit for service, direct
ing that it should be shot. This was
done, the hussar subsequently holding
= secret post mortem on his dead steed
md removing the diamond. Thus the
stone reached this country and was pur-
chased by the duke Of Brunswick, and
from his grace l acquired 1t.
Another curious little story" con-
;inued Mr.. Streeter, us that connected
with the opal. Some years ago n of
ny sons, who was located in Australia,
was bidding adieu to a chum Of his, who
was going some distance up country.
1.-THE latter was mounted on a horse,
Ind as he rode away my son picked up
! stone and playfully threw 1t after him.
t struck the metal part of the saddle and
,roke in two. Upon picking it up my
on was astonished to see, right in the
1ery heart of 1t. a beautiful opal.
This was the first discovery that opals
night be found in ironstones. It was an
ronstone he had picked up. But this
tory has a tragic sequel. Soon after
he young fellow who rode away came
nto a big fortune; three months later
la, while out hunting, was thrown from
IFS horse and had his neck broken"
Lion-Tf9era.