Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-04-01
Mistellaneoas 8eadina.
SAVED THE DELHI DIAMOND.
Strange Stories Of Gems Told by an
Expert In Precious Stones.


Strange Stories of Gems Told by an
Expert In Precious Stones.
In very short time there will re-
tire from active business the we'll
known expert in precious stones and
metals, Edwin William Streeter. The
story Of his career is a deeply inter-
esting one.
II was the first" said Mr.. Streeter
Ito open up the diamond mines OF
South Africa. At that time my busi-
ness place was at Bevis Marks, and
had for partner one Harry Emmanuel
The firm was known as Emmanuel
Bros, formerly Robert Streeter, jew
ellers to Queen Anne.
I'VE had in our office as clerk the
late Cecil Rhodes, and 1t was our In
terest in South African mines that
turned the attention Of the empire
maker to that continent.
II also opened up the ruby mines OF
Burma. Soon after the taking Of the
place by the British, one Of my sons
who was in Australia, wrote over to me
expressing a wish to go to Burma, as
he felt sure there were ruby mines
there.
IAN expedition was fitted out. head
ed by my son, and an adventurous
Journey was made. On the way 95OC
worth Of silver was stolen, and there
was nothing with which to pay the ma
tives.
I'm this enterprise I was associated
with Lord Rothschild. When the com
pany was fieated the crowd outside his
lordships premises was so great that
he had to be assisted over the peoples
heads to gain admission. Applica-
tions were also being made at my pri-
vate residence till the early hours OF
the morning.
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. I have been engaged
upon this for about twenty years. but
at last it is in working order
II first obtained clue to it from a
gentleman named Floyer, head Of the
Egyptian Telegraph department. and
altogether I have sent out three expe-
ditions. The first was in charge OF
Seton Kerr, the second headed by AL
len Forster, and the third by Johr
Jane. We found emeralds in abund-
ance gold and copper, iron and Other
minerals"
Mr.. Streeter was asked to tell some
of his jewel stories and he readily
responded
During the Indian mutiny," he said
"at the taking Of Delhi the royal palace
was sacked and some very valuable
Jewels secured. Major Probyn got pos
session of a string Of fine pearls an6
brought them to me for valuation.
II valued them at 100000. believe
they were used for the purpose Of OBJ
tanning remounts, horses being scarce
in that campaign, as they were ir
South Africa.
But the strangest story Is that ir
connection with the famous Delhi dia-
mond This got into the possession OF
one of the hussars, but the command.
ing officer forbade his retaining 1t, as
he would have nothing to do with the
loot.
THE hussar, however, was not sc
easily to be deprived Of so precious q
gem, and he hit upon a very simple
vet effective, expedient to retain pos
session of 1t. He embedded it in pill
which he gave to his horse. and so gol
away with it.
Later he complained that his horse
was suffering from some mysterious
malady, and was unfit for service, dl-
recting that it should be shot. Thls
was done, the hussar subsequently
holding a secret post mortem on MS
dead steed and removing the diamond
Thus the stone reached this country
and was purchased by the Duke OF
Brunswick and from his grace l ac-
quired it.
Another curious little story coll
tinued Mr.. Streeter, "is that connected
with the opal. Some years ago ono
of nv sons, who was located In AUS
tralia, was bidding adieu to a chHn
of his, who was going some distance ul
country.
THE latter was mounted on morse
and as he rode away my son plcKeo
I'D q stone and playfully threw 1t attet
him. It struck the metal part OF the
saddle and broke in two. Upon pick
ing 1t up my son was astonisheu u
see. right in the very heart OF IT,
beautiful opal.
This was the first discovery tha'
opals might be found in ironstones. II
was an ironstone he had picked UP
But this story has a tragic sequel
Soon after the young fellow who rode
away came into a big fortune; three
months later he, while out hunting
was thrown from his horse and had his
neck broken."-London Express.