The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-09-25
GOES DIAMOND CRAZY.
Arkansas Farmers Desert Crops in Their
Search.

MuRFREESBoRo, Ark Sept, "a
Southwestern Arkansas has gone dia'
mondcrazy, the cottoncrops are spelling
for want OF picking, farmers in all di-
rections have abandoned their plows and
are rushing on to the Little Missouri
River, from whence comes the story Of
the diamond finds. Labor, heretofore
far in the excess of the demand, is i'm.
possible to get. The harvest fields are
being manned by the women while the
male members of the family are out
eombing the banks OF the Little Mis-
souri, in search of wealth.
There are real diamonds in Pike
Pike county and plenty of them. Two
and one-half miles southwest OF here Is
the crater OF anextinct volcano in which
occurs peridotte. the South African dia'
mond rock, and up to date mora than
l4O stones. running in size from one to
six and one-half carats have been found.
These stones, according to the United
States biologists. are OF the finest quail
ity and luster. and are worth just as
much as those found along the famous
Vaal river.
, The volcano is located on the north
shore of the Little Missouri Riyer,the
cone rising out OF the surrounding level
plain to an elevation of about 200 feet.
It is covered with a dense foliage of pine
and oak trees and the peculiar forma-
tion would not be noticed by the ordi'
nary passerby.
As far as development has gone it
has been shown that the crater is at
least one mile in diameter. Ten shafts
sunk within this radius have tappen the
diamond bearing rock and as many more
are being sunk for prospect.
Owing to the fact that the Little MIS-
sour has cut part OF its channel
through the base OF the cone OF the
volcano,t number of prospectors are
I
working the shoals along the river bed
and are getting god returns. Quite a
few good diamonds have ben found along
the river bank, having undoubtedly been
washed from the volcano. Several pros
pectors are now erecting screens, through
which they are washing the pebbles.
This work, SO far, is very primitive, but
profitable.
Because all stones so Jar found were
either Oh the surface or directly under
it, the properties in the vicinity OF the
finds are patrolled by armed guards, and
signs posted in conspicuous places read:
"Armed guards; don't trespass."
According to the geologists sent here
by the government to investigate the
diamond field, at some remote period the
Gull of Mexico extended as far north as
the volcano in which the diamonds are
found. During an eruption, they say,
under the water the sudden cooling OF
the earth, together with the great pres
sure, formed the diamonds. The stones
are found in quantity about twenty feet
below the surface, just under a bed OF
gravel. No drill yet has been sunk deep
enough to find out the exact depth OF
the peridotite
The story OF the original discovery is
OF more than passing interest.
John w. Huddlestone, a poor Nash
vile farmer, two years ago purchased
243 acres OF whit was considered very
poor land on the banks OF the Little
Missouri River for $500. About six
months later, while planting corn, he
noticed shining pebble, and, picking it
up, showed it in his pocket
He forgot about it until few weeks
later, when he was at Murfreesboro
trying to negotiate loan Of money.
Recalling the story OF his odd find to
Judge Pinnix, a local lawyer, the latter
asked to see the stone, and upon its
being produced he suggested that it be
sent to Little Rock for examination.
The result has already been told.
Huddlestone sold his 5000 farm few
days ago for $4,000 and last week re-
moved with his family to Arkadelphia,
Ark, college town. Huddlestone is
an iIiterate man, being unable to either
read or write, but he says he is going to
give his children all'the advantages of
college education.