Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 57, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1912 — New Diamond Field Found [ARTICLE]

New Diamond Field Found

Stones Worth $150,000 Taken Monthly From the Farm of an Old Boer in Western Transvaal. London.— According to Information received In London, a new diamond field has been discovered In the Western Transvaal. The site Is the farm of an old Boer at Mooifontein, in the district of Blodmhof/ Mooifontein now has a population of more than 6,000 drawn there by the diamond fields. Tjhe development of the diamond field was the outcome of the rush of miners to Bloemhof, a village on the Vaal river, 220 miles from Johannesburg. A little more than a year ago a Dutch farmer discovered diamonds near Bloemhof and some diggers from mining camps went there. Among the prospectors were the sons of the old Boer at Mooifontein. They found that the gravel In which the diamonds were found was identical with gravel on their father's farm and went home to investigate It They struck pay dirt Immediately. Last September the government issued a proclamation declaring a portion of the farm to be an alluvial digging and the rush to stake claims was begun. Mooifontein was the name of the old Boer'S farm. It is now a small city. - In November the owner, who was receiving $3,000 a month in houpg fees from the claim holders, protested against the purpose to open more, of his farm to diamond seekers. He said :hat many of those Who came had brought cattle and sheep which were devastating his Jths fluid is

now yielding about $160,000 a month in diamonds which are of a quality commanding S2O a carat. Owing to shortage of labor the amount of digging is comparatively small. Diamonds have been found on other farms in the vicinity of Mooifontein and it is believed that the field covers a wide area.