The
struggle for recognition being successful, the necessary assistance of
capital was obtained and work began. In 1898, the year following,
22,843 carats were obtained in this district. Then came the war, which
suspended all operations.
Meantime
an enthusiastic believer in the possibilities of the Transvaal as a
diamond-producing country, named T. M. Cullinan, had been prospecting
in that neighborhood, and had become convinced that there were
diamonds, and plenty of them, on the land of Joachim Prinsloo, a Boer
farmer. Prinsloo farmed parts of his wild tract in the usual Boer
fashion, and rented small parts of it to natives. He was of course
aware of the possibilities of the country, though it is doubtful if he
had much faith in his own portion of it; the desolate stretch of scrub
and brush did not suggest visions of wealth and magnificence beneath
it. Cullinan wanted an option on the property, and was willing to pay a
big price, if, after prospecting, he was satisfied that his judgment
was correct, but the farmer would only sell outright for £25,000. The
property cost him £500. Nothing came of it, and Prinsloo tried in vain
to sell at his price. Then came the war.
After
the war, Cullinan made new overtures, but the Boer had raised his price
to £50,000, and still refused to give a three months' option at any
figure. Finally Cullinan bought it, some say with additional expenses
which brought the cost up to £52,000. The farm was the freehold of
Prinsloo's portion of Elandsfontein No. 85, district Pretoria, in
extent 817 morgen, 431 square roods. (A morgen equals 2.11 acres.)
The Premier Company has since added to its posses-
