Diamonds.—In
connection with the occurrence of diamonds in the United States,
mention should be made of certain recent discoveries in the Northwest.
In the Engineering and Mining Journal, December 13,1890, page 686, a
communication appeared from Mr. G. H. Nichols, of Minneapolis,
Minnesota, stating that in a review of Gems and Precious Stones of
North America, published in that journal, no reference had been made
to the occurrence of diamonds in Wisconsin, where he had found several
small stones. The writer immediately put himself in communication with
Mr. Nichols, and from him obtained the following particulars:
In
the summer of 1887 Mr. Nichols was engaged in prospecting for gold on
Plum creek, Rock Elm township, Pierce county, Wisconsin, in company
with Mr. W. W. Newell and Mr. (J. A. Hawn, of Rock Elm. While sluicing
for gold one of their workmen detected a bright stone, which proved to
be a diamond, in gravel taken from the bank of the
