Index for The great diamond hoax and other stirring incid
Summary:
"The Great Diamond Hoax and Other Stirring Incidents in the Life of Asbury Harpending" is a historical account edited by James H. Wilkins and likely written in the early 20th century. The book recounts the life of Asbury Harpending, who became embroiled in one of the financial world's most infamous cons— the diamond hoax of the 1870s. It also shares Harpending's adventurous exploits during his youth, including mining ventures in California and relationships with colorful figures of the era. The opening of the book introduces Asbury Harpending reflecting on his life and the unfortunate association of his name with a notorious diamond swindle that had ramifications for his reputation. He explains that he wishes to clarify his role in the incident, which he claims was that of a dupe alongside well-known financiers. In the first chapter, he shares the tale of his adventurous youth, including running away from home to seek fortune in California and the early experiences that shaped him. These experiences set the tone for the themes of fortune, misfortune, and the excitement of the American frontier that are woven throughout his life story. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
The Project Gutenberg eBook ofThe great diamond hoax PREFACE. CHAPTER I.Early Years—My Voyage to California. CHAPTER II.My Experience in Mexico.How Luck Again Brought Me Fortune. CHAPTER III.Story of Southern Plan to Make California Secede
From the Union Is Told for First Time.Narrator Describes His Invitation Into Band of 30,
Which Planned to Organize Republic of Pacific. CHAPTER IV.Southern General, Albert Sidney Johnston, Played
Important Part in Preventing Organized Revolt
for Secession.Discovery of Comstock Lode With Its Vast Hoard of
Gold Another Factor in Keeping This State in the
Union. CHAPTER V.Randolph Betrayed Conspiracy for Revolt in California,
and Wrote Letter to Lincoln that
Caused Johnston’s Removal. CHAPTER VI.Perilous Trip Across Mexico and Voyage on Blockade
Runner Enter Into Narrator’s Experiences
on Visit to Jefferson Davis.Southerners in California Form Plan to Intercept Gold
Shipments on Pacific Mail Liners from San Francisco
to Capital. CHAPTER VII.The Great Battle of Shiloh and the South’s Irreparable
Loss in the Death of General Johnston. CHAPTER VIII.Nephew of Celebrated English Leader Takes Hand
in Conspiracy, and Also Figures in Amusing
Near-Duel. CHAPTER IX.Plan to Capture Gold Ships Develops, But Trouble
Follows Engagement of Villainous-Looking Pilot. CHAPTER X.We Wake to Find Warship Near and Boat Filled
With Police Approaching. CHAPTER XI.Technicalities Fall Before True and Perjured
Testimony and Author is Quickly Convicted of
Treason.We Find Consolation in Lack of Proof Until a Foolish
Remark Causes Weakling to Turn Informer. CHAPTER XII.Arrest of Accomplice Alarms Author and on Advice
of Friends He Takes Flight.Amnesty Act Unlocks Prison Doors of Conspirators,
But Fails to Bring Security. CHAPTER XIII.Hits for the Hills in Effort to Lose Pursuers,
Passes One Good Thing and Stumbles Into a
Bonanza.Company of Soldiers Goes to Arrest Him; Is Taken
Into Camp and Very Soon After Everything Is
Fine. CHAPTER XIV.Decade Between 1860 and ’70, Next to the Gold
Age, One of the Most Stirring Times in History
of State.Realization Had Come That Mineral Riches Formed
Smallest Part of Resources; Outlook Was Bright. CHAPTER XV.First Speculator to Figure That Market Street
Had Future Buys Several Choice Lots for a
Pittance.Earthquake Plays Important Part in Big Deal; Timid
Citizen Sells Out in Hurry and Loses $350,000. CHAPTER XVI.Montgomery South Deal Comes to Notice of Ralston,
Who Buys Quarter Interest in Real Estate
Project. CHAPTER XVII.Sharon, Too, Becomes Associate of Famous Pioneer;
This Chapter Tells How Great Panic Was
Averted.Ralston Lays Foundation for Huge Fortune of D. O.
Mills by Making Him a Bank President CHAPTER XVIII.“Big Four” Intervenes and Sets Up Obstacles;
Ralston Acts as Mediator and Is Badly Gold-Bricked.Railroad Madness Results in the Narrator Securing
Franchise for Line From Sausalito to Humboldt. CHAPTER XIX.Two Men Block Plan to Run New Montgomery
Street to the Bay; One Asks Coin, Other Prefers
Fight.Promoters Appeal to Legislature and Do Not Neglect
Precaution of First “Seeing” Vote Brokers. CHAPTER XX.Burning of Harpending Block Provides Fine Spectacle,
But Oversight of Owner Costs Him Dearly.George Hearst Makes Stake on Comstock and Celebrates
by Taking Joe Clark on a Trip to Europe. CHAPTER XXI.Sam Brannan Strikes It Rich and Refuses to
Share With Mormon Church Except on Order
From Lord.Mine Bargain Fails to Stand Inquiry of Author, But
Others Invest and Figure as Victims of Fraud. CHAPTER XXII.Briton With Oriental Imagination Seeks to Lure
Investors With Tales of Mountain of Silver.New Promotion Company Tells Truth, But Editor Samson
Frightens Off Public at Critical Moment. CHAPTER XXIII.Baron Grant Demonstrates His Talent for Exploitation
by Putting Over a Deal That Nets
$1,500,000.Happy Directors Decide That Occasion Calls for Generous
Cash Souvenirs, But Stockholders Object. CHAPTER XXIV.Baron Grant Demands More Time, Thereby Knocking
Out Option for Mine That Soon Developed
Bonanza.Exploiter Breaks His Promise and Litigation Follows;
Public Fooled Into Buying Worthless Securities. CHAPTER XXV.Inspired by Desire to Expose Emma Mine Swindle
Author Begins Publication of Financial Journal.Ralston Reports Discovery of Immense Diamond Field
and Declares His Find is Worth $50,000,000. CHAPTER XXVI.Discoverers Decline to Reveal Location of Diamond
Field, But Report of Agent Satisfies Promoters.Final Proof of Good Faith Is Offered in Form of
Bag Filled With Collection of Eye-Dazzling Gems. CHAPTER XXVII.Promoters Decide to Submit Samples of Their
Collection of Diamonds to Great Authority on
Gems.Tiffany Consults His Lapidary and Soon Makes Report
That Creates Big Stir in Speculative Circles. CHAPTER XXVIII.Discoverers of Field of Diamonds Finally Lead the
Party of Investors to the Scene of Wonderful
Find.Pick Turns Up Many Fine Gems, and Expert Grows
Enthusiastic as He Figures Out the Profits. CHAPTER XXIX.Public Soon Hears of Wonderful Find and Gossips
Carry News Until Whole World Is Keenly
Interested.Company to Develop Diamond Fields Includes Great
Lords of Finance and One Noted Union General. CHAPTER XXX.“Old Miner” Draws on His Imagination and Tells
Wild Tale of Single Gem as Big as a Pigeon’s
Egg.Winter Causes Lull, But Cold Fails to Chill the Ardor
of Men Counting on Millions in Spring. CHAPTER XXXI.Rude Awakening Follows Dreams of Boundless
Wealth; While Promoters Wait for Spring
Word Suddenly Comes That They Were Victims
of Clever Swindle.Diamond Already Cut Reveals Fraud; Gems Had Been
Carried to Scene of “Find” and Planted Like Seeds. CHAPTER XXXII.Victim of Big Swindle Explains How Rough
Miners Managed to Deceive Men Like Tiffany
and Janin.Inquiry Reveals That “Salting” of Diamond Field Cost
Plotters $35,000 and Yielded $600,000 Net Profit. CHAPTER XXXIII.Principal in Diamond Swindle Goes Back to His
Old Home in Kentucky to Enjoy Hard-Earned
Riches.Victims Bring Suit for $350,000, But Arnold Is Popular
With Neighbors and Forces Compromise. CHAPTER XXXIV.Diamond Fraud Loss Falls on Shoulders of Original
Dupes; Ralston Reimburses All Stockholders.Gossips Make Unjust Charge Against Men Who Acted
in Good Faith and Were Deceived by Swindlers. CHAPTER XXXV.Baron Grant Bobs Up Again; Tries to Get Even on
Man Who Exposed One of His Big Stock
Swindles.Alfred Rubery Brings Suit Against London Times for
Libel and Is Awarded £10,000 as Damages. CHAPTER XXXVI.Associates Bar Great Financier From Conference
and Soon After His Body Is Found in the Bay.Fortune Plays Cruel Trick; At Height of Ralston’s
Power His Big Bank Is Forced to Close Its Doors. CHAPTER XXXVII.Testimony of Eye-witnesses and Experts Refutes
Story That Wm. C. Ralston Took His Own Life.Ruined Financier Had Deeded His Property to William
Sharon, Who Forces Widow to Accept $250,000 as
Payment in Full. CHAPTER XXXVIII.Author Tries Luck in Wall Street and Makes
Big Fortune, Only To Lose It in Mining Investments.Silver Falls and Land Slides, But Disaster Fails to Discourage
Man Who Has Outlived Old Associates. Transcriber’s Notes THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Chapter 43
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