Papers; 4 boxes.
The Struben brothers, Fred and Henry (Harry) William, claim to be the original discoverers of the Witwatersrand goldfields and the first to open the Main Reef series. In 1884 Jan, on the farm Sterkfontein near Krugersdorp they discovered a rich vein carrying gold, and after further promising discoveries the Sterkfontein Junction Syndicate was established. In 1884 Sept, the famous Confidence Reef was struck, and crushing with the five-stamp battery began the following year. The Strubens were joined by Henry's nephew, Godfrey Lys who was closely associated with their early mining operations.
-- Include certified copies of letters and documents supporting the claim of the Struben brothers to be the first discoverers. Edith (d of HW) and Godfrey Lys.
-- There are also 3 Ms diaries, 2 written by Mrs. HW Struben covering the period 1885-1887, and 1 written by Edith for the year 1885 and 9 photographs of Confidence