THE GREAT DIAMOND HOAX and Other Stirring Incidents in the Life of Asbury Harpending

Western Frontier Library; 8vo; xx, 212 pages; Contents clean and secure in original binding in very good dustjacket with some wear at rear fold and corners. The Great Diamond Hoax And Other Stirring Incidents In The Life Of Asbury Harpending is a memoir written by Asbury Harpending in 1913. The book chronicles the life of Harpending, a prominent figure in the American West during the late 19th century. The memoir is divided into several chapters, each detailing a different event or period in Harpending's life.The most notable incident described in the book is the "Great Diamond Hoax" of 1872, in which Harpending and several other men attempted to sell a fake diamond mine to investors in San Francisco. The scam was eventually uncovered, and Harpending and his accomplices were arrested and tried for fraud. The book provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the scam, as well as the aftermath of the trial.Other incidents described in the book include Harpending's involvement in the Civil War, his time as a gold miner in California, and his travels throughout the American West. The memoir also provides insight into the social and political climate of the time, as well as the challenges faced by those living in the frontier.…