Some Dreams Come True, being a sheaf of stories leading up to the discovery of copper, diamonds and gold in Southern Africa, and of the pioneers who took part in the excitement of those early days.

                 Published by Howard.B.Timmins, 1948, hardcover, illustrated, index, 590 pages, condition: very good.

The author, Sir Alpheus Williams, mining engineer & general manager of De Beers. He was US born and educated. He led De Beers during a period of rapid development, and he subsequently established the structural engineering firm Alpheus Williams & Dowse. By 1936 he was living at Constantia, Cape Town.

Williams came to South Africa in January 1899 and took up a position as mining engineer at the De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd in Kimberley, where his father was general manager. He was soon promoted to assistant general manager and in 1905 succeeded his father as general manager of the company, a position he held until his retirement at the end of 1931. He led the company during a period of rapid development. In 1921-1922 the central treatment plant for the Bultfontein, Dutoitspan and Wesselton mines was erected under his guidance.