Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-10-17
DISCOVERY OF COLUMBUS' BONES.
The Remains of the Great Admiral
Claimed to Have Been Found i'll the
Historical Cathedral of Sant0 Do
Fatria of Santo Domingo.


The accidental discovery in one of
the vaults or tombs of the cathedral of
the remains of Don Louis Columbus,
first duke of Veraguas, and who was
captain general of this island from 1910
to 1913, gave force to the popular ira
dition that those of his ancestor, the
discoverer of the New World, also rest
ed in this temple, and induced the au-
thOrities to make Il careful investiga-
ton on the 10th of this month, which
has resulted in clearing up historical
fact and in demonstrating the power Of
Divine Providence. The remains of
Christopher Columbus were deposited
in the chancel of the cathedral on the
gospel side, and below the archiepisco-
pal canopy. 1t was resolved that the
authenticity of this astonishing fact
should be established in solemn man
ner and with all possible seriousness.
The ceremony took place ON the
same day (the 10TH at 4 o'clock in the
afternoon, in the presence of the prin-
cipal ecclesiastical, civil, and military
authorities, and a large concourse of
enthusiastic admirers of the glories of
the great discoverer. The sepulchre
being opened with due respect, to the
establishment of all a lead coffin was
brought to view, which having been re-
moved personally by the bishop of
Orope, was placed on a table, that all
the persons present might testify as to
the discovery. Having been examined
by the ministers of state, the consular
corps, the members of the corporation,
the clergy, the governor of the pro-
vince, the commandment chief of the
army, and other employees of the civil
government it was found to measure
forty-two centimetres in length and
twenty and one-half centimetres in
width and twenty-one centimetres in
depth. On the top was found this in
scription: ID de la A Per Ate" On
the left side was &C." on the front
another &C." and on the right side an
" A"
+" d de la A" means Descuoridor de
la America" (Discoverer of America
and yet in the time of Columbus men
had not given the name of America to
the islands or mainland discovered by
the Admiral (Columbus.)
Having opened the coffin, they found
some bones entire and many others
pulverized, belonging, without dispute,
to the remains Of the immortal Column
bus, because on the inside of the cover
was found in German Gothic letters
another inscription. which says:
: Illtrely Esdo Varon d. Christobal
Colon"
The authenticity of the remains hav-
ing thus been proved, the bishop, who
was profoundly moved, proceeded to
announce it to the people, showing
from the pulpit the inscription, without,
of course, emitting the remarks which
were called forth by an event which
should be considered providential. AS
was to have been supposed, enthusiasm
filled the hearts of all the people,
while the bells rang loud peals and the
thunder of cannon filled the air and the
cheers of the multitude augmented the
aureola Of glory which surrounds the
memory of the illustrious dead. The
tumult being somewhat Gained, the
authorities proceeded to draw up a
solemn declaration, which document
will pass into history, to rectify an idea
generally received, notwithstanding
tIliIu III l1iCS UCElI HILL LIlICo oetUJCCG W
doubt, as is shown by an article in Il
foreign paper with which we preface
our declaration in order that it may be
seen that the fragment of a coffin, ex-
humed in 1895 had no inscription what
ever such as proves the authenticity of
the present discovery. Three <notaries
having drawn up this document, which
was attested by all the dignitaries pres
ent, the remains were carried in pro-
cession to the Temple of the Queen Of
Angels, where, being enclosed in a
coffin sealed with wax, they will remain
until the completion of the repairs of
the cathedral will allow of their being
permanently placed in the spot where
they are to remain. The festival ter
minated at 8 at night amid general
enthusiasm; natives and strangers gave
prove Of their great generation for the
first martyr and hero Of his age
THE early career of Mark Twain"
as q statesman Is Tins cOpciSa1v ond