National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-11
IN PERU.
On the Spot Where the POpulaCo Tortured the
Murderer Of President Balta.
Gazing Upon the MoIdy Bones OF the
Cruel TyrRnt PIzarro.
Special Letter.

GUcClut LCHcTs
CALLAo, PERU, Jan. 15.-Whenever q
tourist arrives in Spanish town and wishes
to SEQ the principal thoater Of events, as we'll
as the spot around which clusters the prin-
cipal buildings, he must ask for the plaza
and this is true Of Lima as Of all other places
In Lima the plaza dc armas or grand plaza
is situated about two hundred yards from the
river bank. 1t was laid out by Pizarro, and
his old palace and tho cathedral Of his time
arc still there.
Tho square is large and is paved with small
stones that always make mo think Of the
cutters at the soldiers home, near Washing
ton. Walks of largo fat stones traverse this
space in every conceivable direction and also
form walk around the outside edge, while
row of trees partly shades the driveway
which intervenes before you como to the
buildings that hem in tho whole. Exactly in
the center is a small stone fountain, with
comical looking figure Of Fame surmounting
it, that was placed there by the orders of Count
Salvatierra, viceroy in 1868. The little
creature has scsnt, Guttering petticoat, O
liberty cap on its head, and is blowing a
trumpet as long as itself. Around this is o
space rallied in, which Is filled with lovely
flowers and plants and is carefully tended.
Just outside are about dozen marble statues
on pedestals, and finally circling around these
are few seats.
Tho one imposing building, and therefore
the one which first claims your attention, is
the cathedral. 1t is very large built of
adobe and has two tall towers rising on
other side of the facade, and while the latter
10 not at all ornate, yet IL is sufficiently
broken to please the eye. The top of the
towers have open places, through some of
which you see the bells.
From one of these places, in the right.hand
tower, largo beam projects foot or more,
and this is all that remains, except memory,
of the terrible Gutierrez tragedy. Balta was
president. and seems, to judge by their &c
tions, to have been SO by the will Of the peo-
pie. He had been in power some time when
ono of the usual revolutions took place,
headed by three brothers, named Gutierrez.
Balta was imprisoned and murdered in his
cell, either by the brothers or by their orders.
The eldest bro Their proclaimed himself presi-
dent, and his proclamation was hailed with
howl of rage by the populace robbed
Of their beloved Balta. They obtained
arms and searched through all the houses
in town until they found two brothers, who
had concealed themselves. These they dragged
TO the plaza, stripped them and hung them
up to long beam which extended from the
cathedral tower and was part of a scaffolding
for tho repair of the facade. Leaving them
there the crowd went back to the Gutierrez
house and bringing the furniture from them
| and breaking 1t up made q funeral pyre on
| the plaza, just In front of the cathedral
Meanwhile the third brother was found in
| Callao, killed, packed in a small box, and
brought to Lima. He was put on the pyre
the other bodies were cut down, and put
| there, and the pile set fire to. While it was
burning tho people cut chunks from the
| shriveling flesh, ate them, and when all were
ashes they mixed some Of them with water
and quatfed Off the draft. This was in 1879.
The whole front of the cathedral looks like
| pepper box, so full is it of bullet holes thai
| struck it in the recent anti English revolu
ton, and have not yet been filled up. as the
previous ones were. grand flight of step
leads up to tho three large doors, which are
Of wood, heavily studded with irons. mails. Yo,
enter to find that it is church within
| church. All around runs broad aisle, OF
which are large, dark, gloomy chapels will
| nothing of interest in them. The Who'll
center of the church is raised three steps. A
one end of this is the high altar, at the othe
the organ and choir, while between are som
fine old stalls rallied OFF and seats for the con
| gregation, among which are some benche
covered with old embossed Spanish leathe
| that has lost almost every trace of color
There is nothing grand or beautiful any
where, and, to one who has enjoyed the mag
nifcent pictures. marbles and decorations O
European cathedrals all seem tawdry poor
and forlorn.
Under the high altar the bishops are buried
and here also lie the reputed remains o
Pizarro. We saw a door open to the RICH
and going down some steps found ourselve
under the altar, in low vaulted chamber
whore two men were at work with stones an(
mortar sealing up the remains of bishol
who had lately died. One of them took
small candle from pile of mortar, where i
was stuck, and led us into an adjoining room
| and precisely similar chamber. At one enc
he paused and we saw on shelf raised few
inches from the floor heap of human bone
and ragged garments that looked as if somt
ono had purposely stirred them up. Over
head was this inscription in Spanish: "Thest
are the bones said to DO those of Pizarro"
Hereafter shall be satisfied to look at tn,
outside Of the cathedral for that at least
| looks grand and satisfies the eye, and at the
| same time the imagination can wander n
will, with hardly chance of going astray
| while fancying all the scenes of pomp
pagentry, strife, and bloodshed on which /
has looked down. MARGUERITE DICKINs.