The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-01
THE OLD CITY OF LUBBOCK.
The Chief Capital of the Hanseatic
League, and Its Quaint Airs.
The Building Where the League Held It's
Sessions-The -Hundred-and -Sixty-
Five Years-0ld Cathedral Church.
of the indianapolis Journal.

Correspondence OF the indianapolis Journal.
STOCKHOLM, Sweden. Oct III have just
returned from brief visit to one of the most
interesting places in all of North GeImany-the
old commercial city of Lubbock. I made the
trip by water, in trim and snug little steamer,
the Gauchoid, and although at season of the
year when travel on the Baltic is somewhat
perious, and extremely trying to landsman,
came through it safely, and was rewarded with
as magnificent voyage one could desire.
Lubbock is situated FIVE hundred miles south
of Stockholm, and ten English miles inland on
the river which empties into the Gulf of Lubbock.
1t is city of 65. 900 people, surrounded by an
admirable agricultural district, but relying prin
cipally upon its shipping interests for its pros
perty. AT one time it was the most considera
BILE maritime port on the south shore of tie
Baltic. but in late years its great rival Ham
burg, only distant thirty miles, has attracted
most of the shipping business of North Ger
many. But to the historical student, the
arch@ologist the tourist and the curious of all
classes. Lubbock must ever remain a point Of
great interest. 1t was the chief town of the
Hanseatic League, and it was in the Rath-house
of Lubbock that the sessions of the League were
held. The old building with its quaint archi-
lecture, curious decoration, and historical relics
the kindness of the consular agent
of the United States I was shown
through the building, as we'll as others of equal
interest The Rath-house, or magistrates hail.
is built on a series of immense stone piers,
placed at right angles, ten to twelve feet apart
one side OF the building facing the street and
the inner looking out upon a court containing
about two acres of ground, which was formerly
the place Of execution but now used mar
ket space. The pillars upon which rest the first
floor of the main building are twelve feet in
height, groined arch supporting the floor. For
merly under these arches were located the stalls
or shops of the slversmiths; but these have now
been removed, and free passage for both pedes
TRANS and teams is had through the open spaces
The building, as half -defaced inscription on
the facade of the principal entrance informed
me. was erected in 1892 and is built OF an en-
caustic brick of dark blush color. The walls
are in a remarkably good state of preservation
the principal decay being shown on the stone
facings over the entrances, and at the eyes,
where the dripping water has affected the text
ure of the brick. After viewing the outside of
the building, we went into the porter's lodge
and with request to be shown through the
rooms. supplemented by the invarable, inexora-
BILE and neverending tip. the porter, elderly
man, dressed in red coat. knickerbockers and
top boots, with a harmless and bloodless sword
at his side, and with the air of an old Hanstown
burgher, led the way first to the room where the
sessions of the League were held This room is
from its historical character as the room
in which this powerful league transacted it's
business, where it passed DEGREES regulating the
commerce of the world and with growing affiu-
ence arrogated power until it declared war and
dictated terms of peace to all of Europe, it con-
tains some of the finest specimens of wood cary
ing and wood inlaid work eXtant 1t was fin
lshed before the art Of oil painting was much
appreciated by the opulent merchants of the
North of Europe and when oodcarving was
the prlncipal-if not sole art in all church and
other decoration establishment. Above the
main door in oak are the arms of the League in
bas-relief-a double eagle on a Sheldon either
side stands threequarter size figure also in
oak, representing peace and war; soldier in full
accoutrement and female figure with imple-
ments of husbandry and commerce at her feet
The side walls are wainscoted up six feet in in
laid native wood-birds- eye maple. oak birch
etc. This work is eXguisitely done. In the
panels are representations of commerce. castles,
towns, harbors and other objects shaded by the
various coored wood with the delicateness and
beauty that is wonderful, showing the high per-
lection the art had attained. In the center of
the room stands long, heavily -carved massive
oaken table, with six carved oaken chairs on
either side, and at the end of the room is a small
das which was occupied by the president of the
League at its sessions. l sat down in this for few
minutes. and 1T was not difficult matter, out of
the weird light that fell through the stained
glass, to conJure up the ghosts of the thleg
matt of ly,aHa md
habitated this room three centuries ago and
who in their greed of wealth, at the very table be-
fore me. sitting in the same chairs were compelled
to abandon that combination which had brought
such power and riches TO the towns of the Hans.
eatic League. I knew of the Hans towns
as an historical fact, but here l was in
their sepulcher Again. in this same hall the
great Gustave Adolf made these same burghers
bring portion Of their gains to support that
army, which ultimately secured North Germany
to the Lutheran faith. Kings, princes poten-
tates have all met here in this little room. King
doms, powers, personalities have risen and dis
appeared by the fortunes of war within these
same walls Historical old Rathhouse, may you
long stand the last testimonial to deeds done in
centuries long gone.
The principal building in all continental cities.
towns or villages is the church. Out at sea,
wherever you the village on the coast
line, the prominent object is always the steeple
of the church. Lubbock is no exception to this
rule. Indeed, it multpies the rule, as the
steeples are very numerous. Lubbock in ad-
dtion to being a great commercial mart was
also one Of the stronghods of the church, the
of the Bishop of Lubbock being the largest
and wealthiest In the northern country There
are two principal church edifces however The
Cathedral, huge, irregular pile of brick, with
chapels, chancels and angles in such profusion
and irregularty as to mar it's exterior view, all
surmounted by two immense spires covered with
copper, likewise the roof, upon which the
noseless and naudible hand of time has placed
thick coating of green, making pretty and
effective contrast with walls foliage and sky I
shall not attempt to describe the interior 1t is
of medieval style, the roof being the groined
arch supported by immense brick pillars The
chapels used as tombs, while the floor is COW
cred with stone slabs bearing inscriptions
Above. on the pillars and sides