Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-07
ISLAND OF MYSTERY.
It's Former Inhabitants a People Whose
History j. Lost.

To those who are not wholly distorted by
mans inhumanity and a Drotractcd resi-
dence in polluted cities. AN island IL mex
presslblv poetic. inspired, presumably. by
its natural inaccessihility, it, hazardous
surroundings. its undevelopcd resources,
and the weird glamor that hangs above q
detached bit OF earth, alone, isolated IN
the midst Of q wide watery waste. In the
minds of most dw.llers among brick and
mortar and stone an particularly
those of the South Seas and in the region
of our own scmi-trOpIc shore-is linked
with luxurious vegetation, luminous
scenes. cooling springs, dense shade,
gauzy mists and violet waves.
There is not a discovered spot on the face
of this fair land where these aud their
accompanying concomitants are furnished
with greater prodigallty than Santa Cata-
lima. Cal. says a CORRESPONDENT of the phlla-
delphia Times. Ii WAS named by q piOuS
padre in honor of st. Catherine, in those
peaceful early days when padres were the
chief inhabitants of this enchanting isle.
If il the course of Divine events this
hOnored saint IS permitted TO view the
spot cOnsecrated TO her Toy the Holy Catho-
lie Church who shall say that a sense Of
something akin 20 what We call apprecia-
ton does not reach her in those supreme
heights OF clearer certainty where sine
dwels: for high above the greed Of specu-
lators. the tricks of tradesmcn, the snares
of syndicates, the meanness of meEials,
there still linger the mists upon the noun
tain tops, the sunbeams among the leaves,
the dew upon the flowers, the winsome
winds, the gentle rains the smiling stars.
appropriate and imperishable mausOleums
to any saint or sister or scion III the celes-
tial company.
GELICs OF An UNKNOWN RACE.
4 Il.
CambrillO in the year 1912 and named by
him after one of his feet. An interesting
account of CambrillO's voyage, written by
one of his pilots, has recently been found
among old papers IN SPAN, which describe
Catalina as being thickly populated. That
they were id)lat0rs is "A suppOsitiOn
based upon frequent illusions to n
Temple of the Sun" said to con-
tain images and idols. That they were i'll
dustrous is proved from recent excava-
tions, which disclosed pestles. mortars,
bowls, and pottery IN numerous and DIS
tinct varieties. That they were fond of
display is evident from the discoveries Of
Professor Schumacher, a representative OF
an eastern scientific museum, who, IN
company with q native islander, began
systematic series of excavations which re-
suited in the collection of fine lot Of i'm
plements formerly used by the unknown
inhabitants.
Among these are beads in great numbers
cut from abalone shells. an album
dant and beautiful product Of the island ;
pendants formed IN graceful curves. finger
rings brooches, combs, bracelets evidently
the adOrnment OF some dusky belle whose
mortal remains have long since returned to
dust. Fish-hoOks are found in Quantities,
symmetrically cut from shells and without
the AID of tools. There are also curiously-
shaped carvings that seem To have no dem
mite meaning or use. The tish-hooks re-
semble the modern hook with the exception
that IN these ancient specimens the barb Is
upon the outside.
WHAT BECAME OF THE NATIVES.
That the ancient Catalinians were musi-
cal there is little doubt. as remains of flutes
and advertisements OF melody are found.
These were made Of bone aud connected
by asphaltum. That they were peaceful
is presumable from the fact that few wea-
pons of war have been found. 4 sword
made from the bone of a whale an iron
axe, a few rusty arrows. flint spear-heads,
and knives that could never have been
used in warfare. complete the catalogue.
An inspection of their places of inter-
ment shows that bodies were put away IN
layers-fouT to SIX in one grave, the lowest
being the eldest Many household goods
were deposited in these reccptacles for the
dead. which leads to the belief that their
religious rites. whatever they might have
been. admitted of material considerations.
Where now are the strange creatures OF
those unwritten annals and their descend
ants is problem agitating the minds of
An Indian. claiming 10 be
one hundred years old. who ekes out pre-
carious existence by the sale of fish, shells,
and cinios, states that the natives were en-
couraged to leave the island by padres,
who gave them homes at the missions and
taught them better religion than the
worship Of wood and stone.
PURCHASED BY AN ENGLISH SYNDICATE.
However that may be. the fascination of
mystery still hangs over those children Of
a previous period, whose only footprints
on the sands of timen consist of carved
crockerv. fish-hooks, trinkets. and decay
ing bodies The projected developments
of Catalina are said to be in keeping with
the reputed resources Of the English syn
dictate which recently purchased the
island. which includes piers, parks, prone
nades, wharves, hotels, museums, bath
houses. and other inventions of advanced
strikingly contrastable 10 the
era.
But however extensive the projects or
complete the achievement to the soul i'm
bued with American sentiments, there -
sadly significant in the fact OF
that beaming isle. so full of healthful
growth, so entirely contributable to the
eager aesthetic side of human nature, being
Invested of its peerless simplicity by the
stolid hands of foreign capitalists.
A Remarkable Parrot.