Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-12
IN TROPICAL CLINICS.
A Very Ancient City of South
America.
LEGENDS OF CARTHAGENA.
Some Sixteenth Century Celebrities and
What They Did For Celonsbia-Rich
Mines and Rains Of rtifications-
The Cathedral and Its Pulpit.
From THE STARS Travelling Commissioner,

from The STARS Travelling Commissioner
CARTHAsENA, COLOMBIA. March 10, 1890.
N NE OF THE MOST interesting
rs places on the western hemisphere
vi "a is this ancient Carthagena, a city
NY hallowed by history. romance and
tradition but now wearing an air Of
decayed gentilisy pitiable to behold BY con-
shifting map YOU will find is near the Carlb-
bean coast of Colombia. a little way west from
the mouth OF the Magdalena In the days of
Philip III it was the most strongly fortified city
on the continent, the headquarters of the
Spanish naval forces in the new world, the
great rendezvous of the galleons that came for
treasure, and until comparatively late day it
continued to be the principal commercial me-
tropolis of the vast region known as New
Granada
Its prominence was partly due to the cole
brated mines just back Of the town, from
which many tons of gold were sent to Spain.
Some idea of their richness may be imagined
from reading the old records that yet remain
in the archives of Carthagena. These docu-
ments set forth the fact that the kings share
was one-tifth part of all the gold produced.
while another fifth went to the church and
that, during more than two centuries. the
Of dollars every year. Hard and fast after the
galleons followed the pirates for plumber. and
so much damage did the latter commit that
the Spanish sovereign thought it worth his
while to build wall around Carthagena. so
wide and strong that forty horses could walk
abreast on it. at an expense of more than ninety
millions of dollars
THE ANCIENT FoRr1FIoATIoSs
Though no longer occupied, the ancient for
tifications are still in toerable condition
Their massive walls are TO nil appearance inn
pregna5le, and the subterranean passages lead
ing from them may still be distinctly traced.
Through one OF these passages, which leads
outward to the foot OF the mountains commu-
nication used TO be maintained in time of siege
Another ran between an ancient fortress on
hill and the dungeons of the In9uisition. and
through 1t prisoners were conducted from
prison 10 punishment.
The inquisition building still stands. but
since the power of Catholicism was broken on
this continent it has not been used for the tor
ment OF heretics. It remained empty for many
years. but Of late has served for the ignoble
purpose of tobacco factory Some time ago
a party OF United States naval officers. finding
time hang heavy on their hands while waiting
IN the harbOr, attempted to explore Cartha-
gena's underground pathways; but they found
them so full of distractions and fallen debris
tlidt not lHucn progress cOulU be made.
Even the stately old castle. like everything
else about the place. has fallen into a mourn
full condition OF decay and is now utilized as a
signal station, from which q flag is run up by
man on guard as soon as a vessel is seen to enter
the harbor, thereby notifying the captain of
the port and the merchants of the city of its
approach. There are several once fine but now
diiapidated churches in Carthagena and many
decreplt palaces, which though partially in
ruins indicate the magnificence of the old-time
grandees Many OF the palaces are now empty
and others have degenerated into shabby tene-
ment houses
THE CATHEDRAL AND ITS PULPIT.
The cathedral, though INTELLECTUALLY one of
the largest to be found in the three Americas.
is somewhat shabby inside, and contains moth
ing worth mentioning excep. the big marble
pulpit The latter is truly magnificent affair,
covered with exquisite carvings and the good
Carthagerlans think. not without reason that
there Is nothing like it under the sun. The
story of Its early viclssitudes adds to its value
and interest. About three hundred years ago
the pope of Rome, wishing to show especial
favor to his devout subjects in New SPAIN"
ordered tho construction of this marble pulpit
for Carthagenas cathedral. 1t was designed
and carved IN Rome by the foremost artists of
the day and when properly consecrated it
was shipped with great ceremony on board a
Spanish galleon bound for the western world
While on the way the vessel was overhauled
by pirates. who ripped omen the boxes con-
tanning the pulpit, and being angered at dis
covering nothing therein for which they could
find any use they dumped the whole thing
overheard in mid-ocean. But-wonder of won-
ders,-by direct iuterposition of the saints not
one of the ponderouS cakes OF solid marble
could be made to sink! The buccaneers. fright
ened out of their wits by this miracle. fed from
the ship, leaving all their booty. With great
difficulty the Spanish sailors got their sacred
tbai
But they had not proceeded far before a second
lot of sea robbers overlook them and burned
the galleon. having made way with all its valu-
ables aud murdered every one of the crew
However, the saints still preserved the pre-
cious pulpit and while everything else was
consumed or swallowed up by the greedy
waves. 1t loated away serenely upon the sur
face OF the sea, and, guided by invisible hands,
finally went ashore on an unfrequented beach
a few miles above Carthagena.
THE PULPIT RECARvEp.
For many years the beautifully carved mar
bic lay on the desolate beach unknown and un-
noticed, while sands drifted over it and waves
occasionally washed them away, until one day
party OF explorers stumbled upon it who rec
oguiZed at once the value OF the work and
took it on board their ship which was bound
for Spain. intending to sell it there for what it
would bring. But it seems that the saints
Still kept their eyes on the pope's contr-
button, and they sent the vessel such bad
weather that it was obliged to put back
into the harbor of Carthagena for repairs
There the captain told the story OF his treasure
trOve and so 1t reached the ears OF the bishop
His grace immediately remembered all about
the miraculous pulpit. and having sent for the
captain Informed him that he could have no
claim upon it. Now it happened that this cap
tain, unlike most of his profession. was not
particularly godly man. and intimatiug plainly
to the august bishop that it was no use trying
to humbug "a sad sea dog" he offered TO sell
his lind TO the Carthagenlan for good round
sum.
The money not being forthcoming he declined
to leave the pulpit and soon set sail, intending
to carry out his original intention of selling il
in Europe. But hardly had he left the harDor
when a most frIghtful gale struck the ship,
sending it to the bottom with all on board. The
miraculous pulpit arose from the wreck un-
harmed and one fine day it came floating into
the harbor of Carthagena And ut last it was
safely placed III the sanctuary for which it was
intended, where it now remains.
THE CITy's FUTURE.
There is faint prospect that this old city of
Carthagena may retrieve its fallen fortunes
somewhat and become again lively me-
tropois. if two of the enterprises that are now
being agtated do not prove abortive. One of
them is the construction of a railroad between
Barranquilia and Carthagena and the other is
the reopeuing OF the ancient dique or ship
canal between tie latter place and Calamar.
which formerly connected Cartkagena with the
Magdalena river at point many miles above
the delta. When Carthagona's decline began,