The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-11-26
THE BELL OF COLUMBUS.
lis History and Workmanship Destined for the
Worlds Fair.

lis History and Observation-Disclosures for the
Worries Fair.
IHashiRgtoH Correspondence Chicago Hsr0ldl
When Columbus laid the foundations OF Isa-
bella, Santo Domingo the first settlement by
Europeans lif we except La Natiyidad. merely
temporary stOckRde with small garnson1 IN the
New World. the first structure 20 receive seri-
Gus attention was the church.
il was erected and christened within few
months after the landing at isabella in DeOem-
ber ls93 The reason for the location here Of
this city. such as the proximity Of the gold
mines Of Cihao 10 the coast Rt this point, no
longer answered when 10 was found that the
interior country was richer. and soon after
Santo Domingo City was founded, in 1895.
la 1891 city was begun in the Royal Plain
OF La Vega, and called La Vega, or the City Of
the Plains, whittier, doubtless, was transported
everything portable in isabella, which was
soon abandoned 70 the solitude OF the forest
which euvironed ii. church was likewise
built AT La Vega. and il is thought that the
same bell that hung in the church OF Isabella
occupied a similar position in tho belfry tower
81 La Vega.
In the year 1912 Ia Vega was destroyed by
terrible earthquake aud the city abandoned
by such OF the inhabitants as escaped. More
than 300 years passed away. One day man
espied bell in the branches OF /" hg" tree.
y
reach, and which had wrapped its trunk around
\ portion OF the belfry tower OF the ruined
church.
This bell had been raised in the arms Of a
hg tree. and was thus preserved from fall
ing 10 the ground aud being buried out Of
sight. The bell WAS secured, and for n long
time was preserved Hs a venerated relic, almost
Worshipod by the 6upeTstItiOns natives of SautO
Domingo. IL finally came iuto tho possession
OF Padre Bellini, patriotic priest Of Sauto
Domingo City. who hung il in the chapel Of his
convent school.
All this was recorded In the papers Of that
time. When Senor Galvar the Pleniputentiary
seat by SAntO DJmiago to negotiate for the
reciprocity treaty, WAS in Washington. he gave
10 Mr.. w. T. Curtis, Chief in charge Of the
Latin American Department Of the Exposition,
Il letter 10 the heirs Of Padre Beliui, request
ing them Gs a great favor 10 allow the hell 20
c0ule 10 the United States
This WAS presented 10 Senior Bellni nephew
Of the late priest aud ex-President OF the Re-
public, who courteously allowed Mf ObeT, the
Columbian Commissioner. 90 brng il away
with him, after receiving ample security for its
restoration NJ the close Of the Exposition
Carefully secured in the specie tank Of the
Clyde liBe steamer Saginaw. it made the V0y-
age 20 New York in safety, whence il was sent
10 Washington, where IL NOW lies awaiting the
proper time for Transportation 90 Chicago
Ihs bell IL Oi bronze, very small, bat Of ele-
CANT workmanship teight inches high by six
aud half across, and bears on tie surftoe tho
image OF San Miguel, 20 whom 10 is Dedicated
and the letter r ia old Gothic From this
Gothic + " il Is inferred that IL was a gift 10
Cplumbus from Ferdinand Of Spain, husband
OF Queen Isabella.
When the historian aud antiquarian shall
have passed their opinion upon this relic il may
be predicted that few objects pertaining 10 our
earlier history will surpass il in interest.