New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-05
AN HISTORICAL BELL.
1T ONCE HUNG IN THE TOWER OF CHURCH
BUILT BY COLUMBUS.

1T ONCE HUNG IN THE TOWER OF A CHURCH
BUILT BY COLUMBUS.
Washington. Oct 4-when Columbus laid the foun-
dations Of Isabella Sano Domingo the first settlement
by Europeans Except La Navdad, merely temporary
stockade with small gnrrson), in the New World. the
first structure TO receive serious attention was the
church. 1t was erected within few months after the
landing at Isabella, in December, 1903. In 14o4
city WINS begun In the Royal Plain of La Vega. and
called La Vega, WHITTIER doubtless, was transported
everything portable 10 Isabella which was soon aban-
doned church likewise built at La Vega. and
IL Is thought that the bell that hung In the
church OF Isabella occupied similar position in the
bery tower at La Vega. In the year 1912 La vega
was destroyed by an earthquake and the city lban-
doned More than 300 years passed away One day
n man esped bell in the branches of a fg' tree
tce that envelops everything In its reach and which
had wrapped its trunk around portion OF the berry
tower OF the ruined church. This bell had been raised
IN the arms OF the "hg' tree and was thus preserved
from falling to the ground and being buried out of
sight. The bell was secured, and Tor
long time was preserved venerated
,Suc II finally came into the possession
Of Padre Belnl, patriotic priest Of santo Domingo
t who hung 1t In the chapel OF his convent school,
when Senior Gnlvan the penipoteniary sent by santo
Domingo to negotiate for tho reciprocity treaty, was
in Washington he gave TO W. E. Curtis, chief In
charge Of the Latn-American department OF the
Columbian Exposition, letter to the heirs OF PADRE
Bellin requesting them great favor to allow the
hell TO come to the United States This was presented
TO Senior Belln nephew Of the late priest and an ex-
President OF the republic, who coureousy allowed Mr.
Ober the Columbian Commissioner, TO bring IL away
with him. after receiving ample security Tor It's resor
uop at tho close of the Exposition. 1t made the
VOYAGE to New-York, whence 1t was sent to Washng-
ton. where it now lies awaiting the proper time Tor
transportation TO Chicago
workmanship (s inches high by IL across and bears
on the surface the image Of San Miguel 70 whom IL
Is dedicated, and the letter + IN Ola uo.ho' s, 20
this Gothic L IS inferred that Ghand ~ o,Ieen
Columbus from FERDINAND Oh Spaili' h"'O" "
Isabella.
ANOTHER COLUMBUS BELL FOR THE FAIR.
Bridgeton, n. j., oct. (SpeciaD-There is no" ~
Cumberland County rare relic and Of great interest
at This time The relic is the bell belonging to the
African Methodist Episcopal Church at Haleyvhe'
which was presented to 1t by Captain Elias a. Ne"ah
when Tn. church established here, about SIX years
AGO. The bell was procured by Captain Newal OH uo
island of San Andreas, Of the Bananas OH one Vi
his vovages and this is its history: In l4O2' Wien
Tho ar between the Crescent and the Cross eliminated
in tho capture of GRANADA by Ferdinand and Isabella,
the famous mosque Of the Ahambra was transformed
into Christian temple and in Of It's towers these
morarchs caused this bell to be placed. rev years
aftsrwand Queen Isabella presented TINS Dell 10
Columbus upon his departure to America on Ms iou,h
and last voyage $500, and by him IL was gwen 70
monks. who placed II in the chapel whch was the
beannIng OF the great cathedral OF Carthagena on e
spanish MAN, in NewGranada, South America. Inere
IL performed its holy mission until the siege OF Car
thopena nv the Buccaneers Of 1897, when the city was
sacked and partly destroyed. In the division OF the
sn,s the hell fell to the share OF the French snip
La Rochelle and for short period did duty In inc
humble service Of ships bell for the plntical crew.
mt retribution was close after the vandals, for
in the latter part OF the year. I'm one OF the most
furious hurricanes that ever swept the seas the
pratical squadron was nearly annihiated. Tie La
Rochelle was totally wrecked the island Of san
Andeas. few Of the were saved, together with
the bell From the descendants OF the survivors the
belI and its history were obtained by Captain Newa,
Of the bark Eva H. Fisk. Of IIaeyville It's weight
Il sixty fonr pounds. There is small debt OF SlVo
on The church. and highly do the people value their
relic the Columbus bell, that they Will not suspend II
unon the church lest BY some mlshap the church be
sold for the debt and they Lose the bell but 1t Is
securely Kept At the residence Of Trustee Alfred Green
IL will be exhibited at the coming Columbian EXposl
ton.