Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-26

Mr. r. II. ODER. COMMISSIONER no
ANA the West Indies for the Columbian sxposi-
ton, has just returned TO Warrington, having
visited nearly all Of the localities in thoss
islsnds which are associated with the memory
OF Columbus He has made ARRANGEMENTS for
numerous exhibits to Be sent to Chicago and
has brought with him many objects Of histor-
ical interest He first paused at Cuba Taking
with him . camera-every LAsin-American
commissioner carries Photographic outHt-he
photographed everything OF note there which
related 10 the great explorer, ransacking nu-
seums and libraries for old volumes and paint
ings Among other things he forwarded to
Washington plaster cast Of the tablet COM
memorativs of Columbus in the cathedral at
Havana. From Cuba Mr.. Ober went TO ia
maica, which viii make . fine display at the
fair, particularly Of tropical plants and trees.
This island has extensive tracts devoted to ex-
detrimental arboriculture, containing every va
riety OF known tropical planta These are the
nearest tropical plantations to the United
States, and It 10 expected that from them viii
be drawn wealth Of beautiful things botanical
Tor the adornment Of the great horticultural
hall.
An ANCHOR OF ONE OF COLUMBUS SHIPS.
upon my arrival at Port au Prince, the cap
itai OF Hayti, I was presented to President Hip
poiyte," said Mr.. ODER to STAB reporter. Il
had long interview with him at the palace,
being introduced by Minister Douglass That
was only few days before the bloody massa-
ere OF May %; the city was under martial law,
win cannon planted at the street corners sol
diers everywhere, frequent incendiary fires and
q general feeling Of insecurity. However, with
the American flag floating over my hotel felt
sale. From Port au Prince went by coast
steamer to Cape Haytien, there discovering q
most valuable relic in the shape Of the veritable
snchor which was once aboard one Of the three
caravels Of Columbus, the wrecked Santa Maria
This anchor is at present in safe keeping at
the bureau OF the American republics IL 10
shout nine feet in length, with short fukes and
an immense iron ring. As to its authenticity
have sufficient proof in my hands. 1t was in
the harbor Of Cape Haytien that the Santa
Maria was wrecked, and among the wreckage
carried ashore by the Indians was the anchor,
which has since been carefully preserved.
From Hayti pursued my journey to santo
Domingo, disembarking at Puerto Plata,
whence made my way in . coasting vessel to
the site Of ancient Isabella, the first city In the
new world. There 1 stayed for week,
digging and pho:ographing. The site Is en-
tirely overgrown with densest vegetation,
through which the workmen employed had to
the forests are alive with beautiful parrots,
humming birds. pigeons and mocking birds.
One old woman Joined my party as . volunteer
and tried to assist me in finding the ruins Of q
mythical church by the exercise Of magic.
also visited caves in the hills, where aboriginal
idols have been discovered, which were left by
the Indians at the coming of the Spaniards.
Some fragments Of ruins 1 forwarded to Wash
ington; also photographs showing the natural
beauties Of the location Of the first European
settlement Among these beauties should he
mentioned the wonderfully luxuriant and pain
fully prickly cacti.
THE TREE OF COLUMBUS.
Returning to Puerto Plata 1 proceeded to
the Bay Of SANTANA, which is beautiful beyond
description. took photographs of the palm
bordered beaches, the islet desired for q coal
ing station and other features. From Sanchez
at the foot Of the bay, railway runs into the
interior a distance Of sixty-four miles By
means Of this road reached the Holy Well Of
Sauto Domingo, where is a church dedicated
to the oldest virgin in America whose image
10 said to have been brought from Europe 400
years ago. A tree still stands there called the
Tree Of Columbus, beneath which he caused
the first mass to be celebrated after his battle
with the Indians Of La Vega l explored the
ruins of Vega Vieja the ancient city founded
by Columbus in 1894 and destroyed by an EARTH
quake in 1542. Many minor antiquities of the
dead snd buried city have brought back with
me. $3.50,
0MouB tuoee Toice - . O0auuful iron cross
OF exquisitely wrought open work, about six
teen inches high. 1t is 400 years old. also
secured pair Of handouts said TO be the ones
which tie brave Ojeda clapped upon the wrists
OF the Cacique OF the Golden mountains when
he captured him and took him to Isabella City.
Another relic of great interest is the first bell
ever rung in America, which hung in a church
OF Vega Vieja at the time Of the earthquake and
fell with the town. Or rather / should say, it
did not actually fall. being upheld by the
branches Of q curious parasitic tree that en-
wraps everything with which it comes in con-
tact as in a mesh OF woody fbers. priest
found 1t and left it at his death to college.
OTHER INTERESTING RELICS.
among other relics, secured some Of the
original 'hawksbells. called 'cascabels,' with
which the Conquistadores traded with the In
dams and for which the simple aborigines
would barter their most priced possessions
Another interesting object that got hold Of is
a small cannon once mounted in the fortress at
Vega Vieja, the oldest in America Also OBJ
tanned a beautiful bell which once hung in q
belfry near the holy well and a round stone
with Dol: through it to which captive Indians
used to be chained.
AT the capital Of the republic, santo Do
mingo City, found many things of historical
interest associated with Columbus. On the
right bank Of the river that runs through the
town stands the Casa de Colon. a palace built
by Don Diego Colon, son of Columbus. At the
entrance to the harbor towers a picturesque
castle, time-worn vet we'll preserved, in which
Columbus is said to have been kept prisoner
for a while in 1900. This castle may be repro
duced by the Dominican government at Chicago.
The cathedral of the city, founded in 1914. still
stands. 1t contains the first cross erected in
America. and have had made fac smile of
il in old mahogany from two beams from a
building attached to the castle. In the cathe-
dral speak OF are preserved the remains of
Christopher himself. Havana has another set.
which are likewise authentic. The precious
bones at Santo Domingo City are contained in
the lead case in which they were originally dis
covered. but are inclosed in a easket Of CRYSTAL
and satin wood, locked and secured by seals Of
the government and By all the consular seals in
the town. Santo Domingo is very Jealous of
other governments which are so fortunate as
to possess the remains OF Columbus, and has
abstained from joining Spain in the celebration
OF the Columbian anniversary on account of
the declaration Of the Royal Academy Of Mad
rid that Havana has the only real bones"
ABYSSAL SPONGES.
g. M Il g