The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-08-09
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
Interesting New Documents Respecting
His Life and Characters.

Interesting New Documents Respecting
His Life and Character.
The discovery by the superintendent
of the Military Archives of Madrid OF
documents, probably setting at rest the
doubts that formerly existed as to the
birthplace of Columbus, must have
awakened new interest in the history
of the most renowned discoverer of the
past. 1t is to be noted, however, that
the documents only affirm tradition, for
Genoa has always been the admiral's
accredited birthplace. But if the dis
covery should lead to nothing but n
more careful investigation of the rec
ords of his later history, it will have
been of use.
The character of Columbus has been
greatly misunderstood, and his six hun
dred biographers have in turn invested
him with the glory of the religious
hero and the contumely of the ill-tem-
pered and crack-brained adventurer.
An impartial critic must admit, indeed,
that he was something of both, though
more of the hero than the adventurer,
and that his biographies have erred
son would call their point of view
Educated, as it is supposed, in the
local schools of Genoa, and for a short
period at the university of Pavia, the
youthful Columbus must have come in
contact with. the scholars Of the day.
Naturally Of religious temperament
the piety of the learned would early
impress him, and to this may possibly
be attributed the feeling that he had
been divinely selected, which remained
with him until his death.
There is little doubt that he began his
career as a sailor, at the age of four
teen, with the sole object of plumber.
The Indies were the constant attraction
for the natives of Venice and Genoa;
the Mediterranean and the Adriatic were
filed with treasure ships IN these cir
cumstances it is not to be wondered that
the sea possessed wonderful fascina-
cion for the youth Of these towns. This
opulenee was the constant envy OF
Spain and Por tugal, and Columbus was
soon attracted 10 the latter country by
the desire Of Prince Henry 70 discover
a southern route to the Indies. i was
while in Portugal that he began TO be-
lieve that his mission on earth was TO
be the discoverer Of a new route 70 the
land Of gold-''the white mans god"
For ten years he resided in Lisbon, from
time to time to time making short voy-
ages, but for the most part engaged
drawing maps to procure himself liv-
ing. Here he married, here his son
Diego was born, and here his wife,
VINO died, at An early age, was buried.
Toseanello al this time advanced the
theory that the earth was round. and
Columbus a. once entered into CORE
spoE6ence with hira on the subject, and
was greatly impressed With the views
of TIE Florentine scientist both an 20
the sphericitv OF the world and ths
wonders Of tie Asiatic region Heresy-
hunting was then favorite past5EEe,
and Columbus. IL accepting these the
ories, ran no small risk % losing his
life. Portugal and France n tgrn r.
iected his offers 70 add % their depend
encies BIZ discoveries. and though BIS
brother found many IN England wiling
20 give hi7n the necessary ships To stars
on his adventures. Spain, after much
iHportnninz on the part 81 The explorer,
forestalled our OWE countzy-
Then followed bis four ewsntfui voT-
ages with all their varying fortunes.
and his death. when cvcr seventy years
OF age IN a svresehe6 coalition Of poT-
s-ty TIE rezdy consideration 81 the !
o-iss, no. oniy dangerous. bu. 30 ss~
founding in their character "a 10 throw i
oiscTedit On these VITO advanced them, I
shows him "a have been nan Ct intsl- J