Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-12
FIRST CHRISTIAN CITY.

Founding of Isabella and the Monument te
Be Raised There-A Patriotic Boston
ian Enterprise-CoIumbus Was a Pool
! Govrrnor-1he Cathedral.
Columbus first colony LaNavidad was
destroyed and on December Z, 1893, he
sailed from its desolate port to reach new
site. Adverse weather forced him into the
harbor of Monte Cristo, about 80 miles
away, and, considering this place advant'
ageous, he Immediately selected q site fol
another settlement. This was the founda'
tion of the first Christian city in the New
World. To it Columbus gave the name Of
Isabella, in honor of his royal patron.
Streets and squares were Immediately pro-
jected, a church and public storehouse and a
residence for the admiral were arranged
These were built of stone, private houses
were constructed of wood, and preparations
at one begun for q we'll ordered city.
As discoverer Columbus stands without
an equal As governor he was, perhaps,
one of the greatest failures that history has
yet produced, and it was little wonder that
the colony of Isabella was in a state of
riotous discord from the time OF its tounda-
tion.
1t is strange that during the 400 years
that have passed since Columbus established
his colony at Isabella it has occurred to
none to commemorate the fact that here our
Christian civilization had its origin. The
walls of the rude sanctuary have been suf-
fered by generation after generation to
crumble into almost indistinguishabie ruins,
and while almost everything else connected
with the great explorer and the fruits of his
exploration has been made sacred, no atten-
tion has been paid to this, in some respects,
most worthy footprint in his entire path
way.
But now, as the round Of celebrations in
his honor is about to begin, an effort Is being
made to fttingly mark the spot. A colossal
bronze statue will shortly be planted in the
ruins of the little church at Isabella-the
first building erected by Columbus in the
New World. The discoverer is represented
in an attitude of sublime exaltation and de-
votion, his face upturned to the Deity, the
right hand pointing to the point on the
globe occupied by Isabella, and the lett
hand extended heaSenward as if imploring
a blessing upon the event in the worlds
history which ranks second in importance
only to the coming of our Savior. This
statue is to be erected within several
months, thus taking the precedence in point
of time of all the great and snowy COM
memorations planned for the anniversary
year.
1t was hoped that the dedicatory cere-
monies might occur at Isabella on the 18th
OF june, the anniversary of the delivery to
Columbus by Ferdinand and Isabella of his
letters patent to the Western continent,
which bear the date of April II, 1892 The
time, however, necessary for modelling,
casting and finishing the statue will now
delay the departure of the expedition some
weeks. The enterprise is Bostonian, and
Bostonians take no little pride in being
thus able to lead in the New World celebra-
tion. This statue, the cost of which is to
be $40, 600 is now about ready for casting.
The designs of both statue and pedestal
were made by Mr.. R. Andrew, under the
direction of Prof George Jepson, at the
Massachusetts, Normal Art School The
sculptor, Alois Buyens, of Client, is now
putting the finishing touches to his model