The morning call., 1893-04-14
KALAKAUA,s CROWN.
Despoiled of Its Valuable Jewels by
an IJukuown Thief

dH OHkHOWn l0ieI.
The facts Of most sensational robbery
have just come to light. The crown for
merly worn by King Kalakaua has been
stripped of its precious stones, and 1t now
possesses no more intrinsic value than any
other plain velvet cap.
IL Is not knnwn when or by whom the
Jewels were taken. but searching inquiry
Into the matter is being made by the Pro-
visional Government.
The absence of the rare gems, whose
orlillancy had been admired on many state
occasions during the lifetime Of the late
King was discovered on April 8. On that
day James Robertson, who had been re-
moved from his position as custodian Of the
palace, turned over the property in his pos
session to the Government officials, who
were about to install his successor.
When Robertson produced the trunk con-
taining the crown of Kalakaua, together
with the one worn by Queen Kapiolani, 1t
was found that the lock had been broken
and that small fortune in jewels had been
stolen.
The crown was nearly oval in shape, and
was ornamented with Maltese cross at the
apex and brilliantly studded with diamonds
and other precious stones, and on either
side were gold kalo leaves. In the center
OF the cross was large diamond about the
size of 10-cent piece. Il was taken along
with a number Of other smaller precious
stones.
Strange TO y,the crown of Kaplolani did
not appear TO have been touched.
Both crowns were eneased in a handsome
plush box. They were kept in a vault at
Bishop u Co.'S bank for long time, but
eventually were turned over 10 the Cham
beTlain at the palace. They were placed
for safe-keeping In leather trunk, which
was carefully locked and deposited In the
Cnamberaln's Office on the lower floor Il
Is generally believed that the robbery oe-
CURED before the palace passed into the
possession OF the Provisional Government
Some Of the fligree work belonging to the
crown was found in closet connected with
the Chamberlain's office, but the officers
have no other clew to the guilty parties.
The crowns were made In London at q
cost Of $1,000 each They were worn by
Kalakaua and Kapiolani on February IL,
1888. when the late King was crowned.
Colonel George Maefarlane, formerly
Kings Chamberlain, gives the following
information regarding the transfer of the
crowns from the bank to the palace:
while was In England learned that
the crowns had been deposited in a vault at
Sprcckels & Co.'S. l was not the Kings
Chamberlain at the time.
The next time my attention was called
to the crowns was in 1890. while was
Chamberlain. One day the King sent a
note 10 Spreckes & Co. to deliver them to
one Of the household guards. Mr.. Spauld-
ing, the cashier of the bank, came over to
me and asked II would give him per-
sonal receipt for the crowns, as he did not
want 10 take receipt from native soldier.
Il refused to do SO until saw the King
and ascertained if he gave the order to the
soldier. Iafterward rang up the telephone
and learned that he had issued the order.
is object in sending for the crowns was
for Mrs. Corwin, the wife OF Paymaster
C0rwin, q. S. N, who was going to make a
painting of the royal feather cloaks for the
Queen. She wanted the crowns and scepter
to copy, as they would form a part OF the
painting.
when I found that the King required
the crowns and that he had personally sent
for them gave the receipt.
"The next time L saw the crowns they
were In the studio which had been fitted up
upstairs in the palace, where Mrs. Corwln
was at work on the painting. Shortly after
this Time the King left for San Francisco
and they were left in the custody of James
Robertson, who was then Vice Chamber
lain. Before my return from San Fran
cisco. after the death OF the King. he had
assumed charge as Chamberlain for the
Queen"