St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-05-01
AN IRREVERENT THIEF.
Columbus Ashes Lifted From
Their Resting Place by OAR
ing ScoundreI.
A VigiIant Janitor Receivers the
Priceless Remains, but the
Thief Escapes.

CHICAGO. April 29.-Christopher Co.
and the glass containing them was
broken and the priceless remains lifted
from their resting place by an unknown
thief, whose presence desecrated the
sacred convent La Rabida, at Jackson
Park. The ashes were carried from the
dark corner to the light of window
and carefully examined, that no mistake
might be made, but the delay
for examination proved disastrous
to the purpose of the vandal, and saved
to the exposition and posteritY all that
is left of the mortal remains of the
great explorer and benefactor. The
theft was discovered at the instant the
examination was complete. and while
the little urn was being thrust into the
pocket of the thief. a struggle
followed the discovery, but the
thief escaped. The ashes were
saved however. The ashes were
confined in glass urn, bound about the
corners and angles with bands Of pure
dust-staineu board box, in which it has
been kept at the Cathedral Santa
Domingo, and within another
glass case, diamond shaped, three
feet in length and twelve inches
in height. The whole stands
upon pedestal in the south end of
Room K. in the west end of the con-
vent. Since its arrival the golden urn
has been viewed by thousands. Last
evening nearly all the visitors had left
the grounds, and the three guards who
remained on duty to watch the costly
treasures in the convent saw no one
enter, and it was supposed the place
was vacant.
Janitor Dunno before retiring started
for drink of water. Upon reaching
the corridor, he heard slight noise in
roo NIX and went there to investigate.
When he reached the open door, he saw
man walk from the Columbus
urn to the window. CHANGING at
the pedestal, Dunno saw that the
glass case was open and the urn gone.
Then shifting his sight to the man at
the window, he caught a .glimmer Of
the golden band. AS the unknown man
ward his pocket, Janitor Dunno shout
ed, Drop that" AT the same instant
the janitOr leaped toward the relic
despoiler. The thief did not drop the
urn. but made rush for the door. Be-
fore he reached it, Dunn seized him,
and together the two men rolled upon
the floor. The urn was dropped
during the conflict. The men
fought vigorously for the mastery for
several minutes, but finally the thief
loosened from the janltor's grip jumped
to his feet, and bounded ont of the door,
but he left the little box of sacred ashes
behind. Dunno followed as quickly as
he could recover himself, shouting to
the guards below to stop the fugi-
tive, but the wind and the roar
of Lake Michigan's angry waves deaf
ened the shouts. The man became
lost in the corridors, and when Dunno
finally reached Guards Rash and Roach
to notify them of the attempted robbery
and struggle, the thief had made his
escape. W. E. Curtis, of the Latin
American department, was at once
notified. After an inspection of the
place he ordered railing built in front
OF the pedestal to protect it from further
intrusion. At midnight the railing had
been built, and the ashes were consid-
cred safe.