New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-18
REMOVING COLUMBUS'S ASHES.
AN OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE RECENT PRO-
CEEDING IN HAVANA

Washington correspondence OF The Chicago Record
Although 1t Is very doubtful and IT may be said
scarcely probable, that the human dust which was
was The remains OF Columbus nevertheless the
Spaniards have always maintained that contention
opinion As has already been announced In the
special dispatches to 1.-THE Record from Havana,
preparations have been made for second removal
OF these precious remains 10 Spain and they are
supposed to have gone BY the steamer san hugu gus
lin yesterday Everything thus far has been con-
Quoted with great secrecy and precaution FOR some
reason another but the fooWlng IS arah IS,nh
was prepared for the benefit of history and has
been passed upon by General Blanco. who pro-
The only persons who were witnesses OF tho
General Banco. General Aroas. alcalde OF the city.
the bishop the dean of the cathedral the architect
other persons even though OF influence and author
ity. were permitted TO see the act
cathedral. proce eded to take away the 1apida. or
marble which covered the niche in which the re-
ceDtacle was placed containing the remains. When
this stone was removed box made OF lead, plated
with silver and gold, was disclosed: the size was
on top of IT was small Key with Wnch General annst
Banco the 6ox 10 Dust MI IN
il a considerable number Of fragments OF bone the
5f 1z a aod m SO broen that att Is
possible to state to what part of the body they APP
."rhe bishop introduced his hands in the ashes
stirring them around, and they were covered with
space in the box about three and half to four
inches deep over the entire bottom. In the niche
were found two copies of different records. one
ferring to the carrying Of the remains to San
Domingo and the other TO their transfer from that
place to Havana when the Spaniards left that
island In 1873. The latter record made mention OF
another box Of cedar. which had been placed in the
niche In connection with that containing the re.
mains This box, the record stated, contained
money, medals. crosses and decorations, but 1t was
not to be found. and for this reason quite dis
ciisson between those present General
caused a record to be made of the fact that
this box had been made away with In some way at
some unknown previous time.
tha hog ling w On a cd I'm rard he
remains before transferring them to Spain In the
chapel connected with General Blanco's palace,
but IL was arranged TO leave them in the cathedral
They have been placed In the safe In the centre OF
a clisodia which is valued at SEQ. 900. In arma-
whose key Is kept BY the dean Of the cathedral
The small key Is kept by General Banco.
''rhere absolutely no ceremony. but II Is
pectod and designed TO have their removal from the
cathedral to the steamer made the occasion OF a
celebration with great pomp by both Church and
State authorities. The mausoleum in the cathedral.
which was built to make a permanent resting place
for the remains. was completed In March Of this
year Ii was placed six metres from the main
entrance to the cathedral. It will be taken to Ma
drid with the remains. For the costs OF this the
GQyernment appropriated 5000"