davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1904-12-04
Splendid Treasure Amid
Dirt and Crime of
Centuries.
Statue Shows Gautama
as Pure and Eager
Prince.

from his shoulders downward. To this
fact may perhaps be due the common.
but mistaken. description of the 10 as
standing figure. Across and across
his breast are innumerable necklaces Of
gold, set with turquOises. pearls. and
coral The throne on which he sits has
overhead a canopy supported b. two
eXquisitely designed dragons of silver
gilt, each about ten feet in height. Be
hind him is the panel Of conventional
wooden foliage. and the 'Kyung." or
Garuda Bird. overhead can just be seen
In the darkness. Closer examination
shows that almost every part OF the
canopy and seat IS giiaed. gold. or jew
eled.
The crown is perhaps the most inter-
esting jewel IL Is deep cOEonet or
gold set round and round with tur-
Quoise, and heightened by five conVen-
tional leaves, each inclOsing a golden
Image or Buddha. and lncrusJeG with
precious stones. In the center. below
tine middle lear, Is a naWless turquoise
six inches long and three inches wide.
the largest In the world. Behind the
throne are dimlY seen IN the darkness
huge figures standing back against the
wall OF the Shrine all round. Rough
heWn. harbarOus. ana unadOFned they
are, but nothing else could have so well
supplied the background for this treas
emnity or these dark Atlartides, stand
ing shoulder 10 shoulder on altar stones,
where no lamps are ever lighted and no
flowers are ever FtreWn.
Above, on the second floor, is a image
which. after the 10 itself, IS the most
important treasure that the JO-kang
contains. In the southeastern corner OF
this story is the armOry. where the walls
and pillars alike are loaded with ancient
and gr0tesque instruments OF war. From
this room low, narrow passage leads
down half dozen steps into a small
dungeon. where the statue of the guar
dian goddess. Palden-Lhamo is worship
ed. This Is a most amazing figure
The three-eyed goddess. crowned with
skulls, grins anably with mother Of
pearl teeth from her altar. upon her
head and breast are jewels which the Jo
himself might condescend 10 wear.
The Washington times., 1904-12-04
C.A.PaPk2p.

cheerful. The only cloud on the horizon
were occasional alleged business trips
TO Chicago made by Parker.
First Act in Tragedy.
Then came the first tragedy OF the un-
fortunate affair Apparently Mrs. Par
ker wrote TO her son. John W. Parker,
telling him of her doubts and fears. The
young man went TO Cincinnati and re-
monstrated with his father and pleaded
with him 70 break away from the fatal
influence that was destroying him and
wreclSing the happiness of his family.
His prayers We're wasted. apd the hor-
ror OF the situation prayed on he young
mans mind to such an extent that he
was driven to end his existence. He
drank prussic acid on the thirteenth OF
July. and his rash act was entirely in
explicable 70 his friends, who were not
aware of the terrible domestic tragedy
In his home
In the meantime the situation had be-
come intolerable The wronged wife
and Parker's business standing was en-
dangered. From what Is known. it is
supposed that the man explained to the
woman that the end was in sight and
they must separate. Then 1t was that
she commenced to brood over the stu
alton and declare that death alone could
end their troubles and permit them to
enjoy In another world the association
that was being denied them in this
Her hold on the man had become so
strong that his sound business Judg-
ment was impaired. He commenced to
adopt her views OF the hereafter, and
the pair had long talks about the life TO
come when their love would be IN
Swallowed by the conventi0nalities Of
the world and the criticisms OF unsym-
pathetic mater1alists. The Gesterling
woman explained TO him that IL was
necessary that they should die At the
same time, and urged him 10 enter into
an agreement TO end their troubles.
Over Midnight Supper.
The last visit was paid November IL.
The couple spent the day together and
ended il with a late supper at quiet
restaurant. Those who occupied the
The Washington times., 1904-12-04

apparently built in the thickness OF the
enormous wall. Each is an idol crowd
ed sanctuary. Into these obscure shrines
one stumbles. bent almost double TO
avoid the dirt of the low greasy lin
tel Once inside the eye requires some
time 70 distinguish anything more than
the dim outlines OF an altar in the mid
die OF the chamber. On u stand one or
two copper or brass bowls filed high
with butter each bearing on It's half
CONCEALED surface dimly burning wick
in a little pool OF self-thaWed oil. These
dim beads OF yellow light provide all
the Illumination OF the cave. and after
a little one can just distinguish the SOL
emn images squatting round the walls,
betrayed by points and rims OF light,
reflected here and there from the pro-
Jections and edges of golden draperies
or features.
The smell is abominable The air is
exhausted and charged with rancid
vapOrs Everything one touches driDs
with grease. The fumes Of burning but
ter have IN the course of many genera
lions filmed over the surfaces and clog
ged the carving of doors and walls alike.
The floor undcrtoot IS slippery as glass
Statue to TsOng-kapa.
Once under the eastern end Of the Jo-
kang one finds the darkness deepen fast
There Is no light but such as can find its
way under the wide half roofs and
through the trellises. screens and avn
ings which almost entirely close In the
central court. In the gloom one passes
by ancient chapel after chapel where
the dim half light barely reveals the
existence OF the dark recess guarded
by its iron screen. The archaic walls
share with the smooth worn pillars the
burden of the warped rafters overhead
The stone slabs underfoot are worn
into channel and the CRIME OF a
thousand years has utterly hidden the
pictures-if there ever We're any-on the
walls. At last one turns 20 the right
passing close beneath the uplifted fig-
Of Central Asia, 10 IS a contemporary
likeness. and one could wish that there
were more light by which 20 see IL than
Is afforded by the dim radiance OF the
butter lamp before his knees. But his
very posture Is significant, FOR, instead
of having his back 10 the wall behind
him. TsOng-kApa faces south, and this
is the first indication that we are at
last drawing near TO the Holy OF Holes
We have now reached the eastern end
of the cathedral, and are passing be-
hind the trellis work of the inner court +,
in the twilight IL Is difficult 10 dlStin-
guish the half-seen figures which peO-
ME the Feeesses and line the sides Of
! the path along which We grope our
way. Ten PAGES more ana the 10 itself
| is before Us.
The first sight OF what is beyond ques-
/ tion the most famous idol in the world
/ is unCannily impressive. In the darkness
| N is at first difficult 20 follow the lines OF
/ the shrine which holds the god. One
only realizes a high pillared sanctuary
| IN which the gloom Is almost absolute
The Washington times., 1904-12-04
WITHIN THE SHRINE OF BUDDHISMS MOST FAMOUS IDOL

and offices. Ia which the affairs OF Tibet
are debated and administered, lean like
parasites against IL for support. hud-
died together and obscuring the sacred
bility.
Exclusion from its sacred precincts IS
officially pronounced against those also
who have incurred the suspicion or dis
pleasure Of the ruling hierarchy OF
Lassa. and II IS a curious proof of the
autOCratlc power which Is exercised,
with regard TO this cathedral as well
as OF the insignincance of the suze-
rainty. th-t on August II in this year
the viceTCy himself. going in state TO
the JO-kang 10 offer prayer on the oc-
CssiOn Of the Chinese EmperOT's birth
day. had the door shut in his face. To
this insult the opportunity I have en-
joyed OF examining the temple with a
fullness that would otherwise have been
impossible was due.
A Surprising Invitation.
Anxious 10 retailate. the Amban-who
was on a subsequent day grudgingly
permitted To visit the ground floor only
of the 5ulldlng-used our presence in
Lassa to teach the keepers OF the ca
thedral a lesson in manners. At any
rate. 10 our surprise. ii definite invita-
ton was one day extended 10 one or
two OF the members OF the mission 70
make d morning visit into Lassa for
the purpose OF examining the treasures
OF the lnneFmost sanctuary of Budd-
hism. Il was accepted A Chinese
guard OF the residency, armed with tri-
dents. halberds. and scythe-headed
lances, provided our escort and imme-
dlately upon our arrival the great doors,
half hidden in the shadow under the
manipulated propylon, were opened,
and at once barred again behind US.
Just in front, seen through a forest
Of pillars, was an open and veranda-
| Courtcd yard Its great age was At once
apparent. The paintings on the walls
/ were barely disunguishable through Il
heavy cloak Of dirt and grease and Il
was difficult 10 Imagine the COlOrs with
which the capitals Of the pillars and
! the raftercd ROOF overhead had original
| Is been painted. The court Is open TO
/ the sky and is surrounded by none OF
/ the small cnapels which are the chief
! feature OF the inner quadraugles of the
| Jo-kang. The architecture is of the
! Kind inVaFlable ia religious buildings in
Tibet-a double row of pillars carry the
half roof overhead. each supporting ON
| Gus voluttd and carved on both sides.
and charged in the center with a panel
| of archaic carving. The wooden doors
| which secure both entrances Of the first
/ court are of immense size heavily
! barred. and embossed with fligree ring
| plates Of great age.
! At the opposite end OF the court an
/ open door communicates with the sec
/ ond court, revealing q bright mass OF
/ hOllyhoCks. snapdragOn. and stocks, WV
I'd in the sun. The sanctity Of the
| temple obviously increased as we ven
/ ture into this inner court. Its sides are
! boneycombed By small dark chambers.
The Washington times., 1904-12-04

tables near them noticed the two en-
gagged in an earnest whispered CONVEX
sation. They supposed that they were
! lovers INDUCING in tender talk. and did
not dream that the secrecy was 10 cover
the arrangement OF a-suieide pact. The
talk was long and earnest, and at its
end they parted forever. and Parker re-
turned TO Cincinnati.
Five days later the railroad magnate
died suddenly. His death was attrib-
uted to natural causes. and no invests
CATION was made His funeral took
place in ST. Louis three days after. and
the woman so timed the hour OF her
death that the agony Of dissolution.
caused By the powerful poison she swal-
lowed I'm her apartments at the Ven
dome Hotel in Chicago. ceased as his
body was being lowered into the last
resting place.
without Fear, But"
Her original intention seems 20 have
been a simultaneous death. Whether
she held back from a fear OF the un-
known which she was piunging or wait
ed TO be sure that her lover had GER
talnly gone before her. will never be
known. Remorse for the rash agree
, ment may have actuated her in tbs
delay, but at the end she made her de-
cision, and followed the man she loved
into the world beyond without sign Of
faltering
/ She had announced 10 several Of her
/ intimates that she intended 10 take her
own life. and when the letter came that
/ told her OF the exact hour OF his funeral
/ she completed her arrangements to die
| One OF her last acts was 10 take
photograph OF Parker from its frame
and tear it into small bits
Elsie Gesterling was not quite twenty
five years old when she ended her life.
She was a beautiful woman. and pos
sessed a great deal OF natural refine
ment and distinguished bearing. which
she Is thought TO have inherited from
/ her father. It is said that he had noble
blood In his veins. Her great attrac-
tons and polish OF manner caused her
20 receive the sobriquet OF THE Ger
man Princess.
The Washington times., 1904-12-04

and therein. thrown into strange relief
against the Obscurtty, the soft CLEAN
or the golden idol which sits enthroned
in the center Before him are rows
and rows of great butter lamps OF solid
gold. each shaped in curious resemblance
to the pTe-Reformation chalices or the
English Church. Lighted by The tender
radiance OF these twenty or thirty beads
OF light, the great glowing IEass OF the
Buddha softly looms out ghostlike and
shadowless. in the murky recess.
II Is not the magnincence or the
statue that is first perceived and GER
tainiy il is not that which makes ths
deepest and most lasting impression
For this is no ordinary representation
OF the Master. The features are smooth
and almost childish. beautiful they are
not. but there is no need OF beauty here.
Here is no trace OF that inscrutable
smile which from MukdeL 10 Ceylon
s. inseparable from our conceptions OF
the features Of the Great Teacher. Here
there is nothing OF the Saddened smile
OF the Melancholia. who has known too
much and has renowned II all as
vanity. Here, instead. Is the quiet hap
piness and The quick capacity for pleas
ure OF the Toy who had never yet known
either pain, or disease, or death. II Is
Gautama as q pure and eager prince
without a thought for the morrow or a
care for today.
Legendary History of Image.
No doubt the surroundings. which are
effective almost to the verge OF theatric-
ality. account for much. but this beau
tiful statue is the sum and climax OF
Tibet, and as one gazes one knows Ii
and respects the jealousy OF its guard
ians The legendary history OF this idol
is worth retelling. IL is believed that
the likeness was made from Gautama
himself, I'm the happier days of his inno-
cence and seclusion in Kapali-vastu. II
was made by Visvakarma-no man. but
the constructive force OF the universe
and Is of gold. alloyed with the four
other elemental metals, silver. copper,
zinc, and iron. symbOlical OF this world.
and il Is adorned with diamonds. rubies.
laDisiazuli. emeralds. and the unidenti-
fed Indranlla, which modern dtction-
aries prOsaically explain as sapphire.
This priceless image was given by the
King OF Magadha 10 the Chinese En-
peror for his timely assistance when the
YaVanas were OVerrunning the plains OF
India. From Pekin IL was brought as
her dowry by Princess KOnJo in the
seventh century. The crown was un-
dOubtedly given by Tsong kappa himself
in the early part of the fifteenth cen
fury. and the innumerable ornaments
which heap the Khil-kor before the
image are the presents OF pious Bud
dhists from the earliest days 20 the
Two large butter lamps, eight or some
what smaller size. twelve bowls. two
precious Wheels Of the Law" and a
multitude of smaller articles, all or the
same metal
These are arranged on the three
shelves OF the Khil-kor, and the taller
articles conceal the whole OF the image
The Washington times., 1904-12-04
NISsTISa GgStgPllng

For while everything went well, but
the open encouragement the mother
gave her daughter In a life that Ges-
terling bitterly resented. led 10 fresh
pickering and the home was once more
destroyed and the quarrel carried to the
divorce courts.
About this time Parker left the Rail-
way Association and became traffic
manager OF the Colorado Fuel and Iron
Company. From that position he be-
came vice president OF the consolidated
Pere Marquette and Cincinnati, Hamil-
ton and Dayton systems at Cincinnati.
The girl and her mother moved 10
Chicago and apparently the relations
between the man and woman were bro
ken of. In her letters 10 friends written
at this time. Mrs. Parker was very
The Washington times., 1904-12-04

life. which has commenced so happily.
-Four years ago they had domestic
trouble. which resulted In a separation
after the death Of their two children.
who died on the same day Of scarlet
fever, Their death removed the last tie
that held the husband and wife together
and the home became intolerable TO the
man who had left family and friends TO
make the money necessary TO establish
il.
Not long after that GesterlIng visited
the graves OF his children and found
his wife weeping in the cemetery. He
was very much affected and made the
first advances toward a reconciliation.
over the graves OF their two little girls
they promised 10 forget the past and
resume the life OF their happier days
The Washington times., 1904-12-04

costly clothing that his stepdaughter
commenced to wear. and asked FOR an
eXplnation. The girl merely laughed at
him, and told him that the matter was
not his affair. He continued his re-
monstrances, and objected 70 the no
toriety that one bearing his name had
achieved.
Death of Stepsister.
In May. 1903 Mrs. Gesterling left Den
yer for her old home in Hanover. Ger
many. She complained of being i'll. and
her husband sold some property that he
had in Denver to defray the expenses
Of the trip. After her return he quar-
relied with her about the conduct Of her
daughter and the matter terminated in
proceedings for a divorce. This quarrel
was the second 10 disturb their married
The Washington times., 1904-12-04
The Cathedral of LaSSa,
Where Great JO-kang
IS Kept.
Europeans First Visit
to Spot jealousy
Guarded.

IL is not always realized that il is in
the Cathedral of Lasssl, not in the pal
ace outside, that the spiritual life OF
Tibet and Of the countless millions Of
northern Buddhism Is wholly conferred
The policy Of isolation which mas for so
long been the chief characteristic OF the
faith finds It's fullest expression in the
tanatical jealousy with which this tenn
pie, the heart and focus Of Lamaism,
has been slfeguarded against the
strangers Intrusion.
What Tibet Is 10 the rest Of the world.
what Lassa is to Tibet. that the Jo-
kang is 10 Lassa says the London
Times and b Is not entirely clear. in
spite Of more than one sO-called descrip-
ton OF the interior. that any European,
or even native spy, has ever before ven
tured inside, There has, perhaps, been
reason enough for this IL l. possible
that pardon tor having visited the city
Of Lassa. OF the Potala Palace-which
Is in comparison almost a place of re-
sOrt--might have been obtained on
terms. but there could hardly have been
TepTieVc for the luCkiess intruder once
discovered inside these darkcned ana
IWindow.ess quadranglCs. Certainly Meth
CT the ground plan published by Giorgi
/ la the eighteenth century nor amy of the
detailed accounts published more recent
| ly suggest that their authors aIad any
first hand acquaintance with the place.
The exterior Is devoid Of either beauty
Exterior Devoid of Beauty.
or dignity. Tie interior. on the other
hama, is unquestionably the most i'm
2Ortant and Interesting thing in Central
Asia. II Is the treasure house and kaa-
bah. not Of the country only. but OF the
! faith. and il Is curious that while the
magnificent P0tala is casket contain
| ing nothing either ancient or specially
venerated. the priceless gems OF the
1 J0-kang should be housed in d building
/ when literally has no outside walls al
all. All round the cathedral the dirty
and Insignificant council chambers
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-16
ROOSEVELT REPUBLICANS
NOMINATE CANDIDATES
To Represent District at Chicago Con-
demned y Assembled Negroes.

The convention Of Roosevelt Repub-
ncans, called to formally nominate can
didates for delegates ana .alternates TO
represent the District Of Columbia in
the Republican National Convention.
met in the negro Masonic Temple Hall
in Nineteenth Street northwest, last
night. A man named MurreH an EN-.
ploye Of the engineer department OF
the Treasury, with three or four follow
ers. undertook to conduct the meeting
They finally moved to adjourn. but this
was tabled by an overwhelming INA
jority.
A resolution condemning the utter
ances Of Governor Nardaman, Of Mis-
sissippi. against the negroes Of the
country. deplOred that act OF mob vio-
lence which had east a blot on the fair
name OF the State OF Ohio" etc.
T. Il. A. Moore named James W. Poe
as delegate TO the convention. /. J
Allen named Coleman HOrner as alter
note. The men were dominated by a
vote Of Is 10 g. A. 3. Rice then present
ed the name Of DR.. ". S. Richardson
as the white candidate. This received a
number of seconds. He was then
nominated by reclamation.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-16
MRS. MARGARET GRIFFIN
DEAD IN NEW YORK
Succumbs to Shock From a Surgical
Operation-Funeral in Washington
on Friday Morning.

Mrs Margaret Mitchell Griffin. wife
Of Francis Hayt Griffin, of New York.
and daughter of Senator Mitchell Of
Oregon. died in New York yesterday
afternoon as the result Of an operation
performed on Monday morning. Mrs.
Griffin had not been i'll previous to
going 20 the hospital in order TO submit
TO the operation.
Funeral services viii be held on Fri
day morning at 10 O'Clock in St Paul 3
Episcopal Church. TWenty-third Street
northwest, and burial will be In Rock
Creek Cemetery. The body will arrive
in Washington some time tomorrow
afternoon and will be taken 70 the resi-
dence of Mrs. Griffin's sisteTs-in-law, the
All arrangements for the funeral are
being made IN New York by senator
Mitchell, who went TO that city last
Sunday.
Mrs Griffin is well known in Wash
irBtOn, and has many friends here. She
was married a little more than a year
ago to Francis Hayt Griffin. an at
tOrney Of New York. and has since
made her home at / West ICighty-third
Street. Mrs. Griffin was married twice
before. her first husband having been
VIII Handy, Of Washington, and her
second husband. Robert =. Humboldt,
who died in Portland. Ore. In 1897. Two
sons by her first husband are now in the
preparatory school at Annapolis, and
will come TO Washington to attend the
funeral.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-16
BUFFALO BILL"
IS INPLACABLE
Spurns Efforts at. RecOncil-
iati0n With Wife.
SHE WILL RESIST DIVORCE
Romantic Meeting of Couple in St.
Louis When Cody Rescued Her
From Roughs.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb, March 16.-
Notwithstanding the efforts of friends,
there seems no possibility OF a recon
ciliation between Col. William F. Cody
buffalo BID and his wife.
Grea surprise was caused by the an
nOuncement OF the institution of di-
vorce proceedings several days ago. AL
though application was made for the di-
vorce in the district court Of Big Horn
county. Wyo., on January 9. no public
knowledge Of the matter was had un-
til March 70.
Colonel Cody was married in St Louis
March 6. 1866. His first meeting with
his wife was under romantic circum-
stances
At the head Of a body of scouts. he
paid a visit TO St Louis. HIS Wife, then
a schoolgirl. was being annoyed by a
party of rOughs. Colonel Cody went to
her assistance and put the rOughs TO
rout After d courtship Of three months
the girl became his wife.
Incompatibility seems to have been
the cause Of the Cody marital infelici-
ties. Cody charges that his wife at
tempted TO poison him on one occasion.
He further says that she refused 20 en-
terrain his friends at the ranch near
this city. For some time past Mrs.
Cody has been living on the ranch.
while Buffalo BIZ was touring the
Countercharges are made by Ms.
Cody. and she, as a Roman Catholic.
viii fight the charges on religious
grounds
Mrs. Cody's reply in the proceedings Is
due on April ?.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-16
AUCTION SALES.

HAVING SOLD NY LIVERY BUSI-
ness and stand to Mr.. John K. Plunket,
formerly with the Blue Line Stable for
the rast eleven years, I viii sell at pub
lie auction the contents of stable SO New
Jersey Avenue northwest, on MONDAY,
MARCH q. 1904. AT 10 A. NJ, consisting
OF the following goods: 9 Dayton wagons,
8 Jaeger wagons. 8 rubber-tfre runa-
bouts. / fancy Babcock rubber-tiTe buck
board. 2 grocery wagons (goOd ones). 4
top buggieS. 4 Surveys. 1 dray good as
new, 10 head of horses. good livery,
driving or business horses: 80 sets Of haT-
ness. Z sets OF new harness. never been
used; saddles. brides, sleighs, robes,
whips, weights, The entire contents viii
be sold, without a reserved bid, to high
est bidder McGrath & Kennedy. Auc-
tioneers. L. l. PITSNOGLE. mhl3-st