The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-03-05
ISABELLA JEWEL WENT CHEAP.
Dinmonc Pawned to Aid Columbus In
His First Voyage.

1..mOus Isabella diamond, alleged 10
be one of the original gems pawned
by the Queen of Spain to pay for the
voyage of Columbus which resulted
In tho discovery of America, has
brought to light some interesting de-
tails Of the histor. of this and other
gems. 1t was sold In Denver to sat-
isly note given by Elizabeth Tabor.
widow Of Senator H. w. Tabor, who
was one OF the most picturesque char
acters of the West.
The jewel, valued at $25, 900, was
one OF collection that has figured
In Western courts more than any sin
gle lot In existence. The entire as
sortment, estimated to be worth pos
sibly $4,000. was sold to John Ma
son of this city. the only bidder, for
$3.50.
Mrs. Tabor was the second wife of
man whose career reads like a
page from some romance. Once a
prospector for gold. he discovered the
Natchless Mine, near Leadville,
which made him many millions. He
built fine business blocks in Denver,
including the Tabor block. the Tabor
Grand Opera House block and other
fine buildings. He was an idol of
the people. HC was elected 70 the
United States Senate and took
prominent place In the affairs of the
West.
Then reverses came. He lost his
fortune. His wife died and he mar
ried again, and then, when he reached
the depths. he passed away. His sec.
ond wife, with the estate all gone, the
jewels pawned and sold and nothIng
lett If the former splendor. now lives
with her only daughter IN a log
cabin near Leadville. close to the
famous mine. which made the Sena-
tori wealth.
The collection of jewels which has
passed. out of the hands of the Tabor
es ate was par. of the gifts made by
the Senator to his second wife. The
Isabel la diamond was the principal
ole In the collection. 1t was brought
to Denver from New York with Of
fetal papers which authenticated It's
history, and was transferred to the
Tabor collection through a local jew
o,ry house. That was twenty years
ago. Since then Il has been the sub
ject Of almost constant litigation.
Arlong the jewelry in the collec-
tic was .. belt valued at $1,000,
wiic' was the only one of the kind
| In the world. 1t was made In almost
perfect imitation of big snake and
was OF eighteen carat gold. The two
eyes consisted of two brilliant dia-
mords, the tongue was made of
sparkling rubies and the tail was
formed Of beautiful green emeralds.
! The belt was made Of hundreds Of
pieces SO Joined together that 1t could
be coiled and placed around the body
with as much ease as II made from
leather. The other Jewels In the col
lection consisted Of earrings, brace
lets. and loose diamonds.
The collection was pawned with
the First National Bank of this city.
through Herman Powell, to secure a
! note for $4,000 owing Powell by the
Tabor estate. 1t was sold by Powell
| to satisfy the note and in that way
| got into the vaults of the bank. Eff
| for IS were made to sell the gems pri-
vatel, through commission appoint
ed for that purpose. This resulted
in suits being brought In court to
haze them sold at auction.
The Tabor estate at that time was
considerably in debt and the widow
was meeting with the first of the re-
verses which finally completely en-
quilted her. The popularity Of the
| late Senator caused steps to be taken
by his friends three years ago to set
tie The claims. Mrs. Tabor was en-
| abled to retain the Jewels. One year
ago she was in want and she pawned
| them with the Continental Trust
| Company to secure loan of $3.50.
| This loan she was unable to take up
and the present sale followed.
A pitiful climax to the tragedies of
the Tabor family was presented when
the sale was over. An elderly gray
haired woman. who declined to give
her name or reveal her identity 9TH
| er thai. to say that she was a close
personal friend of Mrs. Tabor, was
present to watch the disposal Of the
gems At the conclusion of the sale
she motioned the purchaser to one
side and with quivering voice asked
hii not to sell the smallest gem in
the collection for while. 1t was
Mrs. Tabor's engagement ring which
had gone with the others, and she
wanted an opportunity to save 1t If
possible.
Mason. who bought the collection,
will give part of the jewels to his
wife and the others will be sent East.
The Isabella diamond, the most val
liable in the collection, shows the ef-
feet of age, and in order to restore
Its brilliancy, 1t will have to be re-
cut. The danger Of injuring the
gem through that process, has de-
tracted from its speculative Value