The morning journal-courier., 1908-01-09
A FAMOUS DIAMOND The Recent Sale at. Auction
 of the Isabella
 Diamond. SOME INTERESTING GEMS The Climax to the Tragedies of the Tabor Family--A Pitiful
 Story.
SOME INTERESTING GEMS

The recent sale at auction of the famous Isabella diamond. alleged to be one of the original gems pawned by the Queen of Spain to pay for the voyage of Columbus which resulted in the discovery of America, has brought to light some interesting details of the history of this and other gems. It was sold in Denver to satisfy note given by Elizabeth Tabor, widow of Senator IL A. Tabor, who was one of the most picturesque characters of the west.
 The jewel. valued at sc5,OOO, was one of collection that has figured in western courts more than any single lot in existence The entire assort- ment, estimated to be worth possibly $50,000. was sold to John Mason of Denver. the only bidder, for ss,750 Mrs. Tabor was the second wife of a man whose career reads like page from some romance. once prospec- tor for gold he discovered the Match less mine. near Leadvile. Col which made him many millions. He built fine business blocks in Denver, includ- ing the Tabor block, the Tabor Grand opera house and other fine buildings. He was an idol of the people. He was elected to the United States senate and took a prominent part In the af- fairs of the west.
 Then reverses came. He lost his for tune. His wife died and he married again. and then. when he reached the depths. he passed away. His second wife, with the estate all gone, the jewels pawned and sold and nothing | left of the former splendor, now lives with her only daughter In log cabin near Leadville, close to the famous mine which made the senator's wealth l The collection of jewels, which has passed out of the hands of the Tabol estate, was part of the gifts made hy the senator te his second wife. Tht | Isabella diamond was the principa to Denver from New York with ofiicia papers which authenticated its history and was transferred to the Tabor col lection through a Denver iewelr! l house. That was twenty years az, Since then it has been the subject 0 constant litigation.
 Among the jewelry in the collection was a belt valued at s5,0O0, whicl was the only one of its kind in
 world. It was made in almost per
 feet imitation of big snake. and wa
 of 1S-carat gold. The two eyes con sisted of two brilliant diamonds. tn
 tongue was made of sparkling rubie
 and the tail was formed of beau
 emeralds. The belt was made of hun
 dreds of pieces so joined together tha
 it could be coiled and placed aroun
 the body with as much ease as if mad
 of leather. The other jewels in tn
 collection consisted of earrings. brace
 lets and loose diamonds.
 The collection was pawned with tn
 First National bank of Denve
 through Herman Powell, to secure
 note for s25.000 owing Powell by tn Tabor estate Ii was sold by Powell t satisfy the note. and in that way 20
 into the vaults of the bank. Effort
 were made to sell the gems privatel
 through a commission appointed fu
 that purpose. This resulted in suit
 being brought in court to have ther sold at auction.
 The Tabor estate at that time wa considerably in debt and the widor was meeting with the first of the re verses which finally completely CT gulfed her. The popularity of the lat senator caused steps to be taken | his friends three years ago to sett the claims. Mrs. Tabor was enabled : retain the jewels. One year ago sl was in want and she pawned thel with the Continental Trust compar to secure a loan of sS,650. This loa
 she was unable to take up, and ii r present sale followed.
 z 4 pitiful climax to the tragedies
 the Tabor family was presented wine
 the sale was over. An elderly. sra, . haired woman who declined to ri, t her name or reveal her identity oth, Q than to say that she was a close De
 sonal friend of Mrs. Tabor, was prese,