New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-19
KINGS RANSOM IS
BROUGHT FROM MEXICO
Jewels Set in Cold, Carried to
New York by Priest.


ransom in jewels, blazoned in the
royal eagles of Spain at the time of
Charles V, lies under guard at the GUS
toms house here, awaiting appraisal.
The gems, set in gold on white and
purple robes and mounted on two
golden crowns, were brought into
New York by a Catholic. priest clad
in shabby clothes, who fled from
Mexico City month ago, made his
way to Vera Cruz, and sailed aboard
the steamer Montevideo. The Monte
video reached New York March 6
with this priest and six other fugitive
priests, who had been banished from
Mexico by General Obregon, Carran
za's lieutenant at Mexico City.
In Battered Suitcase
From the depths of a battered suit
case, the gems and robes were tum-
hled out upon the dock for inspec-
ton by the customs authorities. They
so dazzled the inspectors that they
were hastily put back into the suit
case. Under guard, they were taken
to safe deposit vault, where they
were locked up and spec1ai watchmen
detailed to guard them Rough esti-
mates placed their value at from
100000 to 100000.
This rich prize, it is said, lay in the
cathedral of Mexico City-presum-
ably for centuries-til1 it slipped
through Carranza's fingers in the
fight from Mexico of the priest who
brought it to America. The name Of
this priest was temporarily withheld
by the customs authorities. It was
learned, independent OF the customs
officials however, that the priest had
said he hastily packed the jewels and
robes in his suit case When General
Obregon called for a church tax Of
100000 and locked up many Catholic
priests in Mexico City till the tax
should have been raised
Gorgeous Robe of Purple
An archbishop's robe of purple is
the chief article Of value. The robe
is Of silk and apparently Of great
antiquity. Wrought in diamonds
and emeralds, rubies and pearls, on
the front of the robe so that it COW
ers the wearer's breast, is the an
cient Spanish coat Of arms consisting
of double eagles, back to back, wings
raised, necks back, beaks open. The
entire design is done in gold In which
the gems are mounted and the robe
is very heavy.
customs officials believe there is
truth in the story told by the priest
that the robes were sent to Mexico
in the sixteenth century. It was in
that period that Spain was at the
height of her power and her ruler.
Don Carlos I, was known as Charles
~ of the Holy Roman empire.
Sr Jewel Studded Crowns
Next In value to tne archbishop's
robe are two gold crowns, mounted
with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and
sapphires. Some Of these gems, it is
said, are as large as hazel nuts.
There are spaces left on the tops of
these crowns for other jewels and
the uncut gems to fill the vacant
spaces bangle, secured by sillxen
cords, from the crowns
Several smaller clerical robes, in
purple and white silk, some Of them
spangled with gems, others plain,
complete the lot. What their value
is has not been determined. The
priest who carried them from Mex
leo to New York in his we'll worn suit
case declared them, it is said, at
100000. Experts in gem values
are trying now to appraise them for
the customs authorities.
Under the law providing for the
admission of antiquities free of duty.
it is possible, it was said at the GUS
toms house, that the robes and gems
would be admitted to this country
without charge.
Meantime, the obscure priest who
brought the gems and robes into the
country is waiting, without divulg-
ing his identity, for the appraisal.
The customs authorities would not
say who Or where he is.