Western Reserve chronicle and weekly transcript of the times. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1854-1855, 1855-03-21
THE PACIFIC AND THE ATLANTIC
OR THE DOOR WAYS OF THE SEAS

A canal across the Isthmus is an old
sto:y. In January, 1885, the righl of
way was granted for this end, and in
1886, Col, Biddle obtained a charter,
with the privilege of building r4ilway
instead. But he died, and this and 9TH
er efforts iailed.
In June 1910, the Panama Railroad
Co. was organized under charter from
New York. Next year contract was
made between New Grenada, and John
L. Stephens, for this company. InJune,
1850, the first ground was broken on the
road; in March, 81 Irains were run over
to Gatun, seven miles-in July to Barba-
coma, twenty three miles; in February,
"a, the rail was laid to Obispo, thirty
one miles-thence to Panama-whole
distance 48 miles.
The formal op ming of the Road took
place Feb. Goth.
On the 18th ult., the New York Party
reached Aspinwall, amid the firing of
cannon and general rejoicing. Next day,
or Friday morning, says the New York
Times correspondent, little before nine,
our party, with invited guests, left for
Panama.
The car we occupied was new one
and well adapted TO the climate, the
bottom and back of the seats being of
cane, and consequently very cool. In
half an hour we passed the Chagres at
Gatun, at which station triumphal arch
had been erected, made Of the trees and
bright flowers of the ,ountry. We kept
in sight of the RIVER, against whose rap
id current so many have toiled on their
way to the land of gold. At Barbacoa
we crossed the bridge, 500 fee; lOng-the
river is now small and Insignificant, but
the adjoining land shows what 1t is when
swollen by the rains of the rainy season.
We soon arrived at Matachun-about
thirty miles from Aspinwall-and here
the train was stopped, and we all Procee-
ded to the summit of steep hill, where
was laid the corner stone of a monument
in honor of Stephens, Asplnwail, and
Chauncey, the original grantees of the
Right of Way, and to whom 20 much is
due. A more suitable spot could not be
selected. On every side The most superb
scenery; lofty hills around you, from e
of which, al a distance from the railroad,
can be seen both oceans, while at your
feet are two rivers, one rapidly hasten
ing on the Atlantic and the other to the
Pacific, each to announce, as it were, the
completion of that tie which is to bind to-
gether these vast seas. An address was
delivered by Judge Bowlin, the newly .
appoin,ed Minister to New Grenada.
Alter this ceremony, the party pro-
ceeded to Panama, where banquets and
revelry, speeches and toasts followed, all
assisting in celebrating the day. A wri-
ter speaking of the difficulties of making
the road, says:
At about dozen miles from Aspinwall
we pass d the last swamp, the filling in
of which had cost an incalculable amount
of labor and disheart"ning exertion, but
which now presents a solid and sufficient.
ly secure appearance. In this swamp
Col. Totten, when the forest growth first
cleared away, preparatory to laying the
track, proceeded short distance, travel
ing in a manner contrasting strongly with
the mode now afforded by the railroad.
Finding his mule coull not sc; on, he