The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-05-07
Awful Massacre and Plumber of
Americans at Panama.

Awful Massacre and Plumber OF
Americans at Panama.
To the Editor of the ~. Y. Tribune:
Sir One of the most frightful
b~utcheries and robberies of Americans
took place at Panama on the night OF
the 10th April. On the afternoon OF
that day the passengers per steamer IL
knois arrived at the Railroad Depot at
Panama on their way to the steamer j.
L. Stephens, but owing to the low tide
they were detained on shore. A por-
tion of the passengers by the CoYtes
from San Francisco, were also stopping
at the several hotels IN the vicinity of
the depot. There could not have been
less than 900 or 1000 Americans con-
gregated about the railroad terminus.
About sunset a difficulty occurred be-
tween one of the Illinois passengers and
one of the negroes, which was freely
Joined by friends on both sides, and a
general row now commepeed. Pistols,
bowie knives, swords, muskets, clubs
and rocks were freely used, and with
deadly effect. The Americans were
generally unarmed, having only a few
small revolvers, and consequently, after
a short struggle, had to yield the ground.
The natives were reinforced by large
numbers. They now made an attack
upon the different hotels, and drove all
the inmates out, many OF whom sought
safety, as they supposed, in the depot
building.
About this time the police fGod save
the terml) was called in requisition; but
instead of attempting to restore order,
it is positively known that a portion of
them joined the negroes and made the
assault upon the depot. The police
and negroes fred upon the crowd, and
drove every man, woman and child from
the building, who in their fright ran in
every direetion-some to the boats, and
others to the thick brush and woods,
where they remained during the night,
and with the expectation of being muir
dered when daylight appeared. A large
number we're fortunate enough to get on
board of the small steamer, and were
conveyed to the J. L. Stephens.
After the natives had accomplished
their work of death, and dispersed all
from the ground, they commenced plum
dering the baggage, and destroying eve
rything to be found in the hotels. The
passengers, in their sudden fight, left
and lost everything. After p%lundering
all to be found in the hotels, the black
mob attacked the depot building, which
contained a large amount of luggage
and treasure, all of which the ~rascals
obtained. They then commenced to
tear up the railroad track, and to pull
down the Telegraph poles, and destroy
ed both Railroad and Telegraph Offices.
They were aware that the express goods
would be brought over from Aspinwall
that night, and had laid their plans to
seize them. They tore up the track in
the vicinity of the depot, in order that
the engine might run off; but through
the exertions of Mr.. Williams, Ia con-
ductor on the road,J the Express train
was stopped by his signals before reach
ing the fatal point, and the lives of
those on board and the goods were saved,
and the train put back to Aspinwall,
where it remained at the time the Phi
Ladelphaa sailed.
I rave no means Of knowing the num-
Der killed and wounded. There were
twenty five Americans found dead i'm
mediately around the depot in the morn
ing, most of whom were passengers on
the C0Ttez, but this number is probably
not half that were murdered. Of the
number of natives killed, but little could
be ascettained; but few, comparatively,
1 think, were slain.
During the night some scattering
Americans were picked up from time to
time BY the police, and escorted to the
gates of the city, but with the requisi-
sition of from SIS to $50 each for sc
and in several instances they we're
robbed of all money, watches, and other
effects found upon their persons, and
lives threatened in case of resist
ance.
Soon aftes the commencement of hos
the Governor of Panama
and the American Consul were on the
ground, but their exertions to quiet the
riot proved Intellectual.
1t is reported by some of our passen-
gers that the Governor in the first in
stance tried to restore order, but after
ward encouraged the murder and plum
der. My slight acquaintance with Gov.
Deas forbids mo from giving any Gre
1ence to the latter report.
The Spanish portion of the inhabi-
of Panama were much frightened.
house and place of business was
instantly closed and barred, and but few
ventured out on the balconies during
night. The hotels in the city were
and guarded until morning.
Ofthe amount of money and other ef-
fects left by the passengers 1 can give
but an imperfect idea. It is supposed
BY many that not less than $780, 900
would cover the amount. True it is
that a large sum is lost, and much moro
probably than ever will really be ascer-
Yours, &c. N. RAWSON.
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