Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1856-05-13

1t Panama on their way TO The steamer J.
Il. Stephens, but owing TO the how tide they
were detained on Shore Abortion OF The
passengers by The Corlez from San Fran
cisco, were also stopping a. he several ho-
Iels in the vicinity Of the depot. There
could not have been less than 1000 or g..
900 Americans congregated abou. the rail.
road terminus. About sunset difficulty
occurred between one Of the Illinois pas
sengers and one Of the negroes, which was
freely joined by friends on both sides, and
general row now commenced. Pistols,
bowie knives, swords, muske,s, clubs and
rocks were freely used, and with deadly ef. |
feet. The Americans we're generally un.
armed, having only few small revolvers,
and consequently after short struggle had
to yield tie ground. The natives were re.
inn.so,ced 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 (God save the
term!) was called in tequisition; but instead
OF attempting TO restore order, it is positively
known that purtion Of them joined the ne
groes and made the assault upon the depot.
The police and negroes fired upon the
crowd, and drove every man, woman and
child from the building, who in their frigh.
ran in every direcIion--some 10 the boats,
and others TO the thick brush and woods,
where they remained during The night, and
with the expectation Of bel ng murdered when
daylight appeared. A large number were
fortunate enough TO get on board Of the
small steamer, and were conveyed 70 The j.
L. Stephens.
Alter the natives had accomplished their
work Of death, and dispersed all from the
ground, they commenced plundering the bag.
gage. and destroying every thing tha. could
be found in The hotels. The passengers, in
their sudden fighs, left and los. every thing
After plundering all TO be found in the ho'
tells, the black mob auacked the depot buid-
ing, which contained large amour. Of lug.
gage and treasure, all of which the rascalS
Obtained. They then commenced 10 tear
up The railroad track, and to pull down the
telegraph poles, and destroy ed both railroad
and ,elegraphic Offices. They were aware
,ha. the express goods would be brought
over from Aspinwall that night. and had laid
their plans TO seize them. They lore W
the track in The vicinity Of ME depot, in or
der ,ha. the engine might run off; bu
through the exerlions Of Mr.. Williams, "a
conductor on The foad) the Express lrar
was stopped by his signals before reaching
The fatal point, and the lives of those OF
board, and the goods, we're saved, and tht
train pu, back 10 Aspinwall where i, re
manned a, The time The Philadelphia sailed
have no means Of knowing the numbe
killed and wounded. There were twenty
five Americans found dead irnmedla,el !
around the depot in the morning, most
whom were passengers on the Cor,ez, bu
this number is probably not half that wer
murdered. flhe number Of natives killed
bul liule could be ascertained; but lew, com
para,ively, think, were slain.
During The nigh. some scattering Amer
cans were picked up from time 10 time b
ihe police. and escorted 10 The gales OF IN
city, bu. with the requiSi,ion Of from Us
$50 each for so doing, and in sew eral il
stances they were robbed of all mo nel
watches, and other effects found upon lbe
persons, and their lives threatened in c,,s
Of resistance.
Soon alter the commencement Of hos,ili
ties, the Governor OF Panama and the Amer
ican Consul were on the ground. but lhei
exer,ions TO quiet The rio. proved Intellectual
is reported by some of our passengers lha
the Governor in the first instance tried Il
restore order, but afterwards encouraged III,
murder and plumber, My sigh. acquain
lance with Gov. Deas foroids me from CIV
ing any credence TO The latter report
The Spanish portion Of the inhabitants o
Panama were much frightened. Ever,
house and place of business was Instant.
closed and barred, and bul few ventured ou
upon the balconies during the night. TIL
hotels in the city were closed and gua-de
until morning.
OF the amount OF money and other effect
lost by The passengers can give bu. an i'm
perfect idea. 1t is supposed by many iha
= not less Than 100000 would cover tn
amount. True ii is ,ha, a large sum is los
and much more probably Than ever will b
, asceitained.