The Placer herald., 1856-05-10
From the Alta.
Massacre Of Americans at Panama.
Ntty Killed and Wounded

Have lull dCCOuHtS vi InOSI HOrrlDle OCCuI-
renee at Panama, on the 18th April which
was desperate conflict between the native
and the passengers, in which about fifty
Americans or passengers by the steamer
from New York were killed by the natives.
1t appears that the signal for this attempted
massacre of the passengers was difficulty
that occurred between man by the name of
Jack Oliver, a steerage passenger, and
native fruit vender Oliver purchased
piece of melon of the native, and did not pay
Immediately the full price for it, there being
a difference of five cents between them.
The native drew his knife in threatning at
titude, as though he would settle the dispute
by a resort of his weapon. Oliver raised the
skirt of his coat and disclosed pistol
attached to his belt, and informed the native
that he was prepared for any such attack.
AS soon as soon as the pistol was shown, the
native caught it by the breech, and Oliver at
the same time seized the barrel. During the
scutfle which ensued the weapon was discharg
ed, and although crowd was all about the
parties, no damage was done. Report of the
pistol, and the scuffle between the parties fur
nished a sufficient excuse for the natives to
make a general attack upon all the passengers,
and the assault was commenced almost nstan-
taneousy in every direction. 1t is the opln-
ion of the passengers generally that this
attack was preconcerted, and been maturing
for several weeks. The supposed cause of this
animosty of the parties against the J.. Nj.
S. s. Company, the Railroad Company, and
the Yankees generallg is the fact that the
improvements to facilitate travel upon the
Isthmus have deprived the lower class of ma
tives consisting of negroes and half boods
of the means Of plundering from passengers
while making the transit of the lsthmus, by
way of extravagant charges and enormous
fees. The last grievance of these people has
been the use of the little steamer Iobogo, to
to convey passengers to and from the steam
er.
This has cut off the last hope of any en-
ployment for them in conveying the passen
gers and freight from ocean to ocean, and
they now seem determined to destroy the
property Of the Railroad Company, and of
the =. NJ. S. S. Company, and even to take
the lives of passengers to secure what they
demand. After the first conflict between
Oliver and the native, the former and some
fhis friends pursued the latter into the su
burbs, and with his knife killed, and by this
time depredatiois were being perpetrated
wherever Americans could be found to attack.
Most of the passengers were unarned, and
many of them having women and children to
protect, were in condition to do but little
to defend their own or others lives. Those
who possessed arms had them slowed away
in their trunks, and there was no concert of
action among the passengers so that the ma
tves got decided advantage of them. The
depot or Railroad station, and the office of
the II. NJ. 5. 5. Co. were crowded with the
terrified men, women and children, while
the natives were on the outside and firing
promiscously into the buildings dealing death
and destruction to the innocent and detenc-
less passengers a few of the passengers
fought desperately, but the superior numbers
and position of the enemy, gave them great
advantage.
This engagement lasted about three hours,
in which time about fifty Americans were
slaughtered by these hcartless savages, as a
sort of revenge for fancied wrongs by the
companies engaged in carrying passengers
across the Isthmus. There is deal of com
plant made against the p. NJ. S. S. Company
for not preparing properly for an emergency
like that which has occurred. 1t appears
to be well understood that such an attack
has been contemplated for a long tme and
it is feared will be repeated. even with great
er violence and effect. This may be the
commencement Of their hostiities against
those who may be called to pass through that
country.
The details of this horrid and hcart-rend-
ing scene are more than we can crowd in a
single article, and we must content ourselves
by merely giving an outline Of the bloody
and sickenng tragedy. We have listened
to particulars and instances Of the innocent
and helpless females, with their little ones
about them, that were really heart-rending,
but space forbids us to recount them at the
present time. 1t was a fearful moment, and
one fraught with such scenes as we never
wish to record again. TO behold thousand
passengers of all ages and sexes, crowded
together into a frail railroad station without
any means of defense, and subject to the
deadly aim of a savage foe without, when
each shot marks its victims among the shrek
ing women and children, is sight not to be
coveted.
One of the most affecting incidents we
have heard mentioned, was the case of an
infant, which fond mother was affectionate
ly pressing to her bosom, when Il deadly shot
selected the little sleeper for victim, and it
was torn bleeding from her embrace.
1t is thought that all this destruction of
property, and nearly all the massacre might
have been prevented, had there been proper
means of defense at the Railroad Station, by
way of arms and ammunition, which should
be kept there continually for emergencies
like this.
Complaints are also made about the police,
or the officers of the town, who appeared
to be foremost in the attack and the most
efficient in the massacre, when they ought to
have restored quiet.