The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-09
The Dreadful Massacre at Panama.

The public mind will be more than ordin-
arily shocked by the particulars Of which
we are now in possession Of the terrible out
rage which took place ut Panama on the
18th Of April. BY the almost simultane-
GUS arrival Of the Cortcz from San Francis
co, the Philadelphia from Havana, and the
Illinois from New York, congregation Of
not less than 1000 passengers was assembled
round the railroad depot at Panama, pre-
pairing to 90 on board the John L. Stephens,
their baggage lying scattered on the ground.
Terrible fights between the natives and
foreigners have been of too frequent occur
renee on the lsthmus since the emigration
to California commenced and difficulty
unfortunately now occurred which led to o
frightful slaughter Of the passengers and a
wholesale plumber Of their property. The
story runs that one Of the passengers, called
/" New York Jack" was drunk, and had
been strolling about for some time, insulting
all persons whom he met. Near the depot,
he stopped at fruit stand kept by native,
and got into quarrel with him as to the
price Of u piece Of watermelon. a pistol
was drawn by the rowdy, and the native
aourished his knife in defence. Tho fellow
fired, when he was instantly stabbed by an
other native. In moment general riot
occurred, when knives and pistols were flour
ished without restrint.
Several were shot, and a great many stab
bed with knives. As soon as the fight be-
came rather general among those who hap
pened to I've near, the hombres shouted scar
dho Americana" and hundreds of the ma
tiyes rushed like demons into the conflict
Bugles were sounded for the police, and in
few moments, 20 or 80 appeared, armed
with muskets and fixed bayonets, AT this
stage of the ARRAY, Mr.. Ward the American
Consul, Mr.. Center the agent, and Mr..
johnson the superintendent Of the railroad
company, and other gentlemen OF influence,
interfered, and for moment quoted the
mob; which, however, had increased in the
interval, and assumed some appearance OF
organization. At this moment some base
spirits among the passengers, who seemed to
have but little regard for the safety and well
fare of Others, rushed out again, discharg-
ing reyolvers, and arousing atresh the yen-
geance of the natives. The conduct of the
police is variously represented. One account
simply says that they did more harm than
good. Another statement is that, consisting
mostly Of black natives of the country, in
full sympathy with the masses and hatred
of all Europeans, but especially Americans,
they commenced firing on the passengers,
killing as many Us their miserable ability
would allow. The passengers were gener-
ally unarmed and entirely defenceless, and
the miscreants shot them down while en-
deavoring to escape from the melee. 1tsoon
became evident that the principal motive of
the rioters was plumber, as an active rihing
at the baggage at the depot Immediately be-
gan. The freight house was riddled with
balls. The Pacific House, in the neighbor-
hood, was filled with passengers. The po-
lice and desperate band of the natives
broke in, cutting and shooting at everything
that opposed them. The liquors were drunk,
and the interior Of the house completely de-
stroyed. The savage rioters next proceeded
to the Ocean House, which was crowded
with men, women and children, to the num-
Der of $50 or 800, and wherelike havoc was
perpetating, the police killing and wound
ing many, and pillaging everything that
came in their way The depot was next at
tackled. About 500 persons were here as
sembled, several Of whom were killed on the
spot. Hundreds of trunks and packages
were broken open and the floor was cover
cd with blood. The passengers fled in all
directions, some to the beach, some to the
woody thickets, which were not far of, some
towards the city wall 1.-THE gates had been
closed Mt the commencement of the outrage)
and nearly all to be met with again and ex-
posed to the fire and knives of the inluria-
ted brutes. An attempt having been made
TO get the passengers who were in the vicin-
ity of the station on board little steamer,
waiting to convey them to the John l..
Stephens, the natives formed guard ut the
beach, and stripped men, and women and
children as they approached, taking the wo-
mems rings from their fingers and ears, and
their pins from their cuffs and bosoms.-
Some of the passengers from California were
robbed of thousands of dollars, their clothes
being cut open to get at the belts containing
money which they had suspended round
their waists. The riot lasted till near MORN
ing. About 80 of the passengers and resi-
dents are known to have been killed, amongst
them one woman and two children; the
number Of the wounded is not known. 1t
is reported that about forty Of the natives
are dead, including several of the police
The williams tore up a portion of the track,
with the view of securing the express mat
ter in u train expected from Aspinwall in
the evening; but the conductor was warned,
and the train ran back. The treasure brought
down by the Cortez had not been landed,
and so was fortunately saved. The riot and
plumber continued till late hour Of the
night. The next morning the rioters, weari-
ed, and many Of them drunk, lay in their
huts and boats asleep; and the passengers
were hurried off us early as possible to
Aspinwall and it is said that us they lett
Panama some Of the natives were quietly
oyerhauling their baggage in and around
the depot but they were advised not to in
tericrc, lest another outbreak should cnsue.
.-.-.