Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-14
Terrible Massacre on the Isthmus.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.

We have further particulars cfthe dreadful
massacre on the Isthmus between the Amer
leans and natives, an account of which was
given under our telegraphic head yesterday.
Isappears il occurred at Panama instead
of Aspinwall, as has been stated. The
following version of the murderous affair
was furnished the New York Tribune by a
passenger:
On the afternoon Of the 18th Of April the
passengers Der steamer Illinois 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 portion Of the passengers by the Cortes
f44.IIp ff4E4a.Ip San Francisco were also stopping at
srSss~ss ~s--s-:--sky of the depot
or l.200 Americanss essS eSasss,.sha ssss than 1000
the railroad terminus About sunset diff
Guilty occurred between one of the Illinois
r4ssengers) notorious character from New
Orleans, known az g New York Jack,"l and
one ofthe negroes, which was freely joined
by friends on both sides, and general row
how commenced. Pistols, bowie knives.
muskets, clubs and rocks were freely used,
and with deadly effect The Americans
were generally unarned, 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 (God save the
term J! was called in requisition but instead
of attempting to restore order, it is positively
known that a portion of them Joined the ne
groes and made the assault upon the DEPOT
The police and negroes fred upon the crowd,
and dreve every man, woman and child from
ha h1rI h. -. a. - r.
ry dIrection-some to the boats, and others
to the thick brush woods, where they remain
ed during the night, and with the expectation
OF being murdered when daylight appeared.
a large number were fortunate enough TO get
on board the small steamer, and conveyed TO
the j. l.. Stephens. After tho natives had
accomplished their work of death, and dis
persed all from the ground, they commenced
plundering the baggage and DESTROYED every
thing to be found in the hotels. The passen-
gers in their sudden fight, left and lost eve-
rything After plundering all to be found
In the hotels, the black mob attacked the de-
pot building, which contained large amount
of baggage and treasure all of which the ras-
Gals obtained. They. then commenced to
tear up the railroad track, and to pull down
the telegraph posts, and destroyed both rail-
road and telegraph Office. They wereaware
that the express goods weuld be brought over
from Aspinwall that night and had laid their
plans 70 seize them. They tore up the track
in the vicinity Of the depot in order that the
engine might run off; but through the exer-
tons e ar. Williams, Ia conductor on the
rg;'i ! the express train was stopped by bis
s,snais eefore reaching the fatal point. and
the i'yes Of those on board and the goods were
sa'edl and the train put back to Aspinwall,
wnere u remained at the time the PhiladeI-
phia sailed.
have no means Of knowing the number
killed and wounded. There were tventr .fva
Americans found dead immediately around
the depot In the morning, most of whom were
passengers from the Cortes but this pumber
but this number is probably not half that
were murdered.
baltimore Clipper.