Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-05-03
The Terrible Massacre on the Isthmus
Further Particulars

We have further particulars of the dreadful
massacre on the ishmus between the Americans
and natives, an account of which was given I'M
der our telegraphic head yesterday. 1t appears
it occurred at Panama instead of Aspinwall
has ben stated The following version of the
murderous affair furnished the New York
Tribune by passenger:
On the afternoon of the 18th Of April the pas
sengers per steamer Illinois arrived at the rail
road 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 pas
sengprs by the Cores from San Francisco
also stopping at the several hotels in the vicinity
of the depot. There could not have been less
than 900 or 200 Americans congregated about
the al lroad terminus. About sunset difficulty
occurred between one of the illinois passengers
ia notorious character from New Orleans, known
as New York jack and one of the negroes,
which was freely joined by friends on both sides,
and general row now commenced. Pistols,
bowie knives. swords muskets, clubs and rocks
were freely used, and with deadly effect. The
Americans were generally unarmed having only
Il few small revoverS, and, consequently. after
short struggle, had to yield the ground. The
tivos were reinforced by large numbers. They
now made attack upon the different hotels and
drove all the inmates out, many of whom sought
safety, they supposed. in the depot building.
About this time the police (C,od save the term,)
was called in requisiiinn; but instead of attempt
ing to restore order, it is positively known that
portion of them joined the negroes and made the
assault upon The depot. The police and negroes
fired upon the crowd, and drove every man, wo-
man and child from the building, who in their
fright, ran in every drection-some to the boats,
and others to the thick brush and woods, where
they remained 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 were con
veyed to the }. l.. Stephens. After the natives
had accomplished their work of death,and disper-
sed all from the ground, they commenced plumber
ing the baggage and destroying everything to be
found in the hotels. The passengers in their
sudden flight left and lost everything. After
pundering all to be found in the hotels,the black
mob attacked the depot building, which contained
a large amount of luggage and treasure, oil OF
which the rascals obtained They then common
ced to tear up the railroad track and to pull down
the telegraph poles, and destroyed both rsilroad
and telegraph offices. They were aware that the
express goods would be brought over from As
pinwall that night. and had laid their plans to
seize them. They tore up the track in the vi :
ci,ity of the depot.in order that the engine might
run off; but through the exertions of Mr.. Will
ans, Ia conductor on the road,) the express train
was stopped by his signals before reaching the ia
tai point, and the lives of those board ond the
pinwall, where it remained at the time the Phlla-
depha sailed;
| have no means of knowing The number killed
and wounded There were twenty five Americans
found dead Immediately around the depot in the
morning most of whom were passengers from the
Cor,ez but this number is probably not half that
murdered.
During the night some scattering Americans
were picked up from time to time by the police.
=, tba utaS of
reo,isitiou of from S. to $50 each for so doing.
and in several instances they were robbed OF all
money! watches, and of other effects found upon
their persons and their lives threatenedn case
Of resistance. . =,
Soon after the commencement of hostilities the
Governor of Panama and the American Consul
were on the ground, but their eNer'iohs u qu'e'
the riot proved Intellectual.
The Snanish portion of the inhabitants OF Pa
mama were much frightened Every house and
place of business was instantly closed and barred
and but few entered out upon the balcony curing
the night The hotels in the city were closed and
guarded until morning. >,
The writer saysi is believed by many that
100000 in money and effects were lost ny the
passengers: He gives list ct over oosnf1erers'
principally cabin passengers, whose aggregate
loss in money. clothing, jewelry, &c. amounts
to Sal 1886 Among them are Samuel. M. Wagg
ner of Baltimore, (tbe heaviest sufferer who
was robbed of Sd. 900 in money. and SOU IN elo-
thing. jewery, &C.; A Dougas.of Baltimore rob
bed Of 81 300 in money and $3.50 in clothing.
&c; C. Loveday, of Baltimore robbed of $3.50
in money and $500m clothing, &c. W. w. VII
Iiams, af Tennessee, robbed IT 800 IN money
&c, A. A. Looher. Of Philadelphia $3.50 q. II :.
Johnson, wife and two daughters,of Illinois "a
800; Mrs. Scoffrey and four daughter. of Cal,ior'
MIA So $50. and G. w. Ingersoll. of Ohio S3o'
The Storage passengers, it is SAID have gen
orally refused to make known their losses unit