The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-05-25
CENTRAL AMERICA.
Panama.--Its Historic Ruins
and Institutions.
Across the Isthmus, Tropical Beau
y,Scenes and Incidents.
Aspinwall.---West India Islands,
Home Again!
Especial COrrcspondence.)
PANAMA,
NEM YORK, May

NEW lORh, May ioln, 1910.
II was along in the wee hours Of the morning
ofApril 22d that the Georgia came to anchor in
the bay, and by daylight all hands were on deck,
taking in the scene, which embraces more Of
tropical beauty, antiquarian style and historical
"reminiscences Of blood and murder than many
can reasonably imagine.
Panama Bay is one of the largest and most
beautiful bays on the western continent-adorn
cd with many handsome islands, whose yerdurc
affords charming contrast to the broad cxpanse
Of water. From the deck we observed several
ships at anchor, including German, English and
United States mcn-oi-war whose bunting float
ing from their masthcads and canvas airing in
the morning breeze presented picture both in.
tercstng and pretty. In the distance, scrcncy
nesting between two hills, lies the city of Pana
ma, whose adobe buildings and towering church
spires gave the scene u still more beautiful ap.
pearance.
Arriving on shore we were ready to see what
there was and to "takc in" every place of i'm.
portance. The streets are very narrow, of that
peculiar Spanish style which is so characteristic
Of all Mexican aud Spanish towns. Here they
are, if anything, narrower than in any city OF
town on the coast. There seems TO be no princi
pal street for business, or thoroughfare, but all
80 narrow that with few exceptions it is difficult
Tor horses or carts TO pass each other in places
other than the plazas. They are not paved but
hard, sandy gravel, mixed with small stones,
making them tip-top for walking or driving.
The sidewalks are narrow in proportion with the
streets, and 1t is only few streets that you find
walk Of any kind. Where they are il is impos.
sible to walk two abreast; so nearly everybody
takes the street. The buildings in the main are
OF the most primitive Kind, but not so bad as
those / have seen in Mexico There are Il few
very respectable structures and quite good no.
tel, but il seems that the best buildings are in
ruins, Judging from The standing walls Indeed
Panama might De styled "The City Of Ruins ."
Personally can safely say that never was in Il
city which contains many noble ruins as this.
IL Is only short time since the best hotel in the
ely, and also the Bishops palace, were DESTROYED
by Are-the grandcst and most interesting por
ton Of the city. The Panamanians are very un.
lucky in matters Of fire, for building once de.
stroyed Is seldom If ever rebuilt This fact NAV
account 10 certain extent for the most OF the
Iaih5 no" so numerous in the place There are
several Plazas ia the town, but none Of them
o. any great Importance They are not cared for
Al All and hence present forsaken appearance.
LIKE china and other sacred" places of Bible
his'oFy, Panama was walled city, but which is
40" complete ruin and in the worst stages of
ueeay. IN lis palmy days It must have been a.
saeF1a aud safe as Jericho itself for city in
those primitive days, surrounded by a wall Of Tho
magnitude and strength Of this one. mus, Lavo
been impregnablc against all the force 81 col.
warfare Iii said the construction Of M. ' a.,
sosi ss'O"occo' but this is traditionary.
On the main plaza stands the
GRAND CATHEDRAL.
ne hnest ana most imposing edIGee in Central
America. 1t may be interesting for SOM :, :,
learn that in Panama the frst cathedral -, a..
western continent was established ana ri,
diocese consisted Of al North, sou,b and c.,
America Bishop Paul, the presep, Msbon 40 :
IN bis possession documents that were -
b. his predecessors from Leo X. and re,a,.'., =
aud Isabella during 1913 tua.,youe ye.-- 90,
TIE discovery 81 America by Columbus. tn,