The record-union., 1892-11-15
REGOLLBCTIONS OF A PIONEER.
A Memorable Journey TO the Golden
Gate in EARLY Days.
Incidents on the Trip Across the 18TH
mus-Cholera and Fever Raw
ages-Sad Scenes.

The 1st of December, 1852 Gust forty
years ago., found me, accompanied by
my wife, in New York ready to start for
California. The steamship Uncle Sam
was advertised to sail for Aspinwall in
day or two. She was a new vessel, and
this was TO be her first voyage. [ went
early to the Office and secured tickets for
my wife and myself with a good state
room above decks, for $40, which in
cluded our passage from Panama to San
Francisco, but did not include our pas
sage nor hotel bills across the isthmus.
These alone, with our bills for extras on
shipboard, would now almost purchase
first-class tick cts from New York to San
Francisco, through in five or six days
without stopping.
When 1 reached the steamship COM
pany's office 1 met a gentleman named
Wambold, who was on his return to Cal
ifornia and whose acquaintance I had
made the winter preceding, during the
session of our Legislature. of which body
he was then member. 1t was
a MOST FORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE,
AS the reader will learn further on, as he
could speak Spanish as well as English.
lost no time IN inviting him to join our
little party while crossing the isthmus,
which invitation he accepted.
we were on board early on the morn
ing of the day of sailing. The ship was
crowded and confusion reigned, as is
usual on such occasions. We reached
ASplnWall NOW ColOn) after a pleasant
voyage OF eight or nine days, arriving in
port just before night, and through the
kind invitation of the captain, my wife
and l spent the night on board the ship,
while the balance of the passengers
sought quarters in the village.
The next morning, after breakfast we
went ashore, and when we all had Sc
cured our baggage we took the cars for
the Chagres River, distance of twenty
miles, which was then the end of the
road. The track was constructed thus
far mostly through a swamp and upon
piles driven in the mud
NATIVE CUSTOMS.
We reached the river in about two
hours, and. as there was no depot of any
kind. we were obliged to stand i'll the
broiling sun for an hour to receive our
baggage. Through the exertions OF Mr..
WambOld, we soon had arrangements
made with some natives to carry our
party Of twelve or fifteen and baggage
up the river to Gorgona, distance of
about twenty-four miles, on bunggo-
which is the native name for flat-bOt
toned boat with phaeton-like top and
runway around the outer side of the gum
vale, where the boatmen walk back and
forth, from three to six on each side.
With long, irOn-pointed pole, which is
made for the purpose, set firmly upon the
rivers bottom, and with a tight grip on
the pole, the boat was propelled as the
men walked from stem to stern. When
there were ladies on board, the boatmen
wore breech-cloths, but when there were
ture's garb The boats, the while, were
constantly passing and srepaSSing each
other. Il believe 1 have read somewhere
that the true lady sees nothing not in
tended for her eyes, and hears nothing
not intended for her ears.)
We arrived at Cruises, a small Spanish
town, eleven miles distant, just before
dark and spent the night in the village.
When we returned to the river the next
morning we found many other bunggoes
had arrived during the night and were
moored alongside of ours for some dis
tance above and below.
ALMOST A MASSACRE.
When we were being seated in our
bunggO, preparatory to starting, gentle
man named Sanford from San Francisco,
who was one of our party and who, in
order to reach our boat, and meaning no
harm, stepped upon the adjoining
bUnggo. One of the boat men, a half
breed Spaniard and negro, and most
wicked-looking fellow, gave him vio-
lent SHOVE, intending to throw him in the
river, but failed. Sanford drew his re-
volver and the negro ran and jumped
down the open hatchway in the stern of
his bunggO. Sanford Sprang after him.
pistol in hand and at fun cock
ran, and on looking down the hatch
way saw the negro lying upon his back,
with Sanford standing over him with his
pistol thrust in the negro's face, who was
''as white as sheet" begged Sanford
not to shoot, and upon looking up saw
standing by my side boatman with his
long, iron-pointed pole ready drawn to
run Sanford through the back, and be-
hind him stood one of our passengers,
with pistol in hand, ready to fire.
The boatmen came running with their
poles from every quarter, and in less time
than it takes to write IL there was a line
of this sort formed from where the two
men were extending up the river bank,
and to the streets of the village, where
every second man had his pole drawn
ready to strike, and behind him stood
passenger ready to shoot. At this
MOST CRITICAL MOMENT
Mr.. Wambold appeared on the scene.
and speaking earnestly-frst in Spanish,
and then in English-exhorted the ex-
cited men, in their native tongue, to de-
sist and put aside their weapons. He at
length succeeded in attracting their at
tention, while thus they stood. For a
few moments not man in this long line
stirred.
1t was a most exciting scene. Their
weapons were finally slowly lowered.
Better counsels had prevailed, and peace
was restored. Had their been blow
struck, or a shot fired, the Chagres River
would have run crimson with human
blood.
We reached Gorgona without further
difficulty or delay, and were met at the
landing by scores of natives, some with
saddle animals, some with pack animals,
and others with no animals, and ali
clamoring for the privilege of carrying
us and our baggage to Panama. We
patronized those having animals, and
through the efforts OF our interpreter,
Mr.. WambOld, we soon had arrange
ments made for both saddle and pack
ANIMALS. But, unfortunately.
THERE WERE NO sIDEsADDLEs
To be had for the ladies. Consequently
they were obliged to ride man-tashion,
for which emergency most of them had
come prepared. When we had eaten our
dinners we found our animals awaiting
us at the door Of our hotel, but the ladies
We're too modest to mount in the little
town and we We're obliged TO lead their
animals some distance on the road TO a
more secluded place, where they were
seated in their saddles, amid much mer-
riment. But when We mad reached Pan
anna, the next day, drenched by the rain
and bespattered with mud, they could
ride through the streets OF the old Span
iSh city with rs much assurance as if they
had ridden astride all their lives.
We rode ont about eight miles to a
log cabin, where we spent the night. Be-
fore dark many more passengers arrived.
The parties Of whom we had hired our