Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-03-04
Interesting DeScrip-
tiOn OftheOld His
tOric City
Population Decidedly Mixed.
JamaiCanS Being Half
and Many Italians
and Chinese

An interesting description of the
city of Panama as it is today is con.
tanned in letter received in Tacoma
from Fred Bllenburg, who is on the
United States flagship New York,
which is in Panama waters Ellen.
berg is well known in this city, and
the letter was sent to friends in
Tacoma. It bears date of February
6, Bllenburg writes:
Panama is approached from the
sea through an open channel 10
miles wide. extending from Point
Pinos to Cape Mala, giving easy ac-
cess to sailing ships, which under
favorable winds, are able to anchor
in the harbor without the usual as.
sistance of a tug.
There are several small islands in
the bay one of which-Dead Mans
island-contains the graves Of seafar-
! ing men who succumbed to the yel-
low fever which is prevalent here at
times.
"The tide is quite high and at its
ebb the boats from the ship can
not touch shore, and passengers are
taken ashore in small boat or on
natives backs.
"The city Of Panama was formerly
is upon the gentle slope at the foot
wellfortifed city, forming a noble
appearance from the sea, built as it
OF Mount Acorn, which slope affords a
natural drainage system to the city.
The appearance of the city is very
deceiving from the sea. The houses
are built Of brick and stone, mostly
in old Spanish style. There are many
streets narrow and cobbled.
"The Notifications are in partial
ruins, although parts OF the old ram.
parts are still in use. The police
force is efficient and well equipped,
and it seems that all the men not
members Of the force are engaged in
driving carriages and other public
conveyances, and who constantly
waylay the tourists like the rickshaw
men of Japan.
"The population consists Of over
one-half Jamaicans, with the remain.
ing population of Jews, Italians,
Chinese and quite a few Americans.
The wealthy foreigners and the
highborn native Panamanians con.
stitute the high class, and between
these and the remaining population,
or lower class is a marked distinc.
ton.
THE greater bulk of the business
carried on is importing and export
ing. The city has bank and a large
cathedral, which seems entirely out
of place, situated as IL is among the
shops and dwellings of the natives
It's spacious architecture appears
cramped by its surroundings. There
is also another church on Santa
Anna plaza, which was presented to
the city by the Panama Canal com.
pany Several missions, public and
parochial schools, a convent and
Catholic college afford excellent edu. |
cational facilities.
The stores are mostly all general
merchandise, with French Jewish |
and Chinese proprietors. The Chin.
ese handle the best silks, but the |
present war tax raised the price to ,
almost par with the American goods
A large well-stocked market in which |
the vegetables and eggs are sold by |
the Chinese, and the meat, fish, etc,
are sold by the natives, affording |
quite a choice in marketing. There
IS not much native shipping. Dugout
canoes are used for fishing, etc.
"The habits of the natives and peo-
pie in general are uncleanly and un-
sanitary The yellow fever hospital
owned by the canal company is well
managed and clean, but the charity
hospital Is dirty and not well kept
January, February and March com
prise the dry season, when perfect
weather prevails, with deliclously
cool nights
"Coaling facilities are good, and
Pocahontas coal can be purchased
for about $3.50 per ton, although the
means for loading the lighters Is IN
adequate for large ships
Steamers leave Colon for New
York every week, making the passage
in seven days. We can always de-
pend upon our mail arriving every
Tuesday. Steamship lines connect
Colon with the Spanish Main. Europe
and the West Indies. The Pacific
Mail Steamship Co. runs line OF I
steamers from Panama 70 San Frah-