The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1904-01-15
fated vessel. The Washing toms

small boats were the first to begin
picking the men from the water, and
Its crew saved many OF their lives.
Over a hundred women aud children
were kept on the Washington for two
days and nights at Colon. They
were given their meals and the best
service the ship afforded, and no
charges were made at all. After the
trouble was over this boat brought
the commissioners to New York, and
later took the treaty to Panama to be
signed. When it was brought on
board, Captain Jones was given
printed letter OF instructions. In
which it was stated that his charge
concerned $50, 900, 900 worth of inter
ests. The valuable document was In
cased In a steel box made especially
for 1t, and this box was contained In
a stronger and larger steel safe. Two
smaller steel boxes contained two
keys, which were sealed with the
seal OF the United States. There was
considerable red tape to be gone
through with In delivering the treaty
to the proper authorities at Colon,
because 1t was neither freight, bag
gage, mail or express. 1t was one of
those little jobs of Uncle Sans that.
as the saying goes, "had to be done
Just So"
An incident occurred during the
"bloodless instruction" which caused
stampede among the black popula-
ton. There are thousands of negroes
outhe isthmus, who were brought
here from Jamaica, and other islands
of the West Indies, to work on the
French canal. When that fantastic
izzle spent itself they were left Ito
root hog or die" Most of them are
Englis subjects and while they are
miserable, poverty-stricken lot, their
one pride Is that they are subjects of
Great Britain. 1t stands them well
In hand, because II saves them from
being pressed into service for military
duty. 1t is to the credit of the Eng
lish officials that they look after them
in this respect, and prevent them
being imposed upon. II the preteu-
ders to authority, or those who have
so frequently to defend their position,
were allowed to round them up and
force them to carry arms, they would
not last long. The stampede referred
to waused by an accident. One OF
the volunteers, who was not used to
handling firearms. while In the act OF
examining his weapon, allowed 1t to
go off. The bullet went between his
toes and 1t was all so sudden that he
thought the enemy surely had him.
He let Out a yell and started to run.
Several hundred negroes who were
louuging In the vicinity, curiously
waiting for developments, heard the
shot and yell, and started a precipi-
tate rush for safety. AS they ran
they spread the news and gathered re-
cruits. The retreat OF Britain's black
brigade on that warm, warm morn
ing, was not success from a stand.
point of order, but deserves special
mention as regards speed. Some OF
them are probably running yet.
Panama has waited long to gain
the center OF the stage. 1t is as gray
and worn as an old man. 1t has
seen enough sorrow to make thous
and tragedies. Its green swamp is
the lair of death, where fever. like
Sinking thief, always turks In hid
ing. Yellow Jack is an invisible hor-
ror. 1t advances with noisless steps
and clutches, Its victims with flesh
less hand. Ever as 1t passes, there
are Qeau men anu WOmen' lnls
shapeless, hiding thing, which strikes
unseen, is the real defender of the bar
that God laid down to mark the sepa-
ration OF the seas. II 1t Is His su.
preme will that the waiting oceans
blend their waters, He must make
strong the arm that Is preparing to
strike the barrier away; He must
guard the blow that will shatter the
mountains by calling of the shade
that strikes so ruthlessly through the
jungle. ]. Hsskin, In Sun
ny South.