The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-02
Colonel r Sae Of the Panama Railroad
IS the most influential man in the new Republic
WarWicks Of Situation

,h.)
weaknesses OF the Panamaian character, 4
4 is enthusiastic, fertile-mlnded, adroit and
most capable. He Is carrying to-day q
card hastily penciled at the moment
when Panama Independence was I estab-
sl!shed, and signed by the mem bers OF tho
junta, on&which is attested the fact that,
but5forf the assistance rendered by II. G..
Prescott, the Republic Of Panama could
never have been creat ted. N II Q knows down
TO its Eminutest details Just what part
the railroad, by its command over trans
isthmian traffic, is fitted to play in tho
affairs Of the country, and during the
whole separatist conspiracy he was recog-
nized. as first aid-de-camp to DIR. ANA
COR. the chief conspirator.
Personally, Mr.. Prescott is open
hearted, generous and s1vable. Easy
hammered always smiling, the Panama
ians delight to acknowledge him as ono
Of their own number. lie maintains
comfortable home in this city His wife
is a native Of Panama, although ono of
her ancestors on either side was an
American, who settled here during the
conlplishcd, Mrs. Prescott is a. leader
In nll tho social functions Of the new
ca nitaJ, and since Mr.. Prescott has no
Thought of ever quitting the country, the
new republic wili know him as one Of Its
most prominent citizens and important
/ figures.
e GENERAL, JEFFRIEs, ADMIRAL.
a short, stock figure, broad and power
fully shouldered and exuding an atmos-
pberc OF aggression topped by round
had bearing sparsely deposited crown
of light brown hair Is to be seen on the
streets Of Panama daily. This figure
approaches with rolling walk, quick and
energetic, and behind rather pallid COM
nIeXion blue eyes spark, and twinkle.
Everybody in Panama knows and re-
| spects the man-H. o. Jeffres, an Amer
lean citizen, a native of New York city.
| who formerly held the rank of, general
| in the Colombian army and who Is now
admiral of the navy OF the Panama re-
Public Jeffries is one Of the foremost
characters Of the Isthmus. and next
!. to shaler and Prescott no American'herc
| had more important part to play IN
| the recent revolution than he did.
Although he is a typical soldier OF! for
tune, Jeffres resents that appellatlon.
| Born of a Virginia famiT which has held
| portions OF the Old Dominion for more
| than two centuries, he first drifted into
| Central America nearly1n score of years
! ago as n civil engineer on one of the
Nicnraguan Canal surveys. Tn these
| ATTITUDES he has been ever since. He
| las fought In nearly every revolution
| from tho borders Of Peru to those Of
| Mexico, and as n brave and dauntless
! ccmhatant he enjoys an unrivaled repu-s
| tntion. His loyalty to tia cause III
which lie cnlists has never been i'm
reached. lie. carefully avoids anything
resembling tho demeanor Of the swash-
buckler, but he cnn throw moro lead
and throw it quicker md surer. than any
other man In South or Central America,
ard he is respected accordingly,
BURIEs UNFORTUNATE AN1ERI-
CANS.
| IIe has figured In romance and history;
he has busled himself for many years
| looking aftar distressed Americans in,
| tl.esc countries, and 1t Is creditably ro-
ported Of him that he has, at his own
| expense, buried no less than $50 Amerl-
cans who have succumbed to the rgors
| OF the tropical climate. Among this
! number have been four American con-
| suls and he Is now educating In Wash-
| irston the children of an American con-
| sui who died here and left his family
| destitute.
1 A. naturas fighter, expert In the ham
| ding OF men on land or sea, capab BILE OF
| navigating ship Jeffres. whose years
| have been spent In revolutionary strife,
| Is kindly disposed and most genial IIe
spenks In low tones, holds himself above
| bcasting is devoted t. his family, which
| consists of q charming young wire, WnoW
| he married In Costa Ricn, and u little
daughter, and Will so to any amount of
| trouble to accommodate a friend II was
,lrgely under General Jefges that Gem
| crnl IIuertas, COMMUNICATIVE chief of tho
punamaian army, secured his military
i training; but Jcffries would r,aly upon
! Americans rather than upon Panama-
\ ians. AS Ii result, his flagship, the Third
| OF November, recently rechrlstenad from
i the Twenty-first Of November, Is prin-
l ciraly Differed by Americans. Tho cap
4 tain. who Is little more than q pilot, is
a native, and so are tho sailors; but In
tho responsible posts, rs engineers, nrtll-
larists, etc. Americans alone arc TO ho
i found. ~ 4.tg tx
JEFFRIEs BROUGHT HUERTAs
OVER.
In the recent revolution Jeffries--wlio Is
said to have declined any remuneration
for his services-was picked to effect the
capture OF the Colombian gunboat Car
/ tagena That vessel was expected at
1 colon about the time the separatlsts had
planned to declare the Independence OF
the Isthmus and It was arranged that
Jeffries. with seventy men, should cross
4 the lsthmus ard seize her IN tho name
4 4of tho republic, Her appearance as q
Il transport spr 46o Colombian sold!ars rus-