The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-01

nlzeu as HISl llU-ue-camp TO Dr. Am
ador, the chief conspirator.
Personally Mr. Prescott is open
hearted, generous and lovable. Easy
hammered, always smiling, the Pana-
manianS delight to acknowledge him
as one of their own number. He
maintains comfortable home in this
city. His wife is a native of Panama,
although one of her ancestors on
either side was an American who set
tied here during the "forty-niner"
days. Beautiful and accomplished
Mrs. Prescott is a leader in all the So
cial functions of the new capital, and
since Mr.. Prescott has no thought of
ever quitting this country, the new re-
public will know him as one of it's
most prominent citizens and impor-
tant figures.
General Jeffries Admiral.
A short, stocky figure, broad and
powerfully shouldered and exuding an
atmosphere of aggression, topped by a
round mead bearing a sparsely deposit
ed crown of light brown hair, is to be
seen on the streets of Panama daily.
| This Inquire approaches with rolling
walk, quick and energetic, and behind
rather pallid complexion blue eyes
sparkle and twinkle. Everybody in
Panama knows and respects the man
H. .. JenrieS, an American citizen, a
native of New York city, who formerly
held the rank of general in the Colom-
bian army and who is now admiral
of the navy of the Panama republic.
Jeffries is one of the foremost charac-
tiers of the isthmus, and, next to Shaler
| and Prescott, no American here had a
more important part to play in the re-
cent revolution than did he,
Although he is a typical soldier of
fortune, Jeffries resents that appella-
ton. Born of a Virginia family, which
has held portions of the Old Dominion
for more than two centuries, he first
drifted into Central America nearly d
score of years ago as civil engineer
on one of the Nicaraguan canal sur
veys. In these ATTITUDES he has been
! ever since. He has fought in nearly
every revolution from the borders of
Peru to those of Mexico. and as a
brave and dauntless COMPLIANT he en-
| joys an unriValed reputation. His 10y
atty to the cause in which he enlists
! has never been impeached. He care
| fully avoids anything resembling the
demeanor of the swashbuckler but he
can throw more lead, and throw it
quicker and surer, than any other man
in South or Central America, and he
is respected accordingly.
Buries Unfortunate Americans.
He has figured in romance and his
| tory; he has busted himself for many
years looking after distressed Ameri-
cans in these countries, and it is cred
IDLY reported of him that he has at his
own expense buried no less than $50
Americans who have succumbed to
the rigors of the tropical climate.
Among this number have been four
American consuls, and he is now edu-
eating in Washington the children of
an American consul who died here and
left his family destitute.
A natural fighter, expert in the
handling of men on land or sea, capa-
bic of navigating a ship, Jeffries, whose
years have been spent in revolution
airy strife, is kindly disposed and most
genial. He speaks in low tones, holds
| himself above boasting. is devoted to
| his family, which consists of a charm-
| ing young wife whom he married in
| Costa Rica, and a little daughter, and
will go to any amount of trouble TO
accommodate a friend. 1t was large
ly under Gen Jeff1ies that Gen. Heur-
| tas, commander-in-chief of the Pana-
manian army, secured his military
training, but Jeffries would rely upon
Americans rather than upon Panama
mans. AS a result his flagship, the
Third of November, recently rechris-
tened from the Twenty-first of No
vember, is principally differed by
Americans. The captain, who is lit
tie more than a pilot, is a native, and
so are the sailors; but in the respon-
sible posts, as engineers, artillerlsts,
etc., Americans alone are to be found.
Jenries Brought. Huertas over.
In the recent revolution Jeffries-who
is said to have declined any remunera-
ton for his services-was picked to ef-
feet the capture of the Colombian gum
boat Cartagena. That vessel was ex-
pected at Colon about the time the
separatists had planned to declare the
independence of the lSthmus, ana II
was arranged that Jeffries, with 20
men, should cross the isthmus and seize
her in the name of the republic. Her
appearance as a transport for 45O Co
lombian soldiers frustrated this scheme,
but it is currently reported, and gen
erally believed, that Jeffries served the
republic most acceptably by engineer
ing the scheme by which Gen. Huertas
was induced to give to the separatlst
the support of the troops stationed
here. Certain it is that Jeffries is high
in official favor, his selection Tor the
post of admiral of the navy, in success.
sion to Ruban Varon, who delivered the
gunboat 21st of November to the revo-
lutionists, being an example OF now
implicitly he is trusted.
OF other influential Americans on the
isthmus Capt. ]. R. Beers, superlntend-
ent of the La Boca terminals OF the
Panama Railroad, is a familiar inquire
Capt Beers is a retired sea captain
shrewd and calculating "down-easter'
who is so highly thought OF that ne
has recently been elected president OF
the leading social club in this city.
Jimmy" Hyatt, whose home is IN
Hyattsville, Md, has been on the lsth-
mus for more than fifteen years, ana
is accounted the most universally pop
ular man in the country. Hyatt hVes
at Colon. where he is American vice
consul but he divides his time about
equally between Colon, Panama ana
the interior. He owns cocoanut groves,
manganese mines, is an extensive
trader with the San Bias Indians, ana
has a most enviable reputation as a
prospector ii being a habit or MS 10
take a "cayuca," a narrow canoe mol
lowed out of a cedar log, and go cruls-
ing along the coast and up ana down
the rivers for weeks at time.
warNicISs of the Situation.
Felix Fhrman, the active member of
the banking house of Henry Ehrman,
is q native of Louisiana, American
vice consul in this city, owner OF the
leading hotel here, a man of charm
ing personality and progressive Ideas.
He has lived here for more than
generation, making yearly visits to the
states and is an ardent supporter OF
tt,o .i..+ aousnass of the revolutionary