The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-01
KING OF THE ISTHMUS;"
SHALER, EX-HOOSIER,
REAL RULER OF PANAMA

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PACED
Gays. When the United States shall have
become firmly established on the isthmus
and undertaken the management of the
live upon his competence; but Just now
the Observation-Disclosures. genial, courteous
With the old-school Southern type of cour-
tesy, and buoyantly active-is carrying too
much OF the burden of the new republic
Tor him 10 think of laying IL down.
when, on the Attn Of November, Colonel
Torres was hesitating about accepting the
sum OF $500 gold offered him If he would
take the troops that had landed
Cartagena. II looked for a time as though
OnIy the release of Generals TOvar and
Amaya. who were held prisoners OF the re-
public at Panama, would avert a clash be-
tween the Colombians and the American
marines. Torres insisted upon seeing and
comforting with the two generals. The Of
hcials OF the new republic Were ioath 70
grant his demand; Torres could not run
the risk of crossing the isthmus to probable
arrest. II was then that Herbert @. Pres
colt. assistant superintendent or the Pana-
ma Railroad. with headquarters at Pana-
ma. took charge Of this end OF the situa-
ton. He demanded that Tovar and Amaya
b. produced at the railroad station In this
CITY. and his demand was granted.
a special train was in readiness TO trans
port them across the isthmus and Prescott
made himself personally responsible to the
4,fnta for their safe return To custody. Com
mauder Hubbard. OF the Nashville, had is
sued an order forbidding the transpOrta-
zion Oh AFIlrQ men III tllItS ulItCllOl ny
the railroad. Prescott did not propose to
violate this order. but he had to run the
risk OF TOvar and Amaya trying TO escape
o. OF an attempt being made to rescue
them. lie was. therefore. justified when he
agreed 10 let about twenty-five Of his
friends. who wished to reach Colon, take
MASSAGE on the train. That each one of
these friends carried a revolver in his hip
pocket was a fact Of which Prescott was
officially ignorant. but so determined Is his
own fsposition that. had TOvar or Amnya
trick q alpefnp. or had an ATTEMPT been
mad To rescue them. Prescott knew his
frieuN would not see him Outwttted. 1t
hapTEned that Torres 20 the
temI hilton offered by 5000 before the spe-
cial left Panama. but the incident shows
that Prescott Is not without resources, and
that be understands the art of doing things
fn ~ right way
AAIADOR'S CHIEF AID.
Ne TO Colonel Shaler. Mr.. Prescott is
the lost formidably prominent man on the
sthnsus His position is one OF extreme
IMPORTANCE. He has lived long in Central
AmeAcan countries. although still a young
man. speaks Spanish like a native. under
stands most intimately the weaknesses ~
the panamanian character. is enthusiast.
fertlg-minded adrOit and most capable. lie
is cArFytng to-day a card hastily penciled
0r tnet mumen when Panama independeIca
WAS established. and signed by the mem
hers or the Junta. on which is attested the
fact that. but FOR the assistance rendered
by II. c.. Prescott the Republic OF Panama
could never have been created. He knows
down Co IFS minutest details just what
part the railroad, by IT'S command over
trauei@thmian traffic. Is fitted 10 play in the
Rnairs ri the country. and during the
whole separatist conspiracy he was recog.
niZed as first aid-de-camp to DR.. Amador.
the chief Conspirutor.
Personally Mr.. Prescott is open-hearted,
generous and l0vable. Easy hammered. al
ways smiling. the "Panamanians delight GO
4cknl wedge him as one OF their own num-
bar Hc maintains n comfortable home IN
this -ifT. Ills wife is "A native or Panama.
nItnpA1h one Or her ancestors on either
flae Has au American who settled here dur
iTg tae forty-niner" days. Beautiful and
eecompushel, Mrs. Prescott Is a leader in
at the social functions Of the new capital
ana since ar Prescott has no thought oi