Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-03-11
IN THE PIONEER DAYS
MEMORIES OF OLDEN TIMES. BY
CAPT. J. G. PARKER.

MEMORIES OF OLDEN TIMES. BY
CAPT. }. G. PARKER.
Incidents Of 4 Trip via the Isthmus Over Half
Century Aso-S Some Account Of the In
habitants and the Habits Of the People on
the Narrow Strip in Those Dsys-Arrival
San franciaco and People Met at the Golden
Cate-Trip to he Columbia and the Sound.
PART FIRST.
In the winter of 1850 and 1851, !
left Detroit, Mich, for California. l
intended to 60 on q sailing vessel via
Cape Horn. Several sailing vessels in
New York were advertised for that
route, one for the isthmus of Panama
and one for Nicaragua. Waited a
fortnight in New York for the ship
Comet to sail; she did not receive car
60 fast enough to suit me, therefore l
left New York on the initial trip Of
the fine side-wheel steamship Illinois,
Captain Hartstein, for the isthmus OF
Panama. Icame out as messenger for
Gregory's Express company, the first
express company established on the
Pacific coast.
After q pleasant run of about eight
days we made Navy bay, anchored
abreas. the mouth Of the Chagres river
and disembarked in the ships boats.
Landed at Chagres, a Spanish Indian
village, represented by about 400 ma.
tives and Indians speaking the Mexi-
can language, and $50 American and
foreigners. 1t was their rainy season
and the warm rain fell mildly, quietly,
softly and steadily. The weather was
excessively warm, 90 much so, that
the natives had very little use for
clothing, which consisted mostly of .
hat and shirt.
The mode of crossing the isthmus OF
Panama At that time was to 60 up the
Chagres river in bungoes (canoes)
about thirty-five miles, to the village
Of Gorgona, then across by the noun.
tain paths the balance of the distance
to Panama, either by saddle animal or
on foot. There was the usual rush
and excitement Of each passenger to
get there first. Some enterprising
Americans had succeeded in getting in
running order very small stern wheel
steamboat (the first that I ever saw,
and I was exceedingly fortunate in
being one of the favored few who we're
allowed to pay . monopoly price for
the ride to Gorgona. This distance
We made in two days, tying up at
email native village the first night,
while some OF the canoes that were
heavily loaded were from four 10 six
days making the same distance. The
trip up the river was to me exceed.
ingly novel and delightful. The seen.
cry and climate were tropical, the
foliage on the river banks was beauti.
full and alive with chattering parrots
and monkeys. Some Of our passengers
interested themselves in shooting at
alligators.
We arrived at the native village of
Gorgona (the head Of steam navigation
for very light draft boats) At about 9
o'clock Of the evening Of the second
day. Upon our arrival there, one Of
our passengers, Colonel Johnson, i'm.
mediately hired . canoe and native
crew, and started up the river for
Cruces (the city of the Croases), some
ten miles further up the stream. He
said be was in . hurry; that he was
the first man ashore from the steamer
Illinois. and that he would be the first
man to arrive at Panama. Some Of
the passengers went ashore and STUN.
bled around in the dark. laid down
on my rubber express sacks and slept
serenely.
On the following morning I was
very agreeably surprised to recognize
in my landlord OF the Hotel Casa
Grande," "a one.story, .roomed,
thstched hut) an old friend and &C.
quaintance, Mr.. White, formerly .
prominent hotel clerk Of Auburn, N.
Y. and he entertained me in the most
hospitable manner. At . late break.
fast he informed me that two parties
OF our passengers mounted on mules
had left that morning early for Pana-
ma. Mr.. White noticed my impa.
tience to start and quieted my nerves
by furnishing me with q very hand.
some muscular mule and an excellent
native guide, and bidding me hea rty
:" bueno dias," remarked: "You have
the best mule ON the isthmus and .
No. guide"
On account of tho excessive amount
Of rain which had fallen, the trails
from Gordons were In q terrible condi.
ton. In my lifetime experience l
have never seen any to compare with
them. On the way over, my guide cut
side trails through cane brakes, and
we foundered through innumerable
swamps and passed numerous saddle
and pack mules, hopelessly mired and
abandoned by their riders and packers.
Some OF the poor animals were strug.
Cling for life, while others were lifeless
animals and their packs abandoned.
Crossing the isthmus then was not
what it is now. l left Gorgona at IL
A. M. in whole suit Of good clothes.
arrived at Panama same day at about
P. NJ, and my clothes were all hang.
ling in rags and ribbons. On the way