The Montgomery tribune., 1910-05-13
PANAMA ;

the border line OF Costa Rca and Chiriuui have al
ways been hostile and in several instances have
risen against the whites and massacred them The
Taamanca Indians, who still nhabit these parts.
were especially bellicose.
The existence of the "Tisinga" mine has never
been doubted is it considered the product Of
the fertile imagination of the natives Of Chirqui.
At Cana, In the province Of Panama, at the pres
ent time there is being operated gold mine for
merly worked by the Spaniards Several years
ago. while blasting In one of the galleries Of the
Cana mine an aperture was made into what proved
to be buried the remains of gold mine worked
several centuries ago. Leather buckets, with
straps that fit around the forehead and around the
shoulders Of the mine workers and instruments Of
steel were found in good state of preservation
The mouth of this mine had been SO completely
hidden that mining operations had been carried
on for years almost paralleling the entrance shaft
without the engineers suspecting its proximity
Records of the old Cana mine are in existence but
its exact location had never been fixed before.
Gold can be found In almost all the rivers of
Chiriqui. In 1853 there were discovered the first
Indian graves. from which were taken gold orna
ments, stone figures arrow points. etc. Since this
time there have been found in Chiriqui hundreds
of these Indian graves. known to the present day
natives by the name of "guacas." The writer him
self opened up one grave from which he took IS
pieces of pottery.
1t is well-knowu fact that the half-Indian ma
tives of Chiriqui. knowing the whereabouts OF
rich "guacal" prefer to work 1t alone and to sell
needs may require. They are suspicious of the
white man. this suspicion and dlstrust being inbred
In them and handed down in tradition from their
ancestors. who in truth had cause to hate that
race. hunting and exploring party that recently
returned from the vicinity Of Buenos Aires and
Boruca, In the heart of the Indian country to the
west OF David. reported that although they were
not openly attacked BY the Indians yet they were
conscious of being constantly watched; that food
was scarcely obtainabe. and that on several occa-
sions they found the water of the springs muddied
apparently but few minutes before their arrival
II this report be true and there Is every reason to
believe that 1t is inasmuch 1t Is but repetition
of former ones of similar nature. then II Is quite
evident that the party were not cognzant Of the
customs, likings and language of the natives with
whom they had to deal
Odd inscriptions ana decorations are found
carved on volcanic powders In many parts OF Chi
riqu and these inscriptions. according to the In.
dans. indicate the buryipg grounds of the cacques
Many of these decorations appear the pottery
found in the graves and in the chronological report
referred to are classified.
Collaborating copper orc has been found in many
districts in Chirqui. especially In that OF Bugaba
In which "Tisingap Is in all probability located,
the analysis of which has shown is per cent cop.
per bearing two per cent gold,
The Panamanian government Is at the present
time planning the construction of railroad from
David In Chiriqui to the city OF Panama. which,
when built. will greatly open up this part of the
country and make 1t more accessible. The Indians
OF Chiriaui VIII give way before the advance OF
civilization and the earth will give up another OF
her treasures so well hidden fot centuries by ,a-
ture barriers aided by the aveneing hand Of The
svanquished American.