davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

attained the momentum Of the. first
company. The maximum force under
the first company was $4,000 men and
under the second regime 3,00o.es = Z =
The total excavation by the French
l In Panama was 100000 yards. Of
which the first company took out 6o,-
100000 yards. but out Of all their work
only 29.908O00 yards were excavated
from the present American route. For
years before the Americans came the
French did just enough work to keep
their concession alive ~
The mechanical equipment we took
over from the French. the houses and
hospitals ind especially the engineer
Ing records were invaluable from tho
start Of American operations. and
much still IL In use. ~ &si
An effort was made BY the French
company in 1908 to. interest the United
States government In the enterprise.
provided permission could be secured
from Colombia. But this failed. and
the plan Of 1908 for turning the prop
erty over to the United States was its
successor. q lsfsseska 81
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

are sent to TabOga island. ten, miles
out in Panama bay. for final treat
ment. A dairy with l25 cows supplies
fresh milk to the Ancon hospital.
At first Colonel Gorgas was not a
member Of the isthmian canal commits
sion. But the extraordinary ability he
displayed resulted in the separation Of
the sanitary department from the ju-
risdiction Of the governor Of the canal
zone. and on Feb. %. 1907. Colonel
Gorgas was made a member Of the
commission. with the department Of
sanitation having equal dignity with
other grand divisions of the work. He
Is the only official Of the highest rank
who has been with the canal project
from Its earliest days to the present.
The cost Of the sanitary conquest Of
the isthrnus to July 1. 1913. was the
somewhat impressive total Of $4,000
600. Here. as in the pay and treat
ment Of employees. the government
has sought results without regard to
the expense. For the remaining days
of the canal the cost Of sanitation will
be approximately $2,b0o.0oo. or ST.
100000 In all by Jan. I. 1914. which
amount Is nearly $3,000.OO0 less than
the cost estimated for the department
In 1908 HL
r. When the ordinary cleanliness to
which the American or the European
is accustomed is observed In the trop-
les and II .intoxicants are not permit.
ted to dominate the individual life
there will not be the slightest difa-
Guilty In living near the equator.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

The foregoing figures not only cover
those actually at work on the canal.
but as well include those who, while
not regularly employed, are the wards
of the commission when idle. From
1907 onward health has been normal
on the isthmus within the canal zone
with a death rate among the Ameri-
cans frequently lower than In large
centers of population in the United
States.
President Roosevelt selected Colonel
William Crawford Gorgas to clean up
the isthmus because Of his record In
sanitary work In Cuba and elsewhere.
Chief Engineer Wallace doubted his
capacity. and so did Secretary Of War
Taft. but by 1905 the latter was ready
to acknowledge his mistake. Colonel
Gorgas 10 q southern man, native OF
Alabama, and 90 naturally quiet and
reserved In demeanor and department
that men accustomed to measure
man by bluster and self assertveness
make the mistake of assuming that he
IL not strong. His manner and meth
DDS suggest General Robert q. Lee.
There were two prime needs. as Colo.
mel Gorgas viewed the isthmus In 1904,
in any campaign for improved health
conditions. One was to make the 18th.
mus clean and the other was to kill
the mosquitoes. which he considered Q
means of propagating disease. Pracd'
cally everything done by the health DC
partment had been along these main
lines Of theory.
The United States prohted by the
mistakes of the French to the extent
Of reserving. in the treaty with the
republic Of Panama, the exclusive right
b control the sanitation Of Panama
and Colon.
So in 1904 the engineers Immediately
went to work on sewer. waterworks
and street paving plan that would
make of these two Enthusiastically
filthy Central American cities, clean.
decent. sanitary places Of abode.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23
Number Death

Colonel Gorgas found in the early
years of canal work that the Ameri-
cans and Europeans were three times
as healthy US the natives Of the tropics.
who. as Chief Engineer Stevens noted
In 1905. "are supposed to be immune
from everything. but who as matter
of fact are subject to almost every
thing" This somewhat upsets the
theory that northern races cannot live
readily in tropical climates.
Several Of the annual reports Of the
sanitary department have noted the
remarkably few diseases peculiar to
men. such as alcoholism, etc.
Allowance must be made In consider
ing the favorable health showing on
the isthmus to the fact that the en-
ployees In one sense are picked men.
They must be in sound condition when
employed and usually In the prime Of
life. Another thing that has kept the
death rate down among the Americans
has been the practice Of returning to
the United States many patients who
apparently had not long to live. Thus
their deaths were not charge against
the canal zone.
II cannot be assumed that all the
deaths from disease In the canal zone
were from causes that originated
there. The diseases peculiar to the
tropics have not claimed as many vic
tins among the Americans as the dis
eases peculiar to the northern climates.
But there has been a steady improve
ment. as may be noted In a fall In the
death rate among the Americans from
S.14 per 1000 in 1907 to 5.14 per 1000
in 1911.
An incident in the sanitary govern
ment Of the isthmus was an executive
order by President Taft. effective on
Dec. IL. 1911. which prohibited the
practice Of any system Of therapeutics
or healing that the sanitary depart.
ment. the allopathic school. should rule
against The president upon its possi-
BILE application to create monopoly 0f
healing in the canal zone being point
ed out to him revoked the order on
Jan. /. 1912.
Employees are not permitted to re-
main in their homes and quarters
when sick. but must go to the Colon
or Ancon hospital unless the district
physician expressly rules otherwise.
The hospital grounds at Ancon are
beautiful, and convalescent patients
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23
yuIEBRA CUT, THROUGH WHICH THE CANAL RUNS

the Panama railroad In the FIVE years
It was building has been estimated at
5000 persons.
The route selected started at an is-
land near the coast on the Atlantic
side. the site Of the city Of Colon.
crossed the hills into the valley OF the
Chagres river and followed that valley
TO the continental divide. over which
II passed with maximum elevation OF
2t,3 feet above sea level. and thence
down to Panama on the Pacific side.
Treacherous swamps. almost impene
trable jungles and formidable streams
and mountains necessitated incredibly
hard labor and continuous work from
1850 to Jan. %, 1855. when the frst
train reached Panama from Colon.
The line was fory-seven miles long,
built of Belgian rails and on a gauge
Of FIVE feet. .
The standard gauge In the United
States Is four feet eight and a half
inches, so that all locomotives and cars
used on the Panama railroad have to
be specially built with wheels set far
tber apart. ..
The total cost had been $7,47.553. or
about S158.OOO mile. Dividends were
paid every year from 1853 to 1892 and
from 1901 to 1908. when It became
United States property.
The great prosperity Of the railroad
suffered q serious setback with the
completion Of the California overland
railroad In 1869. Thenceforward the
valuable bullion shipments avoided
Panama. az well as passenger and
freight business. The business shows
a steady decline from that year.
Colombia turned to the French after
negotiating fruitlessly with the United
States over a canal concession. and
the company headed by NJ. de Lesseps
was granted a right Of way. It
bought the road for $1,000. 900 in 1881.
paying considerably more than 1t was
worth. or $3.50 share for sixty-eight
seventieths Of the capital stock.
The French neglected the CONNER
cial possibilities even more than the
American owners had. though diVi-
dends were earned during the life ut
the FIRST company. When the United
States bought the interests OF the
French company in 1904 the Panama
railroad was one of the properties
transferred. II was sadly run down.
but under the Americans It was made
over into a modernly equipped and op-
Grated system. though subordinated as
commercial proposition to the con-
struction Of the canal.
Passenger rates dropped from $50
one way ticket In 1855 to $2.4O under
the Americans today. The trip from
| Colon to Panama IL two hours and
half. and the coaches are painted yel-
low because that color best stands the
lsthmian climate.
The plans for the canal as adopted
by the Americans in 1905 played havoc
with the right Of way Of the railroad.
80 In June. 1907. the work Of relocat-
ing It back among the hills out OF
reach of Gutun lake was begun. After
FIVE years work. or as long as 1t re-
uuIred to build the original line IN
1s5O-5, the new line was opened to
traffic in 1912.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

lon. In Limon bay, and was to follow
the valley of the Chagres river for
about thirty miles. thence through the
continental divide to the Pacific, three
miles west of Panama, about where
the canal begins.
BY 1885. however. extravaganza and
graft had empted the company's
treasury. The contractors. as rule,
did little and exacted much. It be-
came apparent. too. that sea level
type presented staggering difficulties.
M. de Lesseps gave his consent to a
change In plans to lock type, but the
dam was to be at Bohio instead OF at
Gatun. Bohio Is seventeen miles from
the Caribbean. while Gatun Is only
seven miles distant from that sea.
All the theatrical methods concetya-
BILE were employed to aoat a new bond
issue for S16O.OO0.OO0. but the public
had grown dubious over the success OF
the enterprise. The amount was rails
ed. however. and was poured into the
project with more millions until 1889.
when. after S234.795,017 had been in
vested. the company became bankrupt.
The French treated their white en-
ployees with extravagant generosity.
Living accommodations were on a
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

The French In Panama.
IA HE Independence Of Panama
from Spain by bloodless
revolution in 1921 had placed
the isthmus In u new position
for other European governments or
the United States to negotiate terms
for concessions. The American peo-
pie were jenlous of foreign activities.
but not aggressively active themselves
In concrete efforts toward canal.
The ever alert French In 1s47. after
securing a concession to build rail
road. allowed It to lapse. It is signif-
cant that this French failure was fol-
lowed. as In the case Of trying to dig
a canal. by a successful attempt by
the Americans.
Three Americans-William 81. Aspin-
wall. John L. Stephens and Henry
Chauncey Of New York. taking ad-
vantage Of the opening made by the
French failure-obtained concession
from the Bogota government In lS49
for building q railroad across the
isthmus at Panama. with the tmpor-
tant provision that no canal could be
constructed there without the COM
pany's consent,
Their concession was for period OF
forty.nine years nfter the completion
of the railroad. but Colombia reserved
the right. twenty years after its COM
pIetion. to purchase the road for
$5.OO0.OO0.
Luckily for the American promoters
the discovery OF gold In California In
lS49 came just as they were seeking
to Hoat their company. The isthmian
route to California at once became
heavily travelled. and the eyes OF the
whole world. particularly Of the Unit
ed States. were again fastened upon
Panama.
The addition Of the territories Of
Oregon and California to the United
States still further emphasized the
need of quick communication between
the Atlantic and Pacific. The Panama
rairoad. therefore. took hold upon the
popular Imagination.
AspinwaIl and his associates pushed
the construction Of the road under
James L. Baldwin. an American civil
engineer Of uncommon ability. Labor
of desirable kind was not obtainable.
Many nationalities were tried. with O
tragic failure ON the part Of the Chi
nese. who seemed unable to face the
terrors Of the jungle. The life cost OF
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

This twentieth century Panama rail-.
road has cost S9.O0O.O00. as compared
with the cost of the nineteenth CEN
tury road. $7.O0O.OOO. an increase OF
$4,000 600 after u lapse Of sixty years,
The dream Of a pan-American rail-
road has been entertained ever since
steam locomotion came into use. When
several gaps are filed In there will be
railroad communication through Mex.
leo, Guatemala and Nicaragua to Costa
Rica. which adjoins Panama. The re-
public of Panama has been planning
an interior railroad system that would
be part Of an all rail route from the
United States to the canal. Before
many years 1t Is likely that bridge
will span the canal in railroad sys.
tenn that reaches from Canada through
Panama to the mainland Of South
America. thence down the west coast
to Valparaiso. @t4
Ferdinand de Lesseps and his Pana-
ma career vindicate strikingly the
truth Of the adage that nothing suc-
ceeds like success. The French Pana-
ma Canal company was foated on the
strength of bis achievement In cutting
a sea level passage from the Mediter-
ranean to the Red sea. thus making an
island Of Africa.
When he turned bis attention to Pan
anna as new field for glory the
French people enthusiastically applaud
ed his audacity and. what Is more sig.
nificant and substantial. invested. 6rst
and last. $265.OOO.0oO in the enter
prise. ~
The French were theatrical In their
plans for launching the enterprise. A
world congress of engineers was In
vited to assemble In Paris In May.
1879. to decide upon the type and cost
Of the canal. n. de Lesseps presided
and guided the decision to sea level
type. the same as at Suez. There were
eleven Americans in the assembly, the
extent Of American interest.
Under the stimulus Of these proceed.
ings the new company's stock was
oversubscribed by the admiring coun-
trymen Of the great De Lesseps. the
FIRST issue being for $60.000000 ID.
de Lesseps then made a spectacular
trip to Panama. arriving at Colon on
Dec. 80. 1879.
The first blast Of an explosive In the
construction Of the isthmian canal was
set or by one Of the young daughters
Of NJ. de Lesseps at Culebra on Jan.
10. 1890. After several weeks of ban
quoting Count de Lesseps left for the
United States to stir the imagination
Of the Americans over the enterprise.
About the only result was to attract
the attention of some contractors to
the work. s e
Operations went ahead rapidly from
1880 onward. the method being to let
contracts for the different phases OF
the work. The canal started near Co
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

scale of open handed llberality. Little
was done beyond building hospitals to
conquer the bad health conditions OF
the Isthmus. and. while the French
left patterns for much Of the later
American activities. the sanitary con-
troll Of the jungle distincdvely Is an
American triumph. The death rate
among French employees on the canal
was from two to three times as high
as under the Americans.
In 1890 an extension Of ten years to
the time for completing the canal was
granted by Colombia. and subsequent
ly extensions were permitted that ad-
vanced the life Of the concession until
Oct. 81. 1910. A new Panama Canal
company was organized in 1894, with
a capital Of s13.OOO.OOO. and. while 1t
spent this amount and more, 1t never
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23
CHAPTER u.
The Life Cost,

n N EASURED in money. the Pan
" anna canal was to cost $685.
" OOO.0OO. This Is impressive.
but there is another item of
cost more important-namely. 1.-The life
cost" or the cost In human lives OF
digging the canal.
Contemplating the record Of the 18th
mus for unhealthfulness. 1t could not
but be anticipated in 1904. when the
Americans took charge. that this cost
would I've heavy. That 1t should be
surprisingly low constitutes more
significant achievement than any saw
ing in the money or time cost Of the
project.
On July |. 1913. the Americans had
been nine years in the actual work Of
building the canal. In that period OF
nine years there were:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

Panama in 1921 caught the spirit Of
revolt and accomplished its freedom
from Spain in a bloodless revolution.
It then Joined the Confederation Of
New Granada, the Colombia Of today,
under Simon Bolivar. South Americas
great soldier and statesman. Here
ended the career of the Spanish in
Panama,
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23
Story of the Panama Canal From Start to Finish

Published by the statler Publishing company.
5ol Fifth avenue. New York city. ,"
Copyright. 1912 and 1913, by William r Scott
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

Another full year before the prac-
tical and continuous operation Of the
completed canal will bring that total
Of deaths, estimating on the average
Of previous years and not considering
unprecedented increases, to less than
6,3OO by July /, 1914. The sanitary
department makes the following report
for the nine year period ending July
1, 1913:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

1911. The following table shows the
number Of American employees. the
total death rate and the relation OF
deaths from disease to deaths by vto-
lence from 1905 to 1911, inclusive:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-23

CoREIGN activities In Panama
were watched. officially and
unoficially. by the Americans
Evening journal., 1913-04-02
HOLD BACK
MONEY DUE
ON POSTOFFICE

Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo
has been enjoined from paying TO
Ambrose b. Stannard, contractor for
the Wilmington postoflce addition,
SS306. the balance due on the local
contract This action has been
brought. it Is said by the Illinois
Surety Company, of Chicago. and the
National surety Company. 81 New
York. sureties for Stannard. the OBJ
iect being to protect creditors OF the
contractor. among them being several
Wilmington concerns who are claim
ing balances due for materials fur
nished to Stannard
Stannard is said to have arranged
to pay all his creditors when the
Government settled with him. but tho
action which has been brought while
il may be merely precautionary. pre-
vents any settlement for the present
The new building has been completed
for sometime. but has not been ac-
ceptcd, although inspectors have re
ported favorably on It and recommend
its acceptance
Wilmington individuals aud con
Germs, which furnished supplies In
connection with the postonice pro.
iect include: The James Bradford
Company. Woodward e Brother
speakman Supply & Pipe Company
John Tyre James Logue Charles
Warner Company and b. r. Higgins &
Company
Evening journal., 1913-04-02
SUNDAY SCHOOL MORkERs.

The April meeting of the New Cas-
tie County Sunday School, Graded
Union was held in Westminster
Church last evening. l. Elmer Perry.
State Superintendent of Sunday
School work. conduct the devotional
services; and officers for the year
were elected as follows Mrs w. ID.
Haddock, president Miss Mary Sterl-
ing. recording secretary; Miss Carrie
Samuels. corresponding secretary
Miss Mary Taylor. treasurer; inter-
mediate vice-president Miss Doud;
Miss A. A. Shippers, junior yice-presi-
dent: Mrs w. B. Smith. primary
vice-president; Mrs. Greenwood,
vice. president OF beginners depart
ment.
Mrs. w H. Haddock gave an illus
trated lesson TO the beginners de-
partment. Miss Nellie Hanson gave
an interesting primary lesson, Miss
A. A. Shippers gave a lesson story
with point of contact in junior work.
The next meeting viii be held at
West Presbyterian church, the FIRST
Tuesday in May.
Evening journal., 1913-04-02
CLERGYMAN
PRAISES POLES
FOR PROGRESS

la Central Presbyterian Church,
yesterday, was held a conference re-
lati,e to the problem OF the Pole
in America. and the formation Of
Protestant Polish churches I'm his
territory
\ iuiuurr OF resolutions were
adopted aud will be presented for
approval at the coming sessions OF
preshytcry Those taking part In the
conference were. the Rev Arthur III.
Allen. OF Buffalo the Rev w =.
Schrivor secretary OF the home mis-
sions board OF immigration, Pro-
fessor Arnold w Flsmer OF the
Bloomfield Seminary Newark, y. j.;
the Row W. r. Schmalorst 4. Clay
ton Wells and w III Wells, of tho
Presbytery of Philadelphia David
w Luck. of Newark. n g., the Rev
Paul Fox and the Rev J. $. Coming
of baltimore. and the Revs Mac
Elmoyc. C.. H. Candee r H. Jackson
and j. n Crawford. OF the New Cas-
lie presbytery
Evening journal., 1913-04-02
POLICE BOARD
WANTS LONG TONS

The Board of Police Commissioners
yesterday afternoon decided to adver-
tise for bids for furnishing 20 tons
of coal to the police department Tn,
commissioners also decided that by
the word ton, it should be understood
that 224O pounds or a long ton IL
meant
In the absence of Chief of Police
Black, his secretary William Schell
acted as secretary TO the commits
sions. Chief Black was detained in
the upper court. The report of the
house sargeants for the week show
ed that S156.90 had been collected in
fines and % men we're committed to
the workhouse.
The report OF the patrol sergeants
showed the automobile patrol to have
covered 353 miles during the month.
There were DAB calls made and 33l
prisoners. patients and witnesses car
ried The two matrons reported thar
ten children were reported lost in
March and Chief Black reported that
the dog taxes for the month amounted
TO $321.S0.
Evening journal., 1913-04-02
WOMAN SAYS
MAN EMBEzzLED
HER $200 CHECK

When the case of George p Dough
erty was called in the Court of Cen
eral Sessions today Richard s. Rod
ney. j. Frank BAN and Daniel O.
Hastings argued for the quashing or
the first count In an indictment
charging nsaShests with the eHibr1-
element Of S2SS from Florence r.
Crumlish. Il was argued that under
the court il did not appear that he
had been fully aud properly advised
as to whom the check belonged Tn,
court refused the motion to Quash ON
the ground that under the count the
defendant had been sufficiently adj
viscd regarding the check
Deputy Attorney General Armon ID.
Chaytor IN opening for the state said
Mrs. Florence H. Crumlish had given
10 Doueherty as agent a check for
S2SS. She had q manuscript OF rcvi-
sion of the DR. Caleb Harlan hooks
which hooks we're printed by the Mer
cnntile Printing Company, she said,
and the check was given TO Dough
eriy. witness said, to pay the bill
DouGherty wanted to 20 west and
take one of the books as a sample 20
set orders The check was given 10
pay for the 1000 books she said but
the money was converted TO his own
use
Mrs. Crumlish testified thar sh,
lived az No. 1915 West Ninth street
and Doughorty was an advertising
solicitor. She said she had oonsulte,
him about the printing OF her bool
and les cost She Identified the
check given TO the defendant on
December rs. 1911
Lawyers for the defense objected
TO many questions hut the objection
were overruled
Witness was subjected 10 severe
cross-eXamination. but nor tesumon,
remained mistaken She said sh'
had asked Doueherty for an account
ing. He said he could give Il to her
George L. Medill, Receiving teller
OF the Security Trust and Safe De
post Company, testified the check n
the case had been deposited TO the
erect of Dougherty
elmer r. Bye. OF the Mercantile
Printing Company, testified his com
pany printed the books. and Dough
erty paid $50 on account of the con
tract price of $3.50. The state theI
rested
The Court took recess until
O'Clock