The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-11-28
CANAL DOOMS A
CITY OF ROMANCE
Historic Cruces In Panama
Goes Off the Map.
GOVERNMENT STATION NOW
Town Said to Have Been Gate Of
Transit For Spanish Gold-visited by
Pizarro, the conqueror Of Peru, and
Morgan, the 5ueeaneer.

Pizsrro, the conqueror of Peru, and
Morgan, the 5uoeaneer.
The Panama canal commission has
issued an order for the depopulation of
Cruces, one of the historic towns Of
the isthmus of Panama. and the aban-
donment of the little town, which in
the olden days was known as Venta
Cruz, has already begun. Cruces is
situated on the south bank Of the Cha
Eres river, a little above the site where
will be located the official administra.
ton city of Gamboa. Most of the
buildings In Cruces are of the native
type, with bamboo walls and matched
roofs, the number of houses in the vii
lage numbering sixty, exclusive of the
church and the schoolhouse.
"Cruces." the bulletin Of the canal
commission says, ''is one of the oldest
settlements on the isthmus and in
early times was known as Venta Cruz.
The origin of the town has been de-
scribed as follows:
"The first transit route across the
isthmus, for the transportation of gold,
silver and merchandise from the vari-
GUS Spanish colonies ON the Pacific to
Spain, ran from the city of Panama
to Nombre de Dios, on the shores of
the Caribbean. 1t was cut through the
forest and jungle, over mountain tops
and across mountain streams and was
roughly paved with stones. 1t ran
from Panama in a northeasterly direc-
ton for about twenty miles to a point
on the Chagres river, which was given
the name of Venta Cruz, afterward
changed to Cruces. Thence 1t extend
ed northward to Nombre de Dios.
"A line of posts was established along
the route. 1t was put in use in 1919
and was the sole route between the
two oceans until about 1885, when the
Chagres between Venta Cruz and the
Atlantic, distance of about thirty-six
miles, was made navigable for boats
of light draft, and water route was
established between Venta Cruz and
Nombre de Dios. The land route be-
tween these points was not abandoned,
however. but continued to be used in
connection with the water route.
$50 well was the paving laid that
parts of it remain in position today,
and the entire trail from Panama city
to Cruces Is open and Is used by the
natives as a highway for pack mules
and ponies
The paving of the road referred to is
said to have been the work of Francis
co Pizarro. the conqueror of Peru. A
tollgate is said to have been set up in
| the village In the latter half of the
eighteenth century, and all traffic be-
tween the two oceans passed through
and paid tribute to Cruces.
According to the report made by
Bancroft" the Panama Canal Record
states, "on the fiscal regulations and
commercial decline of the Spanish
colonies, goods to the amount of 1906
346 pesos de orc We're registered as
passing through the Casa at Cruces,
while more than 100000 were SNUG
gled across,
"In their march from Fort San Lor-
renzo, mt the mouth OF the Chagres
river. to attack old Panama, Henry
Morgan and his men ascended the river
to Cruces, Esquemellng speaks of 1t
as follows:
"Thus they proceeded on their jour
ney till noon. at which time they arrived
! at village called Cruz. This village
| Is seated in the latitude of degrees and
| 2 minutes north, being distant from the
| Fort of Chagre twenty-six Spanish leagues
| and eight from Panama. Moreover 1t is
| the last place to which boats or canoes
can come, for which reason they built
| here storehouses wherein to keep all kinds
of merchandise which hence to and from
| Panama are transported upon the backs
| of mules.
"Messrs. Sosa and Arce, local histo-
rians, note that the Chagres river was
first explored from Its mouth to the
interior, probably to about where
Cruces now is. by Captain fernando
de la Serna and the pilot Pablo Corzo
between April and 10, 1927.
"Following the construction Of the
| Panama railroad Cruces entered upon
a period of decadence which has exist
ed until this day.
"Prior to 1911 the village had his
tOric curiosity in the shape of two
wrought iron anchors. According to
| tradition, these anchors were brought
up the Chagres river In boats for trans
| port overland TO Panama, but the plan
was abandoned at Cruces One OF these
anchors stood In the village about 300
yards from the river and the other
alongside the trail about 400 yards
from the river. Each anchor has a
fourteen foot shank The idea was
conceived by Lieutenant Walter d.
Smith, formerly constructing quarter
master of the canal commission, to
send these anchors to West Point. The
anchors were placed on raft, which
subsequently broke loose from its moor
ings and, after floating down the river
short distance collided with a log
breaking In two and allowing the an
chors to go to the bottom Of the stream
They were recovered later. but before
they could be placed on board a vessel
a cable message was received by the
chairman from the secretary OF wal
disappearing Of the plan. The anchors
are now in the yards of the general