The Nome daily nugget., 1935-12-03
Cornelius Vanderbilt

Rivas was appointed provisional president, Corral minister of war and Walker generalissimo of the army.
 Then Corral tried to double-cross Walker, who exposed the minister's plot and had him execut- ed. By this time Walker was virtually dictator over Nicaragua and he ruled with an iron hand. Americans and other foreigners to the number of more than 1,200 had joined him. Some of them were desperate characters who looked for ward to unlimited opportunities for free living and free footing. But they were bitterly dlsap- pointed
 While Walker was master of Nicaragua that country enjoyed a peace and contentment Il had not known for years. But trouble was brew | ing for him on the outside The other Central American republics Costa Rica, Honduras, Salv ador, and Guatemala, were becoming alarmed over the prospect of his forming United States of Central America" as he was dreaming of do- ing, and extending his influence over their coun- tries.
 Great Britain was also becoming concerned over his growing power. If the United States secured control of Nicaragua and dug Nicar- aguan canal, England's commercial supremacy would be threatened. If he extended his power throughout Central America, 1t meant lessen ing of Englands influence there. And France anu Spdln agreed Wlln DTltdln that the eApdn- sion of the United States in that quarter was undesirable
 As a matter of fact their fears were ground less so far as Walkers having an official stand ing as agent of American imperialism was concerned. For he was persona non grata with his own country as much as he was with the others William L. Marcy, secretary of state, looked upon him as little more than a criminal and one whose example might stimulate filibus- tering and embroil the United States In endless difficulties with her southern neighbors. IT. the South he was something of hero but in the North where anti-savery sentiment was growing, his pro-sayery views were causing suspicion and alarm. But even though 1t is doubtful If Walker had any Idea of trying to aid the extension of slavery, he made the fatal mistake of antagoniz- ing the powerful financial interests O. the North, notably the group of men headed by old Cor. | nelius Vanderbilt who had been exploiting Vicar. agua
 They were the owners of the Transit company | which had contract to dig Nicaraguan canal and which was running line of steamers from New York to Nicaragua on the Atlantic side and another line from that country up to San Fran cisco on the Pacific side. This company had agreed to pay Nicaragua S100OO and 10 per cent of Its profits each year in return for monopoly of the carrying trade to and from that country.
 Walker believing that the Transit company had been cheating his adopted country, started an Investigation. The result was that he de. manded settlement of $2500OO which the finan- ciers refused. Thereupon he seized the company's property as security for the debt, revoked its charter and granted new one to a rival com. pany. Old Cornelius Vanderbilt was furious He resolved to smash Walker
 Costa Rca had already started war against Nicaragua and Honduras was preparing to take up arms Both of the hostile countries were being supplied with arms, if not financial sup port, by England. It is said that the necessary financial support was given by Vanderbilt and his colleagues. In a preliminary skirmsh Costa Rican force, led by the Prussian general, Von BulOw, and made up of mercenaries as well as natives of Costa Rica, defeated force of Vicar aguans and filbusterers, led by one of Walkers subordinates, and captured Rvas.
 But it was different story when Walker rode out from Granada in April 1856, with 300 men fourffths of them Americans, to give battle to the army of 3,200 Costa Ricans. Although he was driven from the battlefield, he inflicted such heavy losses on the enemy that they were glad to withdraw.
 mixed army of Leonese and Hondurans next menaced him from the north but by quick work he repulsed 1t, then turned his attention to in ternal affairs. He became a candidate for the presidency of Nicaragua and in July, 1856, won the election with the largest vote ever cast for that office. But he was not allowed to enjoy his