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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1904)
THE MOKimfo OBEGONIAN, FBIDAT, JAjTOAJ&Y 1, 1904. 55 www, RWl 73' J 3 W The Suffering and Pain Endured by Hany Work m 2.1 set tUvMn UNCROWNED KING OF THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA MERKIIX A. TEAGUE. (Stan! Correspondent of The Oregonlan.) LETTER NO. S. . . . ."PANAMA, R-P., Dec. 20. "King of the Isthmus.", There .is, ..of course, no .real king 'of "the Tsth'musT but that title ls"b'e stowed colloquially and affectionately upon Colonel J. R. Shaler, general super intendent of the Panama Railroad. Colo nel Shaler is the dean of the foreign colony on the isthmus, chief of all Ameri cans, who reside here, and far and away the most influential man in the new re public. That element of the population of which he is the leader having played an important part in the revolution and being, by force of circumstances, com pelled to figure conspicuously in the fu ture affairs of the isthmus, It must be considered. That Colonel Shaler is "King of the Isthmus" is a fact one discovers very soon after landing from the steamer at Colon. All questions are referred to him for decision; his dictum has the force and effect of law, and his advice is un hesitatingly accepted and followed. The distinction conferred upon him by the title he bears was never sought by Colo nel Shaler. It is a natural sequel to his personality and the exercise of his talents during a residence of almost a decade upon the Isthmus, for Colonel Shaler -is a strong man among weaklings; a man of genius among men who have little . ca pacity for the initiation; a man of" de termination among a race of equlvo cators. Veteran of the Civil War. A native of Kentucky, Colonel Shaler carries his 78 years with all the sprlght llness of exuberant youth. Tall and lean, molded like a genuine thoroughbred, with .muscles like steel wires, his bushy hair and gigantic mustache and Imperial are of the whiteness of new-fallen snow. This man a veteran of the Civil War, an ex-, pert in the nanagement of railroad prop erties, fearless and resourceful does each day the work of a man of half his years. Every detail of the management ot the Panama Railroad passes under his imme diate supervision; in his private car ho journeys several times each week be tween Colon, where he residese, and Pana ma attending to the railroad's business. It is true that the railroad, with its 47$i miles of track, is not an immense affair, but as the sole medium of transit across the isthmus and a highway for the com merce of the world, it is of first impor tance, and with its enormous business It requires for its successful conduct the guiding hand of a railroad genius. Is Improving the isthmus. But busy as are his hours with the rail road's affairs, this American "King of the Isthmus" finds ample time for nonofficlal matters. As the executive head of a railroad which has to all Intents and pur poses, under the canal treaty, been sold to the United States Rnvprnmont fnr 57.000.000, Colonel Shaler knows nothing ofl the inside details of the secessionist move ment. Here on the isthmus they say, how ever, that if the whole truth could be known the Republic of Panama would be revealed as being very largely a creature of Colonel Shaler's genius, and In proof of their contention they point to the lead ing role assured by Arango, the railroad's special agent, in bringing about Isthmian Independence. "From the Colonel himself there can be obtained only an admission that the rail road was Interested in maintaining the freedom of transit across the isthmus. It had nothing to do with the revolution it self, and while It lent its freighthouse for a fort on the fourth and fifth of Novem ber, and while Colonel Shaler persuaded the commander of the Colombian gunboat Cartagena to sail away from the Isthmus, leaving Colonel Torres and the Colombian troops in the lurch, these were but simple iteps toward keeping isthmian transit apen. Colonel Shaler has been at his present post for about nine years, and the im press of his personality and capabilities is found all over the Isthmus. Prior to his advont the railroad was a thing sep arate and apart from Panama. Under its concession It declined to acknowledge the regular police authority oa the isthmus, " Profjt by the Experience of the Women Whose Letters Follow: "Deab Ubs. Pejkham: Tour medicine has done so much for me I want to tell everyone how it absolutely cured me. Three years ago, when my dear husband was sick in his last illness, I lifted him and hurt myself. I felt the Btrain, then I felt something give way inside. Afterwards I found it was my womb, and I suffered the most dreadful agonies from falling of the womb. I began dressmaking, but could not do my work for pain and nervousness. Trying to sit still and sew seemed to drive me nearly crazy, and I did not seem able to get any help from doctors or medicine. I was so unstrung and nervous I hardly dared to go out in the street, for fear 1 would not get home safely. It would make me scream to see a car coming even, and I was so terribly run down I did not know what would happen. " A friend suggested I take JLydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound,and on her advice I bought a bottle. It did me so much good I bought more and kept on taking it, and when I had taken eight bottles I was entirely cured. Co Ionel J. R. Chaler, a Veteran of the Gvil War, and Railroad Superintendent, the Most Influential Man in the New Republic and the man who committed a crime and succeeded in reaching the railroad prop erty was free from pursuit. Colonel Shaler has changed this. The Panama po lice authority,. n,ow extends 4over 'the jail-, road? property! -and- a great Impetus" has been given to order and the security of life and property. Substantial Betterments. In a more substantial way the Colonel has encouraged the development of the isthmus. Before his time rates on local freight traffic across the isthmus were so prohibitive that persons living inland could not avail themselves of the wondrous fer tility of the soil, it has been Colonel Shaler's policy to furnish adequate means for local freight transportation; banana and rubber plantations and. cattle ranges are now appearing along the line of the railroad, and the people are being edu cated to avail themselves of the opportu nities afforded for the profitable cultiva tion and employment of the land. The La Boca terminals of the road, three miles from Panama, and Immediately ad joining the Pacific terminus of the pro posed canal, are another proof of this man's constructive ability. These termi nals, with plenty of trackage room, a steel pier 1000 feet long. . equipped with electric cranes and all modern appliances for cargo handling, have revolutionized trans-isthmian commerce and added immensely to the value of the railroad property. Under the direction of this same genius much of the line of the railroad has been rebuilt with heavy rails, better curves and fewer of them, more substantial bridges, import ed cypress ties and cut-stone ballast, so that today. In a physical sense, the prop erty compares favorably with the better examples of railroad engineering in the States. The man who has done these things, and who by the simple exercise of his natural talents has won the title of "King of the Isthmus," is unique in his personality. Within two years of 80 years of age, he leads a life of tireless activity. With char acteristic Kentucky brusqueness, he repels every suggestion that the isthmus Is un healthy, and defies all tradition and all the cautions of the medicos by refusing to use nets in a land which is infested with germ-carrying mosquitoes. The Isthmus as Shaler Sees It. "The isthmus is a health resort," is his contention; nor can the fact that last year he lost three sisters by yellow fever, the three dying within fewer than 20 days, change his opinion of the health qualities of the isthmus. A bachelor, he declares that "the worst woman is better than the best man," yet woman are almost entire strangers at his bungalow, a rambling, towered structure, set down In the midst of a cocoanut grove, on the choicest part of the water front ot Colon. In this bun galow there Is the atmosphere of a man's club large reading-rooms, carefully ar ranged stack of books and periodicals, bil liard and pool tables, shower baths, men servants and those other things which predominate in places frequented by men only. Here Colonel Shaler confidently expects to spend the next few years. "I am too young to think about quitting work," he says. When the United States shall have become firmly established on the Isthmus and undertaken the management of the railroad, he may return to the States to live upon his competence; but Just now the Colonel chivalrous; genial, courteoua with the old-school Southern type of courtesy, and buoyantly active Is carry ing too much of the burden of the new republic for him to think of laying it down. He Tells About Taking Gold. When, on the 4th of November, Colonel Torres was hesltatlntr about norontlnr. sum of $5000 gold offered him if he would iaKe ine uoiomman troops that had land ed the day before at Colon and sail back to Cartagena, It looked for a time as though only the release of Generals Tovar and Amaya, who were held prisoners of the republic at Panama, would avert a clash between the Colombians and the American marines. Torres insisted-upon seeing and conferring with the two Gen erals. The officials of fhf Yi&ur romiWI. were loth to grant his demand. Torres could not run the risk of crossing the isthmus to probable arrest. It was then that Herbert G. Prescott, assistant super When the monthly periods are painful or irregular, when backaches and headaches drive out all ambition, when " I-cari-hardly-drag-about " sensation attacks you, when you are "so-nervous-it-seems-as-though-you-would-fiy,,, it is certain that some female derangement is fastening itself upon you. Do not let the disease make head way ; write your symptoms to firs. Pinkham for her free advice, and begin at once the use of the medicine that has restored a million women to health E. Pinkham's Vegetable ma intendent of the Panama Railroad, with headquarters at Panama, took charge of this ;end of the situation. He demanded that Tovar and Amaya be produced at tha railroad station In this, city, and his de mand was granted. ' A special train was in readiness to trans port them across the isthmus, and Pres cott made himself personally responsible to the Junta for their safe return to cus tody. . Commander Hubbard, of the Nashville, had Issued an order forbidding the trans portation of armed men in. either direc tion by the railroad. Prescott did not propose to violate this order, but he had to run the risk of. Tovar and Amaya try ing to escape or of an attempt being made to rescue them. He was, therefore, justi fied when he agreed to let about 25 of his friends, who wished to reach Colon, take passage on the train. That each one of theso friends carried a revolver in his hip pocket was a fact of which Prescott was officially Ignorant; but so determined is his own disposition that, had Tovar or Amaya tried to escape, or had an attempt been made to rescue them, Prescott knew his friends would not see him outwitted. It happened that Torres succumbed to the temptation offered by $5000, before the special left Panama, but the Incident shows that Prescott Is not without re sources, and that he understands the art of doing things In the right way. Amador's Chief Alde-de-Camp. Next to Colonel Shaler. Mr. Prescott is the most formidably prominent man on the Isthmus. His position Is one of ex treme Importance. .He has lived long in Central American countries, although still a young man; speaks Spanish like a native, understands most Intimately the weakness of the Panaman character, Is enthusiastic, fertlle-mlnded, adroit and most capable. He Is carrying today a card hastily penciled at the moment when Panama Independence was established, and signed by the members of the junta, on which Is attested the fact that, but for the assistance rendered by H. G. Prescott, the Republic of Panama could never have been created. He knows down to Its minutest details just what part the railroad, by its command over trans Isthmian traffic, is fitted to play in the affairs of the country, and during the whole separatist conspiracy he was recog nized as first ald-de-camp to Dr. Amador, the chief conspirator. Personally, Mr. Prescott "is open-hearted, generous and lovable. Easy-mannered, al ways smiling, the Panamans delight to acknowledge him as one of their own number. He maintains a comfortable home In this city. His wife is a native of Panama, although one of her ancestors on either side was an American who settled here during the "forty-niner" days. Beau tiful and accomplished. Mrs. Prescott is a leader in all the social functions .of the new capital, and, since Mr. Prescott has no thought of ever quitting this country, the new republic will know him as one of its most prominent citizens and impor tant figures. General Jeffries, Admiral. A short, stocky figure, broad and power fully shouldered and exuding-an atmos phere of aggression, topped by a round head bearing a sparsely deposited crown of light brown hair, is to be seen oa the streets of Panama daily. This figure ap proaches with rolling walk, quick and energetic, . and behind a rather pallid complexion blue eyes sparkle and twinkle. Everybody in Panama knows and re spects the man H. O. Jeffries, an Amer ican citizen, a native of New York City, who formerly held the rank of General in the Colombian Army, and who is now Admiral of the navy of the Panama re public Jeffries is one of the foremost characters of the isthmus, and, next to Shaler and Prescott. no American here had a more Important part to play in the recent revolution than did he. Although he is a typical soldier of for tune, Jeffries resents that appellation. Born of a Virginia family which has held portions of the Old Dominion for more than two centuries, he first drifted into Central America nearly a score of years ago as a-civil. engineer on one of the NIcaraguan Canal surveys. In these lat itudes , he has been ever since. He has fought In nearly every revolution from the borders of Peru to those of Mexico, and as a brave and dauntless combatant ; ing Women is Almost Beyond Belief, How distressing to see a woman struggling to earn a livelihood, or perform her household duties when her back and head are aching ! She is so tired she can hardly drag about, and every movement causes pain, the origin of which is quickly traced to some derangement of the female organism. " Whenever I hear of a woman suffering I tell her about my cure, for your medicine has helped me so much I knew it would help all suffering women. Women need not get so discouraged over their health, if they would take your advice and medicine." Mbs. Beethjl Hembebg, 22 East 96th St., New York, N.Y. " Dear Mug. Phtkham: I cannot tell you with pen and ink what good JLydia E. Pinkham's Vegctablo Compound did for me, when suffering from the ills peculiar to the sex, extreme lassitude and that all-gone feeling. I would rise from my bed in the morn ing feeling more tired than when I went to bed, but before I had used two bottles of Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, I began to feel the bouyancy of my younger days returning, became regular, could do more work and not feel tired than I had ever ' been able to do before, so I continued to use it until I was restored to perfect health. It is indeed a boon to sick women and I heartily recommend it. Yours very truly, Mbs. Eosx Adams, 819 12th St., LouisTille, Ky.n Niece of the late General Boger Hanson, C S. A. FORFEIT if ire cannot forthwith prodoco tha original letters and signature of above tMUmoni&ls. which will prove their absolute gennlnonees. ilydla K. Pinlrham Mad. Co., Xyna SCau. he enjoys an unrivaled reputation. His loyalty to the case in which he enlists has never been impeached. He carefully avoids anything resembling the demeanor of the swash-buckler, but he can throw more lead, and throw it quicker and surer, than any other man In South or Central America, and he is respected ac cordingly. Buries Unfortunate Americans. He has figured in romance and history; he has busied himself for many years looking after distressed Americans in these countries, and It is credibly reported o him that he has at his own expense burled no less than 150 Americans who have suc cumbed to the rigors of the tropical cli mate. Among this number have been four American Consuls, and he is now educat ing in Washington the children- of an American Consul who died here arid left his family destitute. A natural fighter, expert in the handling of men on land or sea, capable of navigat ing a ship, Jeffries, whose years have been spent in revolutionary strife. Is kindly dis posed and most genial. He speaks In low tones, holds himself above boasting, is de voted to his family, which consists of a charming young wife, whom he married in Costa Rica, and a little daughter, and will go to any amount of trouble to ac commodate a friend. It was" largely un der General Jeffries that General Huertas, commander-in-chief of the Panaman army, secured his military training; but Jeffries would rely upon Americans rather than upon Panamans. As a result his flagship, the Third of November, recently rechrlstened from the Twenty-first of No vember, Is principally officered by Ameri cans. The captain, who is little more than a pilot, is a native, and so are the sailors; but in the responsible posts, as engineers, artillerists, etc., Americans alone are to be found. Jeffries Brought Huertas Over. In the recent revolution Jeffries who is said to have declined any remuneration for his services was picked to effect the capture of the Colombian gunboat Carta gena. That vessel was expected at Colon about the time the separatists had planned to declare the Independence of the isth mus, and it was arranged that Jeffries, with 70 men, should cross the Isthmus and seize her In the name of the republic Her appearance as a transport for 450 Colom bian soldiers frustrated this scheme, but It is currently reported, and generally be lieved, that Jeffries served the republic most acceptably by engineering the scheme by which General Huertas was In duced to give to the separatists the sup port of the troops stationed here Certain it is that Jeffries is in high official favor, his selection for the post of Admiral of the Jiavy, In succession to Rubon Varon, who delivered the gunboat Twenty-first of November to the revolutionists being an example of how implicitly he Is trusted. Of other influential Americans on the isthmus Captain J. R. Beers, superintend ent of the La Boca terminals of the Pan ama Railroad, -is a familiar figure. Cap tain Beers is a retired sea captain, a shrewd and calculating "down-easter," who is, so highly thought of that he has re cently been elected as" president of the leading social club in this city. "Jimmy" Hyatt, whose home Is in Hy attsville, Md., has been on the isthmus for more than 15 years, and Is accounted the most universally popular man In the coun try. Hyatt lives at Colon, where he is American Vice-Consul, but he divides his time about equally between. Colon, Pana ma and the interior. He owns cocoanut groves, manganese mines, is an extensive trader with the San Bias Indians, and has a most enviable reputation as a pros pector, it being a habit of his to take a "cayuca," a narrow canoe hollowed out of a cedar log, and go cruising along the coast and up and down the rivers for weeks at a time. Warwlcks of the Situation. Felix Erhman, the active member of the banking-house of Henry Ehrman, Is a native of Louisiana, American Vlce-Cbn-sul to this city, owner of the leading hotel here, a man of charming personality and progressive ideas. He has lived here for more than a generation, making yearly visits to the States,, and is an ardent supporter of the righteousness of the revolutionary cause. J. G. Duque, a native of Cuba, but a naturalized American, Is the proprietor and editor of the Star and Herald of Panama, the one newspaper of the isth mus, and the principal owner of the lot tery concession, a, source from which he draws a revenue of about J1S00 a week. Duque made an attempt In September to enlist American support for a revolution on the isthmus by calling upon Secretary Hay. His scheme was an Individual one, i Compound. iitnnimniRWMnMtai as ho was not In the secret of the sep aratist conspiracy. Secretary Hay gave him no encouragement, but when the re public was declared it found no more en thusiastic supporter than Duque. Fred erlco Boyd, wHose blood is a mixture of Irish, Scotch and Panaman, and who Is one of the members of the governing junta, is a man of great wealth and in fluence, and one who warmly champions the plan to link the Interests of the Isth mus with those of the United States. These men, one and all, played their parts in setting up the Independence of Panama, and they will continue before the people of the new republic as the strong men of the Isthmus. Their In terests here are of a vested nature, and they see In what has been done a certain promise of better conditions for the fu ture. They are men who have l.earned self-reliance in the school of experience, and while no particular political ambitions have been revealed among them, the new government knows that it can go to them for support and assistance. Therein .lies the surest guarantee of the republic's future stability, for while Panamans were the public characters In establishing the new -government. these Americans were the Warwlcks of the situation, and with characteristic American nerve and in genuity, they are ready to maintain the republic for which they are principally responsible. J. W. SWEENEY. One of the Leading Contractors of Portland. That success is he certain reward of industry and strict attention to business ia fully exemplified in the results which have been attained by Mr. J. W. Sweeney. Mr. Sweeney was born in Monmouth, 111., and received his early education in the schools of his native state. While a youth, he spent several years in travel, in order to become acquainted with af fairs of the world. Attracted by the 3torle3 of the "Golden West," Mr. Swee ney came to Portland in 1892 and realiz ing the opportunities for success and fortune, embarked in the contracting business. From the date of his arrival la the metropolis of the state, he has steadily forged ahead and today he is recognized as one of the largest and most responsible contractors in the city. Mr. Sweeney is heavily interested In real estate; and is lessee of the Bunker Hill quarry, which 13 60 miles down the Columbia and one of, if not the finest basalt .quarries In the world; and the Marquam Gulch quarry at South Portland. The stone from the Marquam quarry Is said to have more resistance power than any stone In the Northwest, and the United States Gov ernment uses this rock almost exclusively at Fort Stevens. Rock, from the Marquam quarry Is fur nished to the Trinidad Asphalt Company for their asphalt binder in their work for the city. The Warren Construction Com- D, 9 No other soap in the world is used so much ; or so little of it goes so far. Sold all over the world, pany, which is Introducing the bitumi nous macadam, also uses this rock. Mr. Sweeney has had a number of contracts involving large sums of money and his work has always given the best of satisfaction. Among the Important con tracts are the folldwlng: The arch culverts and piers on the O. R. & N. change of line from The Dalles to VIento, which were constructed of stone masonry and concrete; the Cook-avenue district sewer, which was built of brick and stone at a cost of $78,000; and the ex tension of the Sunnyslde sewer. At pres ent he Is paving Madison street with vit rified brick on a concrete foundation; and has contracts for Improving Irving street from Ninth street to Seventeenth street, and Sherman street from Front to Sev enth streets. He Is a member of several of the principal fraternal organizations; is prominent In social and busienss circles. I and has always striven to advance the city s welfare. imiOlT LAUNDRY. Most Complete Plant in the West Up-to-Date Machinery. To visit a modern laundry is a revela tion to the ordinary individual. How the complicated affairs of a large institution, where thousands of articles are handled daily and each one returned to the proper owner, is interesting. The Union Laundry Company, whose plant is located on Secondhand Columbia streets, Is one of the most complete estab lishments of its kind in the West The machinery used Is of the latest design. Power is furnished the plant by two 60 horse-power- boilers, from which Is ope UouisMedical Dispensary POSITIVE CURES nounced incurable. A case coming to us Is given a thorough examination, his condition thoroughly understood. No experimenting, no false promises made, but the patient given a careful diagnosis and prognosis of his case. If we believe he can be helped and cured ne Is plainly told so. If his case Is considered incurable by us We as frankly state our conclusions and decline to treat the case. In selecting a physician to treat you, use great care, remember that experience coupled with a thorough medical education with a nistory of phenomenal success in our particular line, especially recommends us to your favorable notice. If you are ailing, having any disease peculiar to men, we cordially invite you to call After consulting with our physician you will most assuredly be convinced of our ability to cure you, our honesty or purpose and superior fat. .a. Urethai Obstruction Cured NO CUTTING NO PAIN CURED . TO STAY CURED It matters not how long you have suffered from urethral obstruction, or how many different doctors have dlsapoointed you, we will cure you just as certain as you come to us for treatment. We will not do it by eutting or dilating. Our cure-is new entirely original with us and perfectly .painless. It completely dissolves urethral obstruction and permanently removes every obstruction, allays all Inflammation, reduces the prostate, gland, cleanses and heals the bladder and kidneys when Irritated or congested, invigorates and restores health and soundness to every part of the tody affected by the dis ease, If you cannot call at our oflJce. write us your symptoms fully. Our home treatment by correspondence is always successfuL Our counsel is free and sacredly confidential, and we give each patient a legal contract in writing to bold for our promise. Hours 9 to S; Sundays, 10 to 12. Address all letters, with 10 2-cent stamps, to ST. LOUIS DISPENSARY Second and Yamhill Streets, Portland, Oregon rated a 40 horse-power engine, furnishing power for an electric dynamo and other machinery. From the dynamo the build ing Is lighted and heat is furnished the irons. Two 50-gallon starch cookers are In use, and great care is given to this im portant part of the business. Two Hagen quadruple mangles, with a capacity of 60 feet per minute, are in use, and another mangle of the same make with a capacity of 120 feet per minute will soon be in stalled. There are ten brass tubs, and a "special machine for lace curtains and fine ladies' wear has recently been installed. This machine was. designed especially for this company. The extractors used are those adopted by silk and woolen mills, and are the only ones of this kind on the Coast used in laundries. A steam bosom press has also been added to the equip ment of steam-heated machines, making the most complete and modern plant on the Coast for gents' work. The company manufactures their own soap in order to Insure their patrons against the use of Injurious soaps. Mr. Lewis Gllllland, the manager, extends an Invitation to the public to call and inspect the plant. Run Down by Passenger Train. KALISPELL, Mont. Dec. 31. While riding upon a speeder through a ,cut near Paola, a station east of Kalispell in the Rockies, V. V. Geary was instantly killed and John Dillon fatally injured. The men were going over the track and were on a curve. The fog being very dense it was impossible to see many feet ahead, and they were run down by the westbound passenger train. Oregon Kidney Tea eliminates all Irapur Itles. It is a perfect Spring medicine. Specialists for Men Trustworthy, Reliable, Competent. Our Methods of Treatment Over come the Worst Cases of Neglect, Mistreatment and All Disorders. After an experience of over 25 years in treating and curing diseases of- men; -we do not hesitate to say that we are espe cially qualified through this long and ac tive experience, that our methods are without doubt more successful than will be found in any institution of its kind in the whole country. We make no claim, to infallibility, but we do claim to have cured hundreds of cases that others have failed In even benefiting, and had nro-