Tracy Robinson
The Statue of Cristopher Columbus
The statue was allowed to remain in its case on Wharf No. 5, for two years, until in October, 1870, Sir Charles Bright came to Colon to land the cable that was give Colon its first telegraphic connection to the world. Mr. E.C. DuBois was then superintendent of the road, and in order to kill two birds with the same stone, he obtained the permission of the Panama Government to unpack the statue, and set it up as part of the celebration arranged in honor of Sir Charles and his cable.
A hasty pedestal, not more than two or three feet high, was built of brick, among the tracks of the railroad yard at Colon, and the statue placed thereon.
October 22, 1870, was the day appointed for the double event - the landing and the unveiling - and all the dignitaries of the Isthmus were invited to be present. General Buenaventura Correoso was then President of Panama. He came over with his suite, accompanied by the Catholic Bishop of Panama, and a crowd of notables.
But alas! there was a rain that day, the like of which the oldest habitant could not remember. It was a deluge. The people gathered, at least the few whose enthusiasm was waterproof, under umbrellas, around the statue, while the bishop offered prayer, and President Correoso delivered an oration. The writer of these sketches was to have read an address, but did not. There was a sudden adjournment - and champagne. Landing day was indeed a wet affair!
