True Life Tuesday: Watermelon Riot

This incident occurred on April 15, 1856 in Panama City in the Republic of New Granada. During the 19th century the US became involved in Panama because of its convenience to transatlantic transit after westward expansion. In 1855 the Panama Railroad opened putting many people out of work. This lead to resentment towards the railroad and the US by local citizens. 

On the afternoon in question a train arrived in Panama City carrying 1000 passengers bound for San Francisco. Due to low tide they were unable to board their ship. While waiting many passengers explored the surrounding area of La Cienaga, a poor neighborhood. Around 6pm 3 or 4 passengers confronted a fruit vendor, Jose Manuel Luna, near the train station. One passenger, Jack Oliver, took a slice of watermelon off the cart and refused to pay. After a verbal altercation Oliver pulled a gun and Luna pulled a knife. Another passenger intervened and paid Luna. After this a boy, Miguel Habrahan, came out of the crowd, took the gun from Oliver and ran into the neighborhood. After this hundreds of men armed with machetes, stones and other weapons began fighting with the Americans who fought back with their guns and other weapons. Several US owned business in the neighborhood were destroyed by the mob. After a brief lull more violence erupted at the railroad station. The Panama City police initially arrived to control the crowd but were told by the acting provincial governor, Francisco de Fabrega, to join the attack. The station was destroyed, sections of the track were ripped up and telegraph lines were severed. The violence eventually ended around dawn.

According to the US consul 15 Americans were killed with over 50 more injured. Also, 2 Panamanians were killed with 13 more wounded. Afterwards both countries initiated investigations. Former US consul to Panama, Amos Conwine, was asked to provide a report to the state department. His report placed the blame on Miguel Habarahan. He also accused the local government of conspiring with the mob. The Panama investigation was undertaken by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lino de Pombo. His report placed the blame on Jack Oliver and tension in the local population due to previous abuse by the Americans. On September 19, 160 US soldiers took possession of the train station. After 3 days with no incidents they moved back. The US government justified this occupation was justified by Article 35 of the Mallarino-Bidlack Agreement to protect the neutrality and freedom of transit in Panama. The US also sought reparations for damages incurred. The Cass-Heran Treaty was ratified in 1858 where New Granada admitted that they failed to keep the peace but they denied any collusion by the government to start the riot. About $500,000 was awarded to US citizens for damages by a government commission.