Among many early settlers was George Hawkins, who purchased Lot 50 in 1825. He was born in 1802 in Oneida County, New York. About 1827 he married Rhoda Powers (born 1806). Together they cleared land to make a living. George died in 1883 and Rhoda in 1900. Rhoda's father was Simeon Powers, who established a Baptist church in the area. George's parents are unknown. Both are buried in Panama Union cemetery under one headstone.
Colombia must have known that there existed a revolutionary junta composed of the best citizens of Panama. Indeed, she had not been without warning from the Panamanians themselves that, should she fail to ratify the canal treaty, Panama would declare her independence. Unable to effect the change alone, the Panama junta sought outside aid by sending Dr. Amador to the United States.
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the Oregon from San Francisco to the West Indies. An interoceanic canal had now become a public demand and the United States must build it. In 1899 the President was authorized to send a commission to investigate both the Panama and Nicaragua routes. This commission made its report in December 1900, stating that while the cost of the canal at Panama would be less, the Colombian government "is not free to grant the necessary rights to the United States, except upon condition that an agree-
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