February 12, 1999
Chapter LII
American Industries and The Canal
Canal Army's Recreations
If it be true that those who originate and devise the
pastimes of a people are counted among the benefactors of mankind, then those who devoted
themselves to the task of providing the means for rational relaxation and amusement for
the army of men engaged in the construction work of the Isthmian Canal deserve recognition
as having, in no small degree, contributed to the final successful completion of that
undertaking.
Among the various forms of amusement provided by the Isthmian Canal Commission for
recreation and the promotion of the moral and mental well being of the workers were the
two most popular indoor pastimes, billiards and bowling.
During the work there were introduced into the canal territory in the various Y.M.C.A.
club houses, gymnasiums and amusement places, under the supervision of A.B. Dickson,
forty-two carom and six pocket billiard tables and eighteen bowling alleys.
From time to time all-Isthmian carom and six pocket billiard tournaments, as well as many
local tournaments, were held, participated in by from 30 to 100 members. Bowling
tournaments were held continually, and often as many as 150 men entered in these contests,
from 20 to 30 in each town where alleys were located.
Bowling, especially, was very popular on the zone, helping to keep the men contented and
furnishing a light form of exercise greatly appreciated by them.
This line of amusement equipment was furnished from the factories of the
Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, the products of whose shops are well known and whose
business activities are world-wide.
In spite of the tropical climate, all forms of athletic recreation were in vogue, exactly
as in the States. The base ball nine, picked from the best players among the young
Americans, played some remarkably sharp games, and the tennis courts were often thronged.
Bathing was, of course, a favorite amusement, and prizes for fancy swimming,
diving, etc., were offered. With uniforms and outfits furnished by A. G. Spalding
& Bros., the athletes of the Isthmus were as well equipped and up-to-date as those in
the United States, and the scenes at the base ball, handball, tennis, and other contests
were exactly like those at home.
Featured prominently among the provisions made for the amusement and entertainment of the
canal officials and employees was the continuous presentation under government auspices of
the magnificent spectacles known for many years in the States in connection with the name
of "Pain." For more than a quarter of a century, the Pain Fireworks
Display Company has given its exhibitions of pyrotechnics in every part of this country,
as well as abroad, while in Mexico it is even in greater favor among the pleasure-loving
people whose counterpart is to be found in the native population of the Isthmus.
The president and principal owner of the Pain Fireworks Display Company, Harry Bishop
Thearle, was for twenty-five years manager of the old company, while its destinies were in
the hands of the founder. when the old company failed and Mr. Pain returned to
England, Mr. Thearle bought out the business and proceeded to build it up into a strong
and durable institution. Under his control its reproductions of historical events
have become famous the world over. Among the more notable are, "The Battle in
the Clouds," "The Last Days of Pompeii," "Mount Vesuvius," and
"Pioneer Days," as well as at least ten others equally well-known, and as
popular today as when they were first produced.
The Pain Fireworks Display Company has factories in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
during the past few years its expansion has been such that scarcely a celebration
of any importance in the United States or Canada is without one of its exhibits.
A firm which contributed to the peace of mind and comfort of the men on the Canal Zone was
Theobald & Oppenheimer Company, of Philadelphia. This firm was the pioneer, and
now stands at the head of the field as manufacturers of fine domestic cigars of national
reputation.
The success of this company is due to John J. Kolb, a native of the quaint old village of
Sandhausen, Baden, Germany, where he made a special study of tobacco and its attributes.
On coming to this country he began his career as a cigar maker, becoming
identified with his present firm as superintendent in 1896. The firm at that time
was a small concern employing some forty or fifty hands.
From the inception of this connection, Mr. Kolb introduced methods in manipulation and
handling of tobacco thereto unknown in this country, thereby revolutionizing the cigar
industry, increasing the character and style of manufacture, and bring to the fore the
finest product to that time seen on this country's market.
As manager and president of the concern, the guidance of which has been his care and
study, he has seen one factory of a few hands grow by leaps and bounds, until he wields
the reins over a vest enterprise of his own building, operating numerous factories and
employing twenty-five hundred hands.
Philip Morris cigarettes, the world's oldest high grade of Turkish cigarettes, made by
Philip Morris & Company, Ltd., of New York City, were used in enormous quantities by
the canal army, natives of all the countries represented on the Canal Zone using them
constantly. The "Brown Box" in which this tobacco was packed was a
familiar object along the route of the canal.
History of the Panama
Canal by Ira E. Bennett
Historical Publishing Company, Washington, DC, 1915
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February 12, 1999