On October 13, 1913, Medora Clark wrote to Amelia Baker in Watertown, New York, from Panama, where she was accompanying her husband, the painter Alson Skinner Clark of Comfort Island.
Just three days earlier, the Gamboa Dike had been demolished, allowing waters from Gatun Lake to flow into the Culebra Cut—an important milestone in the construction of the Panama Canal.
October 13, 1913
To: Miss Amelia Baker, 4 Paddock Street, Watertown, NY
From: Medora Clark, Hotel Trivoli, Panama
Dear Amelia,
It was so good to get your letter on arriving though sad to hear of the death of Aunt Delia. I was very sorry to hear of it. We cannot help but feel that it is pleasing to think of her being brought back to the farm for some way she seemed so quaintly associated with it. We have been here a week and two days now, but so much has been going on that I have only seen Priscilla twice and then for a moment each time. However, if it is fair tomorrow, I shall go over there.
Am so sorry that I got mixed up as to Aunt Lucy’s birthday. I thought it was November. Please give her my best belated love.
This is the busiest place in the world. I am so weary at night that I can hardly keep awake to undress, but it’s perfectly thrilling all the same. I sent mother a long letter about it last week. You must get her to tell you of it, because I am helpless to repeat. We have some wonderful rains. Have never seen anything like them in my life, but happily we have plenty of sunshine in between. Alson is as busy as a beaver. My time is occupied in trying to meet the abnormal demand of clean linen, clean brushes, palettes and prepared canvases.
Friday was the big day here, when the Gamboa Dike was blown up. We did not think it was going to be especially impressive, but it was quite wonderful. We went out on a special train, and there were thousands of people on either side of the canal. Suddenly we felt a trembling of the Earth. Then there were great clouds of smoke, blue and yellow, and Earth falling into the greenish yellow water. And when it had all cleared we saw a big hole in the dike and the water rushing over it, and we knew that the continents were severed. It was quite dramatic and everybody cheered and the whistle blew, and everyone felt very patriotic. Alice Roosevelt is here now and I’ve been most absorbed watching her as she sits at the next table to us. I want this to catch the boat so as to get to you before we do. Much love to you all.
Medora