Expat Community > Panama

panamajames
Joined 2012
Posts: 5097

Panama History Stories

3 years ago

Nicaragua—which controlled Panama back in the 1880's is associated with this saga. This is a story about a man called James, but mostly about his son Frank, and their friend in the White House by the name of President Grover Cleveland. They all lived in the mid-1880s. James sank a lot of money into a partnership that wanted to build a canal across Panama. (This was 20 years before the U.S. did it.)

Many parents secretly hope their kid grows up to become president of the United States. The odds are long; but it never hurts to dream, right?

One day back in the spring of 1887, a man who actually had that job made a very strange wish … and he had no idea what fate had in store for the child he wished it upon.

Grover Cleveland was a lot of things. He was the fattest guy elected president (until Taft shattered that rotund record 12 years later). He was the only man to serve two non-consecutive terms, which forever screwed up the presidential numbering system. He was president #22, lost his reelection bid to president #23, and then was re-elected four years later. So, was he #22 again or #24? (After much debate, historians eventually decided to call him #22 and #24. Go figure.)

Cleveland was from New York state and had a good friend there named James, as I mentioned earlier.

James lived in the Hudson River Valley, came from an old family, and was socially well-connected. He was a rich businessman who dealt in coal and railroads.

In the mid-1880s, he sank a lot of money into a partnership that wanted to build a canal across Panama. (This was 20 years before the U.S. did it.) I mentioned that to you before as well. Maybe you are catching on. He needed Washington’s help persuading Nicaragua—which controlled Panama back then—to let them dig. That meant lots of lobbying both of Congress and the Cleveland administration.

James decided to make a long visit to D.C. He, his wife, and their 5-year-old son Frank spent the first six months of 1887 in a rented a house on then-fashionable K Street.

In between all his wining and dining, as he schmoozed congressmen and bureaucrats, James also paid several purely social calls on his buddy Grover in the White House. How good friends were they?

A year earlier, the 49-year-old Cleveland had married Frances Folsom, his lovely 21-year-old ward. The union made a lot of presidential history. Cleveland was the first president to get married while in office, the only president to marry in the White House itself, and Frances became the youngest First Lady in American history. (Jackie Kennedy, who was 31 when JFK’s presidency began, was #2.)

And there, on a prominent White House fireplace mantel, sat the splendid clock James had given the couple as a wedding gift. So when I say James and Grover were buddies, trust me, they were tight.

Anyway, back to our story.

As James’ extended stay in Washington was coming to a close, he hit up Cleveland for one small, but very personal favor: He wanted to bring young Frank to the White House to meet the president.

“Sure,” Grover said, “bring him by late tomorrow afternoon.”

And so James and Frank went to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue the next day and waited outside Cleveland’s second-floor office.

It turned out Cleveland was having a particularly stressful day, and when the door opened and he finally appeared he was visibly weary. James introduced Frank and they shook hands.

Then Cleveland said something very odd. He patted the child’s head and said, “My little man, I’m making a strange wish for you. May you never grow up to be president of the United States.”

At age five, Frank already had a knack for ignoring what he was told, and he apparently did so this time.

Because 46 years later, Frank was elected president. And re-elected. And re-elected. And re-elected.

Frank, as you’ve probably guessed, was Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Not only did Cleveland pick the wrong boy for his strange wish, he picked the one who would go on to serve as president longer than anyone else!

How’s that for irony? O. Henry couldn’t have written a better twist ending. Below. FDR in his Panama Hat.

William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

Living in Panama Guide

Our Guide to Living in Panama is a perfect primer for readers interested in Panama. Covers healthcare, cost of living, best places to live, residency, visas, real estate, moving tips and the pros and cons of living in Panama.

Panama Forum
Join our Panama forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Panama.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.

Best Places to Live in Panama

If you're dreaming about living in Panama, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Panama in 2023.

Healthcare in Panama

Expats have differing opinions about healthcare in Panama. Many advice against public hospitals and healthcare, but some recount good experiences. This article covers public vs private healthcare, cost of healthcare, obtaining prescription medications and much more.

Cost of Living in Panama

Expats in Panama enjoy a relatively low cost of living. However, it's important to do your research to make sure you'll actually enjoy those saving while creating a high quality of life as an expat in Panama.

Moving to Panama Guide

Do you have to buy a round trip ticket when moving to Panama? How difficult is it to bring my dog? Should I buy a home in Panama? Can I find health

Real Estate in Panama

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Panama.

Pros & Cons of Living in Panama

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Panama.

Retiring in Panama

Advice for people retiring in Panama.

Panama Visa & Residency Guide

This article covers the ins and outs of the most common tourist and residency visas that expats and global nomads obtain when moving to and living in Panama.

10 Tips for Living in Panama

If you've recently arrived in Panama, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Panama.

Additional Information:

Visit our Panama Index for a Full List

William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Panama by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.

Login

Or, Send Login Link

Expat Community > Panama

Panama History Stories

Login