John's Journal: Building the Panama Canal

This is my own imagination, John is a fictional character I created. Facts and events are true.


My heart aches as I think of my family, I haven't seen them in 2 years. In fact, I have no company right now. Both my friends died of Malaria and my brother died of Yellow Fever working with me on the Panama Canal. I don't want to work, but I have to, I have no choice. My family is so poor in America that I have to work here to support my family. It's the only job I got. My family only eats a small meal a day. At least I make money working in this dangerous job. Plus, I have to prove myself to my ol'friends back in America. They think I can't lift a single brick or shovel a pound of dirt. I do it everyday now. Working 10 hours, 6 days a week, I am mentally and physically exhausted. Landslides make the job even more dangerous. 10 people working alongside me died in a landslide a couple of days ago. I am lucky I survived. Blowing up rock and shoveling all day in the immensely dusty, sweltering weather. I don't think it's worth it, working this hard work, working in such bad conditions.  I understand why the French gave up trying to build this canal. I hope to get home as soon as possible. I think of my son, the cutest boy ever, and again, my heart aches.