Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-18
COLON AND ASPlNWALL.
The Story of the Burning Of Coon
and AspinWall
REciTED At LENGTH, GRAPHICALLY.
A City of Wood, Where the Houses Were
No Protection Against the
Deadly Missiles.
LATEST FROM CENTRAL AMERICA.


The story of the burning of Colon, or As
pinwall, is given as follows: A lawyer
named Preston seized the opportunity of
the absence Of the prefect Of Colon, with all
the troops, for the purpose of meeting Gen.
Sizpurn, who had. attacked Panama to seize
the city of Colon. He levied forced loans
and collected mixed force, which caused
much apprehension among merchants and
citizens. On March 29th the Pacific Mail
steamer Colon arrived with arms and am
munition. Preston demanded these, and up
on refusal to deliver them by Pacific
Mail officials he imprisoned them. he sent
word 20 the commander of the Galena that
these prisoners would be released if mum
tions we're delivered to him and that they
would be shot if any marines were landed
Commander Kane then took charge OF
Colon in the name of the United States
Preston subsequently, had an engagement
outside the city with troops from Panama
and was defeated. The Pacific Mail Off
GERS escaping during the fight. About
numbering some l20, advanced upon the
town and a heavy fire ensued. The
scene in the town beggars description. Bull
lets were flying in all directions, and the
terrified populace, abandoning houses and
fortunes, were seeking safety in flight. The
town was entirely constructed Of wood, and
the bullets passed through the honses as if
they had been cardboard. When defeat
became certain to Preston
The Fires Commenced.
Many declare that Preston personally fred
the government house, where the first fire
originated while others assert that the
Haytian General Portugal was the author
Of The outrage He is the same man who
fred Jocmel in Hayti, some months
ago. There is thus fair ground
Tor this belief. He is now together with a
companion prisoner on board the Galena.
Directly one fire was started and a dozen
were set in different direction. A strong
wind was blowing and pandemonium OF
FIRE, robbiDg shooting and misery ensned.
All who could fled on board the ships.
Few saved anything. Thousands tiocked to
the new town lately built by the Canal
COMPANY on the ground they have formed
at the entrance Of the canal whilst others
took refuge in the few houses which remained
8 andng on the beach. Tie machine shops
and round houses OF the latter company
we're fortunately saved, but an immense
quantity of rolling stock was destroyed to-
gether with local merchandise and transit
cargo. For DAYS thousands of the populace
occupied Hat and box cars which were hur.
riedly run out along the rack aud which
completely blocked all communication be
tween the ruined city at Gatun for more
than Is hours.
The United states Marines and Sailors
are reported TO have acted admirable.
Troops from the English gunboat Lilly were
also landed and assisted in keeping guard
but we're Withdrawn after the Canal
Company had found guard for
the protection of their houses
aud property which had remained intact
This guard caught many of the plunderers
as did also the men Of the Gslena. All
caught red handed were Immediately tried
and the following day shot. Fittyeight per
sons among whom it is believed were seve'
r,I innocent eople were thus summary
dispatched. During the fight between the
,roops which ent hence and Preston peo.
;!e. some tw, nty or thirty persons were
killed while any were wounded. All these
were burned during the FIRE and the CHAIR d
ruGies of all ct cucumber the streets. The
flames flashed through the houses in huT.
frt ds CT which powder, alcohol, liquors and
general merchandise were stored in imm ense
Quantities and frequent explosions from
which added terror to the scene.
The Panic Stricken PopuIacs
were almost without provisions or water tor
two days. The Panama Railroad Com
pany's Superintendent Mr. G. A. Burt, and
General Director Of the Canal Company NJ
Jules Dengler, have done every thing IN
| their power 10 alleviate the misery and die
;ress. and vessels in the bay OF all nation
| aI,ies were freely opened to refugees
| Whilst the troops recklessly sent from here
by Gen. Comma to fight in the streets OF
| Colon we're thus leading to the Obstruction
of the town the streets OF
| Panama
were resounding with rife shots. Confer.
ences had been held during previous days
| by commissioners sent hence to discuss
matters with General Aizpune. He, how,
ever demanded the unconditional surren-
der of General Comma, and threatened TO
attack the city unless he surrendered. Az
pune sent notice 10 this effect to foreign
consul. Comma, however, declared he
would not accept the challenge, but would
remain inside the city and await results
By daylight armed men o. AIzPune 8
band had captured the steePle,
of Santa Anna church snd
soon drove in Commas outposts. They
then dashed from church to church an1
from street corner TO street corner, heavy
and continuous rife FIRE being mesnWhiis
kent up. Most of the houses in Panama
are built of stone, and afforded better pro
lection TO non.cambatant than the buildings
in Colon did. Ultimately the barracks IN
which General Comma had shut himself
we're surrounded and at four o'clock in the
afternoon he surrendered. In all tWelVe
persons were killed and about an equsi
number wounded. The attacking party were
orderly and sober. They were not soldiers . 1T
volunteers, who as they put it, toug6! ior
What thew considered a principle. Since
that day The city has remained quiet Since
the destruction Of Colon an armisilce has
been agreed upon Tor 80 days and the troops
under order Of the project appointed By
agreement of both parties are to preserve
order. Some marines are still on shore IN
Colon where many are already cleaning
away the ruins prior TO rebuilding The
lard on NanzilIa is owned by the Psnau'
railroad. the directors of which have deter
mined that the new city shall be built on
\ better plan than the former one aor'
: rom Will be obtained for the traffic require
5 meEts, and streets viii be wider.
j AIxpuns's Proclamation
On the 4,h inst Gen. Aizpune issued to-
; following proclamation: Il understand ina
: rauogs are being circulated Silh the o2jec
of disturbing the peace Of mind OF inha7l
:, tants of this city. i: ismy duty, therefore
"a do hereby. TO inform the honoraoie rep
zF