The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-04-18
BURNING OF COLON
AND THE REIGN OF ASAnsnt,

L rs tl---
In That clty-Ths scenes of Carnage. Plum
der and Murder -innesent Persons Shot
with the Galty--rhe Great Dlstres.
of the Homeless Inhabitants.
NRw YoRI. April l7.-Adyices by msi
from Panama to Sth inst. arereceiyed
Tho story OF the burning Of Colon or As
pin@all, is given as follows: A lawyer
named Preston, seized the opportunity o
the absence Of the preiect Of Colon, will
all the troops.ior the purpose Of meeting
Gen. Aizpune, who had attacked Panama
to seize tic city Of Colon. He levied
forced loans and collected a mixed force
which caused much apprehension among
the merchants and citizens. On March
90 the Pacific Mail steamer Colon arrived
with arms and ammunition. Preston de,
manded these and upon refusal to de-
liver them by Pacific Mail officials
he imprisoned them. He sent word
to the commander Of the Galena that
these prisoners would be released II the
munitions were delivered to him, and
that they would be shot II 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 officers escaping during
the fight.
About noon on the 30th the men from
Panama numbering some l20 advanced
upon the town and a heavy FIRE ensued.
The scene in town begsafs description.
Bullets were flying in all directions and
the terrified populace abandoning homes
and fortunes were seeking safety In flight.
The town was entirely constructed OF
wood and the bullets passed through
houses as II they had been cardboard.
When defeat became certain to Preston
the fires commenced. ~
WHO fiRRD TIE TOWN. =.
Many declare that Preston personally
fired the government house where the
first fire originated, while others assert
that the Haytian General Portugal, was
the author Of the outrage. Heis the same
man who fired Jacmel in Hayti some
months ago. There is thus fair ground
for this belief. lie is now, together with
a companion prisoner, on board the Ga
lena. Directly one fire was started dozen
were set in different directions. A strong
wind was blowing and a pandemonium Of
fire, robbery shooting and misery ensued.
All WHO could fed on board the ships
Few saved anything. Thousands focked
to the new town lately built by the Canal
Company ont the ground the, have formed
at the entrance TO the canal 5ilst others
took refuge in the few houses which re.
mained standing on the beach, The
machine shops and round houses Of the
latter company were fortunately saved,
but an itnmense quantity Of rolling stock
was destroyed together with local mer-.
chandise and transit cargo. For days
Thousands Of the poppiape occupied fiat
and box cars which were h4rrfedly run
out along the track and which completely
blocked all communication between the
ruined city at Gatna for more than forty
eight hours. ,s.i. :;;5. 4
The United States marines aud sailors,
T Troops from the Ii I EssIish 'l aunboat i Iiiiy
were also landed and assisted in keeping
guard, Int were withdrawn after the canal
company had found guard for the pro-
teclion of their houses and property which
had remained intact. -
c,rour prn.u,.n.n y
r.;. -. Il sa,an.,. 49, 80, - r.
in a,u eaaeas Nv, many =. hep'uhaet-
ers ~ u4q also Ute qalena men. A caught
red-handed were Immediately tried and
ON The following day sbot Fifty.eiobt
persons amony VI WRom Il mthslieysd
we're seyeraI inaocent persons, j. we're thus
betyeen the troons which went went benee @ an lana
'Preston|s people, some twenty or thirty
narsons weya tl,lsd wb;le on,, ~ ,no.s
were wonnded' Aii these ware 'bntnad @
GIring tne iire. and the sha,red l,odiea of
all vet enenmbers tbe streets ,.S'' fPha
flames flashed through bouses n hnndreds
Of which royder, alcohol, linuors and
general merchandise were stored in i'm
mense quantities, and the FREQUENT ex-
,plosions from which added terror te the
scene. scene: ;,sa ranic slflsken the Ropqlaee were
sMa days! Af Rhe sss@a RaIlroaS aa co@ a9r
pany's Superintendent MI: G. 4. Burt,
and General Director Of the Canal Com
Rapy ~ Jules Rengler hare done every
thing 10 their HoSef le slleyiaFe TIE n+is-
cry and distress. and the vessels In the
bay OF all Municipalities were freely opened
to the refugees.
Whilst the troops reck klessly sent from
here by ten. Hdnima 70 hs6t In the
streets Of Colon were thus leading TO the
destruction Of the town, the streets OF
Panama were resonnding with rifle shots.
g.o1nlefsnpes bad h1ssenf, he'd salftsg ths pfe.