The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-04-22
BURNING OF COLON.
The Destruction Of the Town Of Aspin-
wall During the Fighting on
the Isthmus OF Panama.
A Graphic and Vivid Description
of the Scene and Complicated
Disasters Attending Il.
TIE ISrHMUs OF PANAMA.
a Graphic Description OF the Burning OF
Colon. or AsptnWau.

from Panama dated April 8 are received.
The story Of the burning Of Colcn, or Aspin-
wall, is given as follows:
A lswver nan ei Pfes.On seized the oppor-
tunity Of the absence OF the Pfeiect Of
Colon with ali the troops, for the purpose OF
meeting General A'zDUTn, who had attacked
Panama, to seize the city Of Colon. He
levied forced Iosns and collected q mixed
force, which caused much apprehension
among the merchants and citizsns. On
March % the Pacific Mail steamer Colon
arrived with arms and ammunition. snd
Preston demanded these munitions, and on
refusal to deliver them by ths Pacific Nail
officials, Re imprisoned them. He sent
word to the commander Uf the Colon that
the prisoners would be released If the muni-
tions were delivered them, and they would
be shot if any marines were landed. Com.
msnder Kane then took charge of the Colon
in the name Of the United States.
Pftston subsequently had al engagement
outside the city with troops from Panama,
and was defeated, the Pacific Mail officers
escaping during the fight. About noon on
the Goth the men from Panama, numbering
some 30, advanced upon the town aad
heavy lire ensUed. The scene in the town
feggaIs description. Bullets were flying 10
all directions, and the terrified populsce
abandoning homes ana fortunes, were geek,
ing safety in fight. TAe town was entirely
constructed OF Tocd, and the bullets passed
through hOuses IS II they bad bsel card
board. When defeat became certain to Pes
ton the 6Ies commenced Many declare thst
Preston personally fired the Government
house, where tie hrst frs originated, while
Others assert that the Haytien General, Par
tUZss was the author OF the outrage. He is
the man who fred Jacamel, in Hsyh some
montEs ago. There Is thus fair ground for
the belief. BE is now, togsther With com
psnion, close prisoner on board the GAlena.
strong wind was blowing and pande-
monlum OF ire, robbery, shooting and
misery eGsned. All who could fed on board
the shiTs. Few saved anything. The ma
chine shops and round house of the Panama
Railroad Company we're saved, but an i'm
nnense quantity Of rolling stock was de-
stroyed together with local machines and
transit cargo. For days. thousands Of the
pOpulscs occupied fat and box cars, which
were buTriedly run out along the track, and
which completely blocked all communics-
GOn between the ruined city aud Gatun for
more than forty eight hours. The United
States marines aud sailors ere reported ID
have acted admirably. Troops from the Eag-
lish gun boat Lilly were also landed, ard as
sisted in keeping guard, but wers Withdrawn
"a
Tor the protection OF their houses ana prop.
erty, which had remained intact This guard
caught many of the plandeTsrs as did also
the men of the Galena; all caught red
handed were Immediately tried aRd On the
following day shot FIftyeight persons
among whom it is believed were several IN
nCcent people, were thus summsrily dis.
posed OF.
During the fight between the troops which
went hence AID PEeston's people, some
twenty or thirty persons were killed, while
many more were wounded. All these were
burned during the f.e, snd the charred
bodies of all get cucumber the streets. The
flames flashed through ths bouses, in hun
dreGs of which powder, alcohol. liquors and
general merchandise we're stored in immense
quantities, and the frequent explosions from
which added TO the horrors oil the scene, the
psriS stricken populees were almost without
provisions or water foi two days.
The Panama Railroad Com pany's Superin-
te0dent, Mr. Bart, and the Director of the
Canal Company, NJ. Jules Dangler. have
done every thing in their power to alleviate
the misery ard distress, ald the vessels in
the tay, OF ali naticna,ities, wers ffesly
opened TO the refugees. While troops reck-
lessly cent from here by General Comma to
fight in the streets of Colon, thus leading
TO the destruction Of that town, the streets
! OF Panama we're res0unding with rifle shots
Since the destruction of Colon an armis.
tice has heen agreed upon for thirty dAys,
and the troops under the orders OF a Pre-
feet are to preserve order.
Some marines are still on shore in Colon,
where many ere already clearing away the
ruins prior 70 rebuilding.
The land on Mansillo Island is owned by
the Pansma railroad, the directors of which
have determined that the new town shall be
built on a better plan than the Old one.
On the 4th inst General Aizpurn issued
the following proclamation:
osro f.F,
with the object OF disturbing the peace OF mind OF
the Inhabitants OF this clly IL Is my duty there
fore, as do hereby. 10 inform the honorable rep
Iesentaiiyes OF friendly powers also foreigners and
natives. that the Government has adopted the
necessary lters demanded by the peculiar situs-
ton OF the country, ana that II VIII spare no ef.
forts 70 prevent disorders. severely puDshfng the
authors OF the crimes that have been o, will be,
commiitfd. With taiS end In view, all residents,
both foreigneIs and natives, ought TO lead their
decided and timely support TO the government. in
Destroyed by the criminal txeesses that have been
committed in the city Of Colon. the authors OF
There is no fear that these exeesss viii be repeat
cd here II al give their support to The government
and the author ties
Considerable excitement has been caused
By The announcement that United States
troops are en- route for the Isthmus.
Ullos, who is now in charge at Aspinwall,
is the man WbO Is reported to have cut the
cable e. BGena Ventura fortnight ago. De
did il 10 prevent news reaching here OF his
departure with troops for this place. Three
months bave elapsed since letters have been
received from the Capital. Much des1ltory
lighting has taken place It is said that the
Conservatives have CAPTURED Buens Ventura
and will advance on this place.
GaitaD, in charge of the revolutionary
forces is olosely Desieging Carthsgens. He
has taken possession Of some OF the princi-
pal forts and has been sbelliDg the town. IL
is stated that the shells have burned the
greater part OF the city. The greatest die
tfess prevails among the inhabitants. who
aye said TO be starving. How long the Gov
eminent troops will hold out ii is impossible
- predict The American and English men
of-vzr have been Of the greatest assistance
to the unfortunate garrison. In fact, the
commander of one Of the latter. Captain
Curtis, Of the Canada, was the recipient of q
letter from General Villa, who Commands
inside the town. which he protected IN the
~r ~ ufn a.