Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-04-23
Central American Affairs.

SSiili AfflSflCdIl All airs.
.. COLOMBIAN TROOPS ENTERS Gallon.
CHICAGO April 17.-City of Mexico
special: When the troops Of the Col
omolan government finally entered
Colon, after it had been burned by the
rebels under the leadership of Prestin,
they captured several squads of rebels.
During the past ten days the number
ct these prisoners has been consider
ably augmented by the recent of
Struggling rebels from the SURROUNDING
district. 1t is not known Just how MANY
rebels are thus held prisoners at
Colon, but good authorities place the
number at about 400 Authentic in
formation reached this city last night
that on Wednesday the officers of the
Colombian government selected 100
OF the foremost rebels imprisoned at
Colon and placing them on board a
steamer, carried them out in the bay
where the entire 100 were thrown
overheard and were drowned.
FURTHER DETAILS.
NEW YORK, April 17.-Advices By
mail from Panama up to the Sth inst.
are received The story of the burn
ing of Colon, or Aspinwall, is given
as follows: A lawyer named Preston
seized the opportunity OF the absence
of perfect order in Colon and with all
the necessary troops for the purpose of
meeting Gen. Sizhurn, who had at.
tackled Panama and tried to sieze the
city of Colon. He levied forced loans
and collected a mixed force which
caused much apprehension among the
merchants and citizens. On March
% the Pacific Mail steamer Colon ar
rived with arms and ammunition.
Preston demanded these munitions
and upon the refusal of the demand
by the Pacific Mail officers he i'm
prisoned them. He sent word to the
commander at Galena that these pris-
oners would be released if the NUM-
tion~ were 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 of the city with
the troops from Panama and was de-
feated, the Pacific mail officers escap-
ing during the fight About noon on
the Both the men from Panama, num-
berlng some 120, advanced upon
the town, and heavy fire ensued.
The scene in the town beggars all de-
scri ptlon. 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 the houses
as If they had been cardboard. When
defeat became certain to Preston, the
fires commenced. Many declared
that Preston personally fired the
government house, where the first
fro origin sted. Preston is now.
together with his companion, a
close prisoner on board the Galena.
Directly after the ire starteda dozen
more were set in different directions.
A strong wind was blowing and pan
demCnium 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 on the ground they have
formed on the entrance to the canal,
whilst others took refuge 10 the few
houses which remain standing
on the beach. The machine shops
and round house of the latter company
were saved, but an immense quantity
Of rolling stock was destroyed, to-
gether with local merchandise and
transit cargo. The United States
marines and sailors are reported to
have acted admirably. The troops
from the English gun boat Lilly were
also landed and assisted IL keeping
guard, but were withdrawn after the
canal company had found a guard for
the protection of the houses and prop
erty, which had remained intact. This
guard caught many plunderers, as did
also the men of the Galena. Ali
caught red handed were Immediately
tried and on the following day shot.
Fifty eight persons, among whom 1t
is believed we're several innocent
people, were thus summary dispatch
ed. During the fight between the
troops, which went hence, and Pres
tons people, some twenty or thirty
persons were killed, while many more
were wounded. All of these were
burned during the FIRE and the
charred remG ins of all vet cucumber
the streets. The flames flashed through
the houses IN which powder, alcohol,
| liquors and general merchandise were
stored in immense quantities and fire.
quent explosions which added terror
to the scene. The panic stricken popu
lace were almost without provisions
or water for two days. The Panama
Railroad conpany's superintendent,
Mr. @. A. Burt, and director general
Of the Canal Co., Mr. Dingler, have
done everything IN their power to
alleviate the misery and distress, and
vessels III the bay of all nationalities
were freely'opened to.refugees. Whilst
the troops recently sent from here by
Gen. Comma to tight in the streets of
Colon were thus leading to the des-
truction of that town the streets of
Panama were resounding with rife
shots Conferences had been held
during the previous days by
commits sioners sent hence 10 discuss
matters with Gen. Aizpure. He, how