The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1885-04-18
COLON's DESTRUCTION.
A Fun Recital OF the uuorrId Details
By an Eye witness.

FutI Recital OF the uhorrid Details
BY an Eye witness.
New York. Anl IL -Adviccs by
mail from Panama ofthc 9Th inst. are
received. The story Oft the burning of
Colon or Aspinwall is given rs follows:
"a lawyer named Preston seized the
opportunity of the absence of the
project OF Colon with all the
troops for the purpose
ofmeeting Gen. Aizpuru, who had at
tackled Panama, to seize the city of
Colon. He levied forced loans and
collected mixed force which caused
much apprehension among the mcr-
chants and citizens. On March 2gth
the Pacific mail steamer "Colon" ar.
rived with arms and ammunition
Preston demanded these munitions,
and on refusal to deliver them by the
Pacific mail officials he imprisoned
them. lie sent word to the comman-
der of the "Galena" that these pris-
oners would be released If the mum
tons were delivered to him, and they
world be shot If any marines
were unloaded. Commander Kane then
took charge of Colon in name of the
United States. Preston subsequently
had an engagement outside of the city
with troops from Panama and was de-
feated, the Pacific mail officers escaping
during the fight. About noon on the
30th the men from Panama, number
ing some 100, advanced upon the town
and heavy fire ensued. Thescene in
town beggars description. Bullets
were flying in all directions, and the
terrified people abandoning their
| homes and fortunes were
seeking safety in flight. The
town was entirely constructed
of W rod aud the bullets passed through
the houses as if they had been card
boards When defeat became certain
to Preston the fires commenced. Many
declare that Preston personally fired
the government house, where the first
fire originated, while others assert
Uayti. some months ago, and he is now,
together with companion, close
nrisoner on board the Galena. Directly
me fire started dozen were set
In different directions; strong
wind was blowing, and a .pandesmo-
,';mn of tiro-robbery and shooting
nnsned All who could, fed OH board
,ho shins. Few saved anything, ana
, thousands flocked to the new town
, lately built by the Canal company on
rnonnJ they have formed at the en-
e sronce To lie canal, whilst others took
refuge in the few houses when re-
manned standing on the DeaGh. IN,
machine shops and rouhu housc ~
c the latter company were Iorluna'ell
2 saved, but an immense q1antlty
! rolling stock was destroyed tosu.nt,,
! with local merchandise AMI transi,
, cargoes. For days thousands .,
! the populace occupied nav mr '
Q box cars, which were nu h,
), ricdly run out aohs r;no
d track. The United states nar l,o,
u and sailors are reported TO iiave hc,u =,
II admirably. Troops from the Eng is'
u punboat lilly, were also iahueu ah'
e assisted in keeping guard pul WEI,
W withdrawn after the cahai coihpun:
e. had found q guard for the protec,io'
n of their houses and properly VIM
had remained intact and TINS guar
caught many of the plunaerers
is also did the men OF the Gaiehs. ~
he caught red-handcd were immeuialel
h. tried and on the following day WEI
he shot. Fifty-eight persons anon !,
t." whom it is believed were several !,
ny noccnt people were thus suihihari II II
To- dispatched. During the ny
n between troops which went hehee al
he prestons people some ~ or ~ pc
ny son. were killed, while many mo
ed we're wounded. All these were our .
be ed during the fire, and the cnarl
lrd bodies of all yet incumber the stree
not The flames flashed through
bouses. in hundreds of which poWu
alcohol. liquors and general merchl
= 4NI
,ho disc were stored in Immense yuan
W., ,ho lies and the frequent explosions IT.
'h H. these added terror to the scene
az uanic-strikcn people were am
nov without provisions for TWO WI
had days. n.o W.
~ rcsounding with rifle shots. Con
III ences had been held during the pr
IA ous day by commissioners sent he
'"'' IN discuss matters with Gen. A'zpl
he hoWeyer, demanded the uncol
tional surrender of Gen. Comma
threatened to attack the city unies
Nv daylight armed men of Aizpu
IL had cantured the steeples OF santa
has ma church, Just outside the walls
{ the n;tv and soon drove in Commas
nosis They then entered the city
,oned dashed from church to churcn,
, con- from street corner 10 slrec' eoi u
vern- heavy and continuous TINY hio :
"a arc meanwhile kept up. Inc hou mus.
So the Panama are mostly pui's
the stone aud therefore anorueu
con- protection to non-comDa'an,tss .n'
bnjidinUs In Colon did. Ultn
i hun the barracks in when zen. W
red at had shut himself were surrou
ills to and at o'clock III the aiterh'
IA nraI