The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-04-23
THE ISTHMIAN TROUBLES


detailed account of the burning of Aspin-
wall has asst been received. On Monday,
March %, the Pacific Mail steamer Colon ar
rived at that city, with arms and ammunition
on board consigned to order" and of the ap-
preaching arrival of which the Government of
Panama having been informed, had prohibited
their delivery to the rebels, or whatever the
forces of Prestan may have styled themselves.
The vessel had scarcely reached her mOorings
when Prestan presented the bill of Iadng and
demanded their delivery. This was refused.
Then Mr.. Connor, acting agent of the Pacific
Mail Company in Aspinwall. was arrested and
taken to the calabOoSe, while the wharf and
vessel passed into the hands of Prcstan's people.
A conference between Capt. Dow, of the Pa
cific Mail Company, Mr. Common. Consul Wright,
Lieut.. Judd and Cadet Richardson. of the Ga
lena, and Prestan, with number of his men,
was held. Capt Dow refused to deliver the
munitions of war or whatever the bill of lading
presented by Prestan covered, upon which
Prestan ordered all to be taken to prison. Sub
sequently Cadet Richardson was released and
sent on board the Galena, after being advised
that the prisoners would he retained until the
arms were delivered and that, should an effort
be made to land men from the man-ofwar, the
hostages would be shot. For this reason no
men were landed. Later Prestan informed
Consul Wright that unless he ordered Capt
Dow to deliver the arms he would shoot all the
prisoners at shutdown. Then the necessary Or
der was given. Commander Kane, of the Ga
lena. at this stepped forward, took possession
of the Colon in the name of the United States,
and after moving her from her wharf made her
fast to the Pacific Mail dock. Prestan marched
Capt. Dow and Mr.. Common, with some troops,
to Monkey Hill, two miles outside of Aspin
wall, where an engagement took place with
troops sent hence to attack Prestan. The lat
ter was defeated and retired to Colon. During
this engagement Capt. Dow and Mr.. Conner
succeeded in eifecting their escape, and by day
light, after much suffering, had succeeded in
reaching their vessel in the bay.
About noon on the 30th, the men from Pan
anna, numbering some 120, advanced upon the
town, and heavy fire ensued The scene in
the town beggared description. Bullets were
flying in all directions, and the terrified popu
lace. abandoning homes and fortunes, were
seeking safety in flight. The town was en-
tirely constructed of wood, and the bullets
passed through houses as if they had been card
boards. When defeat became certain to Prestan
the fires commenced. Many declare that Pres
tan personally fred the Government house,
where the first fire originated, while others as
sert that the Haytian General. Portugal, was
the author of the outrage. He is the same
man who fred Jacmel, in Hayti, some months
ago.
Directly one fire started a dozen were set in
different directions. A strong wind was blow
ing and a pandemonium of fire, robbery, shoot
ing and misery ensued All who could fed on
board ships. Few saved anything.
The United States marines and sailors acted
admirably. Troops frem the English gunboat
Lily also assisted in keeping guard, but were
Withdrawn after the canal company had found
a guard for the protection of their houses and
property, which had remained intact. This
guard caught many of the plunderers as did
also the men of the Galena. All caught red
handed were Immediately tried and on the
following day shot. Fiity-eight persons, among
whom it is believed were several innocent peo-
pie, were thus summarily dispatched. During
the fight between the troops which went hence
and Prestan'S people, some 20 80 persons
were killed, while many more were wounded.
The panic-stricken popuace were almost
without provisions water for 10 days. The
Panama Railroad Company's Superintendent
and the General Director OF the Canal Company
did everything in their power to allevi-
ate the misery and distress, and vessels in the
bay, of all nationaities were freely opened to
the refugees.
When the troops of the Colombian Govern
ment finally reached Aspinwall after its de-
struciion they captured quite a number Of
prisoners and during the past few weeks the
number has been largely augmented by the
picking up of straggiers. 1t is reported, though
without good authority, that on the 18th the
officers of the Columbian Government selected
100 of the worst rebels imprisoned at Colon,
and, placing them on board steamer, carried
them out into the bay, where the entire 100
were thrown overheard and drowned.
The losses at Aspnwall will fall very heavily
on private shoulders, as the insurance compan-
les already announce their intention to refuse
all payments for losses sustained, as they are
due TO incendiarism and war.
Everything is now quiet on the Isthmus and
communication is uninterrupted. The health
of our troops is excellent.