The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-18
a Pandemonium of Fire, Robbery, Shooting
and Misery-Privation to Which the
Homeless People Were Exposed.
The City Fired by Preston or by a Hay
tian General Named Portuzea.
Unconfrmed Report that the Colombian Au-
thorities Took One Hundred Prisoners
Out to Sea and Drowned Them.
THE BURNING OF COLON.
Graphic Description of Scenes Incident to the
Destruction of the City.


Graphic Description of Scenes Incident to the
Destruction of the City.
New YORK, April 17.-Advices by mail from
Panama, dated April g. are received. The
story of the burning of Colon or Aspinwall is
given as follows: A lawyer named Preston
seized the opportunity of the absence of the pre-
feet of Colon with all the troops for the purpose
of meeting General Aizpura, who had attacked
Panama, to seize the city of Colon. He levied
and forced loans and collected mixed force,
which caused much apprehension among the
merchants and citizens. On March 20 the Pacific
Mail steamer Colon arrived with arms and am
munition. Preston demanded these munitions,
and on a refusal to deliver them by the Pacific
Mail officials, he imprisoned them. He sent word
to the commander of the Colon that the prisoners
would he released if the munitions were
delivered to them, and they would be shot if any
marines were landed Commander Kane then
took charge of the 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 120 advanced upon the town and heavy
firing ensued. The scene in the town beggars
description. Bullets were flying in all direc-
tions, and the terrified populace, abandoning
homes and fortunes were seeking safety in
fight. The town was entirely constructed
OF wood, and the bullets passed
through the houses as if they had
been card hoard. When defeat became certain
fn ~ hn cfa oH don1o
that Preston personally fired the government
house. where the fire first originated. while 9TH
ers assert that the Haytian General Portuzea
was the author of the outrage. He is the man
who fred Jacmel. in Hayti, some months ago.
There is thus fair ground for this belief. He is
now, together with a companion close prisoner
on board the Galena. A strong wind was blow
ing, and pandemonium of fire, robbery, shoot
ing and misery ensued. All who could fed on
board the ships, and but few saved anything.
The machine shops and roundhouse of the
Panama Railroad Company were saved,
but an immense quantity of roll
ing stock was destroyed, together with
locomotives and transit cargo For days,
thousands of the populace occupied fiat and box
cars, which were hurriedly run out along the
track, and which completely blocked all COM
munication between the ruined city and Gatun
for more than forty eight hours.
The United States marines and sailors are re-
ported to have acted admirably. Troops from
the English gunboat Lily were also landed, and
assisted in keeping guard, but were withdrawn
after the canal company had found
guard for protection of their houses
and property, which had remained in
tact. This guard caught many Of the
plunderers as did also the men of the
Galena. All who were caught red-handed were
Immediately tried, and on the following day
shot. Fifty eight persons. among whom it is
believed were several innocent people, were thus
summarily disposed of. During the fight be-
tween the troops which went hence and Pres
tons people, some twenty or thirty persons were
killed, while many more were wounded. All
these were burned during the fire, and the
charred bodies of all yet cucumber the streets.
The flames flashed through the houses, in hun
dreds of which powder, alcohol, liquors and gen.
eral merchandise were stored in immense guam
titles and the frequent explosions from which
added to the panic. The populace were almost
without provisions water for two days.
ent, Mr. Burt, and the director of the canal
company, M. Jules Dungler have done every
thing in their power to alleviate the misery and
Distress and the vessels in the bay, of all nation
alities, were freely opened to the refugees.
While troops recklessly sent from here by Gen
eral Comma, to fight in the streets Of Colon,
were thus leading to the destruction of that
town, the streets Of Panama were resounding
with rifeshots.
Since the destruction of Colon an armistice
has been agreed upon for thirty days, and the
troops, under the orders Of prefect are to pre-
serve order. Some marines are still On shore in
Colon, where many are already clearing away
the ruins prior to rebuilding The land on Man
sillo island is owned by the Panama railroad, the
directors of which have determined that the
new town shall be be built on better plan than
the old one.
A PROCLAMATION FROM AIzPURA
On the 4th inst General Aizpura issued the
following proclamation:
1T understand that rumors are being circulated
with the object of disturbing the peace of mind
of the inhabitants of this city. It is my duty,
therefore, as do hereby, to inform the honora-
BILE representatives of friendly powers, also all
foreigners and natives, that the government has
adopted the necessary steps demanded by the
peculiar situation of The country, and that ID
will spare efforts to prevent disorders severely
Furnishing the authors of the crimes that have
been will be committed. With this end in
view. all residents, both foreigners and natives,
ought to lend their decided and timely support
to the government, in order to restore fur ther
the order and security already destroyed by the
criminal excesses that have been committed in
the city of Colon, the author Of which will suffer
the full weight of the law There is no fear that
these excesses will be repeated here, if all give
their support to the government and the author
itiesn
Considerable excitement has been caused by
the announcement that United States troops are
en- route for the isthmus
Ulloa, who is now in charge at Aspinwall, is