Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1885-04-23
The Burning of Colon.

States marines and sailors are reported 10
have acted admirably. Troops from the
English gunboat Lily were also landed
and assisted in keeping guard. This guard
caught many plunderers, as did also the
men from the Galena. All caught red
handed were Immediately tried and OH the
following day shot. Fifty persons, among
whom, it is believed, were several innocent
people, were thus summarily dispatched.
During the fight between the troops which
went hence and the Preston people some
twenty or thirty people were killed, while
many more were wounded. All these
were burned during the fire, and the
charred remains of all yet cucumber the
streets. The flames flashed through the
houses, in hundreds of which powder,
alcohol, liquors and general merchandise
were stored IN immense quantities, the
frequent explosions from which added
terror to the scene. The panic-stieken
populace were almost without provisions
or water for two days. The Panama Rail-
road Co. s superintendent, Mr.. q. A. Burt,
and the director general of the canal
company, NJ. Jules Dingler, have done
everything In their power to alleviate the
misery and distress of the people, and the
vessels in the bay, OF all nationalities. were
freely opened TO Il refugees.
Whilst the troops were recklessly taken
from here by Gen. Gonna to fight in the
streets of Colon, were leading to the de-
struction of that town, the streets OF Pan
anna were resounding with rifle shots. A
conference had been held during the day
by the commissioners sent hence to dis
cuss matters with Gen. Aizpunl. He, how
ever, demanded the unconditional surren-
der of Comma, and threatened to attack
the city unless he surrendered. AiZpunl
sent notice to this effect To the foreign
consuls. Comma, however, said he would
not accept the challenge, but would re-
main inside the city and await results.
BY daylight armed men from Aizpunl's
band had captured the steeples OF San
tana church and soon drove in Commas
outposts. They then dashed from
church to church and from street corner to
street corner, heavy and continuous rifle
fire being in the meanwhile kept up.
Most of the houses in Panama are built of
stone and afforded better protection to the
than those of Colon.
Ultimately the barracks in which Comma
had put himself were surrounded, and at
4 O'Clock in the afternoon he surrendered.
In all twelve persons were killed and
about an equal number wounded. The
party were orderly and sober.
They were not soldiers. but volunteers.
who, as they put it, fought for what they
considered principle.
Since that date the city has remained
quiet. Since the destruction of Colon an
has been agreed on for thirty
days. A project has been appointed by
agreement OF both parties to preserve order.
Some o. the marines are still on shore in
Colon, where many are already clearing
away the ruins prior to rebuilding.
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 Aspin-
wall, is the man who is reported to have
cut the cable at Bue IA Ventura fortnight
ago. He did il 10 prevent news reaching
here of his departure with troops .or this
place. Three months have elapsed since
etters have been received from the capi-
tai. Much desultory fighting has taken
place. IL is said that the Conservatives
,n this place.
Gaitan, in charge of the revolutionary
orces, is closely beseiging Car.hagena. He
las taken possession of some of the prin-
:ipal forts and has been shelling the town.
Il is stated that the shells have burned the |
greater part of the city. The greatest |
distress prevails among the inhabitants,
Who are said to be starving. How long |
he government troops are able to hold out |
{ is impossible to predict.
The American and English men of war /
nave been of the greatest assistance to the |
Unfortunate garrison. In fact the COM
nander of one of the latter men of war,
Japtain Curtis. of Canada, was the re- .
,ipient of a letter from Gen. Villa, who |
Commands inside the town, in which he /
protested, in the name of human and di- /
Tine authority, against the captains pro-
llblting the disembarkment of arms on /
he grounds which the combatants have l
greed, with Gen. Gailan, shall be con-
idered the neutral zone,n and on which
thousands of refugees and non-combatapts
lave massed, confiding in this promise
I'm English steamer sought to land arms
md ammunition at this point, when she
vas promptly ordered of by a British
.ruiser. This aroused the ire of Gen. Villa,
Who wrote furious dispatch, containing
declaration ofwar, which received no re-
'ly from Captain Curtis.
WASHINGTON, April 15.-Secretary
Whitney has received the following tele-
ram from Admiral Jouett Il crossed
he Isthmus yesterday. Good order con-
inues. Our men are all sound and COM
ortable.n