The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-19

taken ty his command for the protection OF
American citizens and their property: "AOouL
1880 2. u. on March 80. IL was reported 10 me-
that the American steamer Colon had the sm all
American flag At the fore union down, and that
they were signaling that the steamer was being
Eeizgd by the insurgent troops. ! imme diately
tent boat TO the Colon, in charge OF Lieutenant
judo, 10 see what the trouble was. he returned
in about half an hour bringing Uni!ed Ted
that there were arms and ammunition
on beard the Colon and that senior P. Preston,
the chief OF the insurgent forces here, had de-
sndeo the delil cry of The arms that Mr. Con;
LOr the Aspinwau agent OF the Pacific NAL
steamship Company, was under arrest. and tnai
-eSion hsd promised not 10 interfere with the
Gamer before 3 p. m, when the general agent Of
the Pacific Nail Steamship Company, Captain
Dow, would srrivo fIom Panama, provided the
GslenG put no force on board the steamer in the
meantime. At 2:25 sent Lieutenant Judd, who
was accompanied by the United states Consul
Dow and direct him not 10 deliver any arms with
out my permission and 10 communicate with
Preston and say desired an interview
Dow 81 the steamship onice, wnere
were also Preston aud some OF his
aics. Lieutenant Judd communicated ny in
slructions ard Preston at once called in some Of
his guards and arrested Lieutenant Judd, the
United S ates Consul, and Captain Dow. and oE-
Consulate, the COnsuls clerk, Mr.. Casanova, an
American citizen, was forcibly removed; Naval
ship 10 bring the news OF the arrests. He also in
formed me Of the threat of Preston that If the
Gale IA attempted TO land force, II would oe
f. ed upon, and If she fred gun, the whole party
would be shot The insurgeLt guards were now
assembled on the wharyes in force, and had
thrown up barrlcsde on the northern pier
of the haIbCr n resist our landing l sent
demand 10 Tesion for the immediate re-
lease of the whole party, but Lieutenant
Judd returned on board snd the demand was not
delivered. Lieutenant Judd and party we've held
as hostages nearly two hours. and only released
when the United States Consul had given his con-
sent Tor the delivery OF the arms. This promise
Yves exacted under penalty OF death for the whole
party. During the absence OF Lieutenant Judd
the Gaena had been dropped down within 100
yards OF the Colon's wharf. and every preparation
was made for seizIng that yes ell"
Comm ander Kane relates how he got Consul
Wright and bis clerk Oh board the Galena. and
adds Il now determined TO wait no longer, so
ordered all of the armed boats manned. and, un-
der the command OF Lieutenant Judd, the Colon
was taken possession OF, the insurgents retiring
up the wharf and taking with them the two steam
shipegents as prisoners. The Colon was hauled
out into the stream, and the Galens dropped
alongside OF the wharf. After securing the ship
ard resting necessary guards on the wharf. made
a demand on Preston for the release Of the two
agents of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company.
and received verbal reply that he would answer
ne in the morning; At the next morning:
twelve officers and Ia sailors and marines, and
with three guns, under the command OF Lieu
tenant Judd and made all preparations to release
the two agents by force III my demand was not
complied with. When these preparations were
being made Captain Dow and Mr.. Connor ap.
He proceeds: Having now under my p-otec-
ton all the Americans who had been arrested
| and hearing the firing OF the Government troops
from Panama. who were driving the insurgeni
/ forces before them into their barricade in the
/ town. ordered Lieutenant Judd with his force
10 leave sufficient men TO protect the property o.
the Pacific Mail Company. and chen 10 take pos
session of the United states Consulate and the
/ Offices and storehouses OF the Panama Railroad
! Company and to use his force for the protection
OF this American property. This was done"
Here follows the story OF the fight between
| PTeston's forces and the Government troops and
the burning OF Colon, substantially as has already
| been given. The Commander adds
The crew OF H. B. VI. gunboat Lily rendered
| great assistance i'm saving the shipping at ths
wbaIves none OF which was destroyed. The frS
! did not extend to the Panama Canal Company's
/ property st Christoph Colon. All that has beer
saved OF the town OF Aspinw wall is due to the pro
! lection afforded by this ship and the efficiency
and hard work OF the officers and men In hghtng
the fire."
Heconcluces "rhe OFF euIues- 6tthe after
noon OF March so could have been avoided had
/ been informed In time regarding the arms oD tn
/ Colon -