St. Paul daily globe., 1890-09-24
CALAMITY AT COLON,
Three-Fourths Of the City De-
stroyed by a Midnight
Fire.
The Total Loss Is Estimated
at at Least a Million and
a Half.
Militiamen Fire on a Mob of
Looters, Killing Several
of Them.
Floods Doing Great Damage
in FPance--A Cemetery
Undermined.

PANAMA, Sept % -Three-fourths of
Colon has been destroyed. The fire
broke out at midnight, and was not un-
der control until a. m. 1t is reported
that ninety carloads of freight in transit
has been consumed. The wharves and
shipping are safe. Owing to the riotous
behavior of mob of looters the military
opened fire with ball cartridges. killing
and wounding several persons. Rein
forcements of police have been dis
patched from here. A supply of food
has also been sent. Everything is re-
ported quiet now. The fire COM
menced shortly after midnight.
1t originated in the back part
OF the store of Rathbun e.
PratZe, on Bolivar and Fifth streets,
near the Electric Light company's build
ing, which was entirely destroyed.
burned itself out near the market the
fire fed on immense quantities of alco-
hol, spirits, petroleum and other in
fiammable materials and was entirely
beyond human control. Without inter-
ruption the flames sprung up in three
irections-southerly through Bolivar
and Front streets, sweeping away every
business place, store and private resi-
dence IN the way; westerly through
Fifth street to the royal mail
premises, Panama railway and
general superlntendent's offices,
leaving nothing but the walls
standing of the latter: and northerly to
Fourth street. In all about $50 build
ings were destroyed, including the post
Office. supreme court, municipality pre-
fectura: the agencies of all the steam
ship companies except the French COM
pany; the Pacific mail and Royal mail
offices and part of the wharf; every
business house of Importance on Front
street and all the hotels, The inhabit-
ants were panic stricken for a while,
but order was soon restored. No deaths
and no casualties of any account have
been reported as yet. The fire was got
under control about z a. M, but a pile
of lumber belonging to the Boston Ice
company, containing about 250,000 feet,
is still burning. The total loss is esti-
mated at S1,500,0OO. The loss of the
Panama railway alone is calculated at
100000. The cause of the fire has not
yet been ascertained. Some believe it
was accidental, while others think it
was of lncendiary origin. The burned
property is guarded at present by sol
diers. Only few of the prin-
cipal business firms were partly
insured. Several steamers were
obliged to leave the wharf
during the fire. The United States
man-of-war Kearsage left some hours
before the fire broke out. At last ac-
counts the fire had been completely
subdued. About 100 cars of freight in
the railroad yard were consumed. Ev-
erything was quiet and orderly.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.-The depart
ment of state has received a telegram
from Consul Victor Vifquain, at Colon,
confirming the press dispatches of
disastrous fire at that place to-day and
the destruction of great part of the
city. The consul says, however, that
the American portion of the city is safe.
A Province Proclaimed.
LONDON, Sept. 23.-A dispatch from
Goa says that state of siege has been
proclaimed there in consequence of
the election riots. The streets are now
patrolled by soldiers. Warrants have
been issued for the arrest of the popu-
lar leaders. Many residents have fled
into the country. The whole province
of SalSette has been proclaimed.
The official who ordered the troops to
fire on the electors at Goa has fed. The
governor has been advised to keep in
doors. The excitement is intense.