The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-21
THE ISLANDERS Revenge
Porto Ricans Destroy Spanish
Property at Coto.
THEY REMEMBER GALES
Half OF the Town. Including the
Bank. Set on Fire and the Busi-
Troops Now Guard the Place acd
the Riotcrs Are Being Arrested.

Ponce. Aug. 2O.-Twenfy-nine houses in
the town of Coto were burned on Frijay
10y Porto Ricans. Two other houses were
torn down. and the bank and all OF the
business houses were looted
Coto is a small town five miles from
Ponce. Half of the population is Span
ash. and the stores belonged TO them
At 5 O'Clock in the morning the night
watchman who was on guard was held
by three Porto Ricans. who showed a
revolver in his face. and threatened 10
kilI him. The watchman ran away, and
the men then lighted torches and began
10 destroy property
They chopped IN doors. tore off and
smashed in blinds. and finally set fire
20 one block Of the finest buildings in
the town owned by Spaniards. containing
all of the business of the place.
The native villagers were terror.zed.
and al first Joined the assaiian:s. who
began loOting the burning buildings and
setting fire TO Others.
A mule train of the Nineteenth Regular
Infantry came along the road while the
fire was at its height and was stopped
10y the flames. The men OF the train could
do nothing but look on while the mob,
every minute growing larger. by acces-
sions from the native villagers, went
from house 10 house, destroying every
thing they could get hold Of
SPaninrds Take to the Woods.
The Spanish residents fed to the woods,
though the mob offered no harm 10 their
persons. The bank stood in the middle
OF the business block. The mob attacked
the building with pick axes and shoveIs,
and succeeded in smashing the vauli, but
they got only very little cash.
After riaing the vault of its contents,
the mob set fire 10 the building, the
crowd cheering as the flames rose in the
sir, and yelling Death TO SPAIN Death
to the Spanish etc.
When the disorder was at its height
Major Parkhill of Gen. Wilson's staff.
came along on his way from Ponce TO
the front. and Lieut. Lswton, with thir-
Ty-one men Of the Nineteenth Infantry.
also came up. They started in with fixed
bayonets and corra,led fiFty-three of the
rioters
Only two Of the mob were armed, but
they did not offer to shoot.
4 Good-Nafured Mob.
The mob was g0od-natured- Its men,
bers laughed at the soldiers. and seemed
TO think the whole affair a joke.
The watchman was caught with the
rest He said he knew Two of the men
VINO started the riot. and. under threat
OF death. he gave their names. The SOL
diers are looking for them and have cap
tured a lot Of suspects at Ju9na Diaz.
Coto was still burning last night. bul
the flames were under control. The 1own
is guarded by soldiers. The houses
which were burned were all owned by
Spaniards.
The outrage is one of a series that has
taken place since the signing of peace
The first was committed by Spaniards
in a little town in the western end OF
the island. where q lot of Porto Ricans
were killed.
Looking for Vengeance.
The natives have been looking for ven
geance ever since, and reports have been
received daily from towns outlying Ponce
of assaults on Spaniards and destruction
OF their property by natives
The military authorities are taking hold
now. and will put stop TO the violence.
even If shooting is necessary.
The warships withdrawn from Ponce
today weIe the Terror, Puritan. Amphi-
trite and Wasp, which went to Guanica.
The others have gone to Guantanamo.
The reason for the ships going to
Guanica is that the harbor there Is safe
in case Of a hurricane, while the harbor
af Ponce is not