The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-11-21
CITY OF COLON FALLS
INTO INSURGENTS HANDS
There Was a Short But Vicious Battle, In Which
Twelve Were Killed.
More Fighting In Progress and It Feared That Panama May Be
Taken

n DION, Colombia, Nov. 20 Cvia Cal
veston).-The liberals made an I'M
expected attack on Colon at s
O'Clock last night. The government was
not prepared and there was little re-
sistance. After some fighting i'm front
of the caurta and in certain streets for
an hour and a half, the liberals gained
possession of all the public offices and
the town Of Colon.
The project, Guardia, is a prisoner.
Over twelve killed and about thirty in
jured.
The United States gunboat Machias.
now here. took no part in the proceed
ings.
on receipt of the news that General
Albdn the military commander of the
isthmus. had started to attack the lib
erals at ChOTrera, near Panama the
latter detached 160 men, under General
Patino. to attack Colon. This force en-
barked on board a train 5OUnd from
Panama to Colon yesterday evening at
Las Cascades station, previously cutting
off Geographic communication across
the isthmus. On arriving at the out
skirts Of Colon, where the government
usually maintained a small guard. the
rebels left the train and i'm the initial
skirmish which soon began afterWaTd,
Patino was killed.
Surprised the Town.
The command Of liberals then de-
volved on Colonel FREDERICK BarTera
and they continued their march on
Colon. arriving there a few minutes
after the train. thus surprising the
whole town.
Inc government troops at Colon were
Outnumbered by the liberals. Fighting
Immediately began al the cuaTtO (bar-
racks), which was soon taken There
Senior Jaen, a judge of the criminal
court, was killed, and Senior Muskus,
the district representative of the in
terror department was mortRly
wounded.
Fighting subsequently occurred at
the town hall. which was also taken
by the liberals. Among the prisoners
captured by the liberals there were the
project. guardia, and the cOmmandant
Of police.
Senior Parenes, the mayor, managed
to reach the gunboat General PinzOD,
which sailed last night for a destina-
ton unknown. The whole affair was
over in less than three hours.
Communication with Panama was re-
stored today. This revealed that no
fighting had occurred there. that every
thing was quiet and that the city was
still in the hands Of the government.
More Fighting Going On.
The issue now depends on the result
of the fighting which is now doubtless
occurring at GhOrTeTa, news of which
is anXiOusly awaited here. The liberals
are busy raising TeinfOrCements local
". They are reported to have several
hundred men at different railroad sta
lions between here and Panama,
The United States gunbOat MachiaS
landed a detachment of marines here
this morning. They are now guarding
their station and other property of the
road.
At a conference between Commander
McCrae of the Machias United States
Consul MalmOrs. Colonel Sh8leT. SUI
perrin tendent of the Panama railroad,
and Colonel BaTIera. the commander
of the liberals, the latter was informed
why the marines had been landed from
the Machias. BerTeTa promised to
guard the city with his troops.
Trains will be crossing. the isthmus
as usual tomorrow. There has been
no obstruction to free transit so far.
The news of the capture of Colon.
cation with that city was restored this
morning. was a great surprise to tie
inhabitants of that city.
Defenses For Panama.
According to the latest news received
here from Panama nothing has yet been
heard in that city concerning the out
come of General Adams expedition
against the liberal forces at ChCrrera.
1t is said that information of recent
happenings at Colon has been sent to
him.
In the meantime the government
troops at Panama, numbering about 300
men. are busily engaged in the COR
struction of earth works and barTicades
at the railroad bridge going into the
city, in anticipation Of an early liberal
attack.
Colonel Shaler says that no request
has been made upon him for a special
train to convey government troops to
Colon tonight. If such a request is
made it will be granted. but Colonel
ShaIeT does not consider il likely. The
liberals say they have at east 200 men
in possession of the different railroad
stations on the line between here and
Panama. These men viii doubtless do
their utmost to prevent the transpOTta
ton of government troops to this point.
Traffic across the ishmus by the rail-
road continues uninterrupted. Men
from the Machias are guarding the
railroad station and property here to-
night.