[XXVI-83] Id., Feb. 18, 1885; Cent. Am. Miscel., no. 28; Gaceta de Pan., Feb. 18, 1885.
[XXVI-84] During that morning the revolutionists compelled merchants having arms in their warehouses to deliver them. They thus provided themselves with upwards of 600 rifles.
[XXVI-85] There had been many killed and wounded on both sides. An outsider, a French citizen, who imprudently put out his head, also lost his life. Much property was stolen, destroyed, or injured. At midday on the 16th the prisoners in the jail effected their escape, and made themselves conspicuous with their cries of Viva la libertad! The government force made several prisoners, and seized a number of arms in the arrabal. A number of young Panameños formed themselves into a guard to protect the city during the night of the 17th. Pan. Cronista, March 18, 21, 25, 1885.
[XXVI-86] A mulatto from Cartagena. In 1881, when a member of the legislative assembly from Colon, he was concerned in a personal rencontre with and killed M. Céspedes, and an Englishman. He was tried and acquitted, and his immediate release from prison was demanded by the assembly. Pan. Canal, June 7, 1881.
[XXVI-87] Correoso blames Gónima for leaving Colon utterly defenceless. Sucesos de Pan., 12.
[XXVI-88] Those who refused to furnish the supplies were imprisoned, and their goods confiscated. La Estrella de Pan., March 19, 1885; El Universal de Pan., March 20, 1885; Pan. Star and Herald, March 31, 1885.
[XXVI-89] The object of the notifications was to allow time for non-combatants to get out of harm's way. Families accordingly abandoned the city, and business houses were closed. About 8 o'clock Gen. Ibañez visited Aizpuru's camp, and brought back assurance that no assault would be made that night.
[XXVI-90] Gónima despatched Correoso and Jerardo Ortega as commissioners, the former to Aizpuru, and the latter to Prestan. Both missions resulted in nothing satisfactory. Aizpuru proposed the following terms: 1st. Recognition of Gónima as civil chief of the state; 2d. Aizpuru to have the command of the troops, which were to be increased to 1,000 men. Prestan to be the prefect at Colon. After reflecting a moment, Gónima, rejected the proposals. Correoso then resigned the office of secretary-general. Pan. Star and Herald, Apr. 9, 1885; La Estrella de Pan., March 28, Apr. 4, 1885; Pan. Cronista, March 28, 1885; S. F. Cronista, Apr. 4, 1885; Correoso, Sucesos de Pan., 13-16.
[XXVI-91] Prestan demanded the arms on the Colon, and being refused, first arrested Connor, then after grossly insulting Mr Burt, the superintendent of the Panamá R. R. Co., took possession of the wharf, placed a guard on the Colon, and made a search for the arms, but could not get at them. Pan. Star and Herald, March 31, 1885; La Estrella de Pan., Apr. 4, 1885; Pan. Cronista, Apr. 4, 1885.
[XXVI-92] They had been taken to Monkey Hill at 3 a. m. on the 31st, and placed in a dangerous position under guard, but in the mêlée that followed they escaped.