The colored American., 1899-12-09
TROUBLE AT FIT. RINGGOLD
The Facts Leading up to the Re
cent Outrage Candidly Pre-
sented by an Eyewitness
Troops Should Not be Re
moved,

Troops Should NOT De Ne-
moved.
Fort Ringgold, Texas, Special,-On
the night of October 16, 1899, several
troopers of Troop D. Ninth Cavalry,
went to Rio Grsnde City, Tex, which
Is three hundred yards from the Fort.
Its population is chiefly made up OF
Mexicans. The soldiers entered gam
ling den to play, and during the course
of the game the MeXicans cheated them
out of their money. The soldiers re-
ented the unfair deal and this angered
the MeXicsns. About fifty OF them
drew revolvers and Winchesters and
shot two soldiers, but not seriously,
and arrested three others who were
mere onlCokers. They were tried ac'
cording to such crude courts as they
have, and ten were fined S65 90, or four
months at hard labor, aDd one was set
at liberty, from what evidence We can
not say, as the soldiers were without
fault and the fine imposed was out
rag GUS. They decided to serve their
sentences.
Mexicans constitute the larger part
of the population Of the city, and they
Are ignorant, indolent, poor and desti-
tute and were it not for the military post
near them, they would slarve to death
and the city would cease to exist. A few
Of the intelligent portion Of the popu'
lation Sc m to recognize this depen'
dence upon the post. TEey are peace
ful and law abiding citizens, and are
wont to respect the colored soldiers sta
toned in the vicinity. Only the strong
arm Of the government. however, can
bring the lower and vicious classes 30
this spirit of deeency and order. Ever
since the Ninth Cavalry has been sta
toned at the Post, trouble of some
kind or other has been going on be-
tween the soldiers and deputy mar
shals, who are made up Of border cut
throats, outlaws and escaped convicts
from Mexico, whose former regulations
if made known, would sentence them
| to the galloWs without trial. They do
not even respect the U. s. mail. Laws
are ruthlessly violated and soldiers that
are sent there to project the communi'
ty are hooted and insulted.
The town is destitute of business ia
ciiitles and the means of procuring
livelihood are mesger. The men in
control are aware Of this; therefore be-
come parties to plot to aggavate SOL
diers and force an arrest when they
make and effort TO protect themselves,
and then exact fine of from fifty to
sixty dollars. 1t Is learned that when
ever soldier pays his fine the money
is distributed among the deputies as
their salaries. Such acts Of violence
only occur on pay days or just before
or just at the time they suspect money
is IN circulation among soldiers. The
writer learns that such acts of violence
are not only perpetrated on Troop d,
Ninth Cavalry, but upon every pre-
ceding troop or company Of soldiers
that have been stationed at Fort Ring.
gold. 1t is said that the sheriff of the
county encourges his men to commit
these depredations.
The Mexicans carry concealed weap.
ons Of all sorts, such as horse pistols
jacksknives, and other foul weapons,
known TO the Texas rangers and border
ruffians; but if soldier carries 6
weapon of any kind, or even sUspsc
ed, he Is hunted and if found il
thrown into jail, and tremendous fins
imposed.
The ragged and half starved Mexi
cans have hatred toward Negro sol
diers, for what reason we do not know
but we suppose 1t is on account of pre-
vious condition OF servitude II there
Is any other reason we are at loss t
understand it, for we have Negroes tha
could buy the entire Rio Grande City
and not hurt their purse in the slighes
respect. We also have Negroes alst
who are far superior to the majority il
! intelligence, business faculties and in
dustriousness.
: The recent trouble. widely published
was the outcome of a shooting
: scrape On October 18th. The Mexicsni
made threats that they were going tt
whip all of the Negro soldiers on pay
} day November 20, and word was alst
sent to the garrison to that effect. Al
order was issued five days before No
vember Goth that no one should leav,
the post. During the day of the Goth
Mexicans were seen prowling around
! the garrison and in chapparal bushes
heavily armed, and from all indication
appeared to be planning AN attack
The suspicion became areality and th'
assault was made. The soldiers ant