The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-08
Charged With Helping Those Who
Killed Man and Two Women
WITCHCRkFT WAS THE CHARGE.
Cases Of Meningitis hi Tsris Community
Result In Belief That Witches Are
Exercising BalsfSpalL

Paris, Tex, April S.-"White people and
half-breeds are not troubled with witches.
Witches can't shoot witchballs into them
because they eat no much salt that the
bullets won't penetrate them and so can't
have any effect. History shows that
when white people first came to America
they discovered witches among the In
dians. and they have been among them
ever since"
Thus speak today a regularly ordained
minister In the Presbyterian church OF
the United States--the Rev. Solomon
Hotema, now in jail here with Sam Frye,
accused Of murder. Both are full blood
ed Choctaw Indians.
The Rev. Solomon Hotema is one OF the
most prominent men in the choctaw ma
ton. He converses entertainingly, he
writes excellent English and he has an
education OF which any white man might
He attended the Presbyterian college at
Roanoke, Va, for three years and was
afterwards ordained into the Presbyter-
Coming back once more to his native
heath he was elected Judge OF kiamitia
county and held the office tor several
terms.
Later he became district-attorney.
while his fellow Choctaws made him a
member OF the nations 8 council. AT the
last General Assembly he was present as
a delegate.
TWO OTHER ARRESTS.
Two others were arrested with the Rev.
Solomon Hotema aud sam Frye-Tobias
Williams and Sam Tarnatubby. Williams
died in JAIL Tarnatubby has just been re-
leased on $1,000 bail as being only an ac-
cessory before the fact. lie was not
present at the alleged murders, but ad-
vised them as the only possible way %
getting rid of the witchcraft, which was
really just meningitis.
The tragedies took place near Cold
Spring church. There had been several
deaths from meningitis In the community
where Hotema, Frye, Williams and Tarn-
atubby lived.
One of the number was a little son of
Hotema himself sHe was the pastor of
the church and the spiritual adviser OF
his people, all Christians.
The sudden death greatly disturbed the
Choctaws. Meetings were held at the
church TO discuss the matter. Ihey sent
for Tarnatubby. greatest of witch doctors
among the Choctaws. lie listened TO the
story with great attention.
They were bewitched.' It is testified he
said when he had heard all. The only
way. my brothers, that YOU can stop the
plague is to kill the witches who be-
witched our friends
Death was decided upon, even though n
meant killing the members OF the ram
lilies OF the sick ones who had sat up
with them night after night with only
love in their hearts.
Botema summoned Sam Frye and To-
bias Williams. young full-bloods TO his
assistance. They took a buggy and start
ed of, armed with rife and shotgun
"Well stop at Nina Coleman's Nrst,
announced the minister. she's witch
herself"
All unsuspecting the young woman n
came TO the door when the buggy drew
up outside. She was Hotema's sister-in-
law, and rushed TO welcome him, carry
ing her little baby boy in her arms. A
volley from the two guns brought her
tie one was wounded, too, but II was vot-
ed he was too young 10 be witch. 40 he
was not dispatched but left 10 live as
best he could without a mother.
There was another child-an older one.
He tried TO run and was shot In the back.
Next the buggy drove TO the home of
Hall Greenwood. who came out TO meet
his friends.
Where's you wife?" asked Rev. Mr..
Hotema. She's a witch and we've come
to kill her." so the testimony says.
Greenwood began 10 plead for her life
Keep still or we'il kill you.' cried the
clergyman, according to the evidence.
After we get her buried we'll come back
and 10 kill you, and be sure to be on
hand!" a
Then Qrs. Greenwood was killed before
her anguished husbands eyes. The last
victim was Alfred Morris, who was
deliberately shot down without word or
warning.
Hotema Is now writing his biography in
Jail In Il he makes copious references
10 the bible To prove that witches exist.